The contry's Prime Minister yesterday proposed a resolution calling on the ICC and New Zealand Cricket to call off next month's tour because of concerns over human rights abuses by the Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe.
The resolution was carried by 110 votes to 10 but NZC chief executive Martin Snedden said it did not change their obligations under the ICC's Future Tours programme and they would still be liable for a fine of at least $2 million should they withdraw.
"We understand the views of those opposed to the tour of Zimbabwe and fully appreciate Parliament and the government's position," Snedden said in a statement.
"New Zealand Cricket, however, has a contractual obligation to tour Zimbabwe under the Future Tours programme. The parliamentary motion does not change this obligation.
"The consequences of not touring are open ended and would be disastrous to all levels of the game of cricket in New Zealand."
The ICC has said the tour could only be cancelled because of security concerns or if the New Zealand government passed legislation preventing the team from going.
The issue has clear echoes of the last England appearance in Zimbabwe. Then the majority of players were clearly reluctant to go but, in a spate of buck-passing, the government would not issue a clear directive against the tour. At the time this would have provided a way out.
Since then ICC rules have changed and legislation is now required before a national team can pull out of a tour without incurring significant financial penalties.
