logo
New Zealand Announces Further Aid For Ukraine

New Zealand Announces Further Aid For Ukraine

Scoop4 hours ago

Rt Hon Christopher Luxon
Prime Minister
Rt Hon Winston Peters
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have announced a new $16 million package of support for Ukraine ahead of this week's NATO Summit in the Hague.
'New Zealand stands in solidarity with Ukraine. Its war of self-defence is well into its fourth year and our condemnation of Russia's illegal full-scale invasion remains undiminished,' Mr Luxon says.
New Zealand's will make $4 million contributions to two multi-national funds providing lethal and non-lethal military assistance for Ukraine: the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) fund; and the United Kingdom and Latvia-led Drone Coalition for Ukraine.
'The defence of Ukraine has significant implications not only for the security of the Euro-Atlantic, but also for the Indo-Pacific,' Mr Peters says.
'We must continue to work with others in the international community to uphold a rules-based order that serves all our interests.'
New Zealand will also provide $7 million in further humanitarian assistance for conflict affected communities in Ukraine, and $1 million for Ukrainians displaced in neighbouring countries.
'The scale of need remains vast, as Russia continues its bombardment of densely populated civilian areas of Ukraine,' Mr Luxon says.
This support package follows the recently announced sanctions targeting Russia's 'shadow fleet' and other enablers of Russia's war in Ukraine.
'It is vital the international community maintains pressure on Russia to end its war and engage meaningfully with efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,' Mr Peters says.
More information about diplomatic, military, humanitarian and economic support to Ukraine, as well as sanctions, travel bans, and export controls against Russia, can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website here.
Notes:
The Government has implemented the following actions in response to Russia's war against Ukraine:
· Passed the historic Russia Sanctions Act under which we have implemented sanctions targeting:
o Vladimir Putin and key members of his inner circle.
o Senior leadership of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.
o All 620 members of the Russian parliament (State Duma and Federation Council).
o All Russian Ministers and Governors.
o More than 400 entities including state-owned enterprises, entities that are part of Russia's military industrial complex, Donbas militia groups, and Belarusian defence entities.
o More than 110 oligarchs and immediate family with close ties and influence with the Russian Government.
o 20 financial institutions, including Russia's Central Bank
o 7 Belarusian financial institutions.
o 56 individuals and entities involved in disinformation and cyber-attacks on Ukraine.
o 15 members of the Central Election Commission.
o Almost 100 Russian-directed leaders in occupied Ukrainian regions.
o The Commissioner for Children's Rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation.
o 23 Iranian individuals and 17 Iranian entities for supplying drones to Russia.
o Individuals and entities involved in the supply of DPRK military materiel to Russia for use in Ukraine.
· Banned all Russian and Belarusian Government and military aircraft and vessels from New Zealand.
· Banned exports to Russian and Belarusian military and security forces.
· Suspended bilateral Foreign Ministry Consultations with Russia.
· Endorsed the UK-initiated Call to Action on the 'shadow fleet' engaged in sanctions circumvention by carrying Russian oil and gas. The Call to Action promotes compliance with international standards for maritime safety, environmental protection, and insurance.
Trade measures
· Implemented a 35% tariff on all Russian imports to New Zealand.
· Banned the import of Russian gold into New Zealand.
· Significantly expanded the export ban on Russia and Belarus to cover more industrial products of strategic importance (by adding more than 700 new prohibited tariff lines).
· Banned the import of Russian oil, gas, and coal.
· Banned the export of oil exploration and oil production goods to Russia.
· Banned the import from and export to Russia of certain luxury goods.
· Implemented the G7-plus oil price cap on Russian-origin oil.
Other assistance to Ukraine
· Since the full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, New Zealand has pledged over $168 million in financial assistance and in-kind support to Ukraine in the face of Russia's invasion. That includes:
o support for military training, equipment, and materiel valued at $110.3 million, including up to 100 NZDF personnel deployed to Europe.
o $39.9 million in humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected Ukrainian communities in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries.
o $6 million in support for recovery and reconstruction.
o $5.2 million in support for international legal processes and human rights monitoring.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Luxon's Complicity Puts Aotearoa At Risk: Te Pāti Māori Stands Against Global Military Aggression
Luxon's Complicity Puts Aotearoa At Risk: Te Pāti Māori Stands Against Global Military Aggression

Scoop

time17 minutes ago

  • Scoop

Luxon's Complicity Puts Aotearoa At Risk: Te Pāti Māori Stands Against Global Military Aggression

Te Pāti Māori stands firmly against the rising tide of global military aggression. While the Luxon scrambles to appease Trump and Israel, we choose peace, sovereignty, and an independent foreign policy grounded in justice and truth. More than 56,000 Palestinians have been murdered by Israel over the past 20 months. In that time, Israel have launched attacks on Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. These countries have for a long time been barriers to US imperialism in the Middle East. It is why our government remains silent on Israel, and why Judith Collins signed off on $12bn in military spending right before the US bombs Iran. 'When the US bombs Iran, Luxon calls it an 'opportunity'. But when Cook Islanders assert their sovereignty or Chinese vessels travel through international waters, he leaps to condemnation' said Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi. 'Israel continues to maintain an undeclared nuclear arsenal. Yet this Government won't say a word. It condemns non-Western powers at every turn but remains silent when its allies act with impunity.' Te Pāti Māori is reaffirming our position of military neutrality, rejecting participation in imperial alliances, foreign wars, and warmongering masquerading as diplomacy. 'You don't send planes into a war zone 'just in case.' Not without a mandate. Not without telling the people. This Government is dragging us toward World War 3, in secret, without debate, and with zero accountability.' 'Luxon's complicity is putting everyone in Aotearoa at risk.' 'Aotearoa is not a puppet of Western militarism. We do not answer to NATO. We do not answer to the Five Eyes. We answer to our people and our values' said Waititi. 'This Government speaks boldly against the East but cowers before the West. It has no credibility on international law when its outrage is selective, and its silence bought.' 'Te Pāti Māori will not be silent. We will not stand by while bombs fall, sovereignty is trampled, and innocent people are killed. Whether it's in the Middle East, the Pacific, or here at home' concluded Waititi.

How would an escalation in conflict in the Middle East impact Kiwis
How would an escalation in conflict in the Middle East impact Kiwis

RNZ News

time25 minutes ago

  • RNZ News

How would an escalation in conflict in the Middle East impact Kiwis

As the US entered the Iran/Israel conflict on the weekend, New Zealanders are bracing for the global impact. Photo: ASIF HASSAN / AFP Explainer - America jumped into the war between Israel and Iran over the weekend, as US President Donald Trump announced air strikes on Iran's three principal nuclear sites. The intervention of the US in the conflict has raised concerns worldwide about what's next, including how it might affect New Zealand, from citizens overseas to the price of petrol. Here's a look at what you need to know so far. New Zealand has maintained a cautious stance politically as the conflict between Iran and Israel has ramped up in recent weeks. That remains the case today, with the prime minister urging that diplomatic talks resume. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is overseas for a NATO summit, told RNZ's Morning Report that New Zealand wanted to see a peaceful stable and secure Middle East . "The way to get there is a political solution rather than military action, it's actually through dialogue and diplomacy." As a small country that is thousands of miles away from the conflict, all New Zealand could do was to advocate for what it thought should happen, he said. "What we don't need is more military action, we need a political solution to all of these issues in the Middle East." On Sunday, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said ongoing military action in the Middle East was "extremely worrying". Peters previously said before the weekend escalation that the provocative behaviour by both Israel and Iran was to be criticised , and New Zealand would not take sides in a conflict of this nature. "There are no innocent parties in this conflict," he said. Winston Peters and Judith Collins at the announcement that the Defence Force was sending a plane to the Middle East to assist any New Zealanders stranded in Iran or Israel on 22 June, 2025. Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel The escalation poses a major threat to New Zealand's economy, RNZ's Susan Edmunds reports. Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen said if there were attacks on US shipping, or attempts to limit access through the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices could spike. Iran's parliament reportedly voted on Monday morning (NZ time) to close the Strait of Hormuz, which around 20 percent of the world's oil travels through. "If [Iran] do ratchet up the tension further, if this starts to broaden out into shipping attacks, I think market expectations and worries about oil supply will increase substantially. The question is, just to what degree do you price this and how do markets look at that?" Koura KiwiSaver founder Rupert Carlyon said the biggest risk was to inflation. "If it does turn into a broader Middle East war and potentially shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, then we are likely to see higher oil prices, which will flow through to everything and shipping delays making it harder and more expensive to import things here in New Zealand." The Defence Force announced on Sunday it is sending a plane to the Middle East to assist any New Zealanders stranded in Iran or Israel . The plane is not part of any military combat operations. The C-130J Hercules, along with government personnel, left Auckland on Monday morning. Peters said New Zealanders should do everything they can to leave now, if they can find a safe route. "We know it will not be safe for everyone to leave Iran or Israel, and many people may not have access to transport or fuel supplies," he said. "If you are in this situation, you should shelter in place, follow appropriate advice from local authorities and stay in touch with family and friends where possible." Peters said the number of New Zealanders registered in Iran had jumped since the escalation of the crisis. "We thought, at a certain time, we had them all counted out at 46," he said. "It's far more closer to 80 now, because they're coming out of the woodwork, despite the fact that, for months, we said, 'look, this is a danger zone', and for a number of days we've said, 'get out if you possibly can'." There were 101 New Zealanders registered in Israel. Again, Peters said the figure had risen recently. New Zealanders in Iran and Israel needing urgent consular assistance should call the Ministry's Emergency Consular Call Centre on +64 99 20 20 20. Elham Salari, an Iranian in New Zealand told RNZ on Sunday she was deeply worried for her family members back home. "I'm so scared. I'm so stressed... all I'm thinking is 'What's going to happen next?' Trump said he wants peace... but Iran's regime will not let it go easily. There will be a bigger war. It's going to destroy our country and our people are going to die." Salari said she had woken up to messages from her family on Sunday who confirmed they were safe, but she had not been able to get back in contact with them since. Meanwhile, New Zealand Jewish Council spokesperson Ben Kepes said people should not conflate the actions of the Israeli government and the Israeli military with Jews worldwide. Iran has said multiple times that it does not believe Israel has a right to exist, he said. "Most New Zealanders when they understand the issues would say that regardless of whether they support the actions of the Israeli government, that Israel has a right to exist as a sovereign nation." Kepes said he was a Jew in New Zealand and did not hold an Israeli passport, nor vote for the government in Israel. "I have zero control over Israel, so holding me responsible of the actions of the government is not only absurd, but it's a stereotype that is really dangerous." According to the 2023 Census, about 2700 people living in New Zealand are of Israeli or Jewish background , while about 5600 identify with the Iranian ethnic group . Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

At least 20 killed in church suicide bombing
At least 20 killed in church suicide bombing

Otago Daily Times

timean hour ago

  • Otago Daily Times

At least 20 killed in church suicide bombing

People survey the damage following a deadly blast at the Mat Elias Church in Damascus, Syria. At least 20 people were killed and dozens injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Syria's capital Damascus, health authorities and security sources said. It was the first suicide bombing in Damascus since Bashar al-Assad was toppled by an Islamist-led rebel insurgency in December. Syria's interior ministry said the suicide bomber was a member of Islamic State. He entered the church, opened fire and then detonated his explosive vest, a ministry statement added. A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two men were involved in the attack, including the one who blew himself up. Islamic State has been behind several attempted attacks on churches in Syria since Assad's fall, but this was the first to succeed, another security source told Reuters. Syria's state news agency cited the health ministry as saying that 52 people were also injured in the blast. A livestream from the site by Syria's civil defence, the White Helmets, showed scenes of destruction from inside the church, including a bloodied floor and shattered pews and masonry. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the offensive against Assad before taking over in January for a transitional phase, has repeatedly said he will protect minorities. "We unequivocally condemn the abhorrent terrorist suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus, Syria," the Greek foreign ministry said in a statement. "We demand that the Syrian transitional authorities take immediate action to hold those involved accountable and implement measures to guarantee the safety of Christian communities and all religious groups, allowing them to live without fear." Islamic State had previously targeted religious minorities, including a major attack on Shiite pilgrims in Sayeda Zainab in 2016 — one of the most notorious bombings during Assad's rule. The latest assault underscores the group's continued ability to exploit security gaps despite the collapse of its territorial control and years of counterterrorism efforts.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store