There's belief among experts that New Zealand depends on the World Health Organisation for disease prevention and health promotion. 

The US officially withdrew from the WHO last week. 

Now Winston Peters has questioned the organisation's effectiveness and how it's using its funding. 

Former WHO director Dr Rob Beaglehole says while the WHO has room to improve, New Zealand ultimately benefits from membership - especially given that future pandemics are 'inevitable'.

"The only way to respond effectively, apart from closing borders for a short time, is going to be to work with other countries together."

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