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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

South Korea

As US wavers, ex-minister says Japan and South Korea ‘only have each other’

Former Japanese defence minister Taro Kono said Tokyo and Seoul ‘need to step up our own effort for stability in the region’.

25 Jun 2026 - 3:59PMvideocam

Australia

Why an easier option to travel to New Zealand is a hit with Chinese tourists

25 Jun 2026 - 3:03PM

Australia

Australia refuses release of climate fund reports for Pacific nation Tuvalu

23 Jun 2026 - 5:47PM

South China Sea

China and Philippines in rare naval stand-off near disputed Scarborough Shoal

Media outlet says incident coincided with end of Salaknib 2026 joint military exercise also involving US, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

23 Jun 2026 - 6:31PMvideocam

The Philippine Navy’s guided-missile frigate BRP Diego Silang encountered four Chinese warships near Scarborough Shoal on Saturday, according to Philippine media. Photo: GMA Network

China-Japan relations

Japan’s defence outreach to counter China in the region hits hidden roadblocks

Tokyo’s approach combines security, economic and diplomatic tools to show regional nations an alternative to the China-US dilemma.

23 Jun 2026 - 6:36AMvideocam

China travel

Why are foreign travellers racing to China for the June Dragon Boat holiday?

Chinese travel platforms have logged a big jump in bookings by inbound tourists over the holiday, as global interest in Chinese festivals rises.

19 Jun 2026 - 1:28PM

United States

What foreign brands still win over Chinese shoppers?

Localised strategies and high-quality reputations help products from Japan, Switzerland, South Korea and the US build consumer affinity.

16 Jun 2026 - 7:15PMvideocam

United States

Iranian American protesters gather as football team prepare for World Cup opener

Anti-government protesters gathered in Los Angeles, home to the biggest Iranian community outside Iran, ahead of the Iran-New Zealand match.

16 Jun 2026 - 7:58AM

Australia

Inside Australia’s first major new airport in more than 50 years

Western Sydney Airport in Badgerys Creek will operate 24 hours a day, unlike its current counterpart, which is subject to noise regulations.

10 Jun 2026 - 11:45AM

Weather

Storm cuts off New Zealand’s capital as flights and ferries cancelled

A state of emergency has been declared for ‌parts of Wellington as the weather bureau warned of waves up to ⁠nine metres.

9 Jun 2026 - 10:22AM

A police car is seen parked across a closed road as stormy seas pound the coastline of Owhiro Bay, a suburb of New Zealand’s capital Wellington, on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Environment

New Zealand’s Wellington hit by ‘disgusting’ deluge of faeces after storm

The capital city’s utilities company said crews were working to remove debris and disinfect the homes.

5 Jun 2026 - 11:29AM

A residential area near Wellington, New Zealand. Photo: Xinhua

Taiwan

Beijing slaps travel ban on New Zealand MPs for ‘crossing red line’ over Taiwan

New Zealand and Australia to lodge formal protests after the four lawmakers were sanctioned for ‘sending the wrong signals’.

4 Jun 2026 - 8:01PMvideocam

US-China relations

US and ‘Five Eyes’ allies warn of LinkedIn China spying threat

The FBI, MI5 and other agencies say Chinese spies are using such sites to recruit people with access to classified information.

4 Jun 2026 - 7:56AMvideocam

Defence

Is New Zealand a ‘freeloader’? Wellington rebuffs Hegseth’s Shangri-La remark

Analysts say the US defence secretary’s taunts ring hollow given Washington’s own record of undermining alliance obligations.

3 Jun 2026 - 4:44PM

Delegates watch US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s speech on a screen at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

China trade

Australian beef will soon be hit by 55% tariff in China, ministry says

China’s imports of Australian beef are about to surpass a quota introduced by Beijing to protect domestic farmers.

2 Jun 2026 - 6:30PM

Farmers look at cattle at a weekly livestock sale in New South Wales, Australia. China is a major export market for Australian beef producers. Photo: AFP

Singapore

Shangri-La Dialogue: can Asia do ‘less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs’?

In response to Hegseth’s call, participants at the Singapore forum say defence spending levels have to factor in different countries’ needs.

31 May 2026 - 11:46PMvideocam

Technology

Opinion | For SpaceX, global dominance may not be written in the stars

Space is not an ordinary, commercial, open market but a strategic domain tied directly to sovereignty, security and industrial policy.

31 May 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

United States

New Zealand tells US it lacks billions ‘under the couch’ to boost defence

Finance Minister Willis takes a jab at Hegseth, says his demands ‘would be extremely challenging’ for New Zealand.

31 May 2026 - 9:21AM

Troops from New Zealand, the Philippines, Australia and the US pose with their national flags after taking part in the Balikatan drills in the Philippines last month. Photo: Reuters

Singapore

17 nations launch pact to protect vital undersea cables amid US, China absence

Singapore’s defence chief tells the Shangri-La Dialogue the pact aims to explore potential areas of collaboration and share best practices.

1 Jun 2026 - 9:40AM

Singapore

US senator warns of Indo-Pacific risks as Hegseth stresses ‘quiet’ tactics

Hegseth told the Shangri-La Dialogue that the US remained committed to the region as Duckworth criticised his policy and burden-sharing demands.

31 May 2026 - 5:45PMvideocam

US-Asean relations

Tariffs, war and broken trust: Southeast Asia’s Trump problem

Disillusioned by US unpredictability, the region is learning to diversify – while Trump treats allies as bargaining chips.

30 May 2026 - 7:30AM

Hong Kong courts

Legal Tales | The evolution of Hong Kong’s independent common law

A recent Court of Final Appeal ruling confirms that the city’s common law is its very own.

28 May 2026 - 9:32AM

The statue of Lady Justice on the roof of the Court of Final Appeal building in Central. Photo: Jelly Tse

South China Sea

As allies boost Taiwan Strait transits, why is the US going a different route?

Chinese think tank notes the changing risks: ‘China will inevitably respond, and that makes the overall situation appear more tense’.

27 May 2026 - 10:08PMvideocam

Mergers & Acquisitions

Hong Kong’s Jardine Matheson buys Australian diagnostic group I-MED for US$2.4b

The acquisition is one of the investment company’s largest in recent years and follows its Mandarin Oriental buyout in January.

25 May 2026 - 7:59PM

Animals

Suspected sea lion bite halts New Zealand surfing event

A photographer shooting the World Surf League was bitten on the foot while in the water.

25 May 2026 - 11:48AM

A sea lion sits on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Photo: Reuters

Drones

‘We depend on sea’: NZ to invest in drones, ships for maritime security

The oceans are not a barrier to danger, but a vital national interest that must be actively secured, said Defence Minister Chris Penk.

23 May 2026 - 8:14PM

Tauranga cityscape and beaches viewed from Mount Maunganui in, Tauranga, New Zealand. File photo: via Getty Images

South China Sea

Why the largest-ever US-Philippine drill, and Japan’s role, makes China uneasy

The scale of this year’s Balikatan exercise has been described as part of a trend that will ‘exacerbate regional instability’.

23 May 2026 - 7:53PMvideocam

Fame and celebrity

Meet Antony Starr, the New Zealand actor who plays Homelander in The Boys

The New Zealand actor was once linked to his co-star Erin Moriarty, and is now said to be dating Sofía Vergara’s cousin, Sandra Vergara.

21 May 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

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New Zealand

As US wavers, ex-minister says Japan and South Korea ‘only have each other’

Former Japanese defence minister Taro Kono said Tokyo and Seoul ‘need to step up our own effort for stability in the region’.

Why an easier option to travel to New Zealand is a hit with Chinese tourists

Australia refuses release of climate fund reports for Pacific nation Tuvalu

China and Philippines in rare naval stand-off near disputed Scarborough Shoal

Media outlet says incident coincided with end of Salaknib 2026 joint military exercise also involving US, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

Japan’s defence outreach to counter China in the region hits hidden roadblocks

Tokyo’s approach combines security, economic and diplomatic tools to show regional nations an alternative to the China-US dilemma.

Why are foreign travellers racing to China for the June Dragon Boat holiday?

Chinese travel platforms have logged a big jump in bookings by inbound tourists over the holiday, as global interest in Chinese festivals rises.

What foreign brands still win over Chinese shoppers?

Localised strategies and high-quality reputations help products from Japan, Switzerland, South Korea and the US build consumer affinity.

Iranian American protesters gather as football team prepare for World Cup opener

Anti-government protesters gathered in Los Angeles, home to the biggest Iranian community outside Iran, ahead of the Iran-New Zealand match.

Inside Australia’s first major new airport in more than 50 years

Western Sydney Airport in Badgerys Creek will operate 24 hours a day, unlike its current counterpart, which is subject to noise regulations.

Storm cuts off New Zealand’s capital as flights and ferries cancelled

A state of emergency has been declared for ‌parts of Wellington as the weather bureau warned of waves up to ⁠nine metres.

New Zealand’s Wellington hit by ‘disgusting’ deluge of faeces after storm

The capital city’s utilities company said crews were working to remove debris and disinfect the homes.

Beijing slaps travel ban on New Zealand MPs for ‘crossing red line’ over Taiwan

New Zealand and Australia to lodge formal protests after the four lawmakers were sanctioned for ‘sending the wrong signals’.

US and ‘Five Eyes’ allies warn of LinkedIn China spying threat

The FBI, MI5 and other agencies say Chinese spies are using such sites to recruit people with access to classified information.

Is New Zealand a ‘freeloader’? Wellington rebuffs Hegseth’s Shangri-La remark

Analysts say the US defence secretary’s taunts ring hollow given Washington’s own record of undermining alliance obligations.

Australian beef will soon be hit by 55% tariff in China, ministry says

China’s imports of Australian beef are about to surpass a quota introduced by Beijing to protect domestic farmers.

Shangri-La Dialogue: can Asia do ‘less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs’?

In response to Hegseth’s call, participants at the Singapore forum say defence spending levels have to factor in different countries’ needs.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | For SpaceX, global dominance may not be written in the stars

Space is not an ordinary, commercial, open market but a strategic domain tied directly to sovereignty, security and industrial policy.

New Zealand tells US it lacks billions ‘under the couch’ to boost defence

Finance Minister Willis takes a jab at Hegseth, says his demands ‘would be extremely challenging’ for New Zealand.

17 nations launch pact to protect vital undersea cables amid US, China absence

Singapore’s defence chief tells the Shangri-La Dialogue the pact aims to explore potential areas of collaboration and share best practices.

US senator warns of Indo-Pacific risks as Hegseth stresses ‘quiet’ tactics

Hegseth told the Shangri-La Dialogue that the US remained committed to the region as Duckworth criticised his policy and burden-sharing demands.

Tariffs, war and broken trust: Southeast Asia’s Trump problem

Disillusioned by US unpredictability, the region is learning to diversify – while Trump treats allies as bargaining chips.

Legal Tales | The evolution of Hong Kong’s independent common law

A recent Court of Final Appeal ruling confirms that the city’s common law is its very own.

As allies boost Taiwan Strait transits, why is the US going a different route?

Chinese think tank notes the changing risks: ‘China will inevitably respond, and that makes the overall situation appear more tense’.

Hong Kong’s Jardine Matheson buys Australian diagnostic group I-MED for US$2.4b

The acquisition is one of the investment company’s largest in recent years and follows its Mandarin Oriental buyout in January.

Suspected sea lion bite halts New Zealand surfing event

A photographer shooting the World Surf League was bitten on the foot while in the water.

‘We depend on sea’: NZ to invest in drones, ships for maritime security

The oceans are not a barrier to danger, but a vital national interest that must be actively secured, said Defence Minister Chris Penk.

Why the largest-ever US-Philippine drill, and Japan’s role, makes China uneasy

The scale of this year’s Balikatan exercise has been described as part of a trend that will ‘exacerbate regional instability’.

Meet Antony Starr, the New Zealand actor who plays Homelander in The Boys

The New Zealand actor was once linked to his co-star Erin Moriarty, and is now said to be dating Sofía Vergara’s cousin, Sandra Vergara.

Opinion | For SpaceX, global dominance may not be written in the stars