WELLINGTON, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Education Minister Hekia Parata will represent her government at the state funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres on Friday.
"President Peres carved out a special place in world politics," Parata said in a statement Thursday.
"The loss of such an influential and inspirational leader in his 93rd year is a day for respect and reflection, not only for Israelis, but the world."
Peres won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 alongside then Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for their roles in negotiating the Oslo Peace Accords.
The funeral will be held at the Mount Herzel Cemetery in Jerusalem.
Parata was already in Israel to attend the Global Education Industry Summit.
