New Zealand says it will not recognise Palestinian state at this time

A baby with a high fever is treated at a UK-Med field hospital in Muwasi, near Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. New Zealand's position is out of step with more than140 other countries backing Palestinians' aspiration to forge an independent homeland from the occupied territories. - AP

WELLINGTON: New Zealand will not recognise a Palestinian state at this time but remains committed to a two-state solution, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said.

"With a war raging, Hamas remaining the de facto government of Gaza, and no clarity on next steps, too many questions remain about the future state of Palestine for it to be prudent for New Zealand to announce recognition at this time,” Peters said in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday (Sept 26).