Matua Kahurangi: National’s obsession with Indian photo ops is becoming impossible to ignore

Is it just me, or has National developed a real obsession with the Indian community in New Zealand? To be clear, this is not about being racist or dismissive of migrants, it is about pointing out what has become an obvious political strategy.

Everywhere you look, National’s photo opportunities seem to feature members of the Indian community front and centre. While diversity in politics is generally a positive thing, the sheer frequency of these images makes it feel less like genuine engagement and more like a calculated PR directive. It raises the question: has National’s communications team explicitly instructed MPs and candidates to be photographed with Indians as often as possible?

This trend was highlighted again last weekend when both Chris Luxon and Chris Hipkins managed to make fools of themselves, awkwardly dancing on stage to Bollywood music. Instead of coming across as authentic cultural celebration, the display felt forced, like yet another carefully staged piece of political theatre.

New Zealand politicians have always engaged with migrant communities, but National’s relentless focus on the Indian demographic feels unusual in its intensity. Are they genuinely connecting with communities, or is this just cynical box-ticking for votes?

Matua Kahurangi is just a bloke sharing thoughts on New Zealand and the world beyond. No fluff, just honest takes. He blogs on https://matuakahurangi.com/ where this article was sourced.