Parliament has unanimously passed historic sanctions legislation in response to Russia's war on Ukraine.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta Photo: Pool image / Robert Kitchin /Stuff
The legislation, which has been rushed through the House under urgency, allows sanctions to be imposed on Russia and Russian individuals associated with the invasion of Ukraine.
It enables the Government among other things to stop the purchase or sale of property, financial transactions and the movement of ships and planes.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta says the sanctions are not about targeting people simply for being Russian, but rather those linked to the war, or those of economic or strategic importance to Vladimir Putin's regime.
She says the first tranche is being worked on at pace, and is expected to be decided in the next week.
The National Party's foreign affairs spokesperson Gerry Brownlee said it was a difficult time for not only Ukrainians but the entire world.
"As soon as Mr Putin bought out the nuclear card and made the suggestion that he may not hesitate to use that sort of weaponry that put the whole world on notice," Brownlee said.
Both National and Act had expressed disappointment that a New Zealand sanctions regime wasn't brought in sooner.
