Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has refused to release a document that NZ First leader Winston Peters says shows Indian citizens are being treated unfairly in immigration rules. RNZ

The document is called 'Implementation of the India-NZ FTA: detailed policy design and timelines'. Stanford kept it secret entirely. She said she had to protect the privacy of advice given by ministers and government staff, and that the public benefit of releasing it was not strong enough to justify making it public. RNZ

Under New Zealand law, anyone can ask the government for information through something called the Official Information Act, or OIA. The government has to respond, though it can refuse in some cases. Stanford's response came at 4:30pm on Friday 24 July 2026, the last day she had to reply. Neither NZ First nor National have been willing to release the document themselves. RNZ has complained to the ombudsman, an independent official who reviews government decisions, about the refusal. RNZ

Peters had read from the document in Parliament, where MPs can speak freely without legal consequences. He said it showed Stanford had 'approved' changes that would discriminate against Indian citizens. He also said the document showed officials discussing the need to keep those changes quiet because of how India would react. He had first raised the issue in Parliament on 22 April 2026, asking whether the India-NZ free trade deal would allow discrimination against Indian citizens. Hansard RNZ

Before Stanford refused, RNZ had asked for a copy of the document on the day Peters revealed it in Parliament. Stanford's office initially said no, sending questions to Trade Minister Todd McClay's office and treating the request as an OIA request. RNZ

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Peters was 'just wrong'. Luxon said it is 'very normal' for the immigration minister to set specific conditions on visas that come with any free trade deal. McClay said Peters was wrong and 'should stop promoting misinformation for the sake of gaining votes'. RNZ

Stanford said Peters's claims were 'not helpful' for New Zealand's relationship with India, and that he had gone around the usual processes. Peters said releasing the document himself would break Cabinet rules, and told reporters to ask Stanford for a copy. RNZ

Peters has been against the India trade deal since before it was announced. He previously warned it could lead to 'open slather immigration' of Indians taking opportunities from New Zealanders. NZ First deputy leader Shane Jones warned of a 'butter chicken tsunami' from Indian immigration. Both Peters and Jones are listed on a government press release as ministers who helped secure the agreement, alongside National ministers. Beehive.govt.nz RNZ

Stuff had earlier reported that Stanford approved changes to immigration rights for Indian citizens, framing Peters's claims around the trade deal. Stuff

The broader context here is that Peters and Jones are part of the coalition government, and both helped secure the trade deal they are now criticising. One coalition partner is openly attacking a key achievement of the government it belongs to, using the protection Parliament gives MPs to make claims the Prime Minister and other ministers flatly reject.

Stanford's choice to withhold the entire document, rather than releasing parts of it, is unusual. The convention of keeping ministerial advice private is a standard reason to refuse an OIA request, but blocking it completely rather than releasing a partly blacked-out version gives the ombudsman reason to look closely. RNZ's complaint will test whether the public's right to know about immigration conditions attached to a trade deal outweighs the government's need for confidentiality.

Peters, by saying he can't release it himself because of Cabinet rules, puts the responsibility on Stanford while still using what's in the document to attack the government. It is a well-known approach for the NZ First leader. The ombudsman's investigation will be the next step to watch.