New Zealand – The Diplomat

2 Men Who Helped Run Megaupload Sentenced to Prison in New Zealand

Nick Perry — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 01:49:00 +0900

The men last year struck a deal with prosecutors from New Zealand and the United States.

New Zealand Leader Says He Favors Nation Becoming a Republic

Nick Perry — Tue, 02 May 2023 02:55:00 +0900

Chris Hipkins stated his support of republicanism, but also said he wasn't interested in pushing the republic debate onto New Zealanders.

Chris Hipkins Confirmed as New Zealand Leader, Picks Deputy

Nick Perry — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 22:35:00 +0900

Hipkins has less than nine months before a general election, which may be difficult for the sitting government.

India and New Zealand Improve Ties with Jaishankar Visit

Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 05:45:00 +0900

The deepening of India-New Zealand after a lull in relations is important both in bilateral terms and also within the wider regional context.

Ardern-Kishida Meeting: Stepping up the New Zealand-Japan Strategic Partnership

Tadashi Iwami — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 23:03:00 +0900

The New Zealand prime minister's visit to Japan was a strategic move to reconnect with a close partner to deal with expanding security issues in the Indo-Pacific region.

A Return to Values-based Foreign Policy in New Zealand

Guy C. Charlton — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 22:27:00 +0900

As the recent U.S.-New Zealand joint statement makes clear, the values aspect in New Zealand’s diplomacy remains a priority in its Pacific diplomacy.

New Zealand Under Pressure as Pacific Contest Heats Up

Geoffrey Miller — Tue, 31 May 2022 21:47:00 +0900

Nanaia Mahuta, New Zealand’s foreign minister, has come under increasing pressure as the geopolitical “Great Game” escalates in the Pacific.

New Zealand Confronts COVID Delta Wave

Joshua Mcdonald — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 20:51:00 +0900

After living mostly COVID-free throughout the pandemic, New Zealand has hit its worst point since April 2020.

New Zealand’s Ardern Apologizes for Racist Dawn Raids

Joshua Mcdonald — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 21:20:00 +0900

Ardern said it was clear that the immigration laws of the 1970s were designed to specifically target Pasifika people, indigenous peoples of the Pacific Islands.

Maori Connection to Antarctic May Predate European ‘Discovery’

Joshua Mcdonald — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 21:16:00 +0900

New research links the Maori people to possibly discovering Antarctica long before Europeans and Americans.

Can New Zealand Fix Its Housing Crisis?

Joshua Mcdonald — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 21:20:00 +0900

In the final quarter of 2020, 40 percent of all property sales in New Zealand were to people who owned multiple properties already.

Report Finds Lapses Ahead of 2019 New Zealand Mosque Attack

Associated Press — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 01:02:00 +0900

Although the report identifies lapses, it concludes that there was no plausible way the gunman’s plans could have been detected "except by chance."

New Zealand Names Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence

Grant Wyeth — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 22:22:00 +0900

Despite all the positive advances New Zealand has achieved, the prevalence of violence against women and children remains a persistent scourge.

Ardern Poised to Win Re-election in New Zealand.

Joshua Mcdonald — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 21:37:00 +0900

Jacinda Ardern’s Labor Party is expected to come out far ahead in Saturday’s election, but may end up needing the Greens as a coalition partner.

New Zealand Mosque Shooter Won’t Speak at Court Sentencing

Associated Press — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 21:28:00 +0900

Over the first three days of the hearing, 90 survivors and family members told the judge about the pain and aftermath of the attacks.

Despite Pandemic Slump, Foreign Buyers Maintain Share in New Zealand Housing Market

Joshua Mcdonald — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 22:17:00 +0900

The New Zealand housing market slumps by 30 percent but foreign buyers maintain their market share.

Pacific Island Leaders Weigh Trans-Pacific Bubble With Australia and New Zealand

Joshua Mcdonald — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 20:59:00 +0900

Some Pacific leaders support the proposal, while others have said it's way too soon.

New Zealand and Australia Begin Relaxing COVID-19 Restrictions

Joshua Mcdonald — Thu, 14 May 2020 21:02:00 +0900

Australia and New Zealand have begun easing restrictions and are discussing the possibility of a “COVID-safe travel zone” between the two countries.

New Zealand Marks Year Since Christchurch Massacre

Joshua Mcdonald — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 20:55:00 +0900

A year on from the Christchurch massacre -- what has New Zealand done to prevent further attacks?

Christchurch Marks Anniversary of Mosque Shootings

Sun, 15 Mar 2020 19:38:00 +0900

A memorial event had to be canceled amid COVID-19 fears, but New Zealanders remembered the tragedy that “fundamentally changed” their country.

New Zealand’s Role in Canada’s Pacific Shift

Grant Wyeth — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 22:46:00 +0900

A contract for Canada to upgrade two New Zealand frigates illustrates a budding, mutually-beneficial, Pacific-focused relationship.

New Zealand Takes the Lead on Climate Change

Joshua Mcdonald — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 23:01:00 +0900

New Zealand cements itself as leader in the Pacific on climate issues as Australia abdicates.

The Future of the Five Power Defense Arrangements

Li Jie Sheng — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 23:56:00 +0900

The FPDA, a nonbinding defense pact, plays an important role in the Southeast Asian region.

New Zealand’s Pacific Reset: Building Relations Amid Increased Regional Competition

Grant Wyeth — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 22:32:00 +0900

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters made recent visits to the Solomon Island and Vanuatu.

White Nationalist Terrorism in the Indo-Pacific: The Threat After Christchurch

Ankit Panda and Prashanth Parameswaran — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 04:31:00 +0900

The attack in Christchurch is a wake-up call on the threat posed by white nationalist extremism in the region.

Mass Shootings at New Zealand Mosques Kill 49; 1 Man Charged

Nick Perry and Mark Baker — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 21:27:00 +0900

“It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack,” New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.

Polynesian Triangulation: Polynesian Leaders’ Group Expands

Grant Wyeth — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 22:41:00 +0900

New Zealand, Hawaii, and Rapa Nui, the outer points of the triangle, joined the group recently.

New Zealand’s Ardern Tours Polynesia, What About the Politics?

Grant Wyeth — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 23:47:00 +0900

Ostensibly to survey cyclone damage, the prime minister’s trip also underscores Wellington’s refocusing on its Pacific Island relationships.

How Will New Zealand Navigate the New Era in Asia?

Ed Kennedy — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 23:11:00 +0900

How will Wellington readjust to shifting geopolitical dynamics in its own backyard?

New Zealand Proposes Humanitarian Visa for ‘Climate Refugees’

Alex Randall — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 21:55:00 +0900

Climate-linked migration does not enjoy much time in the legislative bodies of most nations.

5 Hidden Costs of the RCEP to People and Planet

Sam Cossar-Gilbert — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 21:55:00 +0900

Trade negotiators are meeting next week in South Korea to discuss the RCEP, which could impact billions of lives.

The Cook Islands Set to Graduate to 'Developed' Nation Status

Grant Wyeth — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 22:34:00 +0900

The OECD’s call is a positive achievement for the Pacific island nation, but also presents new challenges.

Will Bougainville Hold Its Independence Referendum?

Grant Wyeth — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 21:49:00 +0900

The referendum is scheduled for June 2019, but the PNG premier says the criteria to do so have not been met yet.

Grappling with the Bomb: 60 Years After Britain’s Pacific Hydrogen Bomb Tests

Catherine Putz — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 23:39:00 +0900

An interview with Nic Maclellan

A Bark But No Bite: Examining New Zealand’s Last General Election

Catherine Putz — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 20:58:00 +0900

The Diplomat talks to Jack Vowles about New Zealand politics.

What Do Asian Governments Think About the US Strike on Syria?

Catherine Putz — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 02:42:00 +0900

A look at what China, Indonesia, Australia, and other Asian states had to say about the strike.

In New Zealand, a River Becomes a 'Person'

Kiran Mohandas Menon — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 23:56:00 +0900

New Zealand has granted a river considered sacred by the Maori people the same legal rights as a human being.

Asia’s 2016 Winners and Losers

Anthony Fensom — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 22:40:00 +0900

Pacific Money hands out some presents to the political winners and losers across the Asia-Pacific in 2016.

Meet Bill English, New Zealand’s New Prime Minister

Grant Wyeth — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 22:28:00 +0900

English has been the architect of many of New Zealand’s successful policies. Now he steps to the front.

Sacred Ink: Tattoos of Polynesia

Jonathan DeHart — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 22:07:00 +0900

After 150 years of religious suppression, tattoos have returned to their rightful place as cultural symbols of Polynesia.

Louder Than Words: Actions Speak Volumes for New Zealand-US Relations

Tom Corben — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 10:38:00 +0900

As Wellington pursues improvement in its relations with Washington, challenges remain.

New Zealand to Upgrade Anti-Submarine Warfare Capability

Franz-Stefan Gady — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 00:17:00 +0900

The Royal New Zealand Air Force is slated to upgrade its fleet of six P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft.

What's in New Zealand's New 2016 Defense White Paper?

Ankit Panda — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 05:08:00 +0900

New Zealand's new defense white paper outlines the country's strategic and defense priorities.

Auckland's Skyrocketing Housing Prices Are More Than a Demand Problem

Grant Wyeth — Thu, 26 May 2016 21:00:00 +0900

There are strong policy encouragements to restrict supply, contributing to skyrocketing prices.

Kazakhstan, Seeking Hacker Identities, Takes on Kim Dotcom

Catherine Putz — Fri, 13 May 2016 03:02:00 +0900

A New Zealand court has ordered Mega to turn over user information in a Kazakhstan leaked government documents case.

Flags and Identity in New Zealand

Grant Wyeth — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 01:54:00 +0900

Ultimately, the country voted to keep its old flag, but the year-long process sparked national conversations about identity.

Japan's Fearsome World War II-Era 'Zero' Fighter Takes to the Skies

Ankit Panda — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 08:39:00 +0900

Plus, U.S. officials revise their opinion on North Korea's nuclear test, India steps up cyber cooperation, and more. Links.

A Happy Day for New Zealand’s Pastafarians

Catherine Putz — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 00:40:00 +0900

The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster was recently approved to perform marriages in New Zealand.

Vietnam and New Zealand Aim to Double Trade By 2020

Ankit Panda — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 05:30:00 +0900

New Zealand and Vietnam plan to hit a trade volume of $2.2 billion by 2020.

New Zealand MPs Tossed Out After Speaking Out About Rape

Catherine Putz — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 06:52:00 +0900

A discussion about Australian deportation and detention of New Zealanders has side-stepped into a row about rape culture.

New Zealand's Mass Surveillance of Pacific States Exposed

Ankit Panda — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 15:26:00 +0900

New Zealand's Government Communications Security Bureau conducts mass surveillance of several Pacific states.

New Zealand Plans to Grow Combat Capabilities by 2020

Ankit Panda — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 01:44:00 +0900

A new government document describes New Zealand's short and longer term defense ambitions.

New Zealand Holds First Gay Weddings

Mon, 19 Aug 2013 03:17:19 +0900

The first gay weddings were held in New Zealand today. Marriage form downloads tripled last week.

New Zealand’s Innovative Recreational Drug Regulation

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:27:28 +0900

Under the new law the onus would be on the manufacturers to prove their drugs aren’t harmful.

New Zealand-U.S. Defense Relations: A Possible Return to the Alliance?

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 20:50:43 +0900

Bilateral defense relations are improving, and may get better still.

Budgets: New Zealand 1, Australia 0?

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:56:01 +0900

New Zealand is doing better than its traditional trans-Tasman rival at getting its budget in order. But Australia’s post GFC performance is still impressive.

NZ Music Sensation, Lorde, Releases First Music Video For “Royals”

Wed, 15 May 2013 08:04:27 +0900

A video for Lorde’s pop hit “Royals” has been released on YouTube.

Anzac Day Underscores Changes Down Under

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:24:50 +0900

Demographic change and disillusionment with the Afghan War offer a new perspective on Anzac Day.

New Zealand Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:19:42 +0900

New Zealand is the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to legalize gay marriage.

New Zealand Cricketer Jesse Ryder Out of Coma

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 05:41:21 +0900

New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder has awoken from an induced coma and tells fans he is “OK.”

Japan: A Football, Rugby Powerhouse in the Making?

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:48:09 +0900

More Japanese football and rugby players are moving to Europe and Oceania. Media frenzies ensue.

The Interview: New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:33:53 +0900

“For the first time in New Zealand’s history, the engine of world economic activity has shifted to our geographic region, the Asia-Pacific.”

A Crushing Defeat For New Zealand Rugby

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 23:05:08 +0900

A tough loss spoils what was an amazing streak for New Zealand Rugby. Can they bounce back?

New Zealand in Australia's Asian Century

Sat, 01 Dec 2012 02:41:27 +0900

Will New Zealand get lost as Australia deepens its commitment to the greater Indo-Pacific region?

New Zealand and the Environment: An Economy Fit for the Past?

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 02:12:00 +0900

This small country has a proud history of progressive reform. But some worry that the current government is turning back the clock.

The World's Gaze Turns to the South Pacific

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 04:00:00 +0900

With the world’s great powers calling, factionalism is increasingly present among island nations of the Pacific. It could be trouble.

Black Day for All Whites

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:53:06 +0900

New Zealand’s loss to New Caledonia at the Oceania Nations Cup was a blow. Kiwi football is a victim of geography.

Can Asia Master Rugby?

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 02:30:09 +0900

New Zealand legend rugby legend John Kirwan is upbeat about the prospects for rugby in Asia. Especially in Japan.

The U.S.-China Straitjacket

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:48:41 +0900

Asia-Pacific nations need to stop seeing their foreign policy through the prism of U.S.-China balance.

Australia’s China Dance

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:20:55 +0900

China is now Australia’s largest trading partner. Will Canberra shun its traditional allies in favour of Beijing as a strategic partner?

New Zealand in Asia

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:32:17 +0900

The Diplomat speaks with former New Zealand Prime Minister Mike Moore about his country’s place in Asia.

Asia-Pacific’s Annus Horribilis

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:28:04 +0900

Massive flooding, a cyclone, catastrophic earthquakes and a nuclear crisis—there are plenty of lessons for Asia-Pacific leaders to learn.

Sauvignon Blanc Goes Asia

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:47:58 +0900

Do New Zealand winemakers now see Asia as the next major market for its white wines?

Kiwi McMarketing

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:58:35 +0900

Menu items get Weight Watchers’ ok at 150 New Zealand shops. Cause for alarm?

John Key interview

Thu, 07 May 2009 00:00:00 +0900