‘Almost Spam’: The comment that put New Zealand’s immigration minister in hot water

New Zealand’s Immigration Minister, Erica Stanford, has sparked controversy after comments she made in Parliament likened emails from Indian nationals to spam.

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While justifying her use of a personal Gmail account for ministerial duties during a parliamentary session on May 6, Stanford remarked that she frequently receives unsolicited messages, particularly from individuals in India seeking immigration assistance. “I never respond to them,” she said, adding, “I almost view them as spam.”

The statement was met with swift criticism, especially from Labour MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan, who called the comments offensive and discriminatory. Speaking to The Indian Weekender, Radhakrishnan said the minister’s words unfairly stigmatize an entire community. “Particularly given New Zealand's important relationship with India, comments like these serve to reinforce negative stereotypes against an entire community of people,” she said, calling the remarks “careless at best and prejudiced at worst.”

She further argued that public officials routinely receive unsolicited emails and questioned why those from Indians were specifically being highlighted. Radhakrishnan also noted that New Zealand’s ties with India are significant and comments like these risk damaging the relationship.

In response to the criticism, Stanford attempted to clarify her position. "I did not say that I consider them as spam, I only said that I consider them almost akin to spam," she claimed, saying that she meant the volume and unsolicited nature of these messages are similar to spam, and her example was based on a recent email that came to mind during the discussion.

Stanford has served as Immigration Minister since late November 2023, following the formation of the National-led coalition under Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

The controversy comes at a delicate time, as New Zealand works to deepen its relationship with India. In March, Prime Minister Luxon met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss closer cooperation in trade, defence, and education. Both nations are aiming to finalize a free trade agreement by the end of 2025, focusing on areas like agriculture, minerals, healthcare, and tourism.

Moreover, education remains a major link between the two countries, with over 15,000 Indian students currently enrolled in New Zealand institutions. Plans are also underway to enhance cultural exchanges in sports, tourism, and academia, reinforcing strong people-to-people connections between the nations.