Winston Peters' refusal to back our allies in supporting Venezuela's interim president has caught the world's attention, with many hailing the decision.

Last week, opposition leader Juan Guaidó declared himself Venezuela's interim president in an intense acceleration of efforts to force out Nicolás Maduro, who has overseen the country fall into an economic crisis.

While Mr Guaidó quickly gained the support of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and even Australia, New Zealand has chosen not to take a side in the leadership debate, instead remaining neutral.

"It is not New Zealand's practice to make statements of recognition of governments," Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Monday.

"Venezuela needs to decide its future through free and fair elections. This Government expressed concerns about Venezuela's elections in 2018, and these concerns remain."

Mr Peters' statement was picked up by world media, with The Guardian's article on New Zealand's refusal to back Mr Guaidó among its most viewed stories on Tuesday.

Taking to social media, many praised New Zealand for not taking a side.

"I feel like NZ has the most enlightened leadership in the world right now. Good on you guys!" one person said on Twitter.