Our Government's issued a call to end the violence in the Middle East as the conflict between Israel and Hamas rages on. 

All parties in the House have supported a motion urging those involved to 'take urgent steps towards establishing a cease-fire'. 

Auckland University international relations expert, Stephen Hoadley, told Mike Hosking that actions like this are to prove that New Zealand's aware of what's happening internationally, and is concerned. 

He says it may have no material effect —given there are far more powerful players in the arena— but does put New Zealand on the side of the majority. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

• "Telling" wording in the Government's call for an end to violence in Gaza
• Parliament wars over whether to call for ceasefire outright