New Zealand

New Zealand enters recession after worst contraction since 1991

New Zealand's economy officially entered a recession in the third quarter, with activity contracting much more sharply than anticipated. GDP fell by 1.0% in the September quarter, far exceeding forecasts…

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New Zealand nearly triples levy on international tourists

New Zealand will nearly triple entry fees for tourists, the government said on Tuesday, spurring criticism from the key tourism sector the higher levy will deter visitors. The government said…

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New Zealand aims to boost U.S. ties amid global instability

New Zealand is facing the most unstable global environment in decades, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Friday, as he pledged to boost ties with the United States amid conflicts…

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New Zealand tightens visa rules amid near record migration

New Zealand said that it was making immediate changes to its employment visa program after a near record migration last year which it said was "unsustainable". The changes include measures…

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‘Leap year glitch’ shuts some New Zealand fuel pumps

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Feb 29 (Reuters) - A number of New Zealand petrol pumps stopped working on Thursday due to a "leap year glitch" in payment software, fuel stations…

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New Zealand set to scrap world-first tobacco ban

New Zealand will repeal on Tuesday a world-first law banning tobacco sales for future generations, the government said, even while researchers and campaigners warned of the risk that people could…

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New Zealand ex-Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern weds longtime partner

WELLINGTON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - New Zealand's former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern married her longtime partner Clarke Gayford in a private ceremony on Saturday, finally tying the knot after cancelling…

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Health experts decry New Zealand’s scrapping of world-first tobacco ban

LONDON, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Health and tobacco campaigners said on Monday that New Zealand's plan to repeal laws that would ban tobacco sales for future generations threatened lives and…

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New Zealand’s new government sworn in, parliament expected to open next week

LINGTON, Nov 27 (Reuters) - New Zealand’s new right-of-centre government was sworn in on Monday, with parliament expected to sit next week and begin working on new policies including a…

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New Zealand Prime Minister-elect Luxon to get cracking on building coalition relationships

New Zealand's prime minister-elect, Christopher Luxon, said on Monday while his party was waiting for special votes to be counted, they were working on building relationships with both ACT New…

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New Zealand PM-elect Luxon, National leaders to start planning coalition

By Lucy Craymer and Renju Jose WELLINGTON, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Senior members of New Zealand's National Party will meet on Sunday to plan forming a coalition government after the…

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New Zealand election campaign winds down with Labour facing defeat

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Oct 13 (Reuters) - New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on Friday urged voters to get out and re-elect Labour in Saturday's national election, as polls…

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New Zealand poll shows comfortable lead for centre-right National Party

By Alasdair Pal Oct 4 (Reuters) - New Zealand's National Party is likely to emerge as the leader in next month's general election, an opinion poll released on Wednesday showed,…

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New Zealanders start voting in Oct. 14 general election

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Oct 2 (Reuters) - New Zealanders on Monday started voting for a new government as advance in-person balloting opened ahead of the Oct. 14 general election.…

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New Zealand hit by magnitude 6.0 quake, no serious damage reported

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Sept 20 (Reuters) - A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck near Geraldine in the centre of New Zealand’s South Island on Thursday, government seismic monitor Geonet said…

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New Zealand plans digital services tax for multinationals from 2025

New Zealand said on Tuesday it would introduce legislation for a digital services tax on large multinational companies from 2025 after talks for a global rollout did not reach consensus…

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Two people, shooter dead in shooting in Auckland, New Zealand

SYDNEY, July 20 (Reuters) - New Zealand police said on Thursday that two people and the gunman were killed in a shooting at a construction site in Auckland, the country's largest city,…

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New Zealand, EU ink historic trade deal

New Zealand and the European Union signed a free trade agreement overnight Sunday after negotiations were completed in 2022, with expectations it will come into force in the first half of…

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UPDATED: Tsunami threat passes in South Pacific after magnitude 7.7 quake off New Caledonia

May 19 (Reuters) - The risk of tsunami waves across the South Pacific has passed and national warnings downgraded following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake on Friday southeast of the Loyalty…

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Republican leaders of Australia and NZ to pledge allegiance to king

By Alasdair Pal and Lucy Craymer SYDNEY/WELLINGTON, May 5 (Reuters) - The leaders of Australia and New Zealand will pledge their allegiance to King Charles at his coronation in London…

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Former NZ PM Jacinda Ardern accepts Harvard fellowships

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, April 26 (Reuters) - Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Wednesday that she was taking up three fellowships at Harvard University later in…

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New Zealand intelligence service says foreign interference attempts ‘persistent’

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Attempts by some countries to interfere with New Zealand's democracy, economy and civil society "are persistent", according to New Zealand Security Intelligence Service's (NZSIS)…

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Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern gives final speech in parliament, will help tackle online extremism

(Reuters) - Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will help tackle violent extremism online and will also be on the board of an environmental prize set up by Prince…

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New Zealand defence minister says military needs more resources amid growing challenges

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, March 30 (Reuters) - New Zealand's military will require big investment as it faces new challenges and greater expectations from regional allies, the country’s new defence…

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New Zealand to ban TikTok on devices linked to parliament, cites security concerns

WELLINGTON, March 17 (Reuters) - New Zealand said it will ban TikTok on devices with access to the country's parliamentary network due to cybersecurity concerns, becoming the latest nation to…

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Magnitude 6.9 earthquake strikes Kermadec Islands in New Zealand – USGS

Updates with details from USGS March 4 (Reuters) - An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck Kermadec Islands region in New Zealand on Saturday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. The quake…

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NZ says cyclone damage could exceed $8 bln, announces emergency funding

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Feb 20 (Reuters) - New Zealand warned on Monday the final cost of the devastating Cyclone Gabrielle, which has left at least 11 people dead, could…

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New Zealand’s cyclone death toll at 11, thousands still missing

SYDNEY, Feb 19 (Reuters) - The death toll from Cyclone Gabrielle in New Zealand climbed to 11 on Sunday as thousands of people remained missing a week after the storm…

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Cyclone Gabrielle moves away from New Zealand, recovery efforts begin

By Lucy Craymer and Renju Jose WELLINGTON, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Cyclone Gabrielle weakened and moved away from New Zealand on Wednesday as the country started to assess the damage…

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Magnitude 6.1 quake strikes off New Zealand coast

WELLINGTON, Feb 15 (Reuters) - A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck New Zealand near Wellington on Wednesday at a depth of 48 km (30 miles), government seismic monitor Geonet said. The…

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Troubleshooter Chris Hipkins faces a tough road as New Zealand PM

By Alasdair Pal and Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Chris Hipkins, who became New Zealand's new prime minister on Wednesday, built a reputation for competence in tackling COVID-19,…

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New Zealand’s Chris Hipkins sworn in as prime minister

By Lucy Craymer and Alasdair Pal WELLINGTON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Labour leader Chris Hipkins was sworn in as New Zealand's prime minister in a formal ceremony on Wednesday, following…

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New Zealand’s Ardern bids emotional farewell on last day as prime minister

Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday bid an emotional farewell on her last day as prime minister, speaking of the kindness and empathy New Zealanders have shown her, but said she was…

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Ardern’s successor as Labour leader faces tough October election

Tough COVID-19 curbs hurt Ardern Water, carbon emissions policies under fire Conservative National Party seen buoyed By Lucy Craymer and Byron Kaye WELLINGTON/SYDNEY, Jan 19 (Reuters) - New Zealand Prime…

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New Zealand’s ruling party confirms Hipkins as new prime minister

Labour Party chooses Hipkins to become 41st prime minister Hipkins to be sworn in on Wednesday Carmel Sepuloni appointed deputy prime minister By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Jan 22 (Reuters) -…

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Chris Hipkins set to replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand prime minister

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Chris Hipkins, who played a significant role in New Zealand's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is set to replace Jacinda Ardern as prime minister…

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New Zealand’s Ardern leaves legacy of kindness, disappointments

By Praveen Menon Jan 19 (Reuters) - Jacinda Ardern has put tiny New Zealand on the map in her five years as prime minister, becoming a global icon for left-leaning…

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Candidates to replace Jacinda Ardern to start making their bids

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Nominations for candidates to replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand's prime minister must be submitted by 9am Saturday (2200GMT) ahead of a…

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A sign of the times, NZ PM Ardern’s resignation resonates for women in power

WELLINGTON, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Thursday's shock resignation of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who altered the face of global politics when she was elected the world's youngest female…

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FACTBOX: The candidates to replace New Zealand Prime Minister Ardern

By Lewis Jackson and Alasdair Pal Jan 19 (Reuters) - New Zealand's ruling Labour Party is looking for a new leader after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's shock resignation on Thursday.…

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Jacinda Ardern to step down as New Zealand leader

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Jan 19 (Reuters) - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Thursday made a shock announcement she had "no more in the tank" to continue leading…

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Passengers to be compensated after algae spoils Australia-New Zealand cruise

Viking Cruises will compensate hundreds of passengers on its Orion cruise ship after cruisers were forced to stay on board and miss multiple stops because officials blocked port access due…

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New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern’s popularity plunges to lowest level

Jacinda Ardern’s popularity has plunged to the lowest level since she entered government as New Zealanders grow increasingly concerned about crime. Tensions soared last week with the murder of a…

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New Zealand court rules voting age of 18 is discriminatory

WELLINGTON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - New Zealand's highest court ruled on Monday that the country's current voting age of 18 was discriminatory, forcing parliament to discuss whether it should be…

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New Zealand defence minister visits Ukraine, reaffirms support

(Reuters) - New Zealand said on Sunday Defence Minister Peeni Henare has visited Kyiv to reaffirm the Pacific nation's support for Ukraine's resistance to Russia's invasion. "We discussed New Zealand's recent extension of the infantry…

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New Zealand bans export of live animals by sea

WELLINGTON, Sept 28 (Reuters) - New Zealand on Wednesday banned the export of livestock by sea from April 2023, citing animal welfare concerns in a decision that will affect major…

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New Zealand economy rebounds in Q2 as tourists return

(Reuters) - New Zealand's economy rebounded sharply last quarter as a lifting of coronavirus restrictions and the return of tourists helped it dodge recession, though it may be a last…

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New Zealand may become a republic but not anytime soon, Ardern says

New Zealand will not actively take any measures to become a republic in the short-term after the death of Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, though she expects the Pacific nation…

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King Charles proclaimed monarch of Australia, New Zealand

SYDNEY, Sept 11 (Reuters) - King Charles was officially proclaimed head of state of both Australia and New Zealand at ceremonies on Sunday in the nations' capitals. In New Zealand, the proclamation…

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Relative of New Zealand children found dead in suitcases believed to be in South Korea

SEOUL, Aug 22 (Reuters) - A woman believed to be a family member of the two children whose remains were found in suitcases in New Zealand is in South Korea,…

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New Zealand to temporarily boost worker intake amid shortfall

Aug 21 (Reuters) - New Zealand will make temporary changes to immigration rules, a minister said on Sunday, aiming to lure 12,000 workers over the next year with a working…

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NZ to deploy 120 troops to Britain to train Ukrainian troops

WELLINGTON, Aug 15 (Reuters) - New Zealand is sending 120 military personnel to Britain to help train Ukrainians in front-line combat, the government said on Monday. The deployment will enable…

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Jacinda Ardern under pressure as approval rating slumps to record low

The approval rating for Jacinda Ardern’s government has plunged to its lowest level since her election victory, as New Zealand’s economy struggles to recover from her harsh pandemic restrictions. Amid…

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New Zealand industries struggle to find workers

WELLINGTON, (Reuters) - New Zealand video game developer PikPok found a solution to prolonged difficulty in finding experienced workers: Colombia. The company, which is behind such mobile game apps as Clusterduck and…

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New Zealand COVID-19 death rate at record levels

WELLINGTON, July 22 (Reuters) - New Zealanders are dying from COVID-19 at record rates as the country battles a new wave of the Omicron strain that is particularly affecting the…

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New Zealand Navy deploys two ships to Pacific to aid region’s security

WELLINGTON, July 22 (Reuters) - Two New Zealand naval ships are headed to the Pacific Islands next week on a three-month deployment to provide maritime security and other support for Pacific Island…

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New Zealand launches new investor migrant visa

WELLINGTON, July 20 (Reuters) - The New Zealand government said on Wednesday that it had created a new investor migrant visa to attract experienced, high-value investors to invest in domestic businesses. The…

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