Summarised by Centrist
National ministers say Winston Peters is spreading misinformation about immigration concessions linked to the India-New Zealand free trade agreement, but refuse to release the document that could settle the argument.
Peters read from the paper in Parliament in June, claiming it showed Immigration Minister Erica Stanford had approved changes discriminating against Indian citizens.
He also claimed officials discussed keeping the changes quiet because of how India might react.
Trade Minister Todd McClay said Peters “should stop promoting misinformation for the sake of gaining votes”, while Prime Minister Christopher Luxon insisted Peters was “just wrong”.
However, Stanford has withheld the entire paper, titled Implementation of the India-NZ FTA: detailed policy design and timelines.
“I do not consider that the withholding of this information is outweighed by public interest considerations,” Stanford said.
Her office said the proposals were “still under active consideration” and therefore restricted. Decisions would eventually be announced, it said, although the document itself might never be released.
Peters has also declined to publish the paper, saying doing so would breach Cabinet rules and directing reporters to Stanford.
RNZ argued that releasing it would allow the public to determine whether Peters is spreading misinformation or accurately describing the government’s plans. It has complained to the Ombudsman.
