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☆ New Zealand will require 900 firms to report gender pay gaps
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Around 900 businesses with more than 250 employees will be asked to report their gender pay gaps in the proposed legislation, Tinetti said in a statement. The requirement will eventually be extended over four years to cover companies that employ more than 100 workers, encompassing around 2,700 firms, she added. Requiring companies to publish their gender pay gap will encourage them to address the drivers of those gaps and increase transparency for workers,” she said. New Zealand has made progress in its public service sector, with women holding more than half of top tier senior management roles and the gender pay gap has shrunk to a record-low of 7.7%. In the private sector, around 200 companies including Air New Zealand and Spark voluntarily report or plan to report their gender pay gap, according to Tinetti.

Persons: Women Jan Tinetti, Tinetti, Spark, Priyanca Radhakrishnan, “ We’ve, ” Radhakrishnan, Jacinda Ardern, Chris Hipkins Organizations: CNN, New, Women, Labour, Organisation for Economic Co, Development, Air New, Zealand, Workplace Relations, Party Locations: New Zealand, Air New Zealand, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Pacific

☆ New Zealand says it is aware of China-linked intelligence activity in country
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

JADE GAO/Pool via REUTERS/File PhotoWELLINGTON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - New Zealand is aware of intelligence activity linked to China in and against the island nation and the Pacific region, it said in a report released on Friday. "This is a complex intelligence concern for New Zealand," the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) said in the annual report. The report also highlighted "foreign interference" activity from Iran and Russia. The report added that, more broadly, the international security environment in which New Zealand operates is now more challenging and less predictable than in recent decades. The intelligence report also noted that technological innovation, global economic instability and declining social trust also posed threats.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, Premier Li Qiang, JADE, Alexei Navalny, Andrew Hampton, NZSIS, Lucy Craymer, Richard Chang, Muralikumar Organizations: Zealand, Premier, of, People, JADE GAO, New Zealand, New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, New, Russian Embassy, Thomson Locations: Beijing, New Zealand, China, New, Wellington, Australia, Britain, Canada, United States, Iran, Russia, Iranian, Russian

China's application, by far the biggest economy, is next in line if they are dealt with in the order they were received, although that is not a given. The free trade agreement has its roots in the U.S.-backed Trans-Pacific Partnership, developed in part to counter China's growing economic dominance. I think that is completely wrong," Tim Groser, a former New Zealand trade minister and chief trade negotiator said. For CPTPP members, China's application is not the only political dilemma. Taiwan is also seeking to join the pact, in a move opposed by China that member trade negotiators remain unsure about.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, Shigeyuki Goto, Damien O’Connor, Trade Kemi, Damien O'Connor, Donald Trump, Henry Gao, couldn't, Tim Groser, CPTPP, Graham Zebedee, Britain's, New Zealand Wang Xiaolong, Hopes, Wang Huiyao, Antony Blinken, Natalie Black, Lucy Craymer, Joe Cash, Jamie Freed Organizations: New Zealand, Economic, New, Trade, Export, State, Business, Malaysian, Beijing, Pacific, New Zealand's Trade, Pacific Partnership, Communist Party, Singapore Management University, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, World Trade Organization, Australia, Center for, Political, Comprehensive Economic, U.S, Asia Pacific, Thomson Locations: British, Trade Kemi Badenoch, Taiwan, AUCKLAND, BEIJING, China, Pacific, Britain, Auckland, Ukraine, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Ecuador, U.S, Japan, Australia, Canada, Beijing, New Zealand, SOEs, Mexico, Center for China, Wellington, Asia

☆ How New Zealand's plan for English and te reo Māori road signs took an unexpected turn
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

But plans to introduce bilingual road signs featuring both the English and te reo Maori languages have sparked a divisive, racially charged debate ahead of the country’s looming general election. Slightly less than a quarter of New Zealand’s 892,200 Maori speak te reo Maori as one of their first languages, according to the latest government data. Part of the reason that te reo Maori is not so widely spoken is that back in New Zealand’s colonial era there were active efforts to stamp it out. The Native Schools Act 1867 required schools to teach in English where possible and children were often physically punished for speaking te reo Maori. “The primary objective of these standards is to guarantee that all road signs are unambiguous, uniform, and legible to all,” he said.

Persons: Simeon Brown, Chris Hipkins, “ I’m, ”, Marty Melville, Awanui Te, Tania Ka’ai, “, ” Ka’ai, –, Kasem Choocharukul, Kasem, Huw Fairclough, James Griffiths ,, Puakea Nogelmeier, Nogelmeier Organizations: CNN, reo, Zealand, Waka, NZ Transport Agency, New, National, Labour Party government, National Party, Labour, Getty, Native, Victoria University of Wellington, Zealanders, The International, Language, Auckland University of Technology, Chulalongkorn University, Research, University of Leeds, Wales –, New Zealand, Welsh, Welsh Language Society, Gaelic, Constitutional Convention, Hawaiian, University of Hawaii, Hawaii’s Department of Transportation, Wales Locations: Aotearoa, Wellington , New Zealand, AFP, New, New Zealand, Zealanders, Wales, United Kingdom, Thailand, Tredegar , Wales, Republic of Ireland, Hawaii, Olelo Hawai’i, Llanfair, Anglesey, Europe, Hawke’s

WELLINGTON, July 27 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday the door was open for New Zealand to engage with the AUKUS weapons development and procurement project between the United States, Britain and Australia. The multi-stage AUKUS project announced in March is planned to culminate in the late 2030s and early 2040s with British and Australian production and operation of a new submarine class - SSN-AUKUS - and include "cutting edge" U.S. technologies. "The door's very much open for New Zealand and other partners to engage as they see appropriate going forward," Blinken told a news conference in Wellington. And so as we further develop AUKUS, as I said, the door is open to engagement." Blinken is New Zealand for just over a day as part of a three-country visit to the Pacific.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Chris Hipkins, Nanaia Mahuta, “, Mahuta, Renju Jose, Alasdair Pal, Stephen Coates Organizations: WELLINGTON, British, New, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: Zealand, United States, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Wellington, Pacific, Solomon Islands, Solomon, Sydney

☆ Kiri Allan: New Zealand justice minister resigns after being charged over car crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —New Zealand’s justice minister, Kiri Allan, has resigned after facing criminal charges following a car crash, the country’s prime minister, Chris Hipkins, announced on Monday. New Zealand Police charged Allan with “careless use of a motor vehicle and refusing to accompany a police officer,” and also issued an infringement notice for excess breath alcohol, Hipkins said. According to CNN affiliate Newshub, Allan said in a statement Monday that she had “faced a number of personal difficulties” over recent weeks. Hipkins said Ginny Andersen will become justice minister following Allan’s resignation while Kieran McAnulty will take over her responsibilities as regional development minister. Grant Robertson will take over coordinating the response to Cyclone Gabrielle, which lashed New Zealand in February.

Persons: Kiri Allan, Chris Hipkins, Allan, Hipkins, “, ”, ” Allan, MinisterJacinda Arden, ” Kiri Allan, Mark Mitchell, Ginny Andersen, Kieran McAnulty, Grant Robertson, Cyclone Gabrielle Organizations: CNN, New Zealand Police, Newshub, NZ Herald, Labour, Reuters Locations: Wellington , New, New Zealand

☆ New Zealand justice minister quits after being charged following car crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 24 (Reuters) - New Zealand's justice minister resigned on Monday after being arrested in relation to a car crash the previous day, the fourth minister to quit the cabinet in as many months in an election year. "She understood that retaining her ministerial warrant was untenable, especially for a justice minister to be charged with criminal offending," Hipkins said. Hipkins said Allan's "recent personal struggles with mental health have been well documented and it appears some of those issues came to a head yesterday." Once touted as a potential successor to previous prime minister Jacinda Ardern, Allan said she will take time to consider her future in politics. My actions yesterday show I wasn't okay," Allan said in a statement.

Persons: Kiri Allan, Chris Hipkins, Allan, Hipkins, Jacinda Ardern, I've, Renju Jose, Lincoln Organizations: Labour, National Party, Thomson Locations: Wellington, Sydney

SYDNEY/AUCKLAND, July 20 (Reuters) - Australia and New Zealand will open the ninth Women's World Cup co-hosted by the two nations on Thursday, despite a shooting near the Norwegian team hotel in New Zealand's largest city of Auckland that left three dead and six injured. Tracey Taylor, a professor of sports management at RMIT University in Melbourne, said many members of grassroots football clubs expected the tournament to have a transformative effect for participation in women’s sport in Australia. Several participating nations, including tournament heavyweights England and Spain, have been in dispute with their administrators over working conditions and pay in recent months. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many New Zealanders to experience a top-tier FIFA World Cup event,” he said. Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Additional reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney and Philip O'Connor in Stockholm; Editing by Lincoln Feast.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, Maren Mjelde, Sydney –, Tracey Taylor, ”, Sam Kerr, Anthony Albanese, Fatma, “, Grant Robertson, “ It’s, Alasdair Pal, Renju Jose, Philip O'Connor, Lincoln Organizations: SYDNEY, Police, New Zealand, New Zealand’s Football Ferns, Norway, Gang, Australia, RMIT University, England, rugby, Blacks, FIFA’s, Kiwis, Zealand, Wednesday, FIFA, Thomson Locations: AUCKLAND, Australia, New Zealand, Norwegian, New Zealand's, Auckland, Eden, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Sydney, England, Melbourne, Spain, France, Zealanders, Stockholm

☆ Home fans made the difference in upset win, says New Zealand's Wilkinson
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Honestly it means the world," she told reporters. "Obviously, you know, we had such amazing support tonight, and I think that's what really made a difference for us." New Zealand's build up to the World Cup had been far from perfect, enduring a 10-match winless streak before beating Vietnam in a friendly earlier this month. New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins visited the squad in the locker room to offer his congratulations, coach Jitka Klimkova told reporters. Reporting by Amy Tennery and Nathan Frandino in Auckland; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Zealand's Hannah Wilkinson, Norway's Mathilde Harviken REUTERS, David Rowland AUCKLAND, Hannah Wilkinson, Wilkinson, I'm, Malia Steinmetz, we've, Chris Hipkins, Jitka Klimkova, Amy Tennery, Nathan Frandino, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, New Zealand, Football Ferns, Zealand, Switzerland, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Zealand, Norway, Eden, Auckland , New Zealand, Vietnam, Philippines, Auckland

☆ Women’s World Cup Begins With Host Nations in Opening Games
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Andrew Das | The New York Times | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +9 min

He moved through the building site, discharging the firearm as he went. Clearly, with the FIFA World Cup kicking off this evening, there are a lot of eyes on Auckland. Image Members of the Philippines Women’s World Cup team in Auckland on Thursday. New Zealand’s prime minister, Chris Hipkins, said the Women’s World Cup would proceed as planned. Even before then, gun ownership was relatively rare in New Zealand, and gun violence is considered unusual.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, Andrew Coster, Coster, ”, David Rowland, Abbie Parr, ” Mr, Hipkins, cordoning, Saeed Khan, Lise Klaveness, ” Halvor Lea, Maren Mjelde, Jacinda Ardern, Juliet Macur, Andrew Das, Yan Zhuang, Tariq Panja Organizations: Armed Offenders Squad, FIFA, New Zealand Herald, Police, ., Eden, United States, Vietnam, Norway, New Zealand Police, Associated Press, New Zealand, Agence France, Norway women’s Locations: New Zealand, Auckland, Queen, Auckland , New Zealand, Norway, Auckland’s, U.S, Australia, Ireland, Philippines, ”, Norwegian, Christchurch, North, Raurimu, Aramoana, Sydney

Auckland, New Zealand CNN —A shooting that erupted inside a building in central Auckland killed at least two people and injured six others, say New Zealand officials, casting a cloud over the Women’s World Cup that was set to start later in the day. The shooting is “an isolated incident,” and “not a national security risk,” New Zealand police said on Twitter, adding that the male shooter was also dead. During a press conference in Wellington, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the Women’s World Cup, which is due to kick off later in the city on Thursday, will “proceed as planned.”“Clearly, with the FIFA World Cup kicking off this evening, there are a lot of eyes on Auckland. “Auckland Transport says passengers coming in to the city should delay travel. New Zealand’s parliament voted to ban military-style semi-automatic weapons in 2019, weeks after the Christchurch massacre left 50 people dead.

Persons: “, Chris Hipkins, ” Hipkins, Nathan Frandino, Reuters Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, I’m, ” Brown, RNZ, Brown, ”, Nisha, ” Nisha, Jacinda Ardern, Ardern Organizations: New Zealand CNN, Auckland, New, Twitter, CNN, Newshub, Police, Wellington , New Zealand, FIFA, Reuters Auckland Mayor, New Zealand, ”, Auckland Transport Locations: Auckland, New Zealand, Wellington , New, New, Zealand, Norway, American, there’s, Christchurch

☆ Three killed in Auckland shootout ahead of World Cup kick off
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

AUCKLAND, July 20 (Reuters) - At least two people and an armed attacker were killed and six others wounded in a shooting in New Zealand's largest city of Auckland on Thursday, hours ahead of the opening match of the Women's soccer World Cup in the city. [1/4]Police vehicles are seen near the location of a reported shooting in Auckland, New Zealand on July 20, 2023. REUTERS/Nathan FrandinoHipkins is travelling to Auckland later in the day and is expected to provide more updates. The shootout occurred close to where several soccer players were housed. Norway plays New Zealand in the opening match of the tournament at Eden Park in Auckland later on Thursday.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, Hipkins, Nathan Frandino Hipkins, Maren Mjelde, Douglas Emhoff, Kamala Harris, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, Renju Jose, Praveen Menon, Sandra Maler, Stephen Coates Organizations: AUCKLAND, Police, REUTERS, Norwegian, Verdens Gang, New Zealand, Eden, Auckland Mayor, Thomson Locations: Zealand's, Auckland, Auckland , New Zealand, Norway, New, Italy, U.S, New Zealand, Sydney

☆ New Zealand prime minister says Pacific region less secure due to China's assertiveness
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AUCKLAND, July 17 (Reuters) - The Pacific region is becoming more contested and less secure as China becomes more assertive, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on Monday, outlining the country’s need to work with like-minded partners while still engaging with Beijing. “Our region is becoming more contested, less predictable, and less secure,” he said. “And that poses challenges for small countries like New Zealand that are reliant on the stability and predictability of international rules for our prosperity and security." “In this increasingly complex global environment, our relationship with China will continue to require careful management,” he said. Wang Xiaolong, China’s ambassador to New Zealand said in a speech that China and New Zealand relations were healthy, stable and thriving.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, Hipkins, ”, Wang Xiaolong, Lucy Craymer, Sandra Maler Organizations: AUCKLAND, Zealand, China Business Summit, Thomson Locations: China, Beijing, Auckland, “, New Zealand, New, Wellington, Australia, Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Lincoln

☆ Britain signs treaty to join trans-Pacific trade pact
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AUCKLAND, July 16 (Reuters) - Britain on Sunday formally signed the treaty to join a major trans-Pacific trade pact, becoming the first new country to take part since its inception in 2018 and opening the way for members to consider other applications including from China and Taiwan. The signing was part of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) commission meeting being held in New Zealand. Britain's Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said at the signing that her country was delighted to become the first new member of the CPTPP. The CPTPP is a landmark trade pact agreed in 2018 between 11 countries including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Britain will become the 12th member of the pact that cuts trade barriers, as it looks to deepen ties in the Pacific after its exit from the European Union in 2020.

Persons: Kemi Badenoch, Badenoch, Chris Hipkins, Lucy Craymer, Jamie Freed Organizations: AUCKLAND, Sunday, Trans, Pacific, Trade, European Union, Zealand, Thomson Locations: Britain, Pacific, China, Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, Ukraine, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Ecuador, .

☆ Divisive China, Taiwan bids to join Pacific trade pact in focus at meet
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Britain will become the 12th member to join the pact that cuts trade barriers, as it looks to deepen ties in the Pacific. In support of its application, Britain has said that CPTPP countries will have a combined GDP of 11 trillion pounds ($13.6 trillion) once Britain joins, or 15% of global GDP. "There’s a large gap between the high standards and binding commitments that are demanded of CPTPP members, and where China is currently at," he added. The other countries' applications also provide opportunities. "After modernising the Canada-Ukraine FTA this year, Canada knows that Ukraine is capable of meeting the high standards of the CPTPP," she said.

Persons: Charles Finny, CPTPP, Chris Hipkins, Shu Jueting, Penny Wong, Aidan Arasasingham, Joanne Ou, Roy Lee, Mary Ng, Lucy Craymer, Ben Blanchard, Joe Cash, Praveen Menon, Muralikumar Organizations: WELLINGTON, Trans, Pacific, New Zealand, Reuters, Centre, Strategic, International Studies, Washington DC, Thomson Locations: Pacific, Auckland, China, Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, Britain, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Ecuador, Ukraine, New, Beijing, Zealand, Jakarta, Taipei, CPTPP, Wellington

☆ Russia's war in Ukraine is a 'conflict of values,' says New Zealand prime minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailRussia's war in Ukraine is a 'conflict of values,' says New Zealand prime ministerChris Hipkins, prime minister of New Zealand, says it's "an attack on the values that we hold dear."

Persons: Chris Hipkins Locations: Ukraine, Zealand, New Zealand

☆ China and Taiwan loom large behind Ukraine at NATO summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —The presence of four Asia-Pacific leaders at the NATO summit this week suggests that Ukraine is not the only major security issue on the agenda of the European-North American defense alliance. For its part, China says Taiwan is an internal matter and it sees no role for countries in the region, let alone NATO members, to be interfering. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida waves before departing on a government plane on July 11, 2023, for the NATO summit. US President Joe Biden meets with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the Oval Office of the White House on June 13, 2023. “NATO is a regional alliance of Europe and North America, but the challenges we face are global,” he wrote, noting the summit invitations for the Pacific leaders.

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, ” Stoltenberg, ”, “, Wang Wenbin, Fumio Kishida, Yoon Suk Yeol, Anthony Albanese, Chris Hipkins, Fumio, Stoltenberg, Joe Biden, Kim Sun, Yoon, Alex Wong, Emmanuel Macron, Boris Pistorius Organizations: South Korea CNN, NATO, Foreign Affairs, Communist Party, Communist, Foreign, CNN, Japanese, Australian, New Zealand, Pacific ., Kyodo, US Institute of Peace, Pacific, White, South Korean, White House, NHK, Pacific . British, German Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Asia, Pacific, Ukraine, Beijing, China, Taiwan, Japan, Europe, South, Vilnius, Lithuania, “, lockstep, Paris, North American, France, Tokyo, North America, Guam, Canadian, American, Berlin

☆ New Zealand PM says 'tough conversations' with China better than no talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, July 7 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on Friday New Zealand will require continued engagement with China, its largest trading partner, but would disagree with Beijing in areas where it challenges New Zealand's national interests. "A strong, mature and complex relationship (with China) means we will have those tough conversations ... but I think it's better to be talking than not," Hipkins said in a speech at the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. New Zealand will continue to disagree with China on several issues, including human rights, but the path of engagement will be "open and honest", he said. The speech comes about a week after Hipkins' six-day visit to China, which included meetings with Xi Jinping, where the Chinese President said Beijing had always treated New Zealand as a "friend and partner". Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Alasdair Pal and Raju GopalakrishnanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, Hipkins, Xi, Renju Jose, Alasdair Pal, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: SYDNEY, New Zealand, New, New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Washington, Thomson Locations: China, Beijing, New Zealand, United States, Washington, Zealand, U.S, Sydney

☆ New Zealand, in recession and heading to polls, goes pragmatic on China trade
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WELLINGTON, July 3 (Reuters) - New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins trod a careful line on his first trip to China last week as leader, focusing on trade and economic opportunities but avoiding contentious issues such as human rights abuses in Xinjiang or security concerns. New Zealand has long been seen as the most conciliatory towards China among the Five Eyes security grouping, which includes Australia, the U.S., Britain and Canada. “(Hipkins's) visit certainly gave China a tick in the international legitimacy box and Beijing has gained at least as much from Hipkins' visit as New Zealand exporters,” Victoria University's Ayson said. New Zealand exporters were prominent in the visit with a delegation of 29 businesses travelling with the prime minister to China. The most recent polls from late May put a coalition of opposition parties National and Act ahead of a Labour-Green party coalition.

Persons: Chris Hipkins trod, Hipkins, Jacinda Ardern, ”, Robert Ayson, “ Hipkins, Nanaia Mahuta, Xi Jinping, University's Ayson, David Capie, Derek J, Grossman, Biden, Lucy Craymer, Lincoln Organizations: WELLINGTON, Zealand, Labour, Victoria University, Labour Party, Centre, Strategic Studies, National, Green, RAND Corp, Wellington, “, Thomson Locations: China, Xinjiang, Zealand, Australia, U.S, Britain, Canada, Hong Kong, Pacific, Taiwan Strait, Beijing, Hipkins, New Zealand, Auckland, United States, India, Russia, Washington

☆ New Zealand signs range of pacts with China
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/5] Chinese Premier Li Qiang and New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins shake hands during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 28, 2023. JADE GAO/Pool via REUTERSSYDNEY, June 28 (Reuters) - New Zealand said on Wednesday it had signed a range of cooperative arrangements with China on trade, agriculture, forestry, education, and science and innovation. New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Chinese Premier Li Qiang also discussed the Indo-Pacific region, tensions in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, Wellington said in a statement. Reporting by Lewis Jackson in Sydney, editing by Alasdair PalOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Li Qiang, Chris Hipkins, JADE, Lewis Jackson, Alasdair Pal Organizations: Zealand, of, People, JADE GAO, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Beijing, REUTERS SYDNEY, New Zealand, China, South, Sea, Taiwan Strait, Wellington, Sydney

☆ New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins under fire for bringing backup plane on China trip
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Isaac Yee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —New Zealand’s Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has been criticized for bringing a backup plane on his visit to China this week, with opposition leaders pointing to excess planet-warming emissions created in the middle of the climate crisis. A “backup aircraft” was “pre-positioned” in the Philippine capital Manila in case the primary aircraft carrying Hipkins and a trade delegation broke down, the spokesperson said. The leader of the opposition National Party Chris Luxon said Hipkins’ use of two planes wasn’t a good look environmentally, according to CNN affiliate Radio New Zealand (RNZ). The 757s are “around 30 years old, are nearing the end of their economic lives, and are due for replacement between 2028 and 2030,” Hipkins’ spokesperson said. Former New Zealand prime ministers have faced political embarrassment after their planes broke down on official trips.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, “, ”, National Party Chris Luxon, David Seymour, ” Seymour, Seymour, ” Hipkins, John Key, RNZ, Jacinda Ardern, Hipkins Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Zealand’s, CNN, National Party, Radio New Zealand, ACT Party, Ford, Defense Force, RNZAF, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Boeing, New Zealand Defense Force, Former New Zealand, RNZAF Boeing, Air Force Locations: Hong Kong, China, Philippine, Manila, India, Australia, Melbourne, Auckland, Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai

SYDNEY, June 27 (Reuters) - New Zealand's Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said on Tuesday she had a "very robust" discussion during an earlier meeting with her Chinese counterpart, as the leaders of the two countries prepare to meet. A report by the Australian newspaper said Mahuta received an "epic haranguing" and an "almighty dressing down" during a March meeting with China's foreign minister Qin Gang, in a potential sign of tensions in the relationship between New Zealand and its largest trading partner. "I would say that China is very assertive in the way that it conveys its interests," Mahuta told reporters on Tuesday, characterising the March meeting as "very robust". Mahuta did not elaborate further on the topics discussed in the meeting. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is currently leading a delegation to Beijing that arrived on Monday and includes some of New Zealand's biggest companies.

Persons: Nanaia Mahuta, Mahuta, Qin Gang, Chris Hipkins, Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Alasdair Pal, Michael Perry Organizations: SYDNEY, Zealand's, National People's Congress, Australia, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, China, Beijing, New, Sydney

☆ The prime minister of New Zealand flies in a 30-year-old plane and prepared a spare plane for his trip to China in case the old one breaks down
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

New Zealand's Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has readied a spare aircraft for an official visit to China — just in case the 30-year-old plane he's traveling in breaks down. Hipkins traveled to Beijing on Sunday in a Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757 with a business and trade delegation, as well as media. A New Zealand Air Force plane sits on the tarmac at Auckland Airport on May 21, 2023, preparing to take New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins to Papua New Guinea. The prime minister's spokesperson said using the air force plane is "far cheaper" than a commercial charter. In August, Defense Minister Peeni Henare and a 30-person delegation got stuck in the Solomon Islands after their plane broke down.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, Hipkins, China —, Nick Perry, David Seymour, Jacinda Ardern, Peeni Henare, John Key Organizations: Morning, Zealand's, Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing, Air Force, New Zealand Air Force, Auckland Airport, New Zealand, Associated, ACT, Boeing Locations: China, Beijing, Royal, Manila, Philippines, Darwin, Australia, Shanghai, Papua New Guinea, Zealand, Antarctica, Solomon Islands, India

☆ The New Zealand prime minister's plane is so old they sent an empty backup plane so he didn't get stranded in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

New Zealand uses Betty, an aging Boeing 757, to transport Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Betty's so prone to breakdowns that they sent an empty backup so he didn't get stranded in China. The twin Royal New Zealand Air Force planes are about 30 years old and due to be replaced by 2030. Back in New Zealand, acting Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni was left to explain. In 2016, then Prime Minister John Key was on his way to India with a delegation when they got stuck in Australia until a backup plane was sent from New Zealand.

Persons: Betty, Chris Hipkins, Chris Hipkins didn't, Carmel Sepuloni, John Key, Key, Sepuloni, David Seymour, We're Organizations: Boeing, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Morning, Air Force, ACT Locations: China, WELLINGTON , New Zealand, United States, New Zealand, Manila, Wellington, Beijing, India, Australia, Mumbai

☆ For New Zealand exporters, China both a target and a risk
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Wellington has historically taken a more conciliatory approach towards China than Australia or its other Five Eyes security partners. “Building of North Asia (markets) and the building of Southeast Asia (markets) is really, really crucial because it's de-risks that dependency,” Talbot said. CALLS FOR DIVERSIFICATIONThere is no expectation that New Zealand will stop selling to China. China needs the food and fibre that New Zealand produces and is prepared to pay for it. “China is going to be a really, really fundamental trading partner for this country for the foreseeable future,” Pete Chrisp, chief executive of government funded international business development agency New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, Jacinda Ardern, Xi Jinping, ”, Mathew Talbot, it's, ” Talbot, New Zealand Wang Xiaolong, “, ” Hipkins, Hipkins, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Xi, It's, Pete Chrisp, Lucy Craymer, Martin Quin Pollard, Lincoln Organizations: New Zealand, New, Alliance, National People’s, New Zealand Trade, Enterprise, Thomson Locations: China, Australia, New Zealand, Wellington, Asia, Southeast Asia, Zealand, North America, Beijing

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