"I Use Hyperbole": Shane Jones Defends ‘Butter Chicken Tsunami’ Barb Amid National Outcry

Shane Jones defends his rhetoric on the India FTA, while Race Relations Commissioner Melissa Derby slams the comments as "outrageous" and "dehumanising."

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 5:18 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

The Breaking Development: Jones Digs In

Speaking on his way into Parliament on Tuesday morning, Shane Jones made it clear he has no intention of apologizing for his choice of words.

The "Hyperbole" Defense: Jones argued that as a "Dalmatian Māori," he uses colorful language to highlight what he views as a threat to New Zealand's "foundation culture." He dismissed accusations of racism as an attempt by the media to "cancel" him.

Immigration Concerns: Jones maintains that the India FTA includes "unfettered immigration" settings that were "snuck into the deal" and do not reflect the expectations of New Zealanders.

Ignoring the "Tone Down" Requests: Jones acknowledged that several parliamentary colleagues had asked him to talk in "far more prosaic terms," but he insisted that "Kiwis are flocking to my cause" over concerns about infrastructure and service capacity.

Background and Strategic Context: The FTA Stalemate