The government has decided against recognising Palestinian statehood, retaining its “when not if” position at the United Nations General Assembly.

Its rationale is that with Hamas in place as the de facto government of the Gaza Strip and no clarity on next steps, there is not a fully legitimate and viable State of Palestine for New Zealand to recognise.

The decision leaves New Zealand with a handful of countries including Singapore, Japan, South Korea and the United States, who have not made the move.