Labour will support multilateral institutions, defend peace and international law, and deepen New Zealand's relationships with the EU, Canada, ASEAN and the Pacific.
- Multilateral institutions: review and mature the UN Charter, support the World Health Organization and adopt the updated WHO health regulations
- Peace and security: advocate for an ICJ advisory opinion on lethal fully autonomous weapons, establish clear parliamentary scrutiny if New Zealand joins armed conflicts, and strengthen oversight of payloads launched from New Zealand
- Relationships: prioritise the EU and Canada, deepen ties with ASEAN countries, and develop new market opportunities in Africa and South America
- Recognise the State of Palestine, place economic sanctions on Israel, and ensure the NZ Super Fund and ACC divest from holdings on the UN list of companies operating in the occupied territories
- Intervene in support of South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice in respect of a breach of the Genocide Convention
- Overseas development assistance progressively increased towards 0.7% of GNI as fiscal conditions allow
- Human rights: a programme to support human rights defenders, and advocacy for gender apartheid to be recognised in the Crimes Against Humanity Treaty
Multilateral institutions
Labour will support the development of our multilateral institutions, including reviewing and maturing the UN Charter so it's fit for purpose.
Labour will support the good work of our multilateral organisations such as the World Health Organization and will adopt the updated WHO health regulations.
Partnerships
Labour will prioritise growing our relationship with the EU and with Canada and exploring options for the development of those relationships in response to the challenges of today's world and in defence of international law, science and our values.
We will deepen our relationship with ASEAN countries, and develop new market opportunities, including in Africa and South America.
Defending peace
In a world where technology is shifting and removing the offramps toward war, Labour will defend peace.
- We will advocate for an ICJ advisory opinion on the legality of lethal fully autonomous weapons and support international efforts to ban them
- We will establish clear parliamentary scrutiny if New Zealand joins armed conflicts
- We will strengthen oversight of payloads launched from New Zealand to ensure compliance with the current law
Human rights
Labour will contribute to the development of the law that protects the rights of women and girls and advocate for gender apartheid to be recognised in the Crimes Against Humanity Treaty.
We will support those whose moral courage defies their reality by strengthening New Zealand's advocacy for democracy, peace and human rights, including in Myanmar; and establishing a programme to support human rights defenders, providing a safe haven for those acutely targeted precisely because of their potential to bring about positive change for human rights.
International law
Labour will intervene in support of South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice in respect of a breach of the Genocide Convention.
Labour will recognise the State of Palestine.
Labour will place economic sanctions on Israel and ensure the NZ Super Fund and ACC divest from holdings on the UN list of companies operating in the occupied territories.
Climate, development and the Pacific
Labour will re-engage strongly in international climate diplomacy and support the global transition away from fossil fuels. See also Labour's plan to fix the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Labour will progressively increase overseas development assistance towards 0.7% of GNI as fiscal conditions allow.
We will support closer economic integration across the Pacific and make it easier and cheaper to move money and data across the Pacific. Labour will also expand visa-waiver access for citizens of the Pacific Islands Forum nations.
What is Labour's foreign affairs policy?
Labour will support the development of multilateral institutions, defend peace and international law, strengthen New Zealand's advocacy for democracy and human rights, re-engage in international climate diplomacy, and grow relationships with the EU, Canada, ASEAN countries and the Pacific.
Will Labour recognise the State of Palestine?
Labour will recognise the State of Palestine.
What will Labour do about sanctions on Israel and divestment?
Labour will place economic sanctions on Israel and ensure the NZ Super Fund and ACC divest from holdings on the UN list of companies operating in the occupied territories. Labour will also intervene in support of South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice in respect of a breach of the Genocide Convention.
What will Labour do on the United Nations and the World Health Organization?
Labour will support the development of multilateral institutions, including reviewing and maturing the UN Charter so it's fit for purpose. Labour will support the good work of multilateral organisations such as the World Health Organization and will adopt the updated WHO health regulations.
Which international relationships will Labour prioritise?
Labour will prioritise growing New Zealand's relationship with the EU and with Canada, and explore options for developing those relationships in response to the challenges of today's world and in defence of international law, science and our values. Labour will also deepen the relationship with ASEAN countries and develop new market opportunities, including in Africa and South America.
What is Labour's position on autonomous weapons?
Labour will advocate for an ICJ advisory opinion on the legality of lethal fully autonomous weapons and support international efforts to ban them.
Will Parliament have a say if New Zealand joins armed conflicts?
Labour will establish clear parliamentary scrutiny if New Zealand joins armed conflicts.
What will Labour do about payloads launched from New Zealand?
Labour will strengthen oversight of payloads launched from New Zealand to ensure compliance with the current law.
What will Labour do for the rights of women and girls internationally?
Labour will contribute to the development of the law that protects the rights of women and girls and advocate for gender apartheid to be recognised in the Crimes Against Humanity Treaty.
How will Labour support human rights defenders?
Labour will strengthen New Zealand's advocacy for democracy, peace and human rights, including in Myanmar, and establish a programme to support human rights defenders, providing a safe haven for those acutely targeted precisely because of their potential to bring about positive change for human rights.
What is Labour's approach to international climate diplomacy?
Labour will re-engage strongly in international climate diplomacy and support the global transition away from fossil fuels.
Will Labour increase overseas development assistance?
Labour will progressively increase overseas development assistance towards 0.7% of GNI as fiscal conditions allow.
What will Labour do in the Pacific?
Labour will support closer economic integration across the Pacific and make it easier and cheaper to move money and data across the Pacific. Labour will also expand visa-waiver access to citizens from the Pacific Islands Forum nations.
How does this relate to Labour's other policies?
Labour's commitment on international climate diplomacy sits alongside its plan to fix the Emissions Trading Scheme and meet Paris Agreement targets. Its Pacific visa-waiver commitment is part of Labour's immigration policy.
New Zealand is at its best when it stands up for open trade, for collective action on climate, for international law, for multilateral institutions, and for peace.
Better starts now.
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