3. Question No. 3—Foreign AffairsVANUSHI WALTERS (Labour—Upper Harbour) (remote) to the Minister of Foreign AffairsQuestion No. 3—Foreign Affairs3. VANUSHI WALTERS (Labour—Upper Harbour) (remote) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What recent actions has she taken to support further sanctions against Russia?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Foreign Affairs): I want to acknowledge that Parliament has unanimously passed historic sanctions legislation in response to Russia's war on Ukraine. This legislation allows us to step up our response to Russia's grave unprovoked war on the Ukrainian people. The new Russia Sanctions Act enables me as foreign Minister to recommend specific sanctions against those who are linked to Russia's war in Ukraine or who are of economic or strategic importance to Putin's regime. Sanctions can include freezing assets disrupting Russian banking and banning Russian ships and planes. The legislation allows Government to ramp up its sanctions response as needed. The addition of sanctions builds on the measures we have already implemented to condemn and punish Russia's actions. This includes targeted travel bans export controls and an initial $2 million in humanitarian aid to support those in Ukraine.Vanushi Walters: What does the Russia Sanctions Act allow New Zealand to do?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: The Act sets a framework which enables me as foreign Minister to recommend specific sanctions through regulations which will be able to stop or restrict people or companies from travelling to or from New Zealand; or staying here if they're already here; moving assets to New Zealand; or using assets already here; providing or using services like banks loans legal services. This means we can for example stop the purchase or sale of property the movement of marine vessels and planes in New Zealand's waters or airspace stop imports or exports or the movement of money. These sanctions will be targeted against those who are linked to Russia's war in Ukraine. The Act creates several new criminal offences as well as civil enforcement mechanisms and we're also using existing laws like the Immigration Act to deport people the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act to enforce these sanctions.Vanushi Walters: Why was it so important to introduce a targeted bill?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine violates international law. The principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty underpins international order. In this case a bespoke Act of this kind enables New Zealand to join other countries in imposing sanctions on Russia and it's necessary. While this Act is targeted at Russia's invasion of Ukraine sanctions are not limited to just Russia. It also enables us to respond to those States or individuals who might help Russia in their aggression against Ukraine like Belarus. As I've said in this House in the debate last night consideration of a comprehensive autonomous sanctions regime including Magnitsky provisions and human rights requires fuller consideration and consultation with stakeholders and it's my intention to progress work in this space.Vanushi Walters: When will she be implementing the first sanctions?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: We're already working with urgency on the initial tranche of regulations. The first tranche will align New Zealand with partners to prevent assets from being moved here. This will include more extensive travel bans sanctions on Russian banks and potential asset freezes based on discussions with international partners. There will be further phases as we build a bigger picture of assets here in New Zealand. The framework for sanctions allows us to evolve dependent on situations on the ground in Russia and the actions taken. It provides us with the ability to carefully examine the relationships and identify individuals and companies that meet the legal threshold outlined in the bill so we can have the greatest impact on Russia's ability to sustain a war.