Foreign Minister Winston Peters says he's deeply concerned about renewed fighting in Gaza.
Peters said "a permanent end to the fighting needs to be found."
Israel launched its first ground offensive since the Gaza ceasefire collapsed, a day after Israeli airstrikes pounded Gaza and killed more than 400 people, Palestinian health authorities said. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the resumption of airstrikes saying negotiations on restoring the ceasefire would continue "only under fire".
On a visit to Washington Peters told RNZ New Zealand's position was clear.
"We want the end of this war, now, and a permanent ceasefire, now.
"New Zealand has consistently called for a ceasefire and de-escalation of tensions in the region.
Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER
"This is critical for ending the incomprehensible human suffering over the past year and a half."
The minister said New Zealand called on "both sides to reinstate the ceasefire and fully implement the terms of the deal."
US relations a 'two-way street'
Speaking to RNZ at the end of his trip to Washington DC, Peters said New Zealand's relationship with the US was a "two-way street" both countries have expectations of each other.
Peters met Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday NZT in which the long relationship between the two countries, trade and security were discussed.
The minister said they were "seriously well received", and "we came here on a mission and I think the mission thus far has been seriously accomplished."
Peters said he came to "ask of the Americans as to what they wanted of us, and to tell the Americans what we wanted of them."
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark has criticised the diplomatic stance of the trip saying Peters travelling to Washington DC to "ask what they want from us" is deeply injurious to New Zealand's foreign policy.
Has #NZ foreign policy really come to this? A foreign minister travelling to Trump Administration in DC to ask “what they want of us”. This is self-abasement at a level not seen since the Muldoon years & deeply injurious to NZ’s independent foreign policy: https://t.co/ev7awamkLX
— Helen Clark (@HelenClarkNZ) March 18, 2025
But Peters rejected the notion that it was one-sided, saying "it's a two-way street."
"That's what independent foreign policy looks like.
"Every relationship that we've got internationally has the same dual purpose. We've got expectations of those countries, and they've got expectations of us."
Defence spending
On defence spending, Peters said there was an indication from the administration the "increasing of our expenditure was important."
Peters also addressed trade, saying he had done as much as he can to help New Zealand businesses avoid trade tariffs during his visit to the United States.
He pointed out to the administration that New Zealand has been asking for a trade deal with the US for decades. He also pointed out it's been 41 years since New Zealand "freed up our economy in terms of tariffs and charges and protectionsim."
"We have a better record on this matter than the UNited States has, they understand that."
Peters indicated there were "revolving policies" on USAid, and the question of tariffs going forward.
"As of right here right now, we've done as good as we possibly can and we have reason to be very confident about where we're going in the future."
He said he wouldn't pass judgment on the Russia-Ukraine ceasfire deal until he knows more details.
When asked if New Zealand would oppose a ceasefire deal that was preferred Russia's condtions, Peters said the "wise thing to do is to make no comment until you know what you're talking about."
"We don't know what that deal is about yet."
Peters said "everybody knows" Russia is the aggressor in the war.
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