Trade Minister Todd McClay Rebuffs Shane Jones’ "Butter Chicken Tsunami" Comments During India Trade Trip

Todd McClay faces questioning from Indian media after Shane Jones' controversial comments on immigration. Senior National MPs label the rhetoric "race-based scaremongering."

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 29, 2026, 2:58 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Diplomatic Damage Control in New Delhi While in India to finalize the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement, Trade Minister Todd McClay faced direct questioning from local media regarding the rhetoric used by New Zealand First MP Shane Jones. Jones had previously claimed he would never accept a "butter chicken tsunami" of unfettered immigration resulting from the deal. McClay told Indian reporters that while New Zealand protects freedom of speech, Jones’ comments represent a "small minority view" and do not reflect the value New Zealand places on its Indian community.

Escalating Rhetoric in Parliament The fallout from the comments followed McClay back to Wellington, where deputy National leader Nicola Willis used a general debate to deliver a sharp rebuke. Willis accused Jones of engaging in "race-based scaremongering," marking the strongest condemnation from a senior National minister to date. While Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has previously called the comments "unacceptable," Willis’ direct challenge in the House highlights a growing rift within the coalition over the use of derogatory language regarding the FTA.

A Community Under Pressure The "butter chicken" barb comes at a sensitive time for New Zealand’s Indian community. Recent weeks have seen reports of anti-Indian sentiment, including racial graffiti in Auckland suburbs like Papatoetoe and Royal Oak. Community leaders have expressed growing concern that political rhetoric regarding immigration is fueling real-world hostility. Mount Roskill MP Carlos Cheung, a migrant himself, explicitly labeled the phrase racist, noting that diverse communities feel targeted by such "joke" rhetoric.

Coalition Dynamics and the FTA Despite the internal friction, the Free Trade Agreement with India was officially signed on Monday night, positioning New Zealand to compete for "Most Favored Nation" status alongside the European Union. However, the opposition from New Zealand First remains a hurdle for coalition unity. While ACT leader David Seymour dismissed the comments as "lame dad jokes," the National Party’s senior leadership appears increasingly wary of the diplomatic and social costs of Jones’ populist messaging.

The Contribution of Indian New Zealanders In his response to Indian media, McClay emphasized the significant economic and social contributions made by the Indian diaspora in New Zealand. According to...