The New Zealand Government is advising New Zealanders to leave Ukraine immediately, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta.

Mahuta made the announcement on Saturday afternoon.

'In response to heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, the New Zealand Government is advising New Zealanders in the Ukraine to leave immediately while there are commercial flights able to get them home,” says Mahuta.

'Those registered on SafeTravel have been notified directly, and we encourage all Kiwis currently in the Ukraine not registered to do so immediately.

'Aotearoa New Zealand does not have diplomatic representation in Ukraine and the government's ability to provide consular assistance to New Zealanders in Ukraine is therefore very limited. The security situation in Ukraine could change at short notice and New Zealanders should not rely on support with evacuating in these circumstances."

On February 11, the NZ Government advised that New Zealanders do not travel to Ukraine due to the risk of armed conflict.

Since November 2021, there have been reports of increased Russian military activity near Ukraine's border with Russia and in Crimea.

'The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is monitoring the situation in Ukraine and continues to update its travel advice to New Zealanders in Ukraine regularly. Our revised travel advisory mirrors similar travel updates from Australia, United Kingdom and the United States,” says Mahuta.

'New Zealand strongly supports ongoing international efforts to resolve the crisis diplomatically but the continuing and unprecedented build-up of Russian military forces on its border with Ukraine is deeply concerning.

'Aotearoa New Zealand calls on Russia once more to take immediate steps to reduce tensions and the risk of a severe miscalculation,” says Mahuta.

New Zealand's travel advice reflects potential risks, and the Government's assessment of what these might mean for New Zealanders. This advice is designed to assist New Zealanders to make their own informed decisions.

The Government urges any New Zealanders in Ukraine not registered on Safe Travel to do so immediately in order to receive updates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade: https://safetravel.govt.nz/ukraine