7 Nov 2013

Peters accuses Govt of blunders in UN bid

9:57 am on 7 November 2013

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has accused the Government of undermining its campaign to win a seat on the United Nations Security Council by making diplomatic blunders.

Winston Peters.

Winston Peters. Photo: RNZ

The vote will be held next October and Prime Minister John Key believes the Government has so far done all it can in the campaign.

But Mr Peters, a former Foreign Affairs Minister, says the Government's stance on the environment and its comments about the Middle East and North Korea have made New Zealand's chances of getting on the Security Council much more difficult.

"These are not seen to be wise comments internationally," he says.

He also says New Zealand earlier had to delay its bid because of lack of support from some of its friends.

Mr Peters says it was thought New Zealand would bid to get on the council for 2014 but delayed that bid after being pushed aside by some of its close allies.