New Zealand voted overnight in favour of a resolution to broaden the Palestinian role at the United Nations General Assembly – but Winston Peters said the move "does not amount to recognition of Palestinian statehood".
The resolution was passed by a wide margin.
The United States, Israel, Argentina, Czechia, Hungary, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau and Papua New Guinea voted against it.
"The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full member of the UN," the Foreign Minister said in a statement early this morning.
"New Zealand will make a clear statement to the UN later this morning explaining its vote, indicating that while it supports enhancing Palestine's status at the UN, this does not amount to recognition of Palestinian statehood.
"New Zealand's vote first and foremost reflects the frustration felt by the international community at the endless cycle of violence that continues to beset the region."
The vote took place as the Israel-Gaza conflict continued. Gaza health officials said 34,000 people have been killed in the territory, while Hamas' October 7 attack in southern Israel killed about 1200 people. Hamas is believed to still hold about 100 hostages.
"We have consistently said that Israel and a future Palestinian state living peacefully side-by-side is the only durable and just solution.
"That can only be achieved by the parties ending this conflict and returning to the negotiating table," Peters said.
"This was a finely balanced decision by New Zealand because while we have had a long-standing position in support of a two-state solution, and view recognition of statehood as a 'when, not if' question, our focus continues to be on the needs of the moment.
"Those needs are for a permanent ceasefire, release of hostages, and relieving the humanitarian crisis.
"The catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza can only be solved by the parties around a negotiating table, not by military action in Rafah and we call for an immediate de-escalation.
"While the UN resolution is a strong statement in support of Palestine's aspirations and reflects New Zealand and the international community's expectations for real progress towards a political solution, achieving statehood must ultimately require serious negotiations between both Israel and Palestinians, including over the political authority of a future Palestinian state."
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