New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones says parliamentary colleagues have suggested he tones down his public comments but he maintains he gets "cut through" by using hyperbole.
It comes after his recent comments on Reality Check Radio, where he referred to a "butter chicken tsunami" when expressing his immigration concerns with New Zealand's free trade agreement with India.
Jones made the comment last week when he was asked about his thoughts on the agreement, to which he criticised the deal saying he believed it would allow "unfettered immigration", and it would lead to roads being clogged and health and frontline services being overwhelmed.
"I don't care how much criticism I get," Jones said before going on to make the comments: "I am never going to agree with a butter chicken tsunami coming to New Zealand."
Today, when asked by reporters if he thinks he should "tone it down".
"There have been various members in the Parliament who have said 'oh come on Jonesy, we know you like your one-liners but can you just taiho and talk in a far more prosaic term.'"
Despite his acknowledgement, Jones made it clear his opinion had not changed.
"I get cut through on debates by deploying hyperbole, and the reality is immigration is going to be a key issue going into the next election, and it is my view that immigration has been snuck into the free trade deal in a way that does not reflect the expectations of Kiwis."
He went on to say: "The media will never cancel the dalmatian Māori because he uses hyperbole and dismiss it as racism. Kiwis are flocking to my cause. Immigration, unmitigated, has had a lot of negative impacts."
'Fall short of the standard expected in public discourse'
New Zealand Indian Business Association general secretary Jaspreet Kandari spoke to Breakfast this morning to discuss Jones' comments. (Source: Breakfast)
New Zealand Indian Business Association general secretary Jaspreet Kandari said Jones' initial comments "fall short of the standard in public discourse".
"He is a senior leader and a seasoned leader, and we expect a better choice of words from him. These comments can be seen as directed toward our broader community rather than focusing on the India free trade deal," he told Breakfast.
"The community members are a bit upset about it."
Kandari said the provisions in the agreement allow 5000 migrants over a period of three years with a maximum term of three years' stay.
"It's not leading to a pathway to residence," he said.
"Looking at the numbers, it allows for a 1600 to 1700 per year, which is very insignificant to the level of migration we have. Shane Jones being in the coalition has every right or possibility to affect and make an impact on the immigration policy where they can always adjust the numbers.
"This is just rhetoric closer to the election and I don't think this is the way that shows his leadership."
Kandari said he believed Jones had his own audience which he is addressing.
"Closer to the election, every time, this is not the first time he has made such remarks in the past too so it's not a big surprise anyway.
"I think any racism, it has roots in the top leadership, somehow the comments that flow through in the community. I mean politicians have a very responsible position and role in the society to whom we benchmark as our leaders.
"So they should be careful and choice of their words and whatever statements they make in the public discourse. So those comments were really very upsetting and there has been a huge backlash after that in the community."
New Zealand First does not support the India FTA, meaning it needs the support of Labour to pass through Parliament.
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