Foreign Minister Winston Peters has come under fire after signing a Halal Cooperation Arrangement with Indonesia, marking his fourth visit to the nation this term.
Peters described Indonesia as an “absolute priority” for New Zealand’s foreign policy, sparking accusations from critics that the government is placing too much emphasis on overseas religious ties at the expense of “traditional allies”.
The move has provoked backlash from conservative voices who questioned the timing, as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.
Critics have accused Peters of favouring trade and religious diplomacy with Islamic countries, pointing to Indonesia’s shocking human rights record, including religious persecution of Christians in West Papua and other regions, and child abuse allegations, as cause for concern.
The announcement has reignited debate over halal certification in New Zealand and drawn renewed criticism of Peters’ past appearances at Islamic forums, such as his 2019 address at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Turkey. A protest rally led by Brian Tamaki is planned to take place in Queen Street, Auckland on June 21, calling for a return to Christian values and greater scrutiny of New Zealand’s international alliances.
Indonesia ramps up West Papuan ‘genocide’
The halal agreement also coincides with recent efforts by Indonesian forces to ramp up their ongoing forced displacement of indigenous and Christian communities in West Papua, as reported by DTNZ. Activists have characterised Jakarta’s policies in the region a ‘genocide’. After Dutch colonial rule ended in the 1960s, Indonesia took control of the region through a controversial process called the “Act of Free Choice” in 1969, where 1,026 handpicked Papuans voted under heavy military pressure to join Indonesia. The legitimacy of this vote is widely disputed by Papuans and international observers.
Late last month over 1,000 West Papuan villagers fled after an Indonesian military operation in Intan Jaya on May 13, 2025, reportedly resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians, including a child, elderly woman, and two women—one of whom was allegedly buried in a landmine-surrounded grave to conceal the crime.
Though Indonesia claims 18 “armed group” deaths, local sources suggest many were unarmed villagers. This violence adds to the 87,000 West Papuans already displaced by ongoing military actions, which critics argue serve to clear land for massive industrial projects like the Wabu Block gold mine.
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) links the military escalation to Indonesia’s extractive interests and urges international condemnation, an immediate UN human rights visit, and a referendum on self-determination, arguing peace is only possible through Papuan autonomy.
🕌NZ SIGNS HALAL DEAL WITH THE WORLD’S BIGGEST ISLAMIC NATION – WHY, WINSTON?
Yesterday, Winston Peters signed a “Halal Cooperation Arrangement” with Indonesia –
the world’s largest Muslim-majority country.He’s now visited Indonesia FOUR TIMES this term.
He calls Indonesia an… pic.twitter.com/Is2AV9G6Da— Brian Tamaki (@BrianTamakiNZ) June 13, 2025
If halal is the wrong way to slaughter meat, what’s the right way to do it? Grenades? Bombs?
Kosher?
The right way is how NZ abattoir’s already slaughter meat
So Tamaki is on the side of Zionism.
This is a perfect example of why we need Armed Neutrality…!
When you look at the horrific war crimes of the US, Europe and Israel, its hard to make this anti Indonesia argument stick. The best thing New Zealand could and should do, is remain neutral like Switzerland BUT also be prepared to sanction nations committing repeated and appalling crimes. For my money, the place to start would be the US and Israel, on a sliding scale, when them at the very top (worst of the worst).
These evangelical “Christians” aligning with Jesus-hating Zionists is one of the most bizarre phenonmenons I’ve ever seen.
Tamaki is a Christian you dolt. That doesn’t make him a Zionist either. He is against Muslims, or anyone, telling us what to do in our country. What is wrong with that?
What’s the problem? The customer is free to choose what sort of meat they want. If they want it pickled and we want them as a customer, then pickle it. It’s a simple economic decision. If we don’t want to supply halal meat then don’t. No need to dictate to anyone what they should or shouldn’t eat. Sick of silly dictatorial mandates.
They can get their damn meat from wherever their stone-age cullture is welcome. NOT here in New Zealand!
https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/new-zealand-abandons-indigenous-rights-and-pacific-priorities-in-foreign-policy/