The Labour Party has criticised the Government's UN Security Council campaign at the same time as its foreign affairs spokesperson David Shearer is in New York lobbying for support.
At a parliamentary select committee, Shearer's associate foreign affairs spokesperson, Maryan Street, raised questions about the Government's use of foreign aid in its campaign for a seat on the Security Council in 2015-16.
Shearer was, meanwhile, lobbying representatives of the Palestinian Authority and Somalia, among others, at the United Nations. He says New Zealand's bid is based on its reputation as a small country with an independent foreign policy.
The chief executive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, John Allen, dismisses Street's suggestion aid is being used to win a Security Council seat.
