Political party Sovereign is urging New Zealanders to make submissions against the proposed New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement before the public submission deadline of 17 May, warning the deal could have major long-term consequences for immigration, trade and national sovereignty.
In a submission to Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, Sovereign leader Joshua Riley argued the agreement would deliver only limited economic gains while locking New Zealand into what he described as uncapped immigration pathways, investment obligations and provisions allowing India to suspend tariff concessions.
The submission also criticises plans to help expand Indian production of products such as kiwifruit, apples and mānuka honey, while claiming key New Zealand exports including dairy received little meaningful access under the deal.
Sovereign says parliamentary support for ratification was effectively secured before the public had access to the treaty text and supporting economic analysis. New Zealanders concerned about the agreement are encouraged to lodge submissions with Parliament before submissions close at 11.59pm on 17 May.
Further information on the FTA is available here.
— Joshua Riley 🇳🇿 (@VoteSovereign) May 6, 2026
…my first submission ever
As if the ruling party gives a toss what the plebs think. They’ll ignore the submissions, even if they number in the millions, and do what the party wants to do – which is what their totalitarian globalist controllers demand of them.