Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage said it was important to stop the unnecessary killing of marine wildlife.
She said New Zealanders want to get rid of single-use plastics.
"They have had enough."
Volvo Ocean Race jumped on board to congratulate New Zealand for joining the campaign.
Co-President Johan Salén said innovative solutions are only possible with countries working together. Other members include Chile and the United Kingdom.
But Greenpeace spokeswoman Elena Di Palma has had enough of political jargon.
She argues the government is not moving fast enough in the fight against plastic pollution.
Di Palma said it is only one of many initiatives which need to take place and that the current generation can make change happen.
Scientists estimate plastic in oceans will weigh more than all fish that live in them by 2050.