A Ukrainian Kiwi says Russia's invasion is "our business" as it has "huge implications" for the globe after Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi said we shouldn't "stick our noses" into it.
Waititi told Te Ao Mārama the situation has come about due to the "politics of America, NATO, and other countries". He also questioned if New Zealand has become "puppets of America?".
"Our actions say so. The Māori Party requested when this broke out to be like Sweden and Switzerland, to remain neutral."
Both Sweden and Switzerland have contributed aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February. Just this week it was reported Sweden would donate air defence systems and ammunition to Kyiv on top of additional humanitarian assistance.
Waititi went on to say that New Zealand should stick to the words of Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Tūruki, who founded the Ringatū religion. Waititi said Te Kooti believed "this is the new generation under gospel and peace".
"We should remain firm to that and not enter into that conflict and stick our noses in other peoples' business," Waititi said.
Kate Turska, a humanitarian aid spokesperson for New Zealand group Mahi for Ukraine, said Ukraine may be far from Aotearoa's shores, but what is happening there isn't something New Zealanders can ignore.
"Aside from the fact that Ukrainians and others affected by this horrific war are right here in New Zealand living and working right beside you, and it is impacting our loved ones, our friends, our work colleagues," she said.
"This war also has huge implications for the international community as a whole. Putin's ruthless invasion of Ukraine threatens to tear down the international system we operate in."
Turska also noted that the war in Ukraine has caused significant disruption to food and energy supply chains, contributing to rising prices internationally.
"Russia has launched its game of toying with global hunger to bargain for geopolitical advantages at high stakes. Russia's war on Ukraine destroys people's lives and livelihoods far from the battlefield. The conflict is also dangerously impacting both politics and geopolitics."
She said global leaders have a shared responsibility to respond to this global instability.
"This is a moment when any individual or state with principles and values shows them through their actions. No, we can't just 'keep our noses out of other people's business', being a part of the international democratic community - this is our business too!"
Lena, a Ukrainian-Russian in New Zealand, said the New Zealand Government's assistance to Ukraine so far is "a genuine will to help a country that is under full military attack in 21st century".
She said support can come through "money or supply.
"NZ is not that big to provide equipment or ammunition but it helps the way it can."
Many Ukrainians and Russians in New Zealand are helping through baking fundraisers and donations, said Lena.
"Money [is] going for needs of those suffering in Ukraine, whether it's ammunition or medical supply or food."
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday that support from distant countries is "deeply appreciated by Ukraine".
"Principles matter and Aotearoa New Zealand is committed to upholding the rules of international law and the United Nations Charter."
During debate on the Russia Sanctions Bill, which Te Paati Māori supported, Waititi said the legislation "recognises the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Ukraine, which has been undermined by Russia and their allies".
"Upholding the international rule of law around territorial integrity is important for all sovereign peoples, including indigenous peoples and tangata whenua."
However, he said New Zealand should be "more consistent in applying sanctions", questioning why New Zealand didn't condemn the United States for invading Middle Eastern nations.
"Rather than condemn the United States for their illegal, imperial invasion, we've supported them with troops, with training, with intelligence. This must end. Aotearoa should not be in servitude to any imperial power."
The Government this week announced it was sending an additional $1.85 million to the World Food Programme to help address global food insecurity exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. It's also donating $1.85 million to the NATO Trust fund for non-lethal military equipment and supplies for Ukraine's self-defence.
New Zealand is also extending its deployment of Defence Force personnel in the United Kingdom training Ukrainian soldiers until July 2023. Other roles for the NZDF in Europe supporting Ukraine are also being extended. However, no New Zealander will enter Ukraine.
"The extended support builds on the package of military, diplomatic, legal and humanitarian assistance provided by Aotearoa New Zealand since Russia's war of aggression began in February," Ardern said.
"Putin's continued pursuit of this war is fundamentally wrong. We call on Russia to reverse course and withdraw from Ukraine. Ukrainians, both in uniform and civilians, die every day as Russia's senseless attacks continue."
Defence Minister Peeni Henare arrived in Europe on Friday to visit a training camp where more than one hundred members of the NZDF are training the Ukrainian armed forces.
"It's a heavy dose of reality, but it makes me incredibly proud," said Henare.
"Look all I'll say is the Ukrainian soldiers are a fantastic bunch," said Major Thomas Kelly. "The passion, determination and drive that they've displayed through this training is outstanding."
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace accompanied Henare. The Brit said New Zealand is doing "an awful lot".
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, New Zealand has taken a number of steps to condemn Moscow and support Kyiv. That's included introducing and using new sanctions legislation, implementing a 35 percent trade tariff on Russian imports into New Zealand, donating money towards humanitarian assistance, to the International Criminal Court, and to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
