NZ judge elected to International Court

The election of Supreme Court Judge Sir Kenneth Keith to the International Court of Justice was "a truly significant achievement" for him and New Zealand, Prime Minister Helen Clark said today.

The contested vote took place at the United Nations earlier today with New Zealand, Spain and the United States all competing for two seats on the court.

"There has never been a New Zealand judge elected to the court in the nearly 60 years of its existence," Helen Clark said.

"Sir Ken's outstanding qualifications, together with New Zealand's reputation as a staunch advocate of the rule of law and an active and constructive participant in international affairs, have led to this historic result."

The International Court of Justice is the UN's principal judicial arm. New Zealand has brought cases before it twice, both on French nuclear testing in the Pacific.

"Sir Kenneth's bid for election to the ICJ has been the most important international candidature New Zealand has run for years. Competition to serve on such a prestigious body is fierce and it has been a tough campaign," Helen Clark said.

- NZPA