The text of the agreement says the opposite, that as a result of the agreement, a future government cannot cap Indian visa numbers. Trade Minister Todd McClay appearing to read from notes as he answers patsy questions on the India Free Trade Agreement in January. Photo / Parliament TVMcClay has consistently denied that the deal would take away New Zealand’s ability to impose a cap on student visa numbers. However, on Tuesday morning he conceded the agreement would prohibit New Zealand from imposing a cap on Indian student visa numbers specifically. “What I’m saying is the agreement and commitment is that we will not say that there is a maximum or a minimum [number of students],” McClay said.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 10, 2026 09:01 UTC