The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
Men's Weekly

.

An ambiguous foreign policy on Gaza risks undermining NZ’s global reputation

  • Written by Robert G. Patman, Professor of International Relations, University of Otago

New Zealand may be a long way geographically from Gaza, and the government’s ability to influence the course of events there may be limited, but the nation’s inconsistent position on the appalling conflict is diminishing its vital interests.

Since the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel, and the devastating results of Israel’s policy (unconditionally supported by the US) of “mighty vengeance”, New Zealand’s response has been erratic and disjointed.

In particular, New Zealand’s traditionally bipartisan approach to foreign policy – based on rules and principles rather than sheer power – has been strained.

When the then foreign affairs minister, Nanaia Mahuta, condemned the October 7 attacks and urged Hamas and Israel[1] to uphold “international humanitarian law”, she was criticised domestically for being weak and failing to recognise “Israel’s right to defend itself”.

Soon after the October 14 general election last year, Chris Hipkins called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. He said he made the statement as Labour leader, not caretaker prime minister.

The National Party accused Hipkins[2] of “playing politics”. Then the new National-led coalition government stated it “supported the goal of a ceasefire, but acknowledges the conditions have not existed for one so far”.

Since then, New Zealand’s stance toward the Gaza disaster has remained ambiguous. On the one hand, it has pushed for a ceasefire and criticised the US veto in the Security Council. On the other, it has joined the US-led Red Sea operation[3] against Houthi attacks on commercial shipping.

There is a clear tension within the government’s Gaza response, between its efforts at the UN and its relationship with the US. The result is a muddled foreign policy stance on the Gaza crisis.

Voting results board at UN General Assembly
Results of the UN General Assembly vote, co-sponsored by New Zealand, calling for ‘an immediate humanitarian ceasefire’ in Gaza, December 12 2023. Getty Images

Action at the UN

New Zealand was the only member of the Five Eyes intelligence partnership to vote for[4] the October 27 United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian truce in Gaza. More than 120 member states backed the resolution.

Then, on December 13, New Zealand co-sponsored[5] a UN General Assembly resolution demanding an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire”, which was backed by 153 member states.

In mid-February 2024, New Zealand, Australia and Canada issued a joint statement[6] calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. They repeated the same message in late July.

Six weeks later, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters told the UN General Assembly[7] the use of the veto in the Security Council – which New Zealand had always opposed – meant the council had failed in its responsibility “to maintain international peace and security”.

Peters was alluding to the US exercising its veto on October 18, December 8 and February 2024 to block Security Council resolutions calling for humanitarian pauses or immediate ceasefires.

On June 10 – eight months into the Gaza conflict – the US finally tabled[8] a ceasefire proposal, which the Security Council adopted. But Washington has done little to enforce this, other than exhort the Israeli government to comply with the resolution.

Winston Peters with NATO signage behind him
Winston Peters at the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels in April: the UN Security Council has ‘failed’. Getty Images

Selective concern for international law

When the New Zealand government accepted Washington’s request in late January for a small defence force deployment in the Red Sea to counter Houthi attacks, the US was still resolutely opposed to a Gaza ceasefire.

The government insisted its support for Red Sea maritime security has no linkage to Israel’s unrelenting military assault in Gaza, but this is simply not credible.

The Houthi attacks on commercial shipping are clearly illegal, but they are essentially part of the fallout[9] from the continuing international failure to stop the Gaza conflict.

Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice has called for Israel to take steps to prevent genocide. And the International Criminal Court has applied for arrest warrants[10] for the leaders of Israel and Hamas.

By reaffirming support for a NZ Defence Force team in the Red Sea without publicly calling on the US administration to end its support for Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, the government has shown a selective concern about maintaining international law.

Compartmentalised policy

In the process, New Zealand also seems to have retreated from an independent foreign policy based on firm principles and values – and also on the concept of partnership and co-operation embodied in the Treaty of Waitangi.

While the founding document’s aspirations have yet to be fully realised, the credibility of its vision of reconciliation at home depends on New Zealand’s willingness to robustly uphold respect for human rights and the rule of law in the international arena.

While 146 states have formally recognised the state of Palestine, New Zealand remains in a relatively small group[11] of former colonial powers yet to do so.

It seems clear the coalition government’s approach to the Gaza crisis has been compartmentalised between its UN diplomacy and its desire for a closer alignment with the US.

The overall impact of this ambiguous stance erodes New Zealand’s standing as a good international citizen. The government should have been making it clear in Washington and elsewhere that the absence of a lasting ceasefire in Gaza is inexcusable and unacceptable.

References

  1. ^ urged Hamas and Israel (www.1news.co.nz)
  2. ^ accused Hipkins (www.rnz.co.nz)
  3. ^ joined the US-led Red Sea operation (www.1news.co.nz)
  4. ^ vote for (www.rnz.co.nz)
  5. ^ co-sponsored (www.nzherald.co.nz)
  6. ^ joint statement (www.rnz.co.nz)
  7. ^ Winston Peters told the UN General Assembly (www.rnz.co.nz)
  8. ^ finally tabled (www.bbc.com)
  9. ^ part of the fallout (www.rnz.co.nz)
  10. ^ applied for arrest warrants (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ remains in a relatively small group (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/an-ambiguous-foreign-policy-on-gaza-risks-undermining-nzs-global-reputation-235653

Times Magazine

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Science Behind Reverse Osmosis and Why It Matters

What is reverse osmosis? Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that removes contaminants by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane. This membrane allows only water molecules to pass through while blocking impurities such as...

Foodbank Queensland celebrates local hero for National Volunteer Week

Stephen Carey is a bit bananas.   He splits his time between his insurance broker business, caring for his young family, and volunteering for Foodbank Queensland one day a week. He’s even run the Bridge to Brisbane in a banana suit to raise mon...

Senior of the Year Nominations Open

The Allan Labor Government is encouraging all Victorians to recognise the valuable contributions of older members of our community by nominating them for the 2025 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.  Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt today annou...

CNC Machining Meets Stage Design - Black Swan State Theatre Company & Tommotek

When artistry meets precision engineering, incredible things happen. That’s exactly what unfolded when Tommotek worked alongside the Black Swan State Theatre Company on several of their innovative stage productions. With tight deadlines and intrica...

Uniden Baby Video Monitor Review

Uniden has released another award-winning product as part of their ‘Baby Watch’ series. The BW4501 Baby Monitor is an easy to use camera for keeping eyes and ears on your little one. The camera is easy to set up and can be mounted to the wall or a...

The Times Features

Travel Insurance for Families: What Does it Cover and Why it’s Essential

Planning a family trip is exciting, but unexpected mishaps can turn your dream vacation into a stressful ordeal. That’s where travel insurance comes in—it’s your safety net when ...

Essential Post-Surgery Care Tips for Dental Implants

Getting dental implants is a big investment—not just in your smile, but in your confidence too. But even the best implant won’t last without proper care right after surgery. Den...

First Home Buyers in Melbourne: 3 Key Statistics Proving Why Home & Land Packages Are Your Best Bet in 2025

Stepping into the Melbourne property market for the first time can feel like navigating a maze without a map. Prices, deposits, and decisions stack up fast. But here’s the good n...

International lager claims crown as Australia’s most preferred beer

Launching its inaugural ‘Brand Map of Australia’, Tracksuit reveals Corona as the nation’s most preferred beer  Sydney, Thursday, 29 May 2025 - From iconic mass-produced lager...

Off-the-Plan Sales Launched for $22 Million Ultra-Luxury Project ‘Vellora’ Set to Redefine Luxury Living in Brisbane’s St Lucia

A new standard of architectural distinction and elevated living is taking shape in one of Brisbane’s most coveted riverside suburbs, with off-the-plan sales officially launch...

House Removals Perth: What to Expect on Moving Day

Moving day hits differently when it's actually happening! Suddenly, that coffee table your first-born helped you assemble becomes precious cargo, and you're second-guessing wheth...