The New Zealand government had asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to change its policy requiring teams to tour Zimbabwe because of concerns about human rights abuses under President Robert Mugabe.

"The ICC's members agree that it is the responsibility of governments to provide a legal framework in which sport within their countries must operate," council President Ehsan Mani said in a statement.

"Where a government did not legally prevent its cricket team from playing another country, the cricket board would be expected to fulfil its obligations under the council's future tours programme (FTP)."

"The FTP is the basis on which cricket around the world is able to function and it underpins the health of the game," Mani added.

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The New Zealand government has previously said it is opposed to making the tour illegal, saying it infringed on New Zealanders' rights to travel.

Foreign Minister Phil Goff wants New Zealand to be allowed to cancel next month's trip to Zimbabwe without facing a hefty fine which could leave New Zealand cricket in financial ruin, and jeopardise their chances of co-hosting the 2011 World Cup with Australia.

New Zealand is leading an international push to have Zimbabwe banned, but their own cricket association have said they would proceed with next month's tour to avoid paying the ICC a minimum fine of $2 million for any boycott.

Zimbabwean cricket has been in crisis for years with players protesting against Mugabe and walking out on the national team over race rows.