The Government's decision to continue trade talks with Saudi Arabia is inconsistent with New Zealand's reputation for upholding human rights, according to the Green Party.

Saudi Arabia continues to carry out executions despite scrutiny from the United Nations and other countries regarding its judicial process.

Party co-leader James Shaw said New Zealand shouldn't give preference to trade deals with human rights abusers, because that shows tacit approval of all their actions.

"At the same time, we are offering preferential treatment to Saudi Arabia, it's just wrong and we shouldn't be doing it."

Saudi Arabia is defending its judicial process at the United Nations.

In response to criticism from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, it says the 47 people executed at the weekend had been granted fair and just trials without any consideration to their intellectual, racial, or sectarian affiliation .

That includes the prominent Shi'ite Muslim cleric whose death has sparked a row with Iran.