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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

China’s cancer breakthrough on CAR-T cell therapy shows progress

Science

Biomedicine | China’s CAR-T cell therapy cancer breakthrough shows progress

Having played a pivotal role in the ‘astonishing’ growth of personalised cancer treatment, China this year became the first country in the world to approve its use on solid tumours.

2 hours ago

Cambodia

Cambodia hosts anti-scam summit as scepticism lingers

22 Sep 2026 - 2:24PMvideocam

Conservation

Black robin rules roost in New Zealand’s Bird of the Year vote

21 Sep 2026 - 1:07PM

Pacific nations

Opinion | Pacific island states are trapped in Cold War 2.0

Geopolitically, it’s like a feudal hierarchy: small island nations as vassals, Australia and New Zealand as local lords and the US as king.

21 Sep 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

A family photo during the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Koror, Palau, on September 2. Photo: AAP via Reuters

Science

Could Chinese explorers have settled New Zealand before the Maori?

Mainstream academics and Maori groups voice scepticism, but researchers say acknowledging lesser-known history could alter national identity.

18 Sep 2026 - 8:28PM

Shein

Shein slump deepens as stock tumbles 25% below IPO price

Jefferies says Shein’s ‘low-cost parcels, Guangdong’s supplier density, and supplier-funded experimentation’ will be more expensive.

14 Sep 2026 - 5:18PM

From our archives

On This Day | Hong Kong mourns Mao Zedong’s death in 1976 – SCMP archive

Fifty years ago, Mao Zedong’s death sent shock waves around the world.

13 Sep 2026 - 11:15AM

Mourners wearing black armbands attending the memorial service for China’s late leader Mao Zedong at the Bank of China building on September 16, 1976. Photo: Chan Kiu

Britain

UK lawmakers reject bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales

The bill had proposed allowing adults with fewer than six months to live to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval.

11 Sep 2026 - 10:43PM

China-EU relations

Beijing lodges diplomatic protests over Taiwan official’s visit to Italy

European Parliament official says conference attendance by Hsiao Bi-khim was kept confidential to safeguard her participation.

11 Sep 2026 - 7:27PMvideocam

Science

US, China trials suggest a single nanodrug shot might stop bad cholesterol forever

Separate trials using CRISPR and base editing to silence lipid genes show drastic drops in LDL-C without daily medication.

9 Sep 2026 - 11:00AMvideocam

Two breakthrough clinical trials suggest that patients with high cholesterol may one day benefit from a one-and-done injection to keep bad cholesterol under control. Photo: Shutterstock Images

US-China relations

US port pledge ups China rivalry in Pacific but island nations stick to own course

Washington commits millions of dollars at last week’s regional leaders’ forum in Palau, but experts say it will not be that simple.

8 Sep 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

Member nations’ flags fly outside the Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting in Koror, Palau, on September 3. Photo: Kyodo

SCMP Highlights

Cambodia scam gangs; viral Jennie clip tests South Korea law: 7 Asia highlights

From Japan warships attracting US interest to viral clip of Blackpink’s Jennie, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

8 Sep 2026 - 4:59PM

International Property

Which property markets will be the winners and losers if Fed raises US rates?

Fed chairman’s focus on inflation at meeting last month has heightened expectations of monetary tightening.

6 Sep 2026 - 4:00PM

Japan

US wants foreign warships for its navy. Japan is hoping to be picked

Should Washington commission Mogami-class frigates, it will become Japan’s largest deal since relaxing the rules on weapon exports in April.

4 Sep 2026 - 10:30AM

Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force Mogami-class stealth frigate JS Mikuma anchors at a naval base in Yokosuka on September 5, 2025. Photo: AP

Pacific nations

Exclusive | New Zealand ‘must never be seen as a proxy’, former PM Helen Clark warns

Calling the US Pacific strategy a ‘game of bluff’, Clark urges Wellington to defend its independent foreign policy tradition.

3 Sep 2026 - 10:25AMvideocam

New Zealand’s former prime minister Helen Clark. Photo: AFP

The Philippines

UK-Philippines troop deal to boost Nato’s South China Sea reach

If finalised, the UK would be the fourth Nato member to reach a deal with the Philippines allowing troops to train on each other’s soil.

1 Sep 2026 - 6:05PM

Hong Kong entertainment

US singer Post Malone delays Hong Kong concert, sparking fan complaints

Concert organiser Live Nation Hong Kong says September 16 show at Kai Tak Stadium has been postponed.

27 Aug 2026 - 11:40PM

Australia

New Zealand moves to ban social media for under-16s

Wellington is proposing fines of up to 10 per cent of global turnover for tech firms, but a coalition partner has vowed to block the measure.

24 Aug 2026 - 1:14PM

The bill would require social media platforms operating in New Zealand to take reasonable steps to verify users’ ages. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

Pakistan

Former cricket captains appeal to Pakistan over jailed ex-PM Khan’s healthcare

The group of 21 sportsmen asked that Khan, also a former cricket captain, be allowed family visits and that medical checks be completed.

24 Aug 2026 - 2:34PM

Christopher Luxon

New Zealand passes law blocking climate action against companies

The law was introduced in response to a suit filed by a Maori activist against six firms for their contribution to environmental harm.

19 Aug 2026 - 10:41AM

Pacific nations

Cook Islands PM re-elected despite row with New Zealand over China ties

The result shows that local voters are not as concerned about geopolitical issues as claimed in earlier reports, analysts say.

18 Aug 2026 - 5:32PMvideocam

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown speaks at a Pacific Islands Forum meeting in 2024. Photo: AP

Japan

Japan looks to Australia, India to sustain defence readiness

Tokyo is seeking to mitigate risks linked to potential US munitions shortages and maintain credible deterrence, analysts say.

17 Aug 2026 - 8:00AM

Type 90 battle tanks of the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force are seen during a live fire exercise in Gotemba on June 7. Photo: AFP

China-New Zealand relations

China claims New Zealand’s spy report is product of foreign interference

Chinese embassy hits back at espionage claims, alleges Wellington is serving as a ‘pawn for anti-China forces’.

14 Aug 2026 - 7:29PMvideocam

Vietnam

Vietnam’s To Lam eyes trade, defence boost during trip to Australia, New Zealand

China’s actions in the South China Sea will be discussed but unlikely to be explicitly condemned, observers say.

12 Aug 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Canada

Canada’s British Columbia gets federal help as wildfire forces evacuations

Wildfire prompts Canadian province to declare a state of emergency and evacuate about 18,000 people.

10 Aug 2026 - 11:56AM

The Bald Range wildfire burns in Summerland, British Columbia at the weekend. Photo: The Canadian Press via AP

Hong Kong courts

Bar Association broadly backs new offence for persistent child sexual abuse

Hong Kong Bar Association vice-chairman Martin Hui says four ‘safeguards’ are needed to ensure fairness for both defendant and victim.

8 Aug 2026 - 12:00PM

Martin Hui holds a copy of the Bar Association’s submission for the consultation on sexual offence reforms. Photo: Nora Tam

Video | New Zealand politician joins meeting from bathroom

Councillor Jo Galer logged into a meeting of the Dunedin City Council with her laundry clearly visible in the background.

5 Aug 2026 - 9:30PM

Pacific nations

New Zealand’s Pacific defence diplomacy shifts into overdrive

Wellington’s four-month diplomatic blitz aims to lock down regional allies as Washington’s commitment wavers.

2 Aug 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

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New Zealand

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Biomedicine | China’s CAR-T cell therapy cancer breakthrough shows progress

Having played a pivotal role in the ‘astonishing’ growth of personalised cancer treatment, China this year became the first country in the world to approve its use on solid tumours.

Cambodia hosts anti-scam summit as scepticism lingers

Black robin rules roost in New Zealand’s Bird of the Year vote

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Pacific island states are trapped in Cold War 2.0

Geopolitically, it’s like a feudal hierarchy: small island nations as vassals, Australia and New Zealand as local lords and the US as king.

Could Chinese explorers have settled New Zealand before the Maori?

Mainstream academics and Maori groups voice scepticism, but researchers say acknowledging lesser-known history could alter national identity.

Shein slump deepens as stock tumbles 25% below IPO price

Jefferies says Shein’s ‘low-cost parcels, Guangdong’s supplier density, and supplier-funded experimentation’ will be more expensive.

On This Day | Hong Kong mourns Mao Zedong’s death in 1976 – SCMP archive

Fifty years ago, Mao Zedong’s death sent shock waves around the world.

UK lawmakers reject bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales

The bill had proposed allowing adults with fewer than six months to live to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval.

Beijing lodges diplomatic protests over Taiwan official’s visit to Italy

European Parliament official says conference attendance by Hsiao Bi-khim was kept confidential to safeguard her participation.

US, China trials suggest a single nanodrug shot might stop bad cholesterol forever

Separate trials using CRISPR and base editing to silence lipid genes show drastic drops in LDL-C without daily medication.

US port pledge ups China rivalry in Pacific but island nations stick to own course

Washington commits millions of dollars at last week’s regional leaders’ forum in Palau, but experts say it will not be that simple.

Cambodia scam gangs; viral Jennie clip tests South Korea law: 7 Asia highlights

From Japan warships attracting US interest to viral clip of Blackpink’s Jennie, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Which property markets will be the winners and losers if Fed raises US rates?

Fed chairman’s focus on inflation at meeting last month has heightened expectations of monetary tightening.

US wants foreign warships for its navy. Japan is hoping to be picked

Should Washington commission Mogami-class frigates, it will become Japan’s largest deal since relaxing the rules on weapon exports in April.

Exclusive | New Zealand ‘must never be seen as a proxy’, former PM Helen Clark warns

Calling the US Pacific strategy a ‘game of bluff’, Clark urges Wellington to defend its independent foreign policy tradition.

UK-Philippines troop deal to boost Nato’s South China Sea reach

If finalised, the UK would be the fourth Nato member to reach a deal with the Philippines allowing troops to train on each other’s soil.

US singer Post Malone delays Hong Kong concert, sparking fan complaints

Concert organiser Live Nation Hong Kong says September 16 show at Kai Tak Stadium has been postponed.

New Zealand moves to ban social media for under-16s

Wellington is proposing fines of up to 10 per cent of global turnover for tech firms, but a coalition partner has vowed to block the measure.

Former cricket captains appeal to Pakistan over jailed ex-PM Khan’s healthcare

The group of 21 sportsmen asked that Khan, also a former cricket captain, be allowed family visits and that medical checks be completed.

New Zealand passes law blocking climate action against companies

The law was introduced in response to a suit filed by a Maori activist against six firms for their contribution to environmental harm.

Cook Islands PM re-elected despite row with New Zealand over China ties

The result shows that local voters are not as concerned about geopolitical issues as claimed in earlier reports, analysts say.

Japan looks to Australia, India to sustain defence readiness

Tokyo is seeking to mitigate risks linked to potential US munitions shortages and maintain credible deterrence, analysts say.

China claims New Zealand’s spy report is product of foreign interference

Chinese embassy hits back at espionage claims, alleges Wellington is serving as a ‘pawn for anti-China forces’.

Vietnam’s To Lam eyes trade, defence boost during trip to Australia, New Zealand

China’s actions in the South China Sea will be discussed but unlikely to be explicitly condemned, observers say.

Canada’s British Columbia gets federal help as wildfire forces evacuations

Wildfire prompts Canadian province to declare a state of emergency and evacuate about 18,000 people.

Bar Association broadly backs new offence for persistent child sexual abuse

Hong Kong Bar Association vice-chairman Martin Hui says four ‘safeguards’ are needed to ensure fairness for both defendant and victim.

Video | New Zealand politician joins meeting from bathroom

Councillor Jo Galer logged into a meeting of the Dunedin City Council with her laundry clearly visible in the background.

New Zealand’s Pacific defence diplomacy shifts into overdrive

Wellington’s four-month diplomatic blitz aims to lock down regional allies as Washington’s commitment wavers.

Biomedicine | China’s CAR-T cell therapy cancer breakthrough shows progress

Opinion | Pacific island states are trapped in Cold War 2.0