The Black Caps cricket tour to Zimbabwe will not proceed as scheduled in June.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed on Monday the tour would not go ahead.
A similar tour was postponed last year because of political instability in Zimbabwe.
In a media statement on Monday, NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan said it was clear from recent discussions that the Government's assessment of the security situation in Zimbabwe has not changed from that of a year ago, when the Black Caps scheduled tour was postponed.
Mr Vaughan says NZC has communicated this position to Zimbabwe Cricket and suggested a postponement of the tour until 2011.
"We have a possible window for the rescheduling of the tour next year in May/June. The other option is that we look at playing the scheduled tour in a neutral venue."
Prime Minister John Key says he supports NZC's decision, saying it has taken the responsible course of action in considering the safety and security of the players.
He says there are also some political issues in Zimbabwe, but some progress has been made on that front.
Mr Key says NZC discussed the future of the tour with Sports Minister Murray McCully.
Players Assoc behind decision
The Cricket Players Association says the sport's governing body has made the right decision not to send the Black Caps to Zimbabwe in June.
But Cricket Players Association executive manager Heath Mills told Checkpoint its worries are more about health and safety.
"There are issues with the medical system in Zimbabwe. The hospitals aren't great so we had concerns if players were to suffer a significant injury or if something were to go wrong whether they would get the appropriate care. And also we understand there are issues getting clean water, and such things like that."
He says players want to play Zimbabwe at some point but it is not the right time to be going there.
