New Zealand MPs have expressed their condolences to the families of the victims of the downed Malaysia Airlines plane.
Flight MH17 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down by what is believed to be a surface-to-air missile in eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 passengers and crew on board on 17 July. It was brought down in a region controlled by pro-Russian separatists and access to the crash site has been hampered by armed militants.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister John Key moved a notice without motion saying the New Zealand Parliament urged Russia to use its influence with the armed separatist groups to ensure the investigation and recovery operation proceed appropriately.
The Labour Party called for a swift, independent investigation of the site to establish the cause of the crash.
The Green Party and New Zealand First supported the call for international co-operation.
Mr Key also moved that the House express grave concern at the situation in Gaza.
More than 550 people, mostly civilians, have died in the two-week conflict, Gaza's health ministry says. Twenty-five Israeli soldiers and two civilians have also been killed.
Flowers placed in remembrance for the victims of the MH17 plane crash at Schiphol Airport, near Amsterdam. Photo: AFP
