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☆ Goldman Environmental Prize: This saltwater lagoon is legally a person. Here’s why that could help it survive
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Nell Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Mar Menor, Europe’s biggest saltwater lagoon, sits on the coast of southeastern Spain. Three years later, following an intense campaign, Mar Menor became the first ecosystem in Europe to be designated legal personhood rights. Today, Vicente was awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize – an annual award given to six grassroots environmental leaders, each working in a different continent. Teresa Vicente, 61, has been awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for her successful campaign to grant Mar Menor legal personhood rights. “Right now, Mar Menor is in intensive care,” she says.

Persons: CNN —, Teresa Vicente, Mar Menor, Vicente, Jose Guerrero, “, ”, Jose Miguel Fernandez, Menor Organizations: CNN, University of Murcia, Goldman, Mar, Goldman Environmental, University of Reading’s Centre of Justice, AFP Locations: Spain, Europe, AFP, Murcia, Colombia, New, Whanganui, Spain’s

☆ She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +21 min

He quickly found the Wellington dating pool to be full of people he vaguely knew – friends of friends or old college acquaintances. The whole thing was quite surreal, made only more so by the fact that Samantha had now met Toby’s parents before she’d actually met Toby in person. When Samantha returned to London, Toby was in a bad way. “But we were spending 24/7 together.”Samantha says the decision was obvious “pretty much as soon as we met in real life.”In time, Toby met Samantha’s family. Telling the story on stageSamantha first told the story of how she met Toby on stage in 2018.

Persons: Samantha Hannah, Samantha, “, ”, ” Samantha, she’d, absentmindedly, I’d, ’ ”, wasn’t, Samantha swiped, Toby, –, ” Toby, Toby Hunter, he’d, Samantha’s, – Samantha, Wellington, “ Sammy, ” she’d, – he’d, they’d, he’s, Samantha Hannah Toby, Sammy, I’m, Toby’s, “ We’d, ’ Toby, Samantha Hannah Samantha, Toby hadn’t, ’ ” Samantha, Samantha –, London, Madame Tussauds, Samanta’s, Time, Samantha didn’t, who’d, that’s, didn’t, ” –, Mount, “ We’re, Samantha Hannah Today, she’s, It’s, Toby –, it’s, doesn’t, We’ve, we’ve, Toby aren’t, “ I’ll, Toby hasn’t, “ We’ve, Toby wasn’t Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Facebook, Marlborough, Civilian, New Zealand, MTV, London, Design Museum, Wellington Opera House, Edinburgh Fringe, Scottish, Comedy Locations: Australia, New Zealand, Perth, Scotland, Zealand, Wellington, Gisborne , New Zealand, Napier, London, Bali, Wellington , New Zealand, NZ, Glenorchy , New Zealand, New, ”, Budapest, Hungary, Heathrow, Toby’s, “, Edinburgh

☆ Opinion: Can the party of Winston Churchill really bring about the world’s toughest smoking ban?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Opinion Holly Thomas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

London CNN —Last week, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson treated a Canadian crowd to a helping of his signature bombast. Second World War-era Conservative British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, is also one of history's most famous cigar smokers. Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesDespite what Johnson may have led his audience to believe, a potential smoking ban enjoys broad popular support in the UK. New Zealand’s conservative National Party introduced a similar phased smoking ban last year, but reversed it before it went into effect to help pay for tax cuts. Smoking costs the NHS an estimated £2.5 billion ($3.1 billion) every year, equivalent to 2% of the health service’s budget.

Persons: Holly Thomas, Katie Couric, London CNN —, Boris Johnson, Winston Churchill, “, It’s, Rishi Sunak, Johnson, YouGov, Conservative backbenchers, Liz Truss, they’d, it’ll, ’ Organizations: Katie Couric Media, CNN, London CNN, Conservative Party Conference, Conservative British, Central Press, Hulton, National Health Service, Conservative, New, National Party, Cancer Research, Tory Locations: London, Quebec, Britain, America, England, Wales, Scotland

☆ Why New Zealand spent a small fortune to kill one stoat
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Dhruv Tikekar | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Introduced predators kill about 25 million native birds in New Zealand annually, with about 4,000 native species threatened or at risk of extinction, according to the DOC. Under the program, the government plans to eradicate rats, possums (a marsupial native to the Americas), weasels, ferrets — and the pesky stoat. Chalky Island and the neighboring Passage Islands have been predator-free since 1999 following the first ever stoat eradication campaign, according to the DOC. And for Fleming, the recent stoat incursion only underscores the importance of the Predator Free 2050 plan. “If we eradicate stoats from Aotearoa (New Zealand) completely we remove the costs of incursions, and our wildlife can thrive alongside us,” he said.

Persons: Rebecca Teele, ”, Aaron Fleming, Liu Yang, RNZ, —, pesky, Carolyn M, King, hitlist, Stephan Morris, stoats, stoats ”, Fleming Organizations: CNN, country’s Department of Conservation, New, Zealand, New Zealand Taxpayers ’ Union, Southern, New Zealand, University of Waikato Locations: New Zealand, Fiordland, Eurasia, North America, “, New, Americas, Aotearoa

☆ New Zealand tightens visa rules in response to ‘unsustainable’ migration
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-07 | by ( Catherine Nicholls | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —New Zealand announced it has tightened its visa rules, introducing language and skill criteria and shortening work permit lengths in response to “unsustainable net migration.”The changes to the Accredited Employer Worker Visa (AEWV) scheme have gone into immediate effect, and will mean that New Zealand is “better testing the local labor market and reducing the risks of putting New Zealanders out of work,” the country’s Minister of Immigration, Erica Stanford, announced on Sunday. In 2023, 173,000 non-New Zealand citizens migrated to the country, the statement said. Employers will need to make sure that migrants meet these requirements before hiring them, and will be required to declare that no “suitable and available New Zealander” applied for a job before it is offered to a migrant. They must also advertise job postings for at least 21 days and declare “why any New Zealanders who applied were not hired,” according to New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Some roles in the transport and care sectors will be exempt from these requirements, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website says.

Persons: Erica Stanford, Stanford, “, Zealander ” Organizations: CNN, New Zealand, Zealanders, Immigration, Employers, New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation, Ministry of Business Locations: Zealand, New Zealand, Zealanders, Zealander

☆ ‘It felt so wrong’: Chumbawamba wants New Zealand politician to stop playing ‘Tubthumping’ at rallies
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Dhruv Tikekar | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

But those headlines were soon eclipsed by Chumbawamba publicly condemning Peters’ use of its song. “Everything that Peters stands for is counter to Chumbawamba’s world view,” the band’s founding member and former vocalist, Dunstan Bruce, told CNN. Chumbawamba, which broke up in 2012, has asked its former record company, Sony Music Publishing, to issue a cease-and-desist letter to New Zealand First. In response to CNN’s request for comment, New Zealand First Party President Julian Paul said the party had nothing further to add. “As we rise, the dirt will start all over again,” he said during a party convention in July, according to a transcript published by New Zealand First.

Persons: Winston Peters strode, Peters, ” Peters, Chumbawamba, Dunstan Bruce, Winston Peters, Hagen Hopkins, ” Chumbawamba, “ Tubthumping, ”, Bruce, “, Peter Dungate, ” It’s, Eminem, Vivek Ramaswamy, Donald Trump, Rihanna, Pharrell Williams, Bruce Springsteen, Nigel Farage, Hutton Supancic, Julian Paul, Emmanuel Heisbourg, Heisbourg, “ tubthumping, You’re, — Peters, ‘ Organizations: CNN, New Zealand First, Labour, New, National, ACT, New Zealand, General Motors, Sony Music Publishing, APRA, NZ, New Zealand’s National Party, rapper’s, Republican, Independence Party, UKIP, Southwest, SXSW UKIP, University of Montreal Locations: Palmerston, British, Nazi Germany, New, New Zealand

☆ How Ireland Fell Out of Love With Joe Biden - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Una Mullally | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

If there’s one thing Irish people know about President Biden, it’s that he’s one of us. “Today you are amongst friends because you are one of us,” the speaker of Parliament announced before Mr. Biden addressed Irish lawmakers. When Mr. Biden referred to the Irish rugby team beating “the Black and Tans” — the notoriously brutal 1920s police force — as opposed to the All Blacks, as New Zealand’s rugby team is known, the gaffe became an instant, affectionate meme. By the end of the trip, it was official: Mr. Biden loves Ireland, and Ireland loves Mr. Biden. Mr. Biden, as the leader of Israel’s closest ally and chief military supplier, was seen to be enabling the devastation.

Persons: Biden, it’s, ”, “, Seamus Heaney, —, Mr, Israel’s Organizations: Mr, Irish rugby, Blacks, New Zealand’s rugby, Ireland, Irish, European Union Locations: Ireland, Irish, Gaza

☆ Cyberattacks: New Zealand joins UK, US in accusing China of espionage hacks as coordinated pressure on Beijing grows
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —New Zealand has joined the United States and the United Kingdom in accusing China of launching “malicious” cyberattacks through state-backed hackers, as Beijing comes under growing scrutiny in a big election year for democracies around the world. The Chinese embassy in London dismissed the claims as “completely unfounded” and “malicious slander,” calling the sanctions “outright political manipulation.”“China is a major victim of cyberattacks. We have firmly fought and stopped all kinds of malicious cyber activities in accordance with the law, and have never encouraged, supported or condoned cyberattacks,” the embassy said, reiterating Beijing’s long-held stance on the matter. Australia and the European Union has also expressed solidarity with the UK and voiced concerns over China’s alleged malicious cyber activities. Without naming China, the EU said it would continue to monitor and address malicious cyber activities and stand ready to take further action when necessary.

Persons: Judith Collins, “, Zealand’s, ” Collins, Wang Xiaolong, Winston Peters, ” Peters, Penny Wong, Clare O’Neil Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, United, New, UK, Parliamentary, Office, Parliamentary Service, New Zealand, Wellington, European Union, Australia’s Foreign, Home Affairs, Inter, Parliamentary Alliance Locations: Hong Kong, Zealand, United States, United Kingdom, China, Beijing, New Zealand, London, PRC, Australia, EU, Canada

☆ Players Championship: Adam Hadwin hurled his club into the water in disgust. His wife saw the funny side
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Golfer Adam Hadwin had built a superb reputation for staying dry at The Players Championship. On Thursday, the water took its long-awaited revenge by claiming two of his balls – and even a club. Across more than four decades, hundreds of the PGA Tour’s finest players have watched in horror as their tee shot splashed into the lake at TPC Sawgrass’ iconic par-three 17th hole. Yet on all of his 28 previous visits to the penultimate tee at the ‘fifth major’, Canada’s Hadwin had safely found the island green. Ten players had found the lake from the tee during the first round, though New Zealand’s Ryan Fox aced the hole, becoming the 14th golfer in Players history to do so.

Persons: Adam Hadwin, Canada’s Hadwin, Hadwin, Sam Greenwood, Hadwin –, Jessica, ” Hadwin, Mike Carlson, Wyndham Clark, Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy –, Maddox, day, a, Ze Organizations: CNN, PGA Locations: eled by

☆ Investigators have removed black boxes from LATAM’s plane that dropped suddenly
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Angus Watson | Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The black boxes hold data crucial to understanding what caused the Boeing jet to suddenly drop during the flight from Australia to New Zealand, causing dozens of passengers to be treated for injuries. The US manufacturer has faced harsh criticism for a series of recent safety and quality issues in its aircraft. A series of investigationsChile’s Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) is leading the investigation into the black boxes as the plane was registered in the country. The Boeing jet remains in Auckland and will also be assessed by the Chilean investigators. “I immediately engaged with him and said, ‘What was that?’ And he openly admitted, he said, ‘I lost control of the plane.

Persons: Hato Hone, Hato Hone St John, Brian Jokat, ‘, ” Jokat, STCLA, ” STCLA, Max, Chris Isidore, Kathleen Magramo, Manveena Suri, Alex Stambaugh Organizations: CNN, New, Boeing, LATAM, Civil Aeronautics, Investigation, LATAM Airlines, Hato, Hato Hone St, Hato Hone St John Ambulance, Chilean Boeing, “, Alaska Airlines, US National Transportation Safety, National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA Locations: New Zealand, Australia, Auckland, Chilean

Latam, a Chilean airline, provided no specifics about the technical problem that it said had caused the disturbance. One passenger, who said she was a former flight attendant, told The New Zealand Herald that there had been a “quick little drop” during the flight, Latam Airlines Flight 800. Aircraft tracking information from Flight Aware showed a gap of roughly an hour for which no data was available. The plane, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, was met at Auckland International Airport by 14 emergency vehicles, including seven ambulances, according to the city’s ambulance service, Hato Hone St. John. Ambulance crews treated about 50 people at the scene, including the person in serious condition; the others were in “moderate to minor condition,” the service said.

Organizations: Latam, New Zealand Herald, Aircraft, Boeing, Auckland International Airport, Hato Hone St, John . Ambulance Locations: Auckland, New, Chilean, Hato Hone

☆ White lsland: Court orders millions in compensation for survivors of New Zealand’s deadly volcanic eruption
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Survivors scarred by severe burns testified against various companies – including Whakaari Management Ltd, which owned the island – accusing them of failing to warn them about the risks. On Friday, Judge Evangelos Thomas found both Whakaari Management Ltd and the tour operators had failed to conduct adequate risk assessment, breaking health and safety laws with devastating consequences. The owner of the island, meanwhile, failed to make sure the operators had examined the risks properly, the judge added. An image provided by visitor Michael Schade shows White Island (Whakaari) volcano, as it erupts, in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, 09 December 2019. American Matthew Urey is seen in the witness box at the Whakaari or White Island, eruption trial at the Auckland Environment Court, in Auckland, New Zealand, Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Persons: WorkSafe, Judge Evangelos Thomas, Michael Schade, Shutterstock, Andrew, Peter, James Buttle, Thomas, “, ”, Annie Lu, Matthew Urey, Jason Oxenham Organizations: CNN, NZ, Whakaari Management, Shutterstock Whakaari Management, country’s, White, Tours, Safaris Ltd, Aerius, Kahu, Ltd, Auckland Environment Court Locations: Zealand, Auckland, WorkSafe ,, White, New, Plenty , New Zealand, Australia, United States, Malaysia, Auckland , New Zealand

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery plans to close New Zealand TV news channel
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Warner Bros. CNN is also owned by Warner Bros. Under New Zealand law, a proposed restructure or redundancies must be consulted on before a final decision can be announced. Put simply, the economic headwinds means the returns are not there,” said Glen Kyne, a senior vice president, at Warner Bros. Warner Bros.

Persons: ”, Glen Kyne, Newshub, ” Kyne Organizations: Wellington, Warner Bros, CNN, Warner Bros ., New, TVNZ, “, Discovery Locations: New Zealand, Australia

SOLDEU, Andorra (AP) — Marta Bassino edged out Federica Brignone for an Italian one-two finish in a tight opening run of a women’s World Cup giant slalom Saturday. Mikaela Shiffrin sits out this weekend’s races to nurse a left knee injury and the American star could lose her lead in the overall World Cup standings to Lara Gut-Behrami. The Swiss skier won the previous GS and trails Shiffrin by 95 points. In Saturday's race, Bassino showed glimpses of her best as the Italian skier looked for her first podium result of the season. She won the World Cup title in the discipline in 2021 but has won just one World Cup race over the last three years.

Persons: — Marta Bassino, Bassino, Alice Robinson, Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund, Mikaela Shiffrin, Lara, Shiffrin, Petra Vlhova, Canada's Valerie Grenier, ” Organizations: Swiss, Cortina d’Ampezzo Locations: SOLDEU, Andorra, Italy, France

But Finland's national carrier Finnair said Friday that it started asking passengers this week voluntarily and anonymously hop onto a scale with their hand luggage at the country's main airport in Helsinki, the airline said Friday. Passengers boarding onto European and long-haul flights won't be “penalized for their weight,” and “the numbers are kept discreet, away from prying eyes,” she added. Finnair has chosen the latter, but safety authorities require that the survey is renewed every five years. The last time Finnair weighed passengers was in 2018. In June, New Zealand’s national airline also weighed passengers before boarding.

Persons: Finnair, ”, Päivyt Tallqvist, Tallqvist Organizations: Associated Press, Passengers, European Aviation Safety Authority, New Locations: COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Helsinki, Finnair

☆ New Zealand National Day Protesters Demonstrate for Indigenous Rights
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Lucy CraymerWELLINGTON (Reuters) - Roughly 600 protesters on Tuesday marched to where New Zealand’s founding document was signed in the town of Waitangi, as official celebrations competed with protests against proposed government policies that threaten Indigenous rights. Demonstrators were protesting New Zealand's centre-right coalition's promises to undo policies that promoted the official use of the Maori language and sought to enhance Indigenous living standards and rights. The protesters arrived carrying signs asking the treaty be honoured and many people were waving the national Maori flag or the United Tribes flag. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and some of his coalition ministers arrived at the venue on Monday and were met by protesters displeased at moves to change Indigenous policy. Protest has long been part of Waitangi celebrations and in 1995 official events had to be cancelled due to anger over government policies.

Persons: Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, ” Moea Armstrong, Christopher Luxon, Lucy Craymer, Josie Kao Organizations: Reuters, New, Maori, United Tribes, British Crown Locations: Waitangi, New, New Zealand

☆ New Zealand Govt Ministers Heckled by Protesters Ahead of National Day Celebrations
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

During the welcome, or powhiri, Luxon's speech only went ahead after a Maori elder called for respect. The government has also said it will introduce, but are not committed to passing, a bill that would reinterpret the Treaty of Waitangi. Organiser are expecting upwards of 60,000 people to attend Waitangi Day events, which started on Saturday making it the biggest event since the 150-year celebrations in 1990. Protest has long been part of Waitangi celebrations and in 1995 official events had to be cancelled due to anger over government policies. In 2016, a minister was struck in the face by a dildo thrown by a woman protesting a trade agreement.

Persons: Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Christopher Luxon, we’d, there’d, Luxon, Lucy Craymer, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, New, British Crown, Waitangi Locations: New Zealand, Waitangi

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. The agency said falling food and transport prices were the main drivers of the slowdown in the inflation rate which had peaked at 7.3 per cent in 2022. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesNew Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis said a key goal of the government was to lower inflation. “Our immediate focus is getting inflation back into the target range under three per cent,” she said. The result means annual inflation rate is now at its lowest since June 2021, while quarterly inflation was tracked at 0.5 per cent, the smallest rise since December 2020.

Persons: Nicola Willis Organizations: Reserve Bank of New, Reserve Bank, New Zealand Finance Locations: WELLINGTON, New Zealand

☆ Thousands of New Zealand Maori Meet to Discuss Response to Government Plans
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Maori King Tuheitia, who hosted the event, told attendees their voices matter but it was not just talk, a solution that was needed. Critics say these vows are the most significant step backward for Maori rights in decades, and some have taken legal action. The Maori king had called on tribes from around the country last month to gather at his traditional meeting grounds, or Marae in Ngaruawahia, south of Auckland, to discuss how Maori respond. “Just be Maori, Maori all day, everyday, we are here, we are strong,” he said. The prime minister met the Maori king earlier this week and said he was supportive of the meeting.

Persons: Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Tuheitia, we've, Christopher Luxon, “, ” Tuheitia, ”, Luxon, Lucy Craymer, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Reuters, New Zealand Maori, reo, awa Locations: North Island, Ngaruawahia, Auckland, Waitangi, New

☆ NZ's Maori to Discuss Govt Plans to Row Back on Pro-Indigenous Policies
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

Critics say these vows are the most significant step backward for Maori rights in decades, and some have taken legal action. The government of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says its plans address voters' concerns, and are aimed at giving all New Zealanders equal rights. Ngira Simmonds, the king's chief of staff, said in a statement that the gathering will discuss how the Maori translation of the Treaty of Waitangi can be upheld. Former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley and former Governor General Sylvia Cartwright are both set to speak. The prime minister met the Maori King earlier this week and said he was supportive of the meeting.

Persons: Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Christopher Luxon, Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Queen Te Atairangikaahu, Ngira Simmonds, Jenny Shipley, General Sylvia Cartwright, Lucy Craymer, Miral Fahmy Organizations: Reuters, New Zealand Maori, Former Locations: New, Ngaruawahia, Auckland, Waitangi

☆ SailGP: $5 million boats and courses across the world. Welcome to the ‘fastest race on water’
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Eoin Mcsweeney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

When you think of race weekends in Abu Dhabi, Formula One comes to mind. The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix is new to the global 13-race calendar. “So, our racing’s a short format packaged into a 90-minute broadcast window.”SailGP CEO Russell Coutts discusses the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council. “We have almost 1,200 kids sitting in Abu Dhabi Sports Club for a whole week being excited about this,” said Al Shimarri. The sailors were tested by challenging light winds in Abu Dhabi, where Van der Velden and Spain finished runners-up behind the dominant New Zealand team.

Persons: Abu, it’s, “, Russell Coutts, CNN’s Becky Anderson, Coutts, He’s, ” Coutts, ”, ” It’s, It’s, ” SailGP, Nicole van der, Van der, CNN's Becky Anderson, CNN Abu, ” Homaid Al Shimmari, Al Shimarri, Mubadala, SailGP, Van der Velden, Taylor Canfield Organizations: CNN, Kiwis, Formula, United, Abu Dhabi Sail, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, New Zealand, Abu, Impact League, Abu Dhabi Sports Club, NYU, Spain, Australia Locations: Zayed Port, Persian, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, – SailGP, San Francisco, Sydney, United States, Spain, New York, inclusivity

☆ New Zealand Lawmaker Resigns After Shoplifting Allegations
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Emma Bubola | More About Emma Bubola | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A lawmaker from New Zealand quit her job on Tuesday after allegations emerged that she had shoplifted from two clothing stores, actions she said were caused by stress affecting her mental health. I’m sorry,” said the lawmaker, Golriz Ghahraman, in a statement on Tuesday. Image Golriz Ghahraman in 2017. Credit... Hannah Peters/Getty ImageAllegations of shoplifting started appearing in New Zealand’s news media this month. Some reports also published a CCTV video that appeared to show Ms. Ghahraman taking a handbag from a clothing store. Leaders from her party, the center-left Green Party, confirmed that the police were investigating the episodes, which according to the news reports, happened in the cities of Auckland and Wellington last year.

Persons: “, ”, Golriz Ghahraman, ” Ms, Ghahraman, Golriz, Hannah Peters Organizations: New Zealand, United, Green Party Locations: New, United Nations, Iran, Auckland, Wellington

☆ Indigenous Tourism Goes Deeper Than ‘Dinner and a Show’
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Michael Harmon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

For visitors to New Zealand, the chance to see a haka, the ceremonial Maori dance, has long been as much a part of the country’s allure as its glaciers, geysers and glowworm caves. But increasingly, instead of merely catching a cultural performance en route to New Zealand’s Fiordland, travelers are lingering longer and going deeper, seeking out more immersive ways to engage with the country’s Indigenous heritage. “We’re seeing a shift from the checkbox mentality to a hunger for deep, transformative experiences,” said Sarah Handley, the general manager for North America and Europe at Tourism New Zealand, the country’s tourism marketing agency. “It’s not just about witnessing a haka; it’s about understanding the meaning and stories behind it.”

Persons: ”, Sarah Handley, “ It’s Organizations: North, Tourism New Locations: New Zealand, New, Fiordland, North America, Europe, Tourism New Zealand

☆ Capping 5 Years of Speculation, Jacinda Ardern Gets Married
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Natasha Frost | More About Natasha Frost | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

She steered New Zealand through volcanic eruptions, terrorist attacks and a pandemic, won her party a record-breaking majority and, at age 37, became the world’s youngest female head of government. On Saturday, they finally got their answer, when the couple released official wedding portraits to the news media. The ceremony, which took place at the Craggy Range vineyard, in New Zealand’s spectacular Hawke’s Bay, follows one canceled effort and more than five years of media speculation. In January 2019, a BBC interviewer made headlines when she pressed Ms. Ardern on whether she and Mr. Gayford would marry, or whether she would consider proposing to Mr. Gayford if he did not pop the question, prompting accusations of sexism. Since then similar questions have dogged Ms. Ardern.

Persons: Jacinda Ardern, Clarke Gayford, fiancé, Ardern, Gayford Organizations: New Locations: New Zealand, New

☆ New Zealand ex-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern weds longtime partner
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —New Zealand’s former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern married her longtime partner Clarke Gayford in a private ceremony on Saturday, finally tying the knot after canceling ceremonies during strict Covid-19 controls she imposed on the country. She became a global icon for left-leaning politics and women in leadership as prime minister from 2017 to January last year. Ardern, one of just two women to have a baby as national leaders, took her daughter to a United Nations meeting. Among the guests was Ardern’s successor as prime minister, Chris Hipkins, the current opposition leader, the New Zealand Herald said. In her final speech in parliament, Ardern told Gayford, a New Zealand television presenter, “Let’s finally get married.” The couple’s daughter Neve, is five years old.

Persons: Jacinda Ardern, Clarke Gayford, Gayford, Chris Hipkins, Prince William’s Earthshot, Ardern, “ Let’s, ”, Neve Organizations: CNN, New, United, New Zealand Herald, Harvard University Locations: New Zealand, United Nations, Hawke’s, New, Wellington, Christchurch

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