Labour leader Chris Hipkins has voiced opposition to the US and Israel’s military strikes on Iran.
He rejects Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s view that New Zealand should not comment on the legality of the strikes.
For Hipkins, the strikes were illegal.
“I think the New Zealand government seems to be moving away from what has been a long-standing and principled approach to these issues,” he said during a conversation with Morning Report.
“We have been very clear that we think international law matters and that all parties to these sorts of conflicts should follow international law. That’s not the case here.”
He stressed the need for the government to speak authoritatively and uphold international law.
“New Zealand’s government should stand up for the international system of rules that we rely on for our own security as a country,” Hipkins explained.
“If the situation becomes that the countries with the most power can do whatever they like regardless of what international law says, that’s very bad news for a small country like New Zealand.”
Luxon previously stated that the US and Israel must justify the legal basis for their attacks.
“Issues of legality [are] for Israel and the US to talk to because we’re not party to that information or that intelligence they may have.”
Luxon added that New Zealand may never access this intelligence, and his government won’t request it.
“We’ve had a long-standing commitment under successive governments that any actions that stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon is a good thing, any actions that take to stop them from sponsoring terrorism is a good thing, any actions that stops them from killing their own people is a good thing,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hipkins expressed surprise at Luxon’s remarks suggesting New Zealand backs actions to halt Iran’s nuclear weapons development.
“I was somewhat shocked to see that comment… that does not reflect the position that successive New Zealand governments have taken,” he said.
“Successive New Zealand governments have expressed significant concern about the Iranian regime, but that does not justify any action, particularly when it breaches international law.”
Deputy Prime Minister and ACT leader David Seymour supports Luxon’s position on the US-Israel strikes on Iran.
“One thing he’s noted that’s important is that New Zealand does not have all of the information that the US and Israel have used to justify their actions,” Seymour said.
“So, we could spend a lot of time with New Zealand trying to be precise in its position, but I don’t think that’s what the world’s waiting for.”
He said the strikes will allow Iranian girls to “dress as they like, attend school, and enjoy normal rights denied by the regime.”
“And finally, for them in Iran and also for all of us around the world, it’s critical that trade is able to continue and resume so that we don’t face price shocks and even more economic peril. Those are the things that I think are important.”
US President Donald Trump warns of bigger strikes ahead, noting the conflict may extend beyond his initial four-to-five-week plan. Kiwis in Iran are urged to leave if safe and register on SafeTravel.