Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the extra day added to the halt in fighting, and called on all parties and countries with influence to work towards a long-term ceasefire.
In a statement on Friday afternoon, Peters said the pause would allow the delivery of more urgently-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza and the release of more hostages.
"The human cost of the conflict is horrific, and New Zealand wants to see the violence end. We call on all parties involved in the conflict, as well as countries with influence in the region, to work urgently towards a long-term ceasefire," he said.
"We reiterate that all remaining hostages must be released. New Zealand continues to unequivocally condemn Hamas' terrorist attack of 7 October.
"We have consistently supported the right of Israel to defend itself against Hamas' terrorist attacks, though we repeat our call for international humanitarian law to be observed by all sides and in all circumstances."
He said there could ultimately be no military solution to the conflict, and there needed to be a return to the Middle East Peace Process.
In a separate statement, released about the same time, Peters also expressed New Zealand's condolences to the family of former US State Secretary Henry Kissinger, after his death.
"While opinions on his legacy are varied, Secretary Kissinger was an accomplished diplomat and a towering figure in international affairs, who remained an influential voice to the end," Peters said.
"During his time in government, and beyond, Mr Kissinger was a driving force in a range of events that reshaped American diplomacy in the second half of the twentieth century, including the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and China and the ending of the war in Viet Nam."
