WELLINGTON, June 16 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully on Tuesday urged the Iranian authorities to show restraint as post-election protests escalate in the capital of Tehran.

    "The New Zealand government is concerned at the reports coming out of Iran of mounting violence, and calls on all involved to help restore calm," McCully said in a statement.

    New Zealand shares the view of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and several European Union leaders, that the election process needs to be carefully explained," McCully said.