World

New Zealand to begin safe travel plan with Australia starting June

Jim Stein May 27, 2020

WELLINGTON (World) – New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Wednesday a draft blueprint on safely starting travel between New Zealand and Australia will be presented to both governments in early June. The neighbours have been discussing the possibility of a travel bubble

World

Jacinda Ardern remains calm as earthquake strikes during live interview

Nia N May 25, 2020

WELLINGTON (World) – New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was doing a live TV interview from the Beehive which is the parliament building when an earthquake struck Wellington. Ardern calmly went on with the programme through the earthquake. She informed the host of the programme, Ryan Bridge that they were having “a bit of an […]

Entertainment

‘Avatar’ movie sequel to resume production in New Zealand

Nia N May 23, 2020

LOS ANGELES (Entertainment) – A sequel to James Cameron’s sci-fi movie blockbuster “Avatar” will go back into production next week for the first time since it was shuttered by worldwide efforts to contain the coronavirus, producer Jon Landau said on Friday. Film and TV production came to halt around the globe in mid-March but is […]

World

New Zealand PM Ardern’s election prospects boosted by latest poll

Nia N May 21, 2020

WELLINGTON (World) – New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s popularity has soared ahead of elections in September as a result of her handling of the coronavirus pandemic, a poll showed on Thursday. And the 1 NEWS Colmar Brunton Poll showed popularity for Ardern’s Labour rose to 59%, a rise of 18 percentage points, which if […]

Sport

Rugby: NZ second rower Barrett locked in until next World Cup

Jim Stein May 19, 2020

WELLINGTON (Sports) – Lock Scott Barrett has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and the Canterbury Crusaders until the 2023 Rugby World Cup in a boost for new All Blacks coach Ian Foster as he looks ahead to the next global showpiece. The 26-year-old Barrett is one of three brothers in the All Blacks squad […]

World

Ardern named New Zealand’s most popular PM in 100 years

Nia N May 18, 2020

(World) – Jacinda Ardern became New Zealand’s most popular prime minister in a century, a Newshub-Reid Research poll showed on Monday, thanks to her COVID-19 response that made the country among the most successful in curbing the spread of the disease. The first public poll since the coronavirus crisis took hold showed popularity for Ardern’s […]

World

New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern turned away from a cafe under coronavirus rules

Jim Stein May 17, 2020

MELBOURNE (World) – Hailed for her leadership during the coronavirus pandemic, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her partner were turned away from a cafe on Saturday because it was too full under the physical distancing guidelines. Ardern’s government relaxed many social distancing rules on Thursday, reopening cafes, cinemas and malls after two

World

Record New Zealand spending package revealed to stop massive job losses

Jim Stein May 14, 2020

WELLINGTON (World) – New Zealand unveiled a record NZ$50 billion ($30 billion) spending package on Thursday to revive an economy hit by the coronavirus pandemic, but warned it may not be enough to stop thousands from losing jobs and businesses shutting. The massive budget stimulus, which includes billions on infrastructure, healthcare, housing and wage subsidy […]

Tech

Part of New Zealand’s 5G allocation to be managed by Spark

Jim Stein May 12, 2020

(Technology) – Spark New Zealand Ltd said it will manage part of the country’s allocation of 5G spectrum as it prepares for a rollout of the mobile technology over the next year. The Kiwi telecom and digital services provider said it will be offered management rights to 60 megahertz (MHz) of a 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) […]

Asia

At WHO, New Zealand supports Taiwan despite Chinese rebuke

Jim Stein May 12, 2020

WELLINGTON (Asia) – New Zealand’s foreign minister on Tuesday said the country has to stand up for itself after China warned its backing of Taiwan’s participation at the World Health Organization (WHO) could damage bilateral ties. Taiwan, with the strong support of the United States, has stepped up its lobbying to be allowed to take […]