(Wellington, 23 December 2009) – New Zealand has ratified the international treaty banning cluster munitions one week after domestic implementing legislation was signed into law, said the Aotearoa New Zealand Cluster Munition Coalition (ANZCMC) today. Read more

(Wellington: 11 December 2009) Campaigners are celebrating the passage of the Cluster Munitions Prohibition Bill by the New Zealand parliament last night. With the unanimous vote in support of the implementing legislation, New Zealand’s ratification of the international treaty banning cluster munitions is now imminent. Read more

The Cluster Munitions (Prohibition) Bill is scheduled for its second debate in House this afternoon [10 December 2009 New Zealand time], starting at approx. 4.20pm local time.  Watch it live online on the Internet or on television (on channels Freeview 22 or Sky 94) or come down to Parliament in Wellington and witness it live from the viewing gallery. Read more

New Zealand’s ratification of the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions is nearly completion according to New Zealand’s Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control, Hon. Georgina Te Heuheu. Read more

UPDATE - Shortly after this story was posted [25 November 2009], the US issued a ‘correction‘ indicating that a policy review is still underway so the Obama administration has not yet decided if it will join the Mine Ban Treaty.  The amendment came after an international outcry (see original story below). As Senator Leahy’s press secretary has noted: “This has all the appearances of backpedaling, with no guarantee of a different outcome … But one thing is certain: (Leahy’s) going to keep the pressure on, and for as long as it takes.” The original post follows. Please continue to pressure the US to do the right thing and ban landmines now… Read more

In mid-November 2009, the ANZCMC Coordinator Mary Wareham represented New Zealand non-governmental organisations at a regional meeting in Bali, Indonesia. This is a brief report on the major highlights of the two-day conference. Read more