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Villagers watch the sunset over a small lagoon near the village of Tangintebu on South Tarawa in the central Pacific island nation of Kiribati May 25, 2013. CHINESE INTEREST AS WESTERN BANKS EXIT"The proposed World Bank project is a creative way of addressing the challenge of de-risking and small scale in Pacific Island countries," said Lalita Moorty, the World Bank's East Asia and Pacific director for prosperity. Without access to overseas banks, Pacific countries would struggle to receive remittances - a key component of their economies - welcome holidaymakers or trade with the wider world. "It can create instability for the financial system," said Denton Rarawa, senior economics adviser at the Pacific Islands Forum. "What we're saying is that if you're not going to address concerns and issues we have, Pacific countries will start looking elsewhere for support."

Persons: David Gray, Solomon, Lalita Moorty, Denton Rarawa, Mark Brown, Janet Yellen, Ariff Ali, Lewis Jackson, Lucy Craymer, Ziyi Tang, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Villagers, WELLINGTON, Bank, U.S, Pacific Islands, World Bank, Pacific, ANZ Bank, Westpac, Bendigo Bank, Bank of China, Reuters, Cook, U.S . Treasury, Federal Reserve, Reserve Bank of Fiji, Thomson Locations: Tangintebu, South, Pacific, Kiribati, SYDNEY, Australia, China, Washington, Nauru, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Beijing, U.S, East Asia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, Brisbane, Pacific Islands, Sydney, Wellington

☆ 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

☆ U.S. Needs to Work With Greater Intensity in the Pacific - NZ for Min
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

“Pillar two (of AUKUS) is the examination we're going to look at beginning tonight and tomorrow and going forward," he told Reuters in an interview. New Zealand has had a nuclear free policy since the 1980s and there has been no indication this will change. Peters also said the U.S. had neglected the Pacific since the Second World War, and that had created a vacuum that others had filled. "They've have certainly upped their game, but they need to work with greater intensity on the immediate problems at the ground level of many of the island nations,” he said. Peters did not mention China by name, but jostling between Washington and Beijing for influence in the Pacific has increased in recent years over issues including security, defence, aid and infrastructure.

Persons: Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Winston Peters, Peters, ”, Lucy Craymer, Lincoln Organizations: Reuters, Foreign, Pacific Locations: New Zealand, Australia, Britain, U.S, Washington, Wellington, “, China, Beijing

☆ New Zealand Withdraws Bill Allowing 16-Year-Olds to Vote in Local Body Elections
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Lucy CraymerWELLINGTON (Reuters) - The New Zealand government on Friday withdrew a bill that would have allowed sixteen year olds to vote in local government elections if it had passed. New Zealand's highest court ruled in late 2022 that the country's current voting age of 18 was discriminatory, forcing parliament to discuss whether it should be lowered. The previous Labour government last year ruled out the possibility of lowering the voting age to 16 for national elections, but had sought to legislate a lower voting age for local government elections. "Worrying about how to implement a new voting age regime would be a costly distraction for councils who have enough issues to deal with right now," he said. "Democracy is when voters choose their politicians, not when politicians choose their voters," they said in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Persons: Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Simeon Brown, Lucy Craymer, Lincoln Organizations: Reuters, New, Friday, Labour, Local, National Party, Twitter Locations: 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

☆ New Zealand Green Party Parliamentarian Resigns Over Shoplifting Allegations
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Lucy CraymerWELLINGTON (Reuters) - A New Zealand Green Party parliamentarian resigned on Monday after it was alleged by media she had shoplifted at high end local boutiques on at least three occasions. It’s not a behaviour I can explain because it’s not rational in any way, and after medical evaluation, I understand I’m not well," her statement said. New Zealand Police said in a statement they were investigating an incident at a Ponsonby store in December but would not give any other details. Ghahraman said that she thanked Scotties Boutique for their kindness and empathy. Green Party co-leader James Shaw said that while parliament was a stressful place for everybody, Ghahraman had a particularly difficult time as she had received numerous threats from members of the public since arriving in office.

Persons: Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Golriz Ghahraman, Ghahraman, James Shaw, Lucy Craymer, Sonali Paul Organizations: Reuters, Zealand Green Party, Local, Wellington . New Zealand Police, Ponsonby, Boutique, Green Party Locations: Ponsonby, Auckland, Cre8iveworkz, Wellington .

☆ New Zealanders gather across country to protest new policies
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] People take part in a march lead by New Zealand political party Te Pati Maori to demonstrate against the incoming government and its policies, in Wellington, New Zealand, December 5, 2023. The protest action was called for by political party Te Pati Maori and coincides with the opening of New Zealand's 54th parliament. "This is not a protest, this is an activation," Te Pati Maori co-leader Rawiri Waititi told Wellington protesters who marched through the city to the country's distinctive Beehive parliament building. New Zealand police said there had been traffic disruptions but the protests were peaceful and there were no arrests. David Seymour, leader of libertarian party ACT New Zealand, said in a statement the protest was just theatrics when New Zealanders just want their government to get on with fixing the many issues the country is dealing with.

Persons: Te Pati, Lucy Craymer, Rawiri Waititi, Kathy Hughes, Hughes, David Seymour, Britain's King Charles III, Te Pati Maori's, King Charles, Sandra Maler Organizations: New Zealand, REUTERS, Rights, National Party, New Zealand First, ACT New Zealand, Labour Party, Wellington, police, New, Thomson Locations: New, Wellington , New Zealand, New Zealand's, Wellington, Zealanders, Waitangi, Lincoln

☆ New Zealand's central bank defends Maori language use
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) Governor Adrian Orr is pictured during an interview at the bank in Wellington, New Zealand, April 16, 2019. REUTERS/Charlotte Greenfield/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWELLINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - New Zealand’s central bank chief defended its use of the Maori language in official communications on Wednesday, as the country’s new centre-right government looks to roll back the use of the Indigenous language in the public sector. Central bank governor Adrian Orr said at a media conference following the bank’s monetary policy meeting that it was proud of its Maori name "Te Putea Matua" and would continue to use it in addition to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ). Over the past few years, the RBNZ has undergone an overhaul that puts the country's Maori heritage and language at the centre of its operations. The government has not released specific details on the policies and it is unclear whether they would directly impact the central bank.

Persons: Adrian Orr, Charlotte Greenfield, Orr, Christopher Luxon's, Luxon, Lucy Craymer, Sam Holmes Organizations: Bank of New Zealand, REUTERS, Rights, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Labour, New Zealand, prudential, Thomson Locations: Wellington , New Zealand, Central, Te Ao

☆ New Zealand's new government sworn in, parliament expected to open next week
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Christopher Luxon, Leader of the National Party speaks to supporters at his election party after winning the general election to become New Zealand’s next prime minister in Auckland, New Zealand, October 14, 2023. REUTERS/David Rowland/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWELLINGTON, Nov 27 (Reuters) - New Zealand’s new right-of-centre government was sworn in on Monday, with parliament expected to sit next week and begin working on new policies including a new central bank mandate and lifting a ban on oil and gas exploration. The New Zealand Green Party on Monday launched a petition to keep the ban on oil and gas exploration. “We ask everyone to stand with us to tell this government that the oil and gas ban has to stay,” Green Party co-leader James Shaw said in a statement. The Green Party has said they will re-introduce a ban on new sources of fossil fuels when they return to government.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, David Rowland, Cindy Kiro, King Charles III, Luxon, TVNZ’s 1News, “ We’ve, we’ve, ”, James Shaw, Lucy Craymer, Lincoln Organizations: National Party, New, REUTERS, Rights, National, Government House, Wellington ., ACT New Zealand, New Zealand, Zealand Green Party, Monday, ” Green Party, Green Party, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, British, New, Wellington, New Zealand

☆ New Zealand's New Government Sworn In, Parliament Expected to Open Next Week
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Lucy CraymerWELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand’s new right-of-centre government was sworn in on Monday, with parliament expected to sit next week and begin working on new policies including a new central bank mandate and lifting a ban on oil and gas exploration. “We’ve got the team, we’ve got the ideas, we’ve got a clear policy program for the next three years,” he said. The New Zealand Green Party on Monday launched a petition to keep the ban on oil and gas exploration. “We ask everyone to stand with us to tell this government that the oil and gas ban has to stay,” Green Party co-leader James Shaw said in a statement. The Green Party has said they will re-introduce a ban on new sources of fossil fuels when they return to government.

Persons: Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Cindy Kiro, King Charles III, Christopher Luxon, Luxon, TVNZ’s 1News, “ We’ve, we’ve, ”, James Shaw, Lucy Craymer, Lincoln Organizations: Reuters, National, Government House, Wellington ., ACT New Zealand, New Zealand, Zealand Green Party, Monday, ” Green Party, Green Party Locations: British, New, Wellington, New Zealand

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters arrives at a news conference after he attended an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Turkey, March 22, 2019. The role of deputy prime minister, a key sticking point in the discussions, will be split between the populist NZ First party leader Winston Peters and ACT party leader David Seymour, the group announced in a statement. National Party deputy leader Nicola Willis will be finance minister and Peters will be foreign minister, the parties said. The coalition plans to repeal a ban on offshore oil and gas exploration and a ban on the sale of cigarettes to future generations introduced by the previous Labour government, according to coalition documents. "Foreign affairs does matter to this country.... all relationships do matter to this country," Peters said in a joint news conference in the capital Wellington after the announcement.

Persons: Winston Peters, Murad Sezer, David Seymour, Nicola Willis, Peters, Christopher Luxon, Luxon, ” Luxon, Jacinda, Helen Clark, Lucy Craymer, Praveen Menon, Diane Craft Organizations: Zealand's, of Islamic Cooperation, REUTERS, ACT NZ, National Party, NZ First, ACT, Party, Reserve, New Zealand, Bank of New, Labour, “, New Zealanders, Police, Thomson Locations: Istanbul, Turkey, WELLINGTON, Bank of New Zealand, Wellington, Niue

WELLINGTON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - New Zealand's National Party said on Thursday it has reached an agreement with ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First to form a government, ending weeks of negotiations and political uncertainty with the country under a caretaker government. The center-right National Party won the largest share of votes in New Zealand's Oct. 14 general election but needed the support of both right-wing ACT New Zealand and the populist New Zealand First parties to form a majority government. "I'm very pleased to announce that we're in a position where we've concluded negotiations with the respective parties. Christopher Luxon, leader of New Zealand's National Party waves to supporters at his election party after winning the general election in Auckland, New Zealand, October 14, 2023. The conservative National Party won over voters by promising relief for struggling middle-income New Zealanders, and to bring historically high inflation under control while reducing the country's debt.

Persons: we've, Christopher Luxon, David Rowland, Winston Peters, Act's David Seymour, Lucy Craymer, Renju Jose, Stephen Coates Organizations: WELLINGTON, National Party, ACT New, New Zealand, ACT New Zealand, New, National, REUTERS, NZ, Zealanders, Labour, Thomson Locations: ACT New Zealand, New, Auckland , New Zealand, New Zealanders

☆ New Zealand's National Party Reaches Deal to Form Government
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand's National Party has reached an agreement with ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First to form a government, and the final signoff could be done later on Thursday, the leaders said. The conservative National Party won the largest share of votes in New Zealand's Oct. 14 general election but needed the support of both right-wing ACT New Zealand and the populist New Zealand First Parties to form a majority government. The statement did not include details of any ministerial appointments or the incoming government's policy priorities. Currently, the government is being operated by the former Labour government, which is operating in caretaker mode. (Reporting by Lucy Craymer and Renju Jose; Editing by Jamie Freed and Stephen Coates)

Persons: Christopher Luxon, ACT's David Seymour, New Zealand First's Winston Peters, Lucy Craymer, Renju Jose, Jamie Freed, Stephen Coates Organizations: WELLINGTON, Reuters, National Party, ACT New, New Zealand, ACT New Zealand, Zealand, Labour Locations: ACT New Zealand, New

☆ New Zealand PM-elect says 'significant milestone' reached in forming govt
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Christopher Luxon, leader of New Zealand's National Party waves to supporters at his election party after winning the general election in Auckland, New Zealand, October 14, 2023. REUTERS/David Rowland/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWELLINGTON, Nov 20 (Reuters) - New Zealand's Prime Minister elect Christopher Luxon said on Monday that a "significant milestone" had been achieved in forming a government overnight with the National Party, ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First agreeing on policy programmes. National won the largest share of votes in New Zealand's Oct. 14 general election but needs both NZ First and ACT to form a government. Luxon told reporters in Auckland that National had agreed their policy programmes with ACT and NZ First. Luxon said he did not expect that to take too long, and discussions would focus on these decisions this afternoon.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, David Rowland, Luxon, Newshub, Lucy Craymer, Miral Organizations: New, National, REUTERS, Rights, Zealand's, National Party, ACT New, New Zealand, NZ First, ACT, NZ, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, ACT New Zealand, New, Auckland

☆ New Zealand PM-Elect Says 'Significant Milestone' Reached in Forming Govt
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand's Prime Minister elect Christopher Luxon said on Monday that a "significant milestone" had been achieved in forming a government overnight with the National Party, ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First agreeing on policy programmes. National won the largest share of votes in New Zealand's Oct. 14 general election but needs both NZ First and ACT to form a government. Luxon told reporters in Auckland that National had agreed their policy programmes with ACT and NZ First. Website Newshub reported that Luxon said he was very relieved to have finished that part of the coalition talks. Luxon said he did not expect that to take too long, and discussions would focus on these decisions this afternoon.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, Luxon, Newshub, Lucy Craymer, Miral Fahmy Organizations: WELLINGTON, Reuters, Zealand's, National Party, ACT New, New Zealand, National, NZ First, ACT, NZ Locations: ACT New Zealand, New, Auckland

☆ New Zealand house prices dip in October, sales activity steadily improving -REINZ
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Residential houses can be seen along a road in a suburb of Auckland in New Zealand, June 24, 2017. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWELLINGTON, Nov 16 (Reuters) - New Zealand house prices fell slightly in October but sales activity is showing a steady improvement on 2022, the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) said on Thursday. Seasonally adjusted median house prices fell 0.9% in October compared with September, and were down 2.8% from a year earlier, REINZ data showed. Seasonally adjusted national home sales volumes fell 10.7% from September but were up 4.0% from October 2022. “Many vendors and buyers are showing confidence that it’s a better time to sell now and a good time to buy,” she said.

Persons: David Gray, Jen Baird, ”, Lucy Craymer, Chris Reese Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Real Estate Institute, New Zealand, REINZ, Thomson Locations: Auckland, New Zealand

☆ Puking bird wins New Zealand bird competition after John Oliver campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WELLINGTON, Nov 15 (Reuters) - The puteketeke, a bird that pukes, grunts, growls and has bizarre mating rituals, won New Zealand’s bird of the century title in a competition where American-British comedian John Oliver's involvement has ruffled some local feathers. The Bird of the Year competition - billed Bird of the Century in 2023 to celebrate environmental organisation Forest & Bird’s centenary - is an annual event where people vote on their favourite New Zealand bird. In 2023, the American-British comedian Oliver exploited a loophole in the system that allows anyone to vote from anywhere for a bird. We’re stoked to see the outpouring of passion, creativity and debate that this campaign has ignited,” said Nicola Toki, chief executive of competition organiser Forest & Bird. Following news that Oliver’s pick had beaten out the competition, New Zealand’s prime minister-elect congratulated him on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Persons: John Oliver's, Oliver, puteketeke, Jimmy Fallon, stoked, ”, Nicola Toki, Toki, Lucy Craymer, Michael Perry Organizations: WELLINGTON, Bird’s, New, Forest, Twitter, Thomson Locations: British, Zealand, American, New Zealanders

That pushed net profit from the bank's institutional unit up 53% to overtake its retail unit, by dollar value, in the year to September, and helped the Melbourne-listed company grow overall profit 14% to A$7.4 billion ($4.7 billion), just missing a Visible Alpha consensus forecast of A$7.56 billion. But analysts expressed concern about a faster-than-expected narrowing of profit margin from the bank's retail unit, the only one of Australia's so-called big four lenders that has persisted with offering cash handouts to lure mortgage customers looking for a cheaper deal. The logo of the ANZ Bank is seen at Lambton Quay, in Wellington, New Zealand November 10, 2022. ANZ CEO Shayne Elliott denied forgoing margin to grow mortgages faster than the market, and challenged comments from other banks that have said they were intentionally slowing mortgage growth while competition eroded profit. ANZ declared a final dividend of 94 Australian cents per share, up from 74 cents a year ago.

Persons: NIM, Lucy Craymer, Shayne Elliott, we've, Byron Kaye, Rishav Chatterjee, Roushni Nair, Lisa Shumaker, Stephen Coates Organizations: ANZ, Westpac, National Australia Bank, midsession, ANZ Bank, REUTERS, UBS, Thomson Locations: Melbourne, Lambton Quay, Wellington , New Zealand, Sydney, Bengaluru

☆ Australia's ANZ sinks as record annual profit falls short of market forecasts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Rishav Chatterjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of the ANZ Bank is seen at Lambton Quay, in Wellington, New Zealand November 10, 2022. The banking group's Aussie commercial business recorded 11% revenue growth over the year with lending rising to record high of A$62 billion. ANZ intends to expand its commercial business with focus on its currency and payment sites while reducing costs, it said. ANZ declared a final dividend of 94 Australian cents apiece, up from 74 Australian cents apiece announced a year ago. ANZ, however flagged that the external environment will likely remain challenging adding that higher interest rates will impact economic activity as it sees "another year of cost-of-living pressures."

Persons: Lucy Craymer, Azib Khan, Rishav Chatterjee, Roushni Nair, Grant McCool, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: ANZ Bank, REUTERS, ANZ, Citi, P Capital, Suncorp, Thomson Locations: Lambton Quay, Wellington , New Zealand, Australia, Bengaluru

☆ New Zealand Prime Minister-elect unlikely to attend APEC as coalition talks continue
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Christopher Luxon, leader of New Zealand's National Party waves to supporters at his election party after winning the general election in Auckland, New Zealand, October 14, 2023. REUTERS/David Rowland//File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWELLINGTON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - New Zealand’s Prime Minister-elect Christopher Luxon said on Monday that it was unlikely he would attend the APEC meeting in San Francisco later this week as coalition negotiations are ongoing. Luxon told 1News that he does not expect to attend APEC as "good progress" is being made by the two parties and he wants to ensure negotiations conclude and a government is formed. I think that's why it's unlikely I'll head out to APEC on Wednesday evening," he said. If Luxon does not attend APEC, New Zealand will send a representative from both the caretaker government and a National Party member.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, David Rowland, Luxon, 1News, Lucy Craymer, Diane Craft Organizations: New, National, REUTERS, Rights, Zealand’s, APEC, National Party, ACT New Zealand, New Zealand, Labour, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, San Francisco, Zealand, New Zealand

☆ Company that managed NZ White Island volcano, where 22 died in eruption, found guilty of safety breaches
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An aerial view of the Whakaari, also known as White Island volcano, in New Zealand, December 12, 2019. Following the explosion on White Island, also known as Whakaari, the workplace regulator charged 13 parties in November 2020. Whakaari Management Ltd and the other entities, excluding Inflight Charters which had already been sentenced, are expected to be sentenced next year. Lawyers for Whakaari Management Ltd did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication. White Island is an active volcano, which lies around 50 km (31 miles) offshore from the town of Whakatane on the east coast of North Island.

Persons: Jorge Silva, Evangelos Thomas, Thomas, WML, Lucy Craymer, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Whakaari Management Ltd, Whakaari Management, Zealand, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, White, Whakatane, North, Australia, U.S, Malaysia

☆ New Zealand's Prime Minister-elect Luxon says coalition negotiations continue
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Christopher Luxon, Leader of the National Party waves to supporters at his election party after winning the general election to become New Zealand’s next prime minister in Auckland, New Zealand, October 14, 2023. REUTERS/David Rowland/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWELLINGTON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - New Zealand’s Prime Minister-elect Christopher Luxon said on Wednesday that negotiations were ongoing with potential coalition partners ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First, as the country awaits final results of the general election. Luxon’s conservative National Party and preferred coalition partner ACT won a one-seat majority in the general election Oct. 14. However, this majority could be eroded after special votes are counted and final results are released Nov. 3. He said once special votes are counted, the parties will move quickly to form a government.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, David Rowland, ” Luxon, Lucy Craymer, Rod Nickel Organizations: National Party, New, REUTERS, Rights, Zealand’s, ACT New, New Zealand, ACT, Labour, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, ACT New Zealand, New, Zealand

☆ Inquiry into New Zealand's deadliest shooting opens with memorial to victims
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Women react as the national anthem is played during the national remembrance service for victims of the mosque attacks, at Hagley Park in Christchurch, New Zealand March 29, 2019. Armed with high-capacity semi-automatic weapons, Brenton Tarrant, 32, killed 51 people and injured dozens when he opened fire in two mosques on March 15, 2019, in Christchurch. Tarrant released a racist manifesto shortly before the attack and streamed the shootings live on Facebook. Before the first witness appeared, a video was played with photos and memories of all those who died. The start of the inquiry was then dedicated to the events on the day and how emergency services responded.

Persons: Edgar Su, Brenton Tarrant, Tarrant, “, Brigitte Windley, Windley, ”, Lucy Craymer, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Facebook, New, Thomson Locations: Hagley, Christchurch , New Zealand, Australian, Christchurch, New Zealand

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