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MPs have voted unanimously to ban cluster munitions.
New Zealand was one of the first countries to sign a treaty banning cluster bombs last year, but the legislation banning the use, manufacture and stockpiling of the weapons needed to get the big tick from parliament.
MPs stood united to pass the legislation and Disarmament and Arms Control Minister Georgina te Heuheu says it was important New Zealand followed up on the international treaty signed last year prohibiting the weapons.
She says the convention on cluster munitions is a major step forward in addressing the harm to civilians caused by these hideous weapons.
Te Heuheu says New Zealand has a profile far above our size on disarmament issues and she's extremely proud to continue that tradition with the new legislation addressing the harm caused by the weapons.
Labour MP Phil Twyford told the House it's gratifying to be part of banning cluster bombs as like landmines, they kill and maim indiscriminately.
He says the legacy of them as a weapon lies in the soil for years afterwards and have caused thousands of unnecessary civilian deaths.
The only exception to the ban is the limited import of cluster bombs so Defence Force personnel can be trained in how to dispose of them.
More than 100 nations have formally agreed to ban the use of cluster bombs but debate continues on loopholes that could benefit powers such as the United States, which has refused to take part in talks on a ban.
