Latest New Zealand government News

China's foreign minister meets New Zealand counterpart, beginning trip that also includes Australia

Mar. 18, 2024 07:40 AM EDT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday that his country is ready to work with New Zealand to deepen trade and economic ties and address climate change. Wang met his New Zealand counterpart, Winston Peters, at the start of a tour that will also...

Tensions run high in New Zealand ahead of national day over government's relationship with Maori

Feb. 04, 2024 23:18 PM EST

WAITANGI, New Zealand (AP) — In a fiery exchange at the birthplace of modern New Zealand, Indigenous leaders on Monday strongly criticized the government's approach to Maori, ahead of the country’s national day. The holiday, known as Waitangi Day, is held on Feb. 6 to mark the...

New Zealand says it will contemplate sharing military tech with U.S. and Britain

Feb. 01, 2024 04:40 AM EST

SYDNEY (AP) — New Zealand said Thursday it will contemplate sharing advanced military technologies with the United States and Britain as it pursues closer defense ties with Australia amid worries over an increasingly assertive China. The defense and foreign ministers of Australia...

Inflation slows in New Zealand to its lowest rate since 2021

Jan. 23, 2024 23:14 PM EST

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Inflation in New Zealand has slowed to its lowest rate in two and a half years, the country's official statistics agency announced on Wednesday. Stats NZ revealed the latest consumers price index (CPI) data had slowed to 4.7% across 2023, a...

New Zealand's first refugee lawmaker charged after resigning over claims of shoplifting

Jan. 17, 2024 02:54 AM EST

WELLINGTON (AP) — New Zealand’s first refugee lawmaker was charged by police a day after resigning amid allegations she had shoplifted several times at local high-end boutiques. New Zealand Police said Golriz Ghahraman, a former member of New Zealand’s Green Party, had been...

After years of delays, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ties the knot

Jan. 13, 2024 16:31 PM EST

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — After almost five years of engagement and a postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern married longtime partner Clarke Gayford in a private ceremony Saturday. Details of the event were closely held...

Native American translations are being added to more US road signs to promote language and awareness

Dec. 20, 2023 01:05 AM EST

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — A few years back, Sage Brook Carbone was attending a powwow at the Mashantucket Western Pequot reservation in Connecticut when she noticed signs in the Pequot language. Carbone, a citizen of the Northern Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island, thought...

Australia and New Zealand leaders seek closer defense ties

Dec. 19, 2023 23:42 PM EST

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia and New Zealand leaders agreed Wednesday to seek closer defense ties as the latter considers sharing advanced military technologies with the United States and Britain through the so-called AUKUS partnership. New Zealand Prime Minister...