Christopher Luxon speaks to the media before his first trip to China.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says military action between Israel and Iran could be “potentially catastrophic” for the Middle East.
He addressed media in Wellington on Friday shortly after Israel launched a “pre-emptive strike” on Iran.
The aerial attack on Tehran was intended to target Iran’s nuclear programme, Israeliofficials are reported internationally as saying. Israel is preparing for a counter-attack, with the Government declaring a special emergency across the country.
Luxon was briefed on the situation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade before his press conference.
The situation was an “unwelcome development” for the Middle East and a “huge concern to us”, the Prime Minister said.
“The risk of miscalculation is high. That region does not need any more military action and the risk associated with that.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addresses media at Parliament after Israel launched a "pre-emptive strike" on Iran. Photo / Mark Mitchell
He said he wanted to see the parties come together and have conversations. The United States has been attempting to negotiate an agreement with Iran to limit its nuclear programme.
Those conversations were a better pathway forward than military action, the Prime Minister said.
The immediate focus for New Zealand was on consular staff in the region, and he reiterated that the Government had been telling Kiwis “for some time now, do not travel to Iran”.
“The last thing this region needs is more instability. This is potentially catastrophic for the Middle East, and we don’t want to see that happen.”
Luxon said New Zealand had put sanctions on two Israeli ministers for “extremist rhetoric”.
“Military action is not solving problems here.”
Also at the press conference, Luxon confirmed New Zealand would communicate its thoughts to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the Air India plane crash in the city of Ahmedabad.
The PM, who used to head Air New Zealand, said he would also speak with New Zealander Campbell Wilson, the chief executive of Air India, whom he already knows.
Prime Minister to meet President Xi and President Trump
Luxon’s press conference was primarily related to his just-announced trip to China next week.
Travelling with a business delegation, he will meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing and will also visit Shanghai.
After China, Luxon will visit Europe, attending the Nato leaders’ summit in The Hague and visiting Brussels for meetings with European Union leaders.
US President Donald Trump is also expected to attend the Nato summit, as are European leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
New Zealand is not a member of Nato, but is invited to the summit as a member of the Indo-Pacific 4 (IP4) nations, a group that includes Australia, Japan and South Korea. The Prime Minister of New Zealand has attended every Nato leaders’ summit since 2022.
“China is New Zealand’s largest trading partner and a vital part of our economic story,” Luxon said.
A significant goal of the trip will be to try to assist the recovery of tourism and international education.
“This visit is about backing the recovery of international education and tourism and putting New Zealand front and centre as a world-class destination for travel, study, and long-term connection,” Luxon said.
China is keen for New Zealand to reciprocate a level of visa waiver travel for tourists, allowing Chinese tourists to arrive in New Zealand without a visa. This is unlikely, however, given the number of Chinese visitors who overstay their visas or try to claim asylum under the current system.
Luxon will be accompanied to China by the 2025 Te Matatini champions, Te Kapa Haka o Ngatī Whakaue. He will celebrate Matariki in China.
In Europe, he was looking forward to " forging stronger links with businesses and investors as part of our wider plan to rebuild New Zealand’s economy”, he said.
“Prosperity is only possible with security, and our discussions will focus on connections between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security environments.”
