Winston Peters decides New Zealand will abstain from UN pandemic vote
Tuesday 13 October 2026 · 4 outlets · 4 reports · updated In this story Winston Peters, United Nations, Helen Clark, World Health Organisation
Foreign Minister Winston Peters made the sole decision for New Zealand to abstain from a United Nations vote on a global pandemic preparedness declaration. While Peters stated the move protects health sovereignty, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and former Prime Minister Helen Clark criticised the decision.
Key facts
4 facts
- New Zealand and Paraguay were the only two countries to abstain from the UN pandemic declaration vote
- 153 UN member states voted in favour of the non-binding declaration
- The United States, Israel, and Argentina voted against the declaration
- Winston Peters made the decision as Foreign Minister without a Cabinet vote
The full story
1 min read · 4 outlets
Foreign Minister Winston Peters decided that New Zealand would abstain from a United Nations vote on a political declaration regarding pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. While 153 member states voted for the non-binding declaration, New Zealand and Paraguay were the only two nations to abstain. The United States, Israel, and Argentina voted against the measure.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated the decision did not require Cabinet approval because it was a routine United Nations vote. He noted that while important declarations involve Cabinet, this specific matter was for the Foreign Minister to decide. Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey said National Ministers held a different view and supported voting in favour while recording reservations.
Winston Peters said the decision ensured sovereign decision-making remained in New Zealand rather than Geneva. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade stated that New Zealand supports strengthening global health systems but does not support language welcoming the adoption of the Pandemic Agreement. The Ministry noted that any future decision to ratify such an agreement would be informed by a National Interest Test.
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark described the abstention as "humiliating" and suggested it resulted from New Zealand First courting the anti-vax vote. Labour leader Chris Hipkins called the vote an "embarrassment to New Zealand" and criticised the Prime Minister for allowing conspiracy theories to influence government positions.
Where reports differ
- Reports vary on the number of countries that did not vote for the declaration, with one report stating New Zealand was among five such countries and another stating it was one of only two that abstained
Compiled from reports by Newsroom, Stuff, Otago Daily Times and NZ Herald.