New Zealand will not be recognising Palestinian statehood at this time, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced at the United Nations in New York.
“With a war raging, Hamas still in place, and no clarity on next steps, we do not think that time is now,” he said in his address to the UN General Assembly.
“We desperately want diplomacy to succeed, and we believe it is those countries with leverage who are most likely to achieve a breakthrough. That would show global leadership,” said Peters.
Peters' musical analogy as he announces Palestinian statehood stance - watch on TVNZ+
He also announced a further $10m in international humanitarian agencies to deliver emergency supplies to Gaza.
“Our focus will not shift from where it is needed most, in Gaza, right now.”
The decision breaks with many of New Zealand’s closest allies, including Australia and the United Kingdom, as well as a majority of UN member states who now recognise Palestinian statehood.
A much smaller number of other partners, including Japan, Korea, Singapore, and several Pacific Island nations, have not recognised Palestinian statehood.
Our second largest trading partner and Israel’s closest ally, the United States, also doesn’t recognise Palestinian statehood.
Labour has described the decision as "an embarrassment", while the Green Party has slammed it as "cowardly".
A paper dated September 8, 2025, considered by the Cabinet Foreign policy and National Security Committee, released to media today, looked at the option of recognising the state of Palestine on the condition that Hamas would not be part of any Palestinian government, and it respected Israel’s right to exist.
That same document said there "remain too many questions about aspects of the future of the State of Palestine to make it credible or justifiable for New Zealand to recognise it now".
Cabinet was ultimately recommended to not recognise Palestinian statehood at this time.
“We think a future solution - when Israeli and Palestinian political leadership is an asset, not a liability, and where other situational variables have shifted the current calculus away from conflict and towards peace - would be more conducive for recognising Palestinian statehood,” Peters told the UN.
“Thereon lies our dilemma over any decision to recognise Palestine statehood now, because statehood recognition, as an instrument for peace, also does not play because there is no fully legitimate and viable State of Palestine to recognise.
He said there was “no link” between recognising Palestinian statehood now and protecting work towards a two-state solution.
“Recognition at this time, we also think, is open to political manipulation by both Hamas and Israel. Hamas will portray our recognition of Palestine as a victory, as they already done in response to partner announcements. Israel will claim that recognition rewards Hamas and that it removes pressure on them to release hostages and agree to a ceasefire.
“And then, like over 150 countries before it, New Zealand recognition of Palestinian statehood now would serve as little more than an existential act of defiance against an unalterable state of affairs.
“We are not ready to make that gesture.”
A spokesperson for Peters said the Government had not faced any pressure from any nation, including Israel or the US, to make a decision either way.
They described New Zealand’s approach as “balanced” and “careful”.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced New Zealand's stance in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday. (Source: 1News)
In his speech, Peters reiterated that “New Zealanders were appalled by the barbarity of Hamas’ attack on Israeli citizens on October 7, 2023”.
“We are shocked to our core by harrowing images of famine in Gaza. We are revolted by what can only be described as a grossly disproportionate response from the Israeli Government.
Peters also acknowledged that many in New Zealand had “strongly held views” on the issue.
However, it comes after Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said in his speech to the UN that any leader who recognised the state of Palestine was saying “murdering Jews pays off”.
“You didn’t do something right. You did something wrong, horribly wrong. Your disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism against Jews and against innocent people everywhere. It will be a mark of shame on all of you.”
Palestinian statehood had dominated leader's week at the United Nations. New Zealand participated in a conference on how to carve a path towards a two-state solution.
At the start of the week, Peters told 1News that a final decision would not be made until “the last moment”.
“We’ve been waiting eight long years for an answer here, and waiting a few more days to find out all the facts won’t be wasted,” he said on Tuesday.
NZ Jewish Council welcome 'pragmatic' Govt decision
The New Zealand Jewish Council, who support a negotiated two-state solution, said it supported the Government’s decision.
Spokesperson Juliet Moses said "recognition should be the outcome of real progress towards peace, not a substitute for it".
“We note and concur with the view of Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters’ comments that recognition now would be portrayed as victory by Hamas.”
The council reiterated its support for aid and an end to the war in Gaza, and for recognition when “the time is right” and when “requirements for statehood are met”.
"By tying recognition to requirements that uphold those values, our country can play a constructive role in encouraging the difficult but necessary compromises on both sides. Only then will recognition serve as a building block for peace," Moses said.
"We look forward to the day when those requirements are met and the Jewish and Palestinian people will both have self-determination, dignity and security and live in peace."
PSNA and NZ Jews Against Occupation oppose Govt decision
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa said Foreign Minister Winston Peters had issued a "gold-plated reward" to "appease Israel for its genocide against the Palestinian people".
"The rest of the world recoils in horror at Israel’s cruel and depraved war crimes against the Palestinian people, but Winston Peters has washed his hands and walked away," said co-chairperson Maher Nazzal.
"Peters told UN delegates their governments were failing to provide leadership to solve vital world issues. He then revealed his own greatest failure of New Zealand leadership in decades.
"He had nothing to say about Israel breaching multiple international laws. The word ‘occupation’ never passed his lips. He ascribed Palestinian resistance to Israel as due to ‘hate’, but no hint of concern came from him of the decades of Israel breaking peace agreements, and of dispossession and mass expulsion of Palestinians."
Dayenu: New Zealand Jews Against Occupation also said it was appalled by the Government's decision not to recognise a Palestinian state, saying it showed "nothing but cowardice".
"While Israel's genocide continues to massacre people in Gaza, our Government refuses to even do the bare minimum," said spokesperson Asher Wilson-Goldman.
"At this rate, New Zealand will go down in history as one of the few countries that continues to aide and abet this genocide. This government has made this our country's legacy."
SHARE ME