The Green Party has welcomed the government’s decision to halt plans to reinstate live animal exports. Animal Welfare Minister Andrew Hoggard stated he was unable to secure Cabinet support for overturning the existing ban, a commitment initially made within coalition agreements with both ACT and NZ First. Government Backtracks on Live Export Plans Green Party … Read more
Recent Zealand Faces Ongoing COVID-19 Waves Amidst Declining Immunity New Zealand is currently experiencing its ninth wave of COVID-19, driven by waning immunity and decreasing booster vaccination rates. Recent data indicates 50 hospitalizations and 19 deaths attributed to the virus within a single week. Experts warn that this pattern of waves will continue as immunity … Read more
Air New Zealand’s Fuel Crisis: A Ripple Effect for Regional New Zealand Air New Zealand has suspended its earnings guidance, citing “unprecedented” volatility in global jet fuel markets. This decision isn’t just an airline financial issue; it’s sending waves of concern through regional New Zealand, where air services are often a vital economic lifeline. The … Read more
The struggle for self-determination in West Papua extends beyond armed conflict, according to a newly released documentary. The film, ‘Pesta Babi (Pig Feast)’, premiered in Auckland at a West Papua Forum organized by the West Papuan solidarity movement in New Zealand. Deforestation and Development Produced by West Papuan journalist Victor Mambor and directed by Dandhy … Read more
The Manaro Voui volcano on Ambae Island, Vanuatu, continues to erupt, spewing ash and smoke up to four kilometers above sea level as of February 24, 2026. Whereas the alert level remains at three on a scale of five, the ongoing activity is causing acid rain that is impacting water and food supplies on Ambae … Read more
Middle East Conflict Disrupts Air Travel: A Gaze at Emerging Trends The recent outbreak of conflict in the Middle East has sent shockwaves through the aviation industry, causing widespread flight cancellations, soaring fuel prices, and a scramble to evacuate stranded passengers. Even as airlines are attempting to resume limited services, the situation highlights the vulnerability … Read more
Trump’s “Unconditional Surrender” Demand Escalates Iran Conflict – What’s Next? President Donald Trump’s demand for “unconditional surrender” from Iran marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict launched jointly with Israel. The demand, made on social media on Friday, sent shockwaves through financial markets and complicates nascent mediation efforts, raising concerns about a prolonged and … Read more
Navigating a Shifting World Order: New Zealand’s Middle Power Strategy Recent discussions, even those suggesting New Zealand consider becoming a state of Australia, highlight a growing unease with the evolving global landscape under a potential second Trump presidency. This reflects a broader shift away from the established, rules-based international order New Zealand has traditionally relied … Read more
The Growing Dilemma: Retirement Villages, Reverse Mortgages, and the Future of Senior Living Jo Murphy’s story is becoming increasingly common. Selling a beloved home to move into a retirement village, only to find a loss of independence and eroding finances, is a fear weighing on many New Zealanders. As the cost of living rises and … Read more
New Zealand Economy on Edge as Middle East Conflict Threatens Inflation and Budget 2026 Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The escalating conflict in the Middle East is casting a long shadow over New Zealand’s economic outlook, with Finance Minister Nicola Willis acknowledging the potential for significant disruption. While the full extent of the impact remains … Read more