Winston Peters says clause in India FTA contradicts NZ First’s coalition deal

Sunday, 28 June 2026

NZ First leader Winston Peters is claiming part of the Government’s India free trade agreement contradicts his party’s coalition deal with National.

The free trade agreement passed its first reading in Parliament earlier this week with the support of National, ACT and Labour, with NZ First strongly opposing the bill.

At a speech in Hastings on Sunday, Peters said the parties had agreed to the deal for “short term headline gain with basic and substantial long-term flaws”.

Peters went on to say that the agreement included United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP).

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It had been pointed out in coalition agreement deals that the Government did not recognise the declaration as having binding legal effect in New Zealand.

Peters said the clause in the trade agreement was “directly contrary to the coalition agreement between National and New Zealand First”.

“When we signed the agreement we signed not to acknowledge UNDRIP, but behind our backs they put it in the agreement with India.”

He went on to say the deal was a bad one for New Zealand.

Peters was joined by new candidates for NZ First at the meeting former Labour minister Stuart Nash and former All Black captain Taine Randell.

Randell is standing for the Tukituki electorate, while Nash is standing for his former seat, Napier.

When the India free trade agreement passed at first reading Trade Minister Todd McClay described it as historic.

“India is one of the world’s largest economies and is the fastest-growing economy in the G20. With a GDP equivalent to seven trillion New Zealand dollars and an average growth of 8.25 percent since 2021, India represents a major opportunity for New Zealand businesses.”

The Bill will be referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, where the public can make submissions on it.