Labour supports the Indian FTA, but a fired-up NZ First leader says it’s an “utter unmitigated disaster of an agreement for NZ’s future”. Has it cost him farmer votes? Will he confirm he will not go into coalition with Labour? After calling them “woke self-confessed communists who would turn our country into a basket case. No, we won’t do a deal with Labour or their Marxist and separatist mates”.

Labour supports the Indian FTA, but a fired-up NZ First leader says it&rsquo;s an &ldquo;utter unmitigated disaster of an agreement for NZ&rsquo;s future&rdquo;. Has it cost him farmer votes? Will he confirm he will not go into coalition with Labour? After calling them &ldquo;woke self-confessed communists who would turn our country into a basket case. No, we won&rsquo;t do a deal with Labour or their Marxist and separatist mates&rdquo;.

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Looking for actionable business insights all in one place? 
We're here to help you find a way with a curation of the &lsquo;best bits&rsquo; from top business podcasts. 
Save time searching; subscribe to the SME Stream where you can listen to relevant, timely, business-related content today.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

The SME Stream

The Country 23/04/26: Winston Peters talks to Jamie Mackay

As business owners, you know how hard it is keeping up with your business, let alone the news. Join Wilhelmina O'Keeffe each week as she gives you a rundown of the biggest stories that could impact your business, so you can make informed decisions with expert advice. 
This week, Economists feel uneasy about the latest inflation data, the government reassures Kiwis about our dwindling fuel stocks and we’re one step away from signing the India Free Trade Agreement. Plus ... how AI can supercharge your finances. 

As business owners, you know how hard it is keeping up with your business, let alone the news. Join Wilhelmina O'Keeffe each week as she gives you a rundown of the biggest stories that could impact your business, so you can make informed decisions with expert advice.&nbsp; This week,&nbsp;Economists feel uneasy about the latest inflation data, the government reassures Kiwis about our dwindling fuel stocks and we&rsquo;re one step away from signing the India Free Trade Agreement. Plus ... how AI can supercharge your finances.&nbsp;

The SME Stream Weekly Wrap - 24 April

Labour's written to the Prime Minister supporting the India Free Trade Deal being signed in New Delhi next week. 

National needed their support to pass the deal into law, since it was opposed by coalition partner New Zealand First. 

But Chris Hipkins remains concerned about the commitment to promote billions of dollars of investment in India, saying it's not affordable. 

Labour’s Trade Spokesperson Damien O’Connor told Kerre Woodham the slow dribble of information was frustrating, but they’ve reached a point where the balance looks good for New Zealand. 

He says it does come with risks, but there are huge opportunities as well, and they needed to make sure the Government was going to commit to them.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Labour's written to the Prime Minister supporting the India Free Trade Deal being signed in New Delhi next week.&nbsp;
National needed their support to pass the deal into law, since it was opposed by coalition partner New Zealand First.&nbsp;
But Chris Hipkins remains concerned about the commitment to promote billions of dollars of investment in India, saying it's not affordable.&nbsp;
Labour&rsquo;s Trade Spokesperson Damien O&rsquo;Connor told Kerre Woodham the slow dribble of information was frustrating, but they&rsquo;ve reached a point where the balance looks good for New Zealand.&nbsp;
He says it does come with risks, but there are huge opportunities as well, and they needed to make sure the Government was going to commit to them. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Damien O'Connor: Labour's Trade Spokesperson on the party agreeing to support the India Free Trade deal

The Finance Minister says politicians should see our downgraded Moody's economic outlook as a wake-up-call, as she pieces together her Budget.

The rating agency's moved our designation from stable to negative, but reaffirmed our triple A credit rating.

Nicola Willis says she's got a clear set of goals for the 2026 Budget - and she's committed to sticking with them even during the ongoing crisis.

"The most urgent thing I'm having to do, pretty much every day at the moment, is say no to spending more...many New Zealanders are saying cut the petrol tax, do this for us, do that for us - I get it." 

LISTEN ABOVE

The Finance Minister says politicians should see our downgraded Moody's economic outlook as a wake-up-call, as she pieces together her Budget.
The rating agency's moved our designation from stable to negative, but reaffirmed our triple A credit rating.
Nicola Willis says she's got a clear set of goals for the 2026 Budget - and she's committed to sticking with them even during the ongoing crisis.
"The most urgent thing I'm having to do, pretty much every day at the moment, is say no to spending more...many New Zealanders are saying cut the petrol tax, do this for us, do that for us - I get it."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

The Country 23/04/26: Winston Peters talks to Jamie Mackay

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