The United States abstained rather than exercising its veto as it has previously done, which allowed the resolution to pass in the final days of the Obama Administration.
Netanyahu called former Foreign Minister Murray McCully and reportedly threatened to interpret New Zealand's sponsorship as a "declaration of war."
New Zealand has long opposed Israel's settlement on the West Bank on the basis that it undermines the widely accepted two-state solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict.
Brownlee told the Herald this morning that he expected that the letter would enable the respective foreign ministries to start discussion with a view to re-establishing diplomatic connection.
Asked if he would like relations to be restored by October when commemorations for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba in Israel are due to take place he said "that would be most desirable."
New Zealand took part in the World War I battle.
