Increasing tensions among New Zealand’s coalition partners—National, Act, and New Zealand First—are raising concerns about the stability of the government as inter-party disputes intensify over both policy and conduct.

The latest disagreements center primarily on the India free trade agreement (FTA), where Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon have publicly questioned New Zealand First leader Winston Peters’ position. Luxon described Peters’ stance on the India FTA as “confusing” and suggested that Peters appeared to be attempting to “sabotage” the agreement during a recent interview on RNZ. Peters, in turn, accused National of “duplicity” over the past six months regarding the trade deal.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford also criticized Peters for publicly discussing the contents of confidential Cabinet papers related to the India agreement. Peters declined to release the papers but claimed they included discriminatory provisions against India. Stanford countered that his actions were unhelpful to New Zealand’s relationship with India.

In another area of contention, the Act Party has expressed frustration with New Zealand First’s inconsistent approach to proposed reforms on health and safety, championed by Act’s Brooke van Velden. Van Velden accused New Zealand First of misrepresenting the extent of their concerns about the bill, while Act Party leader David Seymour questioned whether New Zealand First members fully understood their opposition.

Responding to the allegations, New Zealand First’s Mark Patterson asserted that he had consulted extensively with a wide range of experts, including employers, who raised valid concerns about the legislation’s potential to compromise worker safety. He emphasized the need for the select committee to reconsider aspects of the bill to mitigate high risks he believes are involved.

National’s critiques of its coalition partners remain strategic and measured amidst the growing public disputes. However, the increasingly acrimonious exchanges suggest strains within the coalition that could erode voter confidence ahead of future elections. The coalition, formed under New Zealand’s mixed-member proportional electoral system, has so far accommodated inter-party debate without significant destabilization, but the current escalation in tensions highlights evolving challenges as the partners navigate divergent agendas and internal dynamics.