Russia puts more Kiwis

Russia has blacklisted 32 more Kiwis – including defence force leaders, mayors, councillors, academics and journalists – in response to what the embassy has described as a ‘‘Russophobic agenda’’.

The Russian Foreign Ministry-issued statement said those included on the list had been banned from entering Russia on an ‘‘indefinite basis’’ in response to New Zealand government sanctions applied to ‘‘an increasing number of Russian citizens’’.

The new list of banned Kiwis includes Auckland mayor Phil Goff, Wellington mayor Andy Foster, Nelson mayor Rachel Reese, Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel and Dunedin mayor Aaron Hawkins, among other elected officials.

It also includes high-ranking members of the New Zealand Defence Force, along with academics and journalists – including four Stuff reporters and columnists.

The blacklisting follows a range of sanctions being imposed on Russia in response to the February invasion of Ukraine.

The statement, published on the Russian language foreign ministry website, also included a warning that more names could be added to the list of people with ‘‘personal sanctions’’ against them.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement they were unsurprised that Russia had added further New Zealanders to its travel ban list.

‘‘Aotearoa New Zealand, in concert with the international community, has been applying tough sanctions on Russia as a means to restrict the Putin regime’s ability to continue waging war on Ukraine and harming civilians.

‘‘It’s disappointing to see Russia deepening its isolation

from the international community rather than engaging with the clear message that it is being sent: to cease its senseless war of aggression in Ukraine and withdraw its troops.’’

Earlier this year, 130 New Zealand politicians and officials – including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Cabinet ministers, parliamentarians from all political parties, the governor-general, and military and spy chiefs – were also blacklisted by the Russian state.

Wellington mayor Andy Foster said it was the first time he had been blacklisted from a country, adding, ‘‘it obviously means our sister city relationship with Moscow is off’’.

Speaking more seriously about the Ukraine invasion, he said the capital city had demonstrated support for Ukraine through a range of activities: a number of protests, Ukrainian flags being flown – including at Parliament – lighting various civic monuments in colours of the Ukrainian flag, and holding concerts for Ukraine.

‘‘There are a number of things which have happened in Wellington that are small, but symbolise our collective revulsion with what is happening with the Russian invasion of Ukraine,’’ Foster said.

Auckland mayor Phil Goff said he would wear the ban as a ‘‘badge of honour’’ and described it as a symbol of ‘‘Russian impotence’’ in terms of what it could do to countries like New Zealand who had spoken out against the Ukraine invasion.

‘‘It’s disappointing to see Russia deepening its isolation from the international community . . .’’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade