![\"Prime](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4JUJYQ3_Luxonelexdate_jpg.jpeg\")
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\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Marika Khabazi \/ Photo illustration \/ 123rf\n<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has labelled his clash with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters<\/a> over an India free trade deal a “mature disagreement”.<\/p>\n NZ First leader Winston Peters has claimed it could mean “tens of thousands of people”<\/a> arriving onshore and taking opportunities “away from New Zealanders”.<\/p>\n National has strongly denied this. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Peters was “wrong” about the China FTA<\/a> and “he’s wrong on this one too”.<\/p>\n Morning Report’s Corin Dann asked the Prime Minister whether it’s acceptable for Peters to accuse the government of not being upfront.<\/p>\n “He had a difference of opinion, he’s had a long held view around immigration issues, around Free Trade Agreements. That’s well understood, his political party, that’s what he believes … he’s wrong on that,” Luxon said.<\/p>\n “We’re fine to have a mature disagreement.”<\/p>\n The deal provided for about 1700 highly skilled temporary work visas each year, Luxon said.<\/p>\n “They can’t be renewed, they can’t be extended, it actually is to draw from, not add to, the existing green list that we’ve got,” he said.<\/p>\n Peters brings a lot to the government but “he’s just plain wrong on this, it’s okay to say so,” said Luxon.<\/p>\n The Prime Minister was also asked about Resources Minister Shane Jones shutting down the possibility of New Zealand signing up<\/a> to a ‘road map’ away from fossil fuels at the [annual global climate summit.<\/p>\n “I’m not aware of who did what … I’m not aware of that, I haven’t been briefed on that,” Luxon said.<\/p>\n Last week, Trade Minister Todd McClay revealed NZ First had pulled its support for the FTA before it was signed<\/a>.<\/p>\n