New Zealand Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has faced criticism for remarks made during a May 6, 2025 parliamentary session, where she described unsolicited emails from Indian nationals seeking immigration advice as “almost akin to spam.” These comments have been condemned by Indian-origin Labour MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan, who argued that such statements reinforce negative stereotypes about the Indian community. Stanford later clarified that her words were misinterpreted, stating she did not label the emails as spam but considered them “almost akin to spam.” The incident has sparked debate within New Zealand’s Indian community, raising concerns about the government’s approach to immigration inquiries and the importance of respectful communication in policy discussions.