Overview

• On May 6, Erica Stanford told parliament she never responds to emails from Indians seeking immigration advice and described them as “almost akin to spam.”
• Labour MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan, who was born in India, labeled the remarks “careless at best and prejudiced at worst” and warned they reinforce negative stereotypes.
• Stanford has defended her words as misinterpreted, clarifying she meant some unsolicited messages resemble spam rather than branding all Indian emails as such.
• Members of New Zealand’s Indian community and immigrant advocates are calling for a formal apology and clearer accountability from the immigration minister.
• Analysts caution the episode could strain ties as New Zealand and India aim to finalise a free trade agreement by the end of 2025.