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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

The Crown Range Road lies between Queenstown and Wanaka and is the highest main road in New Zealand. Photo: Getty Images

Hong Kong society

Winter tourists warned as Hongkonger dies in New Zealand car crash

New Zealand police says crash involving car and bus occurred along road near Cardrona, a township home to ski resort.

16 Jul 2026 - 3:57PM

South China Sea

Opinion | Path to South China Sea stability doesn’t run through US, UK or the EU

16 Jul 2026 - 10:55AMvideocam

Nato

China report warns against European-led Nato 3.0 expansion in the Asia-Pacific

15 Jul 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Pacific nations

Australia, Fiji and now New Zealand: a new Pacific alliance takes shape

Wellington’s bid to join the pact flags a hard-security pivot, but analysts ask if such treaties serve Pacific societies’ best interests.

15 Jul 2026 - 3:45PM

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shakes hands with Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka (right) before the Ocean of Peace Alliance signing on July 6. Photo: AFP

Pacific nations

China sends a message to Pacific islands amid unease over missile test

Solomons prime minister has pledged to review China pact while advancing talks on a comprehensive treaty with Australia.

14 Jul 2026 - 8:42PMvideocam

Fame and celebrity

Meet Russell Crowe’s son Tennyson, who flexed with the Gladiator star in a gym selfie

The Oscar-winning actor recently marked his younger son’s 20th birthday with the tandem photo and a heartfelt post.

14 Jul 2026 - 5:00AM

Obituaries

Sam Neill, known for roles in Jurassic Park and The Piano, dead at 78

The New Zealand actor’s death was ‘sudden and unexpected’, his family says.

13 Jul 2026 - 3:29PM

Actor Sam Neill had landed starring roles across many genres during his career. Photo: AFP

My Take

My Take | How China’s rare missile test sparked hysterical hypocrisy

Western pundits were quick to denounce Beijing. But far more frequent US launches rate barely a mention.

13 Jul 2026 - 9:01AM

Diplomacy

New Zealand-India trade, defence pact celebrated despite criticism

Anti-immigration members of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s coalition and anti-Modi members of the Indian diaspora opposed the deal.

11 Jul 2026 - 5:55PM

Nato

Nato, Indo-Pacific 4 vow defence, tech boost as China-Russia ties spark alarm

Nato chief Mark Rutte meets top officials from Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea on sidelines of Ankara summit.

8 Jul 2026 - 6:10PM

Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte (third left) with representatives from the Indo-Pacific Four, (from left) New Zealand Defence Minister Chris Penk, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, and Australia’s defence industry minister, Pat Conroy, in Turkish capital Ankara on Tuesday. Photo: Kyodo

China's military weapons

What does China’s submarine missile test mean for its nuclear triad expansion?

More than a technical milestone, undersea launch sends strategic signal to the US and Beijing’s neighbours in Asia-Pacific, analysts say.

8 Jul 2026 - 12:43AMvideocam

A test missile is fired from a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine towards the Pacific Ocean on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

China's military weapons

China submarine fires long-range missile ahead of Nato summit

An unprecedented missile launch by a PLA nuclear submarine will prompt Nato leaders to focus more on the Asia-Pacific region.

7 Jul 2026 - 5:00PM

Asia housing and property

Bargain homes are to be had in New Zealand but here’s the catch: floods

In Auckland, where thousands of properties were swamped in 2023, buying a home in a flood-prone area offers discounts of up to US$60,000.

7 Jul 2026 - 10:00AM

Australia

Australia, Fiji sign mutual defence pact to boost Pacific security

Australia has greatly upped its diplomatic efforts in the region following China’s secretive security deal with the Solomon Islands in 2022.

6 Jul 2026 - 10:34AM

Prime ministers of Australia, Anthony Albanese (left), and Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, shake hands after signing a treaty in Suva on Monday. Photo: EPA

US-China relations

Why the Indo-Pacific might be on the back burner at the Nato summit

Immediate pressures over Ukraine, Iran and spending mean alliance’s concerns about China could be sidelined at Ankara gathering.

5 Jul 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

This year’s Nato summit in Ankara will be the first held in Turkey since 2004. Photo: dpa

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Just as soon as possible’: Asia’s post-Hormuz supply chain rethink

Covid, Ukraine, Iran: three shocks in six years appear to have ended Asia’s love affair with efficiency no matter the cost.

5 Jul 2026 - 10:22PM

Singapore

Asian Angle | Singapore’s trade pacts prove small states can shape global rules

While major powers employ coercion, Singapore is using flexible, legally binding templates to keep trade open.

4 Jul 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Banking & finance

Exclusive | Hong Kong to launch gold clearing and settlement system next week: sources

The city plans to process its first gold settlement on Tuesday, according to those familiar with the matter.

3 Jul 2026 - 8:24PM

Pure gold bars in Shanghai on March 15. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Singapore

Oman Air targets Singapore with nonstop flight as Gulf carriers ramp up services

Flights to Gulf hub airports, which were closed at the start of the Iran war, returned to around 90 per cent of normal levels by mid-June.

1 Jul 2026 - 1:03PM

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

Chinese visitors take advantage of a pilot scheme that exempted them from visa requirements if they were travelling from Australia.

25 Jun 2026 - 3:03PM

Chinese tourists at Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. Photo: Francine Chen

Australia

Australia refuses release of climate fund reports for Pacific nation Tuvalu

The island relies on a trust fund exposed to fossil fuels to help pay for the cost of climate change, with Australia the biggest contributor.

23 Jun 2026 - 5:47PM

An aerial view of a strip of land in Funafuti, Tuvalu, in 2019. The low-lying South Pacific island nation of about 11,000 people is extremely vulnerable to climate change. Photo: Getty Images

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

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

Dragon boat crews take part in a waterborne parade in Tongren, southwest China’s Guizhou province, ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. Photo: Xinhua

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

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New Zealand

Winter tourists warned as Hongkonger dies in New Zealand car crash

New Zealand police says crash involving car and bus occurred along road near Cardrona, a township home to ski resort.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Path to South China Sea stability doesn’t run through US, UK or the EU

China report warns against European-led Nato 3.0 expansion in the Asia-Pacific

Australia, Fiji and now New Zealand: a new Pacific alliance takes shape

Wellington’s bid to join the pact flags a hard-security pivot, but analysts ask if such treaties serve Pacific societies’ best interests.

China sends a message to Pacific islands amid unease over missile test

Solomons prime minister has pledged to review China pact while advancing talks on a comprehensive treaty with Australia.

Meet Russell Crowe’s son Tennyson, who flexed with the Gladiator star in a gym selfie

The Oscar-winning actor recently marked his younger son’s 20th birthday with the tandem photo and a heartfelt post.

Sam Neill, known for roles in Jurassic Park and The Piano, dead at 78

The New Zealand actor’s death was ‘sudden and unexpected’, his family says.

My Take | How China’s rare missile test sparked hysterical hypocrisy

Western pundits were quick to denounce Beijing. But far more frequent US launches rate barely a mention.

New Zealand-India trade, defence pact celebrated despite criticism

Anti-immigration members of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s coalition and anti-Modi members of the Indian diaspora opposed the deal.

Nato, Indo-Pacific 4 vow defence, tech boost as China-Russia ties spark alarm

Nato chief Mark Rutte meets top officials from Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea on sidelines of Ankara summit.

What does China’s submarine missile test mean for its nuclear triad expansion?

More than a technical milestone, undersea launch sends strategic signal to the US and Beijing’s neighbours in Asia-Pacific, analysts say.

China submarine fires long-range missile ahead of Nato summit

An unprecedented missile launch by a PLA nuclear submarine will prompt Nato leaders to focus more on the Asia-Pacific region.

Bargain homes are to be had in New Zealand but here’s the catch: floods

In Auckland, where thousands of properties were swamped in 2023, buying a home in a flood-prone area offers discounts of up to US$60,000.

Australia, Fiji sign mutual defence pact to boost Pacific security

Australia has greatly upped its diplomatic efforts in the region following China’s secretive security deal with the Solomon Islands in 2022.

Why the Indo-Pacific might be on the back burner at the Nato summit

Immediate pressures over Ukraine, Iran and spending mean alliance’s concerns about China could be sidelined at Ankara gathering.

‘Just as soon as possible’: Asia’s post-Hormuz supply chain rethink

Covid, Ukraine, Iran: three shocks in six years appear to have ended Asia’s love affair with efficiency no matter the cost.

Asian Angle | Singapore’s trade pacts prove small states can shape global rules

While major powers employ coercion, Singapore is using flexible, legally binding templates to keep trade open.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Hong Kong to launch gold clearing and settlement system next week: sources

The city plans to process its first gold settlement on Tuesday, according to those familiar with the matter.

Oman Air targets Singapore with nonstop flight as Gulf carriers ramp up services

Flights to Gulf hub airports, which were closed at the start of the Iran war, returned to around 90 per cent of normal levels by mid-June.

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

Chinese visitors take advantage of a pilot scheme that exempted them from visa requirements if they were travelling from Australia.

Australia refuses release of climate fund reports for Pacific nation Tuvalu

The island relies on a trust fund exposed to fossil fuels to help pay for the cost of climate change, with Australia the biggest contributor.

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.

Opinion | Path to South China Sea stability doesn’t run through US, UK or the EU

Exclusive | Hong Kong to launch gold clearing and settlement system next week: sources