New Zealand Government Refuses To Condemn Illegal US Bombing Of Iran
New Zealand's right-wing coalition government is refusing to condemn the illegal US bombing of nuclear facilities in Iran and the continuing war being waged by Israel in collaboration with US imperialism.
A few hours before US President Donald Trump announced the attack, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon—who was in Europe to attend the NATO war summit—called for 'diplomacy' to end the Israel-Iran war, stating: 'more military action [is] going to make the region more destabilised and cause more catastrophe and more human suffering.'
Afterwards, however, on June 23, Luxon echoed the fraudulent pretext for the US-Israeli bombardment. He told a media conference, 'We do not want to see a nuclear armed Iran. But now there is an opportunity, as we look forward from these strikes, to actually get around and use diplomacy and dialogue and negotiation to actually get a political solution in place.'
Luxon did not explain how unprovoked acts of war by the US—in addition to Israel's murderous bombardment of Iran and assassinations of top officials and scientists—created an 'opportunity' for peace. The opposite is the case.
The prime minister's statements are an endorsement of the gangster-like methods of the Trump administration, which is working with Israel to topple Iran's regime and to control all the resources of the Middle East. This is seen as a stepping stone to war against China, which US imperialism considers the main threat to its global domination.
Conscious of widespread and deeply-ingrained anti-war sentiment, and outrage over the ongoing US-Israeli genocide in Gaza, the New Zealand government is continuing to feign neutrality and non-involvement in the war with Iran. Acting Prime Minister David Seymour, from the far-right ACT Party, told the media that he would not 'rush to judgement on the rights and wrongs of the situation.'
On June 24, Foreign Minister Winston Peters informed parliament that the United States had made a 'statement to the UN Security Council that it was acting in collective self-defence consistent with the UN Charter.' Asked whether the New Zealand government agreed with the US position, Peters replied: 'we [will] wait till we get the evidence' about how close Iran was to being able to build a nuclear weapon.
It is well-known that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon or any ability to build one in the near future. Israel is estimated to have 90 nuclear weapons and the US has thousands.
The fact is that the Luxon administration is firmly aligned with Washington. New Zealand military personnel are stationed in the Middle East, where they are assisting in the US-led bombing of Yemen in defence of supply lines for Israel's military as it carries out genocide in Gaza.
Peters has refused to say whether New Zealand personnel have been involved in US-Israeli operations against Iran or had prior knowledge of them. As a member of the US-led Five Eyes network, New Zealand's spy agencies routinely share intelligence with their counterparts in the US, UK, Australia and Canada.
The opposition Labour Party and its allies, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori, have declared that the US attack on Iran violated international law and called on the government to condemn it.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins told parliament: 'There is no clear justification, there is no credible claim of imminent threat, and there is no UN mandate. … New Zealand should not drift from our values simply because the actions come from one of our traditional allies. We do not believe in a world where might makes right, and where power justifies impunity.'
The opposition parties are seeking to channel rising public anger and ensure that it does not develop into a mass anti-war movement, independent from and opposed to all the capitalist parties.
In reality, Labour's 'values' are no different to those of the National Party and its allies: they are both parties of big business and imperialism. The last Labour government—which included the Greens—strengthened the alliance with US imperialism and sent troops to Britain to help train Ukrainian soldiers to fight in the NATO proxy war against Russia.
The Labour Party has pledged its support for the government's plan to vastly increase military spending and integrate New Zealand into the build-up to war against China.
Hipkins falsely claimed that in 2003 the then Labour government led by Helen Clark 'took a principled and courageous stand by opposing the illegal invasion of Iraq… We were told then that it was in our economic interests to look the other way. We didn't, because we knew that legality matters, principle matters, and international rules matter.'
This is a complete rewriting of history. The Clark government postured as opponents of the initial invasion of Iraq, while strengthening ties with US imperialism, including by sending troops to take part in the illegal invasion and occupation of Afghanistan.
In 2003, 61 New Zealand army engineers were deployed to Iraq to assist in the occupation of that country. According to US embassy cables released by WikiLeaks in 2010, the troops were sent after it was made clear that New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra risked missing out on lucrative supply contracts in Iraq. In other words, the 'economic interests' of big business convinced the Labour government that it had to join the war.
There is no doubt that if Labour was in government today it would act no differently from the National Party-led government. Notably, the Labour government in Britain and the Albanese Labor government in Australia have both given full-throated support to the US bombing of Iran.
It should also be recalled that when Hipkins was still prime minister in October and November 2023, he and the Labour Party government supported Israel's genocidal onslaught against the population of Gaza. Asked what he thought about Israel bombing hospitals, schools and refugee camps, Hipkins told the media he was 'not going to make a judgement' about whether this breached international law—using the same language now being used by the Luxon government to avoid any condemnation of the war crimes against Iran.
The genocide in Gaza and the escalating war against Iran are part of a developing world war, which includes the US-NATO war against Russia and the military build-up against China. New Zealand, a minor imperialist power in the Pacific, is supporting US imperialism on all these fronts, so that the NZ ruling class can share in the division of the spoils.
The fight against war requires a struggle against the capitalist system and all its political parties, including Labour and its allies. It must be based on the fight to unify the working class internationally in a struggle for the socialist reorganisation of society.
By Tom Peters, Socialist Equality Group
28 June 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
an hour ago
- Scoop
ACT Party Tried To Get Treaty Of Waitangi Clause Removed From Education Legislation
The ACT Party fought to have a Treaty of Waitangi clause stripped out of amended education legislation - but was overruled. ACT leader David Seymour says not removing it entirely has "certainly created some controversy", but it was "simply political". The prime minister is defending the decision because the government wants clarity around these clauses, and wants to deal with it in a "comprehensive and coordinated way" as part of a wider review. The Education and Training Amendment Bill tweaks Section 127 of the Act from 2020 - which outlines how schools operate in the country - to update what the "paramount objective", or highest priority objective, is for boards governing schools. It was part of the ACT and National coalition agreement which sets out to "amend the Education and Training Act 2020 to enshrine educational attainment as the paramount objective for state schools". The Education and Training Act currently outlines a board's primary objectives in governing a school was to ensure every student can "attain their highest possible standard in educational achievement"; the school is "physically and emotionally" safe; that it includes and caters for students with differing needs; and "gives effect to Te Tiriti of Waitangi". It specified it must do that by: (i) working to ensure that its plans, policies, and local curriculum reflect local tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te ao Māori; and (ii) taking all reasonable steps to make instruction available in tikanga Māori and te reo Māori; and (iii) achieving equitable outcomes for Māori students. The Amendment Bill changes Section 127 so the "paramount objective" is first and foremost to "ensure that every student at the school is able to attain their highest possible standard in educational achievement". To meet that objective, the board must also meet "supporting objectives" such as those outlined in the original legislation, including the clause to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and other objectives around school attendance and evaluating students' progress and achievement. The order of the Tiriti o Waitangi clause was also slightly changed, so the "achieving equitable outcomes" came first. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said "it might sound odd to have to say this" but it was necessary for boards to have a "number one priority on advancing academic achievement". "So that's job number one." Seymour agreed, saying the ACT Party campaigned on putting academic achievement "front and centre." He said these changes will ensure that academic achievement is the paramount objective. "The Act Party has long felt that we have not had an adequate emphasis on just simply making sure that valuable academic knowledge is transferred from one generation to the next." He said there had been "a lot of disquiet" the requirement to uphold the Treaty had not been removed. He claimed parents "frequently complain" their children were spending time on subjects and activities that have no value to them, but "appear to be part of a wider political project to change the culture of New Zealand". He said that was a source of "enormous anger" and parents wanted their children focused on "reading, writing and arithmetic". He rejected the notion the removal of that clause was itself a political project, saying "there's no political project in wanting children to learn only things that are valuable to them". Seymour said he would not reveal any kind of "cabinet or other private discussion", but that people can "probably guess" the ACT Party would want to remove a clause like that. The reason for not removing it was "simply political" he said, "not all political parties agree with the removal". "Perhaps other parties were less eager to hence, it remains, but will be reviewed as part of the government's wider treaty clauses reviewed." When asked about the differences between National and ACT, Seymour said the National Party would always explain itself as a "broad church". Luxon refused to say who pushed back on ACT's proposal, saying it was simply a "series of conversations that happen in cabinet and cabinet committees". Luxon said there was a set of questions around treaty obligations and the implications within legislation. He explained the government had a broader piece of work to outline specific treaty clauses rather than "general, open ended" ones so "everyone has maximum clarity about how a piece of legislation is to be operationalised". As a result he said the clause would be considered as part of that review. He said the most important thing was to make sure boards understand the priority was getting kids to school, teaching them maths and teaching them to read. Education Minister Erica Stanford told RNZ "legitimate questions" were raised regarding the existing Treaty clause in section 127 of the Education Act during the Cabinet process in August last year. She said Cabinet agreed to include the section 127 treaty clause, along with many other references to the treaty in the Education Act, in the wider review the Justice Minister was undertaking. "This process of reviewing the whole Education Act at once was seen as a more coherent approach to ensure consistency of decision making rather than considering Treaty clauses on an ad hoc basis." The Amendment Bill is currently at select committee stage. Submissions close on 12 June and a report is due back in September.
Scoop
an hour ago
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 1 July
Niue - budget Health, education, social welfare and government salaries have receives a boost in the Niue government's new NZ$12.5 million (US$7.6m) deficit budget. Last week, the island's finance minister announced the largest expenditure of the government is to cover the salaries of its workforce and the cost of social services. TV Niue reported the health department gets the highest increase in this budget of more than $880,000, a 26 percent boost. Cook Islands - firearms Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has announced several new initiatives aimed at enhancing firearm regulation and safety across the Pa Enua (outer islands). Cook Islands News reported this includes the resumption of police-issued ammunition and plans to simplify the driving licensing process for tourists. Speaking in parliament, Brown confirmed that the Cook Islands Police has reinstated its role as the official supplier of ammunition to the Pa Enua. The move is expected to assist island communities in managing issues such as wild animal control. Papua New Guinea - chicken East Sepik Governor Allan Bird has raised concerns over a drop in chicken sales nationwide. Bird said the government banned the importation of frozen chicken from Australia and New Zealand with the pretext of protecting the Papua New Guinea industry from foreign competitors and diseases. He said it was a short-sighted decision and now as imported chicken stock runs out, the impact is being felt around the country. He said imported chickens retail at about 22 kina ($US5.33) per kilo, while locally produced chickens retail at about 40 kina. Bird said local chicken production will remain expensive because the chicken feed is imported and 80 per cent of the cost of producing a chicken is the feed cost. Samoa - festival A large Samoan festival - the Teuila Festival - has been cancelled this year. The festival, which features cultural performances and the Miss Samoa pageant, has been cancelled to avoid a timing clash with Samoa's general election. The Miss Samoa pageant has been rescheduled, to run from 27 October to 9 November. Fiji - ICC Fijian Nazhat Shameem Khan has been elevated to the topmost prosecutorial position at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Fiji Times reported the Office of the Prosecutor at the ICC has announced that deputy prosecutors Nazhat Shameem Khan and Mame Mandiaye Niang have taken over leadership, following prosecutor Karim Khan KC's temporary leave of absence. In May Khan, who is British, stepped aside pending the outcome of a United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services investigation into alleged misconduct. Nazhat Shameem Khan is a Fijian diplomat and former judge. Fiji/PNG - anniversary Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is poised to attend Papua New Guinea's 50th independence anniversary celebrations in Port Moresby on 16 September. Local media reports Rabuka praising his PNG counterpart James Marape for his leadership in strengthening the region and expressed Fiji's commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic ties with PNG. Fiji and PNG established diplomatic relations in 1975 and continue to build on their traditional, political, and economic partnership.
Scoop
2 hours ago
- Scoop
UN Report Highlights Urgent Financing Solutions To Achieve The SDGs In Asia And The Pacific
A new report from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) offers over 40 innovative and actionable strategies for countries in the region to close the development financing gap. This comes as financial and geopolitical pressures across the region threaten to further derail progress on poverty reduction, climate action and economic recovery. Developing countries globally now face an annual shortfall of between US$2.5 trillion and US$4 trillion to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Without major improvements in the way development is financed, many countries in the region risk falling further behind. The sixth edition of ESCAP's Financing for Development report points to longstanding weaknesses in public finance and private investment systems. Many governments in the region continue to face difficulties in raising domestic revenues at the scale needed. Tax structures remain inefficient, and opportunities to tap into wealth and real estate are often underused. At the same time, capital markets are underdeveloped, and private financing rarely reaches high-impact sectors such as clean energy, healthcare or affordable housing. 'Nowhere is this challenge – and opportunity – more urgent than in Asia and the Pacific,' underscored Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP. She added, 'This is our chance to build a more resilient, equitable and sustainable economy for all. We aim to foster solutions that are regionally grounded, technically sound and financially viable. Unless Asia and the Pacific can lead boldly, the global transition will fall short of expectations.' Public debt distress has also become a growing concern. The report calls for more responsible borrowing, better transparency in how public funds are used, and stronger coordination among creditors to ensure fair and effective debt resolution. The report further recommends closer alignment between sustainable finance and development goals. It also notes that when countries plan investments that support both environmental and economic outcomes, they are more likely to deliver results that benefit people and the planet. 'This report serves as an important guide for governments and regulators in expanding access to financing aimed at sustainable development. It offers effective approaches to ensuring the availability of capital while considering national priorities and specific circumstances,' said Faizidin Qakhkhorzoda, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan. He further welcomed the call to strengthen the regulatory framework for sustainable finance, improve disclosure standards and promote innovative financial instruments. The report was launched on 30 June at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, Spain. It is the first time that ESCAP and partners such as the Asian Development Bank, Climate Bonds Initiative, the International Renewable Energy Agency and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Regional Collaboration Centre for Asia and the Pacific have collaborated to call for the region's action in areas such as sustainable capital markets, financing the energy transition and developing sustainable project pipelines to close the financing gaps.
