The leader of New Zealand First has angered voters with a social media post celebrating India’s Republic Day, with many accusing him of trying to play both sides of the issue.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters, whose party is commonly described as “right-wing populist” and criticised the government’s recent Free Trade Agreement with India, shared photos of himself at the Indian High Commission in Wellington on Wednesday.
“Boosting broad-based relations between India and New Zealand has been an important component of the Government’s foreign policy reset,” Mr Peters wrote on X along with Indian and New Zealand flags and the handshake emoji.
The Minister attended an event at the Indian High Commission in Wellington this evening, marking India’s Republic Day.
Boosting broad-based relations between India and New Zealand has been an important component of the Government’s foreign policy reset.
🇮🇳 🤝 🇳🇿@IndiainNZ pic.twitter.com/eVxkmLJFiK
— Winston Peters (@NewZealandMFA) January 28, 2026
But the post sparked outrage from other New Zealanders who accused him of hypocrisy and called for an end to immigration from India or total remigration.
“So the anti-immigration posturing was a farce? Hypocrisy is a bold election strategy, let’s see how it plays out. God forbid a New Zealand-based political party prioritises their kiwi constituents. That’s what the name ‘New Zealand First’ ought to stand for, isn’t it?” one wrote.
“Rescinding my vote now, this is egregious,” said another.
“Jesus Christ. One can only deduce that a message has gone out to global elites to take in masses of Indians. Absolutely insane,” said a third, while another wrote: “Infinity Indians. Not what we voted for.”
Others simply wrote “traitor” or “mass deportations now”.
Shane Jones : “Why does New Zealand need more Uber drivers ?” 👏
today In response to Maiki Sherman asking if NZfirst is causing social disharmony by addressing a contentious issue like … ‘immigration’.
The left : HOW DARE YOU BRING UP IMMIGRATION YOU RACIST!” https://t.co/Fq0p4GjU3T pic.twitter.com/JoevMbU96s
— Holyhekatuiteka (@2ETEKA) January 22, 2026
NZ media “disinformation experts” are starting to complain that NZ First’s social media posts are full of patriots calling for remigration. Admits “what was in ’19 unspeakable enters legitimate political discourse” pic.twitter.com/V9Owfa4d8q
— Dieuwe de Boer (@rightmindsnz) January 29, 2026
The post comes after New Zealand First MP Shane Jones generated the opposite reaction last week by bluntly telling a reporter the country didn’t need more low skilled migrants.
1News Political Editor Maiki Sherman asked Mr Jones: “Do you think that could cause social disharmony, pushing issues, contentious issues, such as immigration?”
“We have five-and-a-half per cent of unemployment in the country, why on Earth do we need more Uber drivers if we’re already struggling with that level of unemployment?” the MP responded.
An analysis by far-left activist researcher and “disinformation expert” Sanjana Hattotuwa shared on Bluesky found New Zealand First voters on social media regularly express preferences for remigration, a halt to demographic replacement and are critical of civic nationalism.
Header image: Mr Peters at the Republic Day event (X).
