New Zealand's Finance Minister Nicola Willis launched an extraordinary public attack on coalition partner New Zealand First over opposition to an India trade deal, telling NZ First MP Shane Jones: "Shame on you, Shane."
The rebuke, reported by Stuff, came as tensions within New Zealand's coalition government spilled into open warfare. Willis, a senior National Party minister, accused NZ First of blocking a trade agreement with India for political reasons, jeopardizing billions in potential economic benefits.
Jones, NZ First's economic development spokesman, has been vocal in his skepticism about the proposed India deal, arguing it would expose New Zealand agriculture to unfair competition and undercut local industries. Willis shot back that NZ First was engaging in "economic nationalism" that would leave New Zealand isolated.
Mate, this is the same coalition that's supposed to be presenting a united front to voters. Instead, the Finance Minister is publicly shaming a coalition partner by name in Parliament. That's not a disagreement — that's a relationship breakdown happening in real time.
The India trade deal has been in negotiation for years, and represents a significant opportunity for New Zealand exporters to access one of the world's fastest-growing markets. But , true to its populist roots, has raised concerns about cheap imports flooding and undercutting local producers — particularly in agriculture and manufacturing.
