New Zealand is among a number of countries refusing to agree to a new international treaty which would allow greater government control over the internet.
The proposed regulations were presented at a world conference on International Telecommunications in Dubai.
Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams said the new treaty would broaden the role of the International Telecommunication Union, an agency of the United Nations, and include more state control of internet content.
She said that would threaten the innovation and free and open debate fostered by the internet and New Zealand won't sign it.
The United States, the United Kingdom and Canada also refuse to sign the treaty.
