New Zealand arrived in Zimbabwe on Tuesday for their controversial tour of the southern African country, despite political disapproval back home.

"We're here to play cricket, that's what we do best," New Zealand manager Lindsay Crocker told reporters after the team arrived in Zimbabwe's capital Harare.

- Forthcoming cricket fixtures

"We've had a good week of preparation in Namibia and we are looking forward to the Test series," Cocker added.

The Black Caps' tour has come under political scrutiny, with New Zealand's government leading an international push to have the tour cancelled because of concerns over human rights abuses under Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.

However, the tour has gone ahead despite the passing of a resolution by New Zealand's parliament last week calling on the International Cricket Council (ICC) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC)

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark proposed the resolution, that was eventually carried 110-10, asking the ICC and NZC to cancel the tour.

However, NZC chief executive Martin Snedden said the resolution did not change New Zealand's obligations under the ICC's Future Tours programme and they would still be liable for a fine of at least $2 million should they withdraw.

Tours to Zimbabwe by Australia and England were cancelled last year when the ICC took away Zimbabwe's Test status because of the team's weakness following a player boycott. The ICC has since restored Zimbabwe's status.