Hipkins/Twyford email below:

Thank you for your email. Labour leader Chris Hipkins has asked me to respond on his behalf.

"Labour is not keen on the idea of expelling the Russian Ambassador. Not because we don’t want to actively support the people of Ukraine in their defence of their homeland, and not because we don’t abhor Russia’s treatment of democrats and dissidents like Alexey Navalny. You can only expel the ambassador once. Then you no longer have the ability to call them in and read the riot act. It would also almost certainly lead to our ambassador being kicked out of Moscow and that is a material loss to our ability to have eyes and ears on the ground and also to be able to help Kiwis who may need assistance. There may be occasions when expelling an ambassador is the best course of action, but mostly we think there are better ways for a country to send a message."

Labour 5 reasons not to expel the Russians from Wellington:

1 You can only expel the ambassador once?

2 Would lead to NZ ambassador to be expelled from Moscow?

3 Kiwis might need assistance in Russia?

4 Thinks that there are better ways than expelling an ambassador?

5 Eyes and ears on the ground?

We think that these reasons above are not valid reasons to keep the Russian regime here in NZ

Any kiwis in RUSSIA should leave Russia now, why in earth would anybody still stay in Russia right now?

The Russian Ambassador has not been summoned by our Governments since the war started.

David Seymour said that:

"On the other hand, you know, Russia's Ambassador is not being engaging, he's refused to meet and engage with the New Zealand Government. He's made public criticisms of New Zealand politicians, which is a big no, no for diplomats. It's not entirely obvious what value he's adding by still being here."  

There will be an entire new update tomorrow of what the Greens, National, Act and NZ First think on expelling the Russian Ambassador. Most politicians appear to be for the removal so why are the Russians still here if they do not communicate with our Government.

Any comments are appreciated.

This is a message to all supporters of this petition, please "$ promote" this petition if you can, so far only one other supporter promoted $50. We (NZDDA) cannot keep on paying to Change.com, all of us need to chip in please, every $ counts towards our goal. Lets get rid of the Russians in NZ. Lets be safe and look after our own democracy here in NZ. The Russians are now a threat to NZ and our own democracy.

Glory to Ukraine!