New Zealand is suspending its human rights dialogue with Iran, the Government has announced, over its crackdown on anti-regime protests.
New Zealand and Iran established dialogue in 2018 to discuss human rights concerns, with the first session held in 2021. The next was due to take place this year.
On Monday at her post-Cabinet press conference, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said this dialogue had been suspended indefinitely.
"We don't see the utility of holding talks that aren't accompanied by progress, and worse, provide a legitimacy to them that their actions don't warrant," she told reporters.
She added the Government is also calling on United Nations member states to remove Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
"It is not sustainable for a country that continues to so brutally attack the rights of women to belong to a preeminent global body dedicated to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment," Ardern said.
"As a member state, it is our duty to add our voice to this call and to uphold the mandate and values of the commission."
Ardern said they have also requested advice on further actions the New Zealand Government can take to amplify their condemnation of Iran's human rights abuses and demonstrate their support to those in Iran.
Protests in Iran were sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman who died soon after she was detained by Iran's morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab incorrectly.
The protests have been met with a wave of violence from the regime. Recently, shots were fired into the crowd at a ceremony marking 40 days since Amini's death.
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the decision to suspend human rights dialogue "sends a strong signal that bilateral approaches on human rights are no longer tenable with Iran".
It comes as Ardern thanked embassy staff on Monday for the safe exit of two Kiwi social media influencers from Iran.
Topher Richwhite and his wife Bridget Thackwray were detained by authorities for several months after entering Iran as part of a tour around the world. Their release was announced last week.
Ardern denied suggestions New Zealand didn't condemn Iran while the social media couple were being held there, but did say their release has allowed the Government to take further action. She added that New Zealand's global position on Iran and its protests hadn't been compromised.
"It is clear, however, we are now in an improved position to continue to ramp up our response."
