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

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.

6 hours ago

South China Sea

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

27 May 2026 - 10:08PMvideocam

Mergers & Acquisitions

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

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

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

Antony Starr, who plays Homelander in The Boys. Photos: @benjaminholtrop/Instagram, Handout

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Letters | In medical incident probes, stats and facts are as vital as transparency

Readers discuss the nuanced difference between a medical blunder and a medical complication, AI and mental health, and the IMF’s advice to Hong Kong.

21 May 2026 - 11:30AM

India

Trump’s H-1B visa squeeze paves way for Indian tech exodus

India’s tech workers helped build Silicon Valley. Now, rising H-1B barriers are sending the next generation elsewhere.

20 May 2026 - 6:00PM

Accidents and personal safety

New Zealand car crash: how Hongkongers can stay safe when driving abroad

Experts say motorists must be careful when adapting to driving on opposite side of vehicle with unfamiliar road conditions.

16 May 2026 - 11:15PM

The traffic accident occurred on a highway on the South Island on Friday. Photo: Handout

Accidents and personal safety

2 Hong Kong tourists killed, 2 injured in New Zealand car crash

Chinese consulate activates emergency response, pledging full support to the victims and their families.

16 May 2026 - 9:56PM

The traffic accident occurred near the intersection of North Rakaia Road and State Highway 1 in the Selwyn District on the South Island. Photo: New Zealand Transport Agency

Japan

Japan-South Korea ‘comfort women’ row stoked by statues abroad

The removal of wartime sex slave memorials in Germany and New Zealand has electrified certain LDP hardliners, risking a diplomatic rift.

14 May 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

China trade

Asia needs ‘institutional toolbox’ to survive global shocks, China experts warn

Ahead of Trump’s China visit, experts at an RCEP forum discuss a supply-chain overhaul, looking to insulate the world’s biggest trading bloc.

13 May 2026 - 4:42PMvideocam

Japan

Mogami momentum: why Japan’s warship is winning over New Zealand

Japan’s Mogami and Britain’s Type 31 are the top two contenders, but Australia may have already tipped the scales.

9 May 2026 - 10:30AM

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force frigate JS Mogami sailing in an undisclosed location. Photo: Australian Defence Force / AFP

China economy

Outside In | Prepare for ‘China shock 3.0’ to the global food economy

Imagine China applying the same industry policy playbook for electric cars, solar panels and AI to agriculture and food self-sufficiency.

8 May 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

A worker checks rice seedlings on vertical racks at an intelligent rice seedling factory on April 2 in Changsha, Hunan province. Photo: China News Service via Getty Images

Asean

Opinion | Why China’s warning over military blocs is finding listeners in Asia

For regional governments, strategy is about preserving options. China has read this instinct carefully and given it a diplomatic vocabulary.

8 May 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

Defence

Japanese Mogami-class ships possible replacements for New Zealand’s ageing fleet

Wellington plans to increase defence spending to about 2 per cent of gross domestic product, citing rising geopolitical tensions.

7 May 2026 - 9:55AM

The Philippines

Opinion | US allies in Asia are looking to build middle-power coalitions

Faced with the US’ unreliability and China’s ascent, countries such as the Philippines are creating new networks of partnerships.

7 May 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

Singapore

Singapore, New Zealand ink world first deal to secure essential supplies

Both governments committed not to impose unnecessary export restrictions on crucial goods such as food, fuel and healthcare products.

4 May 2026 - 3:00PMvideocam

Japan

New Zealand officials reject statue remembering Japan’s WWII sex slaves

The government said feedback for the statue application included formal representations from Japan.

29 Apr 2026 - 5:23PMvideocam

Food and Drinks

Beyond steak: 3 Hong Kong chefs share dry-ageing tips for fish, lamb, poultry

Dry-ageing isn’t reserved for beef only – chefs from Fireside, Kyanbasu by Mt. Yotei and Tori Jukusei offer techniques for home cooks.

29 Apr 2026 - 1:00PM

Fireside’s fridges for dry-ageing meat and fish in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong society

Will Hong Kong vapers go underground as public possession ban kicks in?

Survey finds that among 301 alternative tobacco users, 55 per cent intend to continue vaping discreetly, while 35 per cent plan to switch back to traditional cigarettes.

30 Apr 2026 - 6:01PMvideocam

From April 30, anyone found with more than five vape pods or 100 heat sticks in public will face a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and up to six months in jail, while those with smaller quantities will receive a fixed penalty of HK$3,000. Photo: Warton Li

India

India, New Zealand boost trade diversification with ‘forward-looking’ pact

The deal, part of a move to reduce reliance on major powers, will also strengthen India’s hand in trade negotiations with the US, analysts say.

28 Apr 2026 - 7:31PM

Asean

Why Malacca Strait tolls are unlikely despite Indonesia’s maritime push

Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are united in upholding the principle of free passage but this must be ‘actively maintained’, analysts say.

28 Apr 2026 - 6:35PMvideocam

India

India, New Zealand sign ‘once-in-a-generation’ free-trade deal

The deal will cut or remove tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealand’s exports to India, with all Indian exports to New Zealand duty free.

27 Apr 2026 - 7:11PMvideocam

New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay (right) and Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal after they signed documents on a free-trade agreement in New Delhi on Monday. Photo: AP

Britain

UK agrees ban on cigarette sales for people born after 2008

UK lawmakers approve generational tobacco sales ban, setting the stage for it to become law.

22 Apr 2026 - 11:18AM

Smoking in England causes around 75,000 deaths per year. Photo: AP

Pacific nations

Pacific Islanders skip food, medicine amid global fuel shortage from Iran war

Pacific nations are the most reliant on diesel for power generation worldwide. They imported about 2.2 million tonnes of fuel in 2025.

22 Apr 2026 - 9:37AM

India

New Zealand minister under fire for ‘butter chicken tsunami’ remarks

A free-trade agreement, to be signed next week, could see more than 20,000 Indian migrants entering New Zealand, officials say.

22 Apr 2026 - 8:33AM

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New Zealand

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}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?

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

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.

Letters | In medical incident probes, stats and facts are as vital as transparency

Readers discuss the nuanced difference between a medical blunder and a medical complication, AI and mental health, and the IMF’s advice to Hong Kong.

Trump’s H-1B visa squeeze paves way for Indian tech exodus

India’s tech workers helped build Silicon Valley. Now, rising H-1B barriers are sending the next generation elsewhere.

New Zealand car crash: how Hongkongers can stay safe when driving abroad

Experts say motorists must be careful when adapting to driving on opposite side of vehicle with unfamiliar road conditions.

2 Hong Kong tourists killed, 2 injured in New Zealand car crash

Chinese consulate activates emergency response, pledging full support to the victims and their families.

Japan-South Korea ‘comfort women’ row stoked by statues abroad

The removal of wartime sex slave memorials in Germany and New Zealand has electrified certain LDP hardliners, risking a diplomatic rift.

Asia needs ‘institutional toolbox’ to survive global shocks, China experts warn

Ahead of Trump’s China visit, experts at an RCEP forum discuss a supply-chain overhaul, looking to insulate the world’s biggest trading bloc.

Mogami momentum: why Japan’s warship is winning over New Zealand

Japan’s Mogami and Britain’s Type 31 are the top two contenders, but Australia may have already tipped the scales.

Outside In | Prepare for ‘China shock 3.0’ to the global food economy

Imagine China applying the same industry policy playbook for electric cars, solar panels and AI to agriculture and food self-sufficiency.

Opinion | Why China’s warning over military blocs is finding listeners in Asia

For regional governments, strategy is about preserving options. China has read this instinct carefully and given it a diplomatic vocabulary.

Japanese Mogami-class ships possible replacements for New Zealand’s ageing fleet

Wellington plans to increase defence spending to about 2 per cent of gross domestic product, citing rising geopolitical tensions.

Opinion | US allies in Asia are looking to build middle-power coalitions

Faced with the US’ unreliability and China’s ascent, countries such as the Philippines are creating new networks of partnerships.

Singapore, New Zealand ink world first deal to secure essential supplies

Both governments committed not to impose unnecessary export restrictions on crucial goods such as food, fuel and healthcare products.

New Zealand officials reject statue remembering Japan’s WWII sex slaves

The government said feedback for the statue application included formal representations from Japan.

Beyond steak: 3 Hong Kong chefs share dry-ageing tips for fish, lamb, poultry

Dry-ageing isn’t reserved for beef only – chefs from Fireside, Kyanbasu by Mt. Yotei and Tori Jukusei offer techniques for home cooks.

Will Hong Kong vapers go underground as public possession ban kicks in?

Survey finds that among 301 alternative tobacco users, 55 per cent intend to continue vaping discreetly, while 35 per cent plan to switch back to traditional cigarettes.

India, New Zealand boost trade diversification with ‘forward-looking’ pact

The deal, part of a move to reduce reliance on major powers, will also strengthen India’s hand in trade negotiations with the US, analysts say.

Why Malacca Strait tolls are unlikely despite Indonesia’s maritime push

Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are united in upholding the principle of free passage but this must be ‘actively maintained’, analysts say.

India, New Zealand sign ‘once-in-a-generation’ free-trade deal

The deal will cut or remove tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealand’s exports to India, with all Indian exports to New Zealand duty free.

UK agrees ban on cigarette sales for people born after 2008

UK lawmakers approve generational tobacco sales ban, setting the stage for it to become law.

Pacific Islanders skip food, medicine amid global fuel shortage from Iran war

Pacific nations are the most reliant on diesel for power generation worldwide. They imported about 2.2 million tonnes of fuel in 2025.

New Zealand minister under fire for ‘butter chicken tsunami’ remarks

A free-trade agreement, to be signed next week, could see more than 20,000 Indian migrants entering New Zealand, officials say.

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