# 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.
- Title: Former PM Helen Clark calls NZ abstention on UN pandemic vote…
- Summary: Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark says the country's UN pandemic vote abstention is 'humiliating' for national sovereignty. New Zealand abstained…
- Keywords: helen clark, un pandemic vote, new zealand, pandemic agreement, national interest test, winston peters, chris hipkins, christopher luxon, politics, news, Former, Helen
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/political/1871690/humiliating-former-pm-helen-clark-slams-nz-abstention-on-un-pandemic-vote
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-13T02:04:18+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: helen clark, un pandemic vote, new zealand, pandemic agreement, national interest test, winston peters, chris hipkins, christopher luxon, politics, news
## 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.
## Key takeaway

New Zealand abstained from a UN pandemic preparedness vote after rejecting WHO Pandemic Agreement amendments, with critics calling it a loss of sovereignty.