Summarised by Centrist
The government has not ruled out Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joining a proposed international “Board of Peace for Gaza” chaired by Donald Trump.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters, speaking on Parliament’s first sitting day of 2026, said the offer was “not just a small issue” and required “a quite measured look”, describing it as “multi-faceted”.
He confirmed officials were already preparing advice, saying he had asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for “a comprehensive paper covering all issues they can imagine”.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said Luxon had welcomed the “beginning of the next phase of the peace plan for Gaza” and would give the invitation “due consideration”.
According to reports, a draft charter for the proposed body has been circulated to a select group of world leaders. The organisation would be chaired by Trump and invitations have reportedly gone to figures including Australia’s prime minister, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and Russia’s president.
Peters said he had not yet discussed the matter directly with Luxon but said the government would “sit down and dispassionately discuss” what the invitation might mean for New Zealand.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins called the failure to rule it out an “absolute disgrace”, saying it was “embarrassing for New Zealand”.
Green co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick urged Luxon to “publicly and unequivocally reject this invitation”, arguing New Zealand should instead defend the United Nations framework.
