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New Zealand

The latest news, analysis and opinion on New Zealand. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Wellington

Head of State

King Charles III

Head of Government

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon

India

Amid India’s trade blitz, New Zealand joins the race for a deal

New Delhi is simultaneously pursuing agreements with the UK and the EU, driven by export-led growth ambitions and concerns over US policies.

22 Mar 2025 - 3:00PMvideocam

Australia

Fin-tastic: world’s ugliest animal wins New Zealand’s fish of the year

20 Mar 2025 - 6:49PM

Facebook

Who is Meta whistle-blower Sarah Wynn-Williams, whose new book is causing a stir?

19 Mar 2025 - 6:05PM

Donald Trump

New Zealand PM says trade wars will cause ‘serious headwinds’ to global economy

‘Geopolitical calculations are being totally upended,’ Christopher Luxon says, calling Indo-Pacific pacts key to weathering any instability.

18 Mar 2025 - 4:03AMvideocam

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in New Delhi on Monday. Photo: ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Donald Trump

Fractures threaten Five Eyes’ future as Trump’s ‘America first’ era unfolds

With questions being raised about Canada’s continued membership, doubts cloud the integrity of the decades-old intelligence-sharing alliance.

10 Mar 2025 - 12:48PM

Australia

Letters | Why China conducted naval drills in waters between Australia and New Zealand

Readers discuss Beijing’s maritime strategy, the US’ global influence, and the rise of China’s creative industry.

9 Mar 2025 - 11:30AM

Pacific nations

Beware China’s hold on Pacific, New Zealand spy chief warns

Security Intelligence Service head also has his eye on Cook Islands’ ties with Beijing.

7 Mar 2025 - 2:30PM

Chinese Premier Li Qiang with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown (left) in Harbin, China, on February 14. Photo: Xinhua

China’s navy

PLA Navy ships round out Australian circuit with sail near base hosting US sub

Australian Defence Force says fleet led by Type 055 destroyer Zunyi is northwest of Perth where USS Minnesota is docked.

6 Mar 2025 - 10:08PMvideocam

Donald Trump

New Zealand fires envoy to UK after ‘deeply disappointing’ Trump comments

Phil Goff questioned the US president’s understanding of history at an event in London.

6 Mar 2025 - 11:30AMvideocam

Animals

Surprise dolphin hitches a ride in New Zealand fishermen’s boat

The bottlenose dolphin, weighing more than 400kg, leapt aboard the open-top boat as its occupants were fishing off the country’s north coast.

5 Mar 2025 - 3:20PM

A dolphin is seen being hosed down with water after it had jumped inside Dean Harrison’s boat. Photo: Dean Harrison via AP

Pacific nations

New Zealand’s foreign minister berates Mexico-born MP’s use of Maori name

Winston Peters, who is Maori, objected to Ricardo Menendez March calling New Zealand by its Maori name, ‘Aotearoa’, in parliament.

5 Mar 2025 - 11:53AM

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Photo: Reuters

Asia elections

In a world of declining freedom, 1 South Asian nation stands out: report

Only one nation in South Asia was classified as ‘free’ in US democracy watchdog Freedom House’s latest report.

3 Mar 2025 - 10:02AM

South China Sea

Editorial | Exercise by China’s PLA Navy sends timely reminder

Reaction to warships in Tasman Sea appears excessive, particularly when Australia dispatches forces to the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.

1 Mar 2025 - 1:25AM

China-Australia relations

How Chinese PLA’s latest forays off Australia cap years of maritime tensions

Australia’s growing presence in South China Sea and Taiwan Strait seen to underscore commitment to Western aims to curb China’s influence.

27 Feb 2025 - 11:17PM

A PLA Navy flotilla consisting of a destroyer, a frigate and a replenishment vessel have carried out combat exercises off Australia in recent days. Photo: CCTV

China-Australia relations

New Zealand FM meets China’s Wang Yi in Beijing, raises PLA live-fire drills

The Chinese foreign minister tells Winston Peters that the two countries should trust each other and address differences through dialogue.

27 Feb 2025 - 7:27PM

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

Pacific nations

Cook Islands PM beats no-confidence vote over China deals

Prime Minister Mark Brown struck a strategic partnership with China this month, irking Cook Islands’ opposition and New Zealand.

26 Feb 2025 - 2:22PM

Australia

Were China’s ‘unprecedented’ naval drills a ‘signal’ to Australia, New Zealand?

The drills, conducted near a busy air corridor, have prompted both countries to enhance surveillance and collaborate with allies.

25 Feb 2025 - 10:35PM

Australia

Virgin pilot alerted Australia to Chinese navy’s live-fire drill

Chinese naval drills in international waters between Australia and New Zealand caused dozens of flight diversions.

25 Feb 2025 - 1:04PM

PLA Navy frigate the Hengyang sailing at an undisclosed location on February 11. Photo: Australian Defence Force via AFP

Diplomacy

Opinion | New Zealand need not fear China’s growing ties with Pacific nations

Rather than falling victim to zero-sum illusions, the West must embrace the multiplex nature of Pacific diplomacy.

25 Feb 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

China-Australia relations

‘Deeply surprised’ China slams Australia for ‘hype’ over PLA drills off coast

Canberra’s claim that Beijing failed to give enough notice is ‘completely inconsistent with the facts’, Chinese defence ministry says.

23 Feb 2025 - 7:24PM

Australia

Australia warns airlines over Chinese navy live-fire drills in Tasman Sea

Qantas and Jetstar have temporarily adjusted some flights between Australia and New Zealand due to the military activity.

21 Feb 2025 - 3:35PMvideocam

An Australian ship shadows the Chinese vessels in the Tasman Sea on February 13. Photo: Australian Defence Force via AP

FIBA

Philippines’ shock loss adds to Hong Kong woe as city’s FIBA Asia Cup hopes end

Defeat by New Zealand leaves Hong Kong at the mercy of other results, but Chinese Taipei produce surprise win.

20 Feb 2025 - 11:40PM

Reuben Te Rangi takes on Hong Kong’s Glen Yang in Tsuen Wan. Photo: Elson Li

Pacific nations

After China deal, Cook Islands looks beyond ‘big brother’ New Zealand, US

The islands’ PM said Pacific nations were looking for other countries to ‘fill the gap’ in the wake of Trump’s return as US president.

18 Feb 2025 - 2:45PM

Tourism

New Zealand’s new tourism slogan invites toilet comparisons

The timing of the campaign has many complaining that the slogan is tone deaf – and references bathroom activities.

18 Feb 2025 - 1:48PM

Economic woes trigger record exodus from New Zealand

A record 72,000 citizens left the country last year – as did nearly 57,000 foreign residents – while the economy contracted 2.1 per cent.

17 Feb 2025 - 10:46AM

A car drives past a road sign on the South Island of New Zealand. Photo: Reuters

Pacific nations

Cook Islands says comprehensive strategic partnership deal signed with China

The partnership establishes a framework for engagement on ‘priority areas’ including trade and investment, tourism and climate resilience.

15 Feb 2025 - 1:35PM

Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Mark Brown with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, on Friday. Photo: Xinhua

Pacific nations

Chinese Premier Li Qiang set to meet Cook Islands leader Mark Brown in Harbin

Cook Islands’ expected partnership deal with China has triggered tensions between the South Pacific nation and New Zealand.

13 Feb 2025 - 9:22PM

Pacific nations

China, the Cook Islands – and New Zealand’s struggle for Pacific influence

By signing a deal with Beijing, the Cook Islands is asserting its independence – in a stark challenge to New Zealand’s Pacific strategy.

12 Feb 2025 - 2:15PM

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