CHRISTOPHER LUXON
New Zealand will increase its military contribution to N. Korea sanctions monitoring
New Zealand will enhance its contribution to North Korea sanctions monitoring based in Japan, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced on Tuesday. The government will deploy New Zealand Defence Force ships for the first time and increase aircraft deployments until September 2026. This decision underscores New Zealand's commitment to collective security in the Indo-Pacific region. Despite facing challenges like high attrition rates and aging equipment, New Zealand aims to boost military spending, with a new Defence Capability Report set for approval later this year, according to Defence Minister Judith Collins.
New Zealand Prime Minister's plane breaks down on way to Japan
The aging fleet of New Zealand Defence Force's two 757 aircraft, both over 30 years old, has become increasingly unreliable, leading to concerns about their operational effectiveness. Defence Minister Judith Collins acknowledged the embarrassing nature of the situation and expressed the ministry's consideration of utilizing commercial flights for Luxon's future travel requirements.
China ready to work with New Zealand to upgrade ties as Chinese Premier Li visits Wellington
New Zealand has in recent years taken a less assertive line with Beijing on security matters than its Western partners in the Five Eyes intelligence sharing partnership and has sought a consistent foreign policy approach to Beijing that spans political parties and administrations. But Luxon told reporters Monday that there were areas where, in talks with Li, Wellington would "call out our differences and discuss those openly, too."
Christopher Luxon sworn in as New Zealand prime minister, says priority is to improve economy
The 53-year-old former businessman leads a conservative coalition after his National Party struck a deal Friday with two smaller parties following a general election last month. After the swearing-in ceremony, which was presided over by Governor-General Cindy Kiro, Luxon told reporters the job was an "awesome responsibility."
Incoming New Zealand PM forms three-party coalition govt
New Zealand's incoming conservative Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced an agreement to form a three-party coalition government after 40 days of the country's general election. The National Party, which secured 48 seats, needs the support of the conservative ACT and populist New Zealand First parties.
Dollar buoyed by safe-haven bids, rate jitters
Elsewhere, the safe-haven dollar stood near a one-week high against a basket of currencies as risk sentiment remained fragile, pinning the euro near a one-week low hit on Friday.
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Airline CEO-turned-politician Christopher Luxon to lead New Zealand to the right
Christopher Luxon, former CEO of Air New Zealand and leader of the centre-right National Party, is set to become New Zealand's prime minister-elect, ending six years of centre-left government. Luxon plans to use his business management skills to improve the country's economy by curbing inflation and reducing government debt. He has also committed to maintaining legal abortion and supporting same-sex marriage. Luxon, who is learning the Maori language and a fan of Taylor Swift, has stated that there will be little change in New Zealand's foreign policy.
Conservative Christopher Luxon wins New Zealand election after incumbent Prime Minister Chris Hipkins concedes
Christopher Luxon, a former businessman, has won a decisive election victory and will become New Zealand's next prime minister. Luxon's conservative government is yet to be determined as ballots continue to be counted. The current prime minister, Chris Hipkins, conceded the election results and praised the achievements of his liberal government over the past six years. Luxon's National Party is expected to form an alliance with the libertarian ACT Party.
New Zealand's justice minister resigns after facing criminal charges in car crash
New Zealand's justice minister, Kiri Allan, has resigned from her ministerial roles after being charged with careless driving and refusing to accompany a police officer, after a Sunday night crash in Wellington. Allan was found to be over the legal alcohol limit following a breath test. Allan had recently taken time off to improve her mental health, having also faced accusations of poor staff relationships.
New Zealand's justice minister resigns after facing criminal charges in car crash
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Allan was involved in the crash soon after 9 p.m. Sunday in Wellington and was detained at the central police station for about four hours. Police allege Allan crashed into a parked vehicle. They have charged her with careless driving and refusing to accompany a police officer. Hipkins said Allan's breath test showed she was over the legal alcohol limit but police had not charged her with drunk driving. Police said they issued Allan an infringement notice in relation to the breath test.
Voting age of 18 is discriminatory, rules New Zealand court
The government will place a legislature to decrease the voting age to 16 before the parliament. However, the National Party has opposed the move to decrease the voting age.
New Zealand to decide on lowering voting age from 18 to 16
“Ultimately, you've got to draw the line somewhere, and we're comfortable with the line being 18.” At the Supreme Court, four judges found in favor of the lobby group's appeal with a fifth judge dissenting to some aspects of the decision. In New Zealand, the protection against age discrimination begins at 16, and the judges ruled that the attorney-general had failed to show why 18 had been chosen as the age to vote rather than 16.
New Zealand hands out extra cash to fight 'inflation storm'
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. The government also decided to extend some other temporary measures aimed at combatting spiraling living costs, including a cut to gas taxes and half-price public transportation fares.
As virus cases go from 1 to 24,000, New Zealand changes tack
It was the latest sign of just how radically New Zealand's approach to the virus has shifted, moving from elimination to suppression and now to something approaching acceptance as the omicron variant has taken hold.
Fortress New Zealand delays full reopening until October
Tourists from Australia and other visa-free countries will only be allowed in by July and travellers from the rest of the world will be kept out until October under the plan. All travellers would still have to self-isolate for 10 days, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.
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