Those involved in the campaign to vote New Zealand onto the United Nations Security Council say they are optimistic about its chances.
Speakers at a United Nations Association conference in Wellington on Saturday said they were confident New Zealand delegations can drum up the necessary support.
They need to convince enough nations in the General Assembly to vote for New Zealand over Spain and Turkey for a term of two years, from January 2015 - December 2016.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade deputy secretary Gerard van Bohemen said New Zealand stands a good chance of winning despite having a light diplomatic footprint.
He said campaigning started early, it is organised and diplomats have an effective strategy.
The vote will be held in October, 2014, in New York.
New Zealand last had a seat on the Security Council from 1993 - 1994.
