Aotearoa New Zealand has a long history of international leadership in improving health security, from nuclear disarmament to pandemic control.

But recent decisions – including the outgoing coalition government’s apparent retreat from supporting global pandemic prevention, preparedness and response strategies – threaten that reputation, and potentially the population’s safety.

In March this year, citing concerns about national sovereignty, the government formally rejected the latest revision of the International Health Regulations.

These amendments were adopted by consensus at the World Health Assembly which is made up of members of the World Health Organization (WHO). The changes included strengthening international preparedness, emergency alerts, coordination and equitable access to medical products.

The government has also withheld endorsement (pending a full national interest test) of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2025.

Following the decision by the United States to quit the WHO in January, Foreign Minister Winston Peters also questioned New Zealand’s funding. He called the WHO a “bloated organisation” that was “not performing the way it should”.

Most recently, in October this year, New Zealand abstained from a United Nations declaration supporting pandemic preparedness. It was one........

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