The Labour Party's spokesperson on foreign affairs has expressed concern over the United Nations' failure to agree on a fresh call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The UN Security Council has been unable to agree on the wording of a statement on the conflict.
Helen Clark says the need for a ceasefire is more pressing now that Israel has sent ground forces into Gaza. She says a further significant loss of life is inevitable.
Miss Clark hopes French president Nicolas Sarkozy will help bring the conflict to an end during a visit to the region on Monday.
She says there is potential for the conflict to spread beyond the Middle East.
Israeli president Shimon Perez rejected calls for a ceasefire, but said on Sunday that Israel does not intend to reoccupy the Gaza Strip or crush Hamas.
Israeli ground forces entered Gaza on 3 January after a week of bombing. The BBC reports the territory has effectively been cut in two by the invasion. Gaza City is virtually surrounded.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Eraket says Gaza is now affected by a humanitarian catastrophe, with no water, medical supplies or electricity.
