In a social media post, Winston Peters has praised the US withdrawal from the World Health Organisation.
Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has praised the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organisation, and has questioned whether it is worth New Zealand continuing to put money towards it.
The United States has officially exited the WHO, a year since President Donald Trump gave notice via executive order.
The US still owes the WHO US$260 million (approximately NZ$442m) in fees, but the US State Department has said the American people have paid more than enough.
In a post on X, Peters commented on the US’ withdrawal.
“This is what happens when a bunch of unelected globalist bureaucrats are not accountable or responsible with worldwide taxpayers money,” he said.
Peters, who is also Foreign Affairs Minister, sent the post from his personal social media account, rather than from his ministerial account.
He questioned whether membership continued to represent value for money.
“With the US withdrawing its membership it puts into question the current state of the WHO, its effectiveness, and if our taxpayers money is being responsibly spent overseas instead of here at home,” he said.
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