From RNZ · RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa · · 1m
Former PM Helen Clark calls NZ abstention on UN pandemic vote 'humiliating'
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark says the country's UN pandemic vote abstention is 'humiliating' for national sovereignty.
In brief
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark says the country's UN pandemic vote abstention is 'humiliating' for national sovereignty. New Zealand abstained from a UN pandemic preparedness vote after rejecting WHO Pandemic Agreement amendments, with critics calling it a loss of sovereignty. Originally reported by RNZ.
New Zealand abstains on UN pandemic vote
New Zealand abstained from a UN declaration to strengthen pandemic preparedness co-operation with 153 other countries.
UN vote outcome
The United States, Israel and Argentina voted against the declaration while New Zealand and Paraguay abstained.
New Zealand's stance
New Zealand supports pandemic preparedness but rejects language welcoming the WHO Pandemic Agreement.
Helen Clark's criticism
Former PM Helen Clark called the abstention 'humiliating for NZ' and blamed New Zealand First's anti-vax stance.
“How low can NZ go?... This results from [New Zealand First]'s courting of the anti-vax vote”
Political reactions
Labour leader Chris Hipkins called it 'an embarrassment' while National leader Christopher Luxon defended the decision.
Sovereignty concerns
New Zealand insists its sovereign health decisions must remain protected from international bodies.
The big picture
New Zealand abstained from a UN pandemic preparedness vote after rejecting WHO Pandemic Agreement amendments, with critics calling it a loss of sovereignty.
