New Zealand has officially decided not to join a peace board led by US President Donald Trump.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said his government considered the invitation but chose not to join “in its current form”.
The board was first created to help oversee peace efforts in Gaza after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. However, it has now grown into something larger, with Trump saying he wants it to help solve conflicts around the world.
Many countries, including the United Kingdom, China, France, and Russia, have also declined to join the board.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the country wouldn’t add much to the board’s current work and wants to be sure it follows the UN’s rules. He said New Zealand would continue watching what happens next.
Opposition leader Chris Hipkins strongly criticised the idea of joining the board, saying it would harm New Zealand’s reputation for having a fair and steady foreign policy.
