Page 12 - New Zealand
Australia, New Zealand unite amid China's growing influence on Pacific
Australia, New Zealand and the United States have voiced concerns that a new Beijing security pact with the Solomon Islands could result in a Chinese military base being established there
 "Australia, New Zealand unite amid China's growing influence on Pacific")
NZ Captain Williamson tests positive for Covid-19 on eve of second test
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will miss the second Test against England starting here on Friday, after testing positive for COVID-19 the night before the match
 "NZ Captain Williamson tests positive for Covid-19 on eve of second test")
Ben Stokes turns 31: A look at top performances by England Test captain
He was born in New Zealand and later moved to England where he has played some memorable knocks for the English National Cricket Team.
 "Ben Stokes turns 31: A look at top performances by England Test captain")
Biden talks about gun control, extremism with New Zealand's PM Ardern
US President Joe Biden praised New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern for her success in curbing domestic extremism and guns as he tries to persuade a reluctant Congress to tighten gun laws
 "Biden talks about gun control, extremism with New Zealand's PM Ardern")
California, New Zealand sign pledge for climate change partnership
Top officials from California and New Zealand signed a pledge agreeing to help fight climate change by sharing ideas and best practices, including how to put more EVs on the road
 "California, New Zealand sign pledge for climate change partnership")
New Zealand raises interest rates 50 bps, signals more aggressive hikes
New Zealand's central bank raised interest rates by 50 basis points to 2.0% on Wednesday, its fifth rate hike in a row as it seeks to get on top of inflation
 "New Zealand raises interest rates 50 bps, signals more aggressive hikes")
New Zealand extends troop deployments to Solomon Islands till May 2023
New Zealand deployed troops to the Solomon Islands at the request of the nation's government in late 2021 after rioting broke out in the capital city of Honiara
 "New Zealand extends troop deployments to Solomon Islands till May 2023")
US, others walk out of APEC talks over Russia's Ukraine invasion: Officials
The walkout took place while the Russian representative was delivering remarks at the opening of the two-day meeting of the group of 21 economies.
 "US, others walk out of APEC talks over Russia's Ukraine invasion: Officials")
New Zealand hands out extra cash to over 2 mn adults to fight inflation
The inflation payments of 350 New Zealand dollars ($220) over three months begin in August and are targeted at the half of all adults who earn less than 70,000 New Zealand dollars ($44,000) per year
 "New Zealand hands out extra cash to over 2 mn adults to fight inflation")
New Zealand government forecasts narrower budget deficit for FY22
Heavy spending was targeted towards infrastructure, including new schools, and defence, while funds were also allocated to ease the impact of global inflation on New Zealanders
New Zealand sets $357 mn to help pay for cleaner cars to reduce emissions
The plan represents a step toward the pledges the nation made under the 2016 Paris Agreement on climate change and New Zealand's stated goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050
 "New Zealand sets $357 mn to help pay for cleaner cars to reduce emissions")
New Zealand PM Jacinda tests positive for coronavirus, plans US visit later
Ardern, who is fully vaccinated, had been isolating at her Wellington residence since Sunday after her fianc Clarke Gayford tested positive for the virus.
New Zealand's annual food prices rise 6.4%, hike across all food categories
"Inflation of food prices has generally been increasing since a low of 0.5 percent in the year to March 2021," consumer prices manager Katrina Dewbery said in a statement
 "New Zealand's annual food prices rise 6.4%, hike across all food categories")
New Zealand reports 9,392 new community cases of Covid-19, 9 deaths
New Zealand recorded 9,392 new community cases of Covid-19, the health ministry said
 "New Zealand reports 9,392 new community cases of Covid-19, 9 deaths")
New Zealand reports 6,407 new community cases of Covid; 2,066 in Auckland
Currently, 368 Covid patients are being treated in New Zealand hospitals, including 18 people in intensive care units or high dependency units
 "New Zealand reports 6,407 new community cases of Covid; 2,066 in Auckland")
New Zealand reports first Omicron BA.5 variant amid 12,392 community cases
New Zealand is currently under the orange settings of the Covid-19 Protection Framework, where there is no limit for gatherings
 "New Zealand reports first Omicron BA.5 variant amid 12,392 community cases")
New Zealand warmly welcomes back tourists as pandemic rules now eased
New Zealand welcomed tourists from the U.S., Canada, Britain, Japan and more than 50 other countries for the first time in two years Monday after dropping most of its pandemic border restrictions.
 "New Zealand warmly welcomes back tourists as pandemic rules now eased")
New Zealand reopens to international tourists after two-yr hiatus
Now, people from more than 60 countries can now enter the country if they are vaccinated against the virus and are also Covid negative, the BBC reported
 "New Zealand reopens to international tourists after two-yr hiatus")
New Zealand reports 1st Omicron XE variant case, patient travelled abroad
"XE has been spreading overseas, and its arrival in New Zealand is not unexpected," said the Ministry of Health
 "New Zealand reports 1st Omicron XE variant case, patient travelled abroad")
New Zealand, Japan boost security ties amid Russia, China concerns
The two leaders also raised concerns about the situation in the South China Sea, where China has militarised several artificially constructed islands and is pressing its extensive territorial claims
