NZ First opposes India FTA over dairy concerns

New Zealand’s political party New Zealand First has strongly opposed the proposed India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), citing major concerns over dairy access and immigration concessions. Party leader and Foreign Minister Winston Peters described the deal as “neither free nor fair,” arguing that while New Zealand would significantly open its market to Indian goods, India has not reduced tariff barriers on key dairy exports such as milk, cheese, and butter.

Notably, the agreement marks New Zealand’s first trade deal to exclude major dairy products, despite dairy exports being valued at around $13.94 billion in the year to November 2025, accounting for nearly 30% of the country’s total goods exports.

(www.ndtv.com) Peters warned that the agreement would be difficult to justify to farmers and rural communities, as it fails to deliver adequate gains for the country’s most critical export sector. He also raised concerns that the deal offers excessive immigration concessions to Indian citizens, further intensifying opposition.

As a coalition partner in government, New Zealand First has indicated it will vote against the agreement in Parliament, casting uncertainty over its approval. The development highlights the sensitivity of dairy in global trade negotiations and underscores the challenge of balancing market access with protection of domestic agricultural interests.

Source: Dairynews7x7 6 April, 2026 Read full story here

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