New Zealand has decided not to officially recognise a Palestinian state for now, instead call for peace in the Israel – Palestinian conflict.
Peters was speaking at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at U.N. headquarters in New York City, on September 26, 2025.
Peters explained that New Zealand still supports the idea of two countries—Israel and Palestine—living peacefully side by side. However, because there is still a war going on and Hamas is in control of Gaza, it is not the right time to acknowledge a Palestinian State.
He said there are still too many unknowns about how a Palestinian state would work. He also warned that recognising Palestine right now could make it harder to stop the fighting.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon added that New Zealand does believe in recognising a Palestinian state one day, but only when the timing helps peace efforts. “It’s a question of when, not if,” he said on Saturday in Auckland.
Other countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, have already recognised Palestine. Over 140 countries around the world now support Palestinian statehood.
New Zealand’s Labour Party, which is not in government, disagrees with the decision. Labour’s foreign affairs spokesperson, Peeni Henare, said the government is on the “wrong side of history” and that peace cannot happen without first recognising Palestine.
The government says it hopes the future will bring a better chance for peace talks and a time when recognising a Palestinian state would help bring about lasting solutions.
