NZ

NZ thrill in Wellington sevens win

The New Zealanders trailed South Africa 21-7 well into the second half of the final in Wellington, before storming home with 3 tries late in the second half to win 24-21.

The All Blacks Sevens were seventh in the overall standings after the first two rounds of the World Series and improved throughout the Wellington tournament as new and returning players got back into their groove.

New book says Australia and NZ need new approach to Forum

'The New Pacific Diplomacy', published by the Australian National University, has contributions from a range of academics, journalists, political leaders and other stakeholders.

An editor, Associate Professor Sandra Tarte says the Pacific Islands Forum will have to adapt, and Australia and New Zealand may have to tone down their influence.

US President Barack Obama lines up NZ visit

The visit could have been as early as February 4, for the signing of the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. But Cabinet minister Simon Bridges is pouring cold water on that, saying that agreement will be signed by trade ministers, not by leaders.

Instead, it appears Obama will tack his New Zealand visit onto one of two trips to Asia: either May or September.

A third of NZ children live in poverty

305,000 New Zealand children now live in poverty - 45,000 more than a year ago.

However, a longtime activist, Auckland Action Against Poverty spokeswoman Sue Bradford, said statistics did not bring children out of poverty and endless reports pointing out the problem were not the answer.

New Zealand Government Responds to FIC Demands in the PACER Plus Negotiations

This responds positively to the demands of the Pacific Island Countries in the PACER Plus negotiations, which seek to enhance their participation in international trade. 

In June 2015, Australia took the unprecedented step in lifting the cap under the Seasonal Workers Program and extended it to the entire agriculture sector and to the accommodation sector in selected locations in the country. 

NZ Climate Change Minister’s first act on climate ignores Pacific’s pleas

Minister Bennett refused to give New Zealand’s support to an explicit goal in the Paris climate agreement to limit global warming to a 1.5 degree increase, despite growing support from allies including Australia

Chris Brown cancels NZ concert

He has also scrapped four Australian tour dates.

Brown caused a stir when he announced plans to visit New Zealand, with anti-violence groups speaking out against his trip because of his conviction for assaulting a former partner. But he gained the support of several high-profile Maori women.

He was due to perform in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth from 9 December as part of his 'One Hell of a Nite' tour and in Auckland on 18 December.

NZ accepts Kyoto Protocol amendment

The amendment is expected to enter into force after three quarters of the Parties to the Protocol submit their instruments of acceptance to the Depositary.

The United Nations is encouraging governments to speed up their ratification of the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, the international emissions reduction treaty. Ratification is necessary to provide valuable momentum for global climate action for the years leading up to 2020.

NZ's Auckland urged to support Pasifika languages

Su'a William Sio says the government, in its refusal to adopt a national language policy, has turned its back on Pasifika and Asian languages.

Sio says having citizens who are able to communicate effectively in more than one language of social, cultural and economic benefit to New Zealand.

"We will be launching that strategy and presenting it to Auckland council who will then be charged with the task of taking it back to the full council and I am hopeful that the full council will adopt a strong policy and lead the way for the rest of New Zealand to follow."

Positive outlook for NZ economy - NZIER

The Institute's forecast suggests parts of the economy, such as tourism, had picked up and were offsetting the weakness in dairy incomes, while key export markets such as China and the United States were chasing New Zealand produce.

Continued strong migration was also bolstering domestic activity.