The Foreign Affairs Minister has denied New Zealand's response to Russia's invasion was late.  

Last week, the Wall Street Journal identified New Zealand as the only US ally yet to ramp up sanctions against Russia.

The Government's now urgently passing a bill that includes freezing assets in New Zealand, a travel ban on more than 100 people and economic targeting of people supporting invasion, including oligarchs.

Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta told Mike Hosking New Zealand's response hasn't been tardy.  

“We were preparing to act in accordance with international partners and what we were observing based on intelligence.” 

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