Chris Luxon says the Government had major "up front" concerns about joining Donald Trump's Board of Peace.
New Zealand has joined other western countries in declining an invitation.
The Prime Minister says the one-billion-US-dollars required to join the Board of Peace would be better spent on schools, roads and hospitals.
He told Mike Hosking that it will be better for Middle Eastern countries to be on the board, since it will be focused on the Middle East.
LISTEN ABOVE

Mike's Minute: Look at Australia for the supermarket experience
01:58

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent on his new book 'One Last Question, Prime Minister'
12:35

Jo McKenna: Italy Correspondent on the attacks on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni by a Russian TV presenter
04:51