WELLINGTON

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — A New Zealand court temporarily took away medical custody of a baby from his parents on Wednesday after they refused blood transfusions for him unless the blood came from donors who were unvaccinated against COVID-19. The court's ruling in favor of health authorities places the 4-month-old boy into the guardianship of authorities until after he undergoes an urgently needed heart operation and recovers. The parents' legal battle has been embraced by anti-vaccine groups, who gathered outside the courtroom this week as evidence was presented. Health authorities also said the unvaccinated donors wouldn't necessarily give them access to all the blood products they might need during the boy's surgery. Court rules prevent the baby and parents from being named.

A New Zealand court has temporarily taken away medical custody of a baby from his parents after they refused blood transfusions for him unless the blood comes from donors who are unvaccinated against COVID-19

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — New Zealand is launching a wide-ranging inquiry into whether it made the right decisions in battling COVID-19 and how it can better prepare for future pandemics. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Monday the coronavirus had posed the greatest threat to the nation's health and economy since World War II. She said now was an appropriate time to examine the government's response with the highest level of independent inquiry. Among the questions will be whether or not New Zealand took the right approach initially by imposing strict lockdowns and border quarantine restrictions in order to try and wipe out the virus entirely. Ardern said it was critical to detail what worked in its response to help the country through future pandemics.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — A woman who was extradited from South Korea this week after the bodies of her two children were found in abandoned suitcases made her first court appearance in New Zealand on Wednesday. The judge allowed it to be reported that the suspect was the children's mother, according to The New Zealand Herald. South Korean police say the woman was born in South Korea and later moved to New Zealand, where she gained citizenship. Immigration records show she returned to South Korea in 2018. Earlier this month, South Korean Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon issued an order for the woman to be extradited.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — Finland's leader says it must give more weapons and support to Ukraine to ensure it wins its war against Russia. “We need hard power when it comes to Ukraine,” Marin told reporters when asked what soft-power influence smaller countries like Finland and New Zealand could exert. “They need weapons, they need financial support, they need humanitarian support, and we need to also make sure that all the refugees fleeing from Ukraine are welcomed to Europe," Marin said. Since the war began, both Finland and Sweden have abandoned their longstanding policies of military nonalignment and applied to join NATO. Marin said the war felt very concrete for Finland due to the 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) border it shares with Russia.

Finland’s leader says it must give more weapons and support to Ukraine to ensure it wins its war against Russia

Finland’s leader says it must give more weapons and support to Ukraine to ensure it wins its war against Russia.

Finland's leader says it must give more weapons and support to Ukraine to ensure it wins its war against Russia. Prime Minister Sanna Marin made the comments Wednesday in Auckland on the first-ever visit by a Finnish prime minister to New Zealand and Australia. Among the aims of the visit are improving diplomatic relations and trade ties.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — A powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake jolted the Solomon Islands Tuesday afternoon, overturning tables and sending people racing for higher ground. There were no immediate reports of widespread damage or injuries, although Australia's prime minister said a roof at its High Commission had collapsed. Herming said the Solomon Islands, which is home to about 700,000 people, doesn't have any big high-rises that might be vulnerable to a quake. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially warned of possible hazardous waves for the region but later downgraded a tsunami warning as the threat passed. The Solomon Islands sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a arc along the Pacific Ocean rim where many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — A powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake rattled the Solomon Islands Tuesday afternoon, overturning tables and sending people racing for higher ground. An initial tsunami warning was withdrawn after the threat passed. Herming said the Solomon Islands, which is home to about 700,000 people, doesn't have any big high-rises that might be vulnerable to a quake. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially warned of possible hazardous waves for the region but later downgraded a tsunami warning as the threat passed. The Solomon Islands sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a arc along the Pacific Ocean rim where many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — A powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near the Solomon Islands Tuesday afternoon, triggering a tsunami warning. Hazardous waves are possible for islands in the region, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said, but it advised there was no wider tsunami threat expected. The earthquake may produce waves of up to 1 meter (3 feet) above tide levels for the Solomon Islands, the center said, and smaller waves for the coasts of Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. The Solomon Islands sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a arc along the Pacific Ocean rim where many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

A powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near the Solomon Islands on Tuesday afternoon, triggering a tsunami warning for nearby islands

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — A lobby group seeking to lower New Zealand's voting age from 18 to 16 won its appeal to the Supreme Court, which ruled Monday the current law amounts to age discrimination. However, changing New Zealand's voting age would require agreement from a 75% supermajority of lawmakers, and even proponents acknowledge they don't have the support to make it happen. Proponents are hopeful, though, that they can get the voting age lowered to 16 for local council elections as a first step, as that change requires only a regular majority of lawmakers. A number of countries are debating whether to lower their voting age. New Zealand's voting age was previously lowered from 21 to 20 in 1969, and then to 18 in 1974.

A lobby group seeking to lower New Zealand’s voting age from 18 to 16 has won its appeal to the Supreme Court, which says the current law amounts to age discrimination.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — A powerful underwater earthquake struck Friday off Tonga in the southern Pacific, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami advisory. The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude 7.3 quake was centered 211 kilometers (132 miles) east-southeast of Neiafu, Tonga, at a depth of 24.8 kilometers (15 miles). It predicted strong shaking but said the probability of serious damage or casualties was small. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami advisory, which is one step below a tsunami warning. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

A powerful underwater earthquake has struck off Tonga in the southern Pacific, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami advisory

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — Russia and China have again blocked plans supported by the European Union, the United States and 23 other nations to protect three vast stretches of ocean around Antarctica from most fishing. The U.S., which has been trying to find common ground with China, laid the blame for this year's disagreements squarely on Russia, which the U.S. said was undermining the group. The Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project said it was pleased the group had managed to agree on some measures around krill fishing. “While the krill conservation measure is a good first step, new evidence underscores that the best precautionary approach to Southern Ocean conservation couples ecosystem-based fishery management and marine protected areas,” said Andrea Kavanagh, director of the Project’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean work. Kostiantyn Demianenko, who led the Ukrainian delegation, last week told The Associated Press that Russia had no right to be at the table.

Russia and China have again blocked plans supported by the European Union, the United States and 23 other nations to protect three vast stretches of ocean around Antarctica from most fishing. Many nations have become frustrated at the ability of Russia — and, to a lesser extent, China — to effectively veto proposals, as the rules of the group require it reach consensus before taking action.

Ukrainian civilians and troops paint a picture of endurance and hardship as winter approaches.

Delegations from Russia and Ukraine are among those meeting in Australia this week to decide the future of Antarctica's pristine waters. Conservationists say new marine protected areas and rules to prevent overfishing are desperately needed, but that Russia could use its veto-like powers to once again block progress. Just this month, Russian bombing in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, partially destroyed Ukraine's Antarctic research center. He said that back home, Ukraine was trying to rebuild its National Antarctic Research Center in Kyiv, although ongoing drone attacks made that difficult. “Right now, Russia is blocking consensus on adoption of three MPA (marine protected area) proposals, but China is as well,” Medina said.

For the first time, New Zealand now has more female politicians than male after swearing in lawmaker Soraya Peke-Mason. Elsewhere, progress remains mixed.

The milestone places New Zealand among a half-dozen nations in the world that this year can claim at least 50% female representation in their parliaments, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — For the first time in New Zealand's history, a majority of lawmakers are women. With the resignation of another male lawmaker, it has tipped the balance in Parliament to 60 women and 59 men. “Whilst it's a special day for me, I think it's historic for New Zealand,” Peke-Mason told reporters. The milestone places New Zealand among a half-dozen nations in the world that this year can claim at least 50% female representation in their parliaments, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union. New Zealand has a history of strong female representation.

For the first time in New Zealand’s history, a majority of lawmakers are women.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — Farmers across New Zealand took to the streets on their tractors Thursday to protest government plans to tax cow burps and other greenhouse gas emissions, although the rallies were smaller than many had expected. Last week, the government proposed a new farm levy as part of a plan to tackle climate change. But some farmers argue the proposed tax would actually increase global greenhouse gas emissions by shifting farming to countries less efficient at making food. He said if the proposed tax and herd reductions went ahead, it would be ruinous to many farmers. The government had worked with farmers and other groups to try to come up with an emissions plan they could all live with.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — Is Shakespeare still relevant to today's students? But many have taken issue with the decision by Creative New Zealand, including Jacinda Ardern, the nation's prime minister — and former student thespian. The school programs, workshops and festivals have been run for about 30 years by the Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand. The center has been receiving about 30,000 New Zealand dollars ($17,000) each year from the arts council, about 10% of its overall budget. Ardern, meanwhile, said it would be wrong to extrapolate a wider comment on society from a single funding decision.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — Some 477 pilot whales have died after stranding themselves on two remote New Zealand beaches over recent days, officials say. None of the stranded whales could be refloated and all either died naturally or were euthanized in a “heartbreaking” loss, said Daren Grover, the general manager of Project Jonah, a nonprofit group which helps rescue whales. The Department of Conservation said 232 whales stranded themselves Friday at Tupuangi Beach and another 245 at Waihere Bay on Monday. The deaths come two weeks after about 200 pilot whales died in Australia after stranding themselves on a remote Tasmanian beach. Mass strandings of pilot whales are reasonably common in New Zealand, especially during the summer months.

Some 477 pilot whales have died after stranding themselves on two remote New Zealand beaches over recent days, officials say

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — Two of New Zealand's largest ski areas on Tuesday were placed into a type of bankruptcy proceeding following a disastrous winter season with barely any snow. The Tūroa and Whakapapa ski areas, which are both owned by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, entered what is called voluntary administration. The company laid off 135 workers in mid-August and currently employs about 196 people at the two ski areas. The poor snow season came after the previous two seasons were severely disrupted by COVID-19. The Tūroa ski area was forced to close for the season last week, three weeks earlier than planned.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — Solomon Islands agreed to sign an accord between the United States and more than a dozen Pacific nations only after indirect references to China were removed, the Solomon Islands foreign minister said Tuesday. His remarks represented the first time Solomon Islands has publicly acknowledged it had initial concerns about the agreement and expressed why it had a change of heart. He said the Solomon Islands security agreement with China was part of a national security strategy and there was no provision in it for China to build a military base, as some had feared. In Solomon Islands, gay and lesbian sex remain illegal. Manele said Solomon Islands was a young democracy.

The Solomon Islands foreign minister says his nation agreed to sign an accord between the United States and more than a dozen Pacific nations only after indirect references to China were removed.

Solomon Islands agreed to sign an accord between the United States and more than a dozen Pacific nations only after indirect references to China were removed, the Solomon Islands foreign minister said Tuesday. “There were some references that put us in a position where we’ll have to choose sides, and we did not want to be placed in a position where we have to choose sides,” Jeremiah Manele told reporters in Wellington.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — New Zealand on Monday marked the death of Queen Elizabeth II with a public holiday, a moment of silence and an official memorial service. The South Pacific nation is among 14 outside of the United Kingdom that continue to recognize the British monarch as their symbolic head of state. New Zealand had decided to wait until after last week's funeral in Britain to hold its own commemoration. “The overall sound was of cheering, swelling up again and again,” Ardern read. Ardern said this month that while she thinks New Zealand will eventually become a republic, her government won't pursue any moves toward that goal because it faces more pressing issues.

New Zealand has commemorated Queen Elizabeth II with a public holiday, a moment of silence and an official memorial service.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Monday that her government will not be pursuing any moves toward changing New Zealand to a republic following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Her comments represent the first time she has spoken about the New Zealand republic debate since Elizabeth's death, and reflect previous comments she has made on the issue. Under the current system, the British monarch remains New Zealand's head of state, represented in New Zealand by a governor-general. Many people in New Zealand have speculated in the past that the republic debate would gather momentum only after the death of Elizabeth, given how beloved she was by so many. Ardern also announced Monday that New Zealand would mark the death of Elizabeth with a public holiday on Sept. 26.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said her government will not be pursuing any moves toward changing New Zealand to a republic following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — New Zealand removed most of its remaining COVID-19 restrictions Monday as the government signaled a return to normalcy for the first time since the pandemic began. People will no longer be required to wear masks in supermarkets, stores, busses or planes. The last remaining vaccine mandates — on health care workers — will end. The end to government restrictions won't stop individual workplaces or stores imposing their own rules, although most people expect mask use to plummet as soon as the government restrictions end just before midnight Monday. New Zealand enjoyed initial success in fighting the pandemic, managing to eliminate the virus entirely after closing its borders and carefully contact-tracing cases.

New Zealand is removing most of its remaining COVID-19 restrictions as the government signals a return to normalcy for the first time since the pandemic began

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — At least three people are dead after a powerful earthquake hit a remote part of Papua New Guinea Sunday morning, authorities say. Others were injured and infrastructure damaged in the magnitude 7.6 jolt that was felt across the Pacific country. Masange said it could take some time to assess the full extent of the injuries and damage in the region. That quake hit areas that are remote and undeveloped, and assessments about the scale of the damage and injuries were slow to filter out. Papua New Guinea is located on the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, to the east of Indonesia and north of eastern Australia.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — Five people died Saturday in New Zealand after the small charter boat they were aboard capsized, authorities say, in what may have been a collision with a whale. Mackle said he’d thought in the past about the possibility of a boat and whale colliding, given the number of whales that frequent the region. Vanessa Chapman told Stuff she and a group of friends had watched the rescue efforts unfold from Goose Bay, near Kaikōura. She told Stuff that the person atop the boat was rescued and a second person appeared to have been pulled from the water. A number of businesses offer boat trips or helicopter rides so tourists can see whales, dolphins and other sea creatures up close.

Two people are reportedly dead and three more missing after a boat in New Zealand collided with a whale and capsized

That was the message East Timor President and Nobel Peace Prize winner José Ramos-Horta had Wednesday for those raising environmental concerns about his nation's proposal to build a new gas-processing plant. East Timor expects more economic benefit if the gas is piped to its south coast. A reporter asked how East Timor could justify the project given the climate impacts. ”The Europeans, Australia, the U.S., give us $100 billion and we give up on the Greater Sunrise development. Earlier Wednesday, Australia and East Timor signed a defense agreement aimed at increasing the military and security cooperation, especially along their shared maritime border.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — Australia said Tuesday its navy ships have been given clearance to resume visits to the Solomon Islands, which had last week announced a temporary block on all military vessels during a review of its approval processes. The HMS Spey withdrew its application to visit, Sogavare said. “The delay in these approvals demonstrate the need for the government to review and refine its approval requirements and procedures for visiting military vessels to Solomon Islands,” Sogavare said in a statement. The Solomon Islands did allow a visit last week by the U.S. hospital ship USNS Mercy to go ahead. Meanwhile, Wong angered Sogavare on Tuesday by publicly revealing that the Australian government had offered to help pay for Solomon Islands elections, which are due next year.

Australia says its navy ships have been given clearance to resume visits to the Solomon Islands, which had last week announced a temporary block on all military vessels during a review of its approval processes

Australia says its navy ships have been given clearance to resume visits to the Solomon Islands, which had last week announced a temporary block on all military vessels during a review of its approval processes.

On its 60th anniversary, a family-led Labor Day parade in Chicago's Lakeview area continues to cultivate community among children and adults.

The Wellington-Oakdale Old Glory Marching Society (WOOGMS) 2022 Labor Day parade in Chicago's East Lakeview.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — About 2,000 protesters upset with the government's pandemic response converged Tuesday on New Zealand's Parliament — but there was no repeat of the occupation six months ago in which protesters camped on Parliament grounds for more than three weeks. And police ensured a repeat was unlikely by closing streets, erecting barricades and banning protesters from bringing structures onto Parliament's grounds. The previous protest created significant disruptions in the capital and ended in chaos as retreating protesters set fire to tents and hurled rocks at police. This time there was also a counter-protest, with several hundred people gathering in front of Parliament as the main march entered the grounds. Many of the protesters said they were hoping that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern would get voted out in next year's election.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — About 2,000 protesters upset with the government's pandemic response converged Tuesday on New Zealand's Parliament — but there was no repeat of the occupation six months ago in which protesters camped on Parliament grounds for more than three weeks. And police ensured a repeat was unlikely by closing streets, erecting barricades and banning protesters from bringing structures onto Parliament's grounds. The previous protest created significant disruptions in the capital and ended in chaos as retreating protesters set fire to tents and hurled rocks at police. This time there was also a counter-protest, with several hundred people gathering in front of Parliament as the main march entered the grounds. Many of the protesters said they were hoping that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern would get voted out in next year's election.

About 2,000 protesters upset with the government’s pandemic response converged on New Zealand’s Parliament — but it appeared there would be no repeat of the action six months ago in which protesters camped out on Parliament grounds for more than three weeks.

Police in New Zealand say a family who bought abandoned goods from a storage unit discovered the bodies of two children hidden in suitcases

Heavy rain is continuing to pelt New Zealand, causing further disruptions and road closures from a storm that has already forced hundreds to evacuate their homes

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — Heavy rain continued to pelt New Zealand on Thursday, causing further disruptions and road closures from a storm that has already forced hundreds of people to evacuate their homes. Residents in the northern part of North Island found themselves isolated after landslides, fallen trees and floodwaters blocked highway access. The stormy weather also forced some schools to close, airlines to cancel flights and business to shutter. About 230 homes in the town of Nelson were evacuated Wednesday and remained off-limits overnight after the Maitai River flooded. "That’s how fast it happens.”Another 160 homes in the town of Westport were also temporarily evacuated with residents later allowed to return.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — New Zealand on Friday welcomed the first cruise ship to return since the coronavirus pandemic began, signaling a long-sought return to normalcy for the nation's tourism industry. New Zealand closed its borders in early 2020 as it sought at first to eliminate COVID-19 entirely and then later to control its spread. Many in the cruise industry question why it took so long. Because if we don't, we know the consequences are dire.”Not everybody is happy with the return of tourists. “I see markets like the United States being a really important market for New Zealand,” he said.

New Zealand has welcomed the first cruise ship to return since the coronavirus pandemic began, signaling a long-sought return to normalcy for the nation’s tourism industry.

New Zealand Sherman Visit U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, left, hands New Zealand Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash a NASA t-shirt Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, during an agreement-signing event in Wellington, New Zealand. The United States is doubling down on its investment in the Pacific, said Sherman on Tuesday as she concluded a five-nation visit to the region. (AP Photo/Nick Perry) (Nick Perry)WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — The United States is doubling down on its investment in the Pacific, said U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on Tuesday as she concluded a five-nation visit to the region. “The future will be written here in the Pacific,” Sherman said at an agreement-signing event in New Zealand's capital, Wellington. “And so we are doubling down on our investment here in the Pacific,” Sherman said.

A Japanese sailor has been attacked in the Solomon Islands during a World War II memorial service that was also attended by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman

New Zealand Climate Plan FILE - New Zealand's Climate Change Minister James Shaw speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in his office in Wellington, New Zealand, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Sam James, File) (Sam James)WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — New Zealand's government on Wednesday released its first-ever climate adaptation plan, which includes the possibility of moving some communities to higher ground. Climate Change Minister James Shaw told reporters that about 70,000 coastal homes in New Zealand were at risk from rising seas, and many more inland homes were at risk from flooding rivers. He said New Zealand had been slow to adapt to climate change, which would end up costing more money over time. “We had to start somewhere.”The National Adaptation Plan includes the possible relocation of low-lying homes and assets as rising seas and increased storms make flooding more common.

New Zealand’s government has released its first-ever climate adaptation plan, which includes the possibility of moving some communities to higher ground.

CBS News elections and surveys director Anthony Salvanto joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss the Battleground Tracker's estimates on House control for the 2022 midterm elections.

New Zealand’s government has declared American far-right groups the Proud Boys and The Base are terrorist organizations, making it illegal in New Zealand to fund, recruit or participate in them.

Australia and China are continuing their tit-for-tat diplomatic rivalry in the Pacific as the foreign ministers from each country pay separate visits to island nations.

Seven people on two small boats that drifted for days in the Pacific have been rescued after a New Zealand plane spotted them near the remote island nation of Kiribati.

New Zealand will help pay for lower-income families to scrap their old gas guzzlers and replace them with cleaner hybrid or electric cars as part of a sweeping plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Using a helicopter to catch a falling rocket is such a complex task that Peter Beck likens it to a “supersonic ballet.”.

New Zealand has begun welcoming back tourists from the U.S., Canada, Britain, Japan and more than 50 other countries for the first time in more than two years after dropping most of its remaining pandemic border restrictions.

Seeking to counter fears over its new security alliance with China, the Solomon Islands says it won’t allow China to build a military base there.

New Zealand will remove many of its COVID-19 pandemic mandates over the next two weeks as an omicron outbreak begins to wane.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approved $800 million in the state’s budget to increase teacher pay.

Samoa has reported scores of new COVID-19 cases daily since detecting its first case of community transmission last week.

New Zealand police say they will review hours of cellphone footage taken by themselves, the media and the public to identify lawbreakers.

The number of cars and trucks blocking the streets outside New Zealand’s Parliament was thinning Friday, but more protesters were expected to arrive for the weekend, including some by boat.

Police in New Zealand's capital say a protester drove a car toward a police line, narrowly avoiding officers, and other protesters sprayed officers with a stinging substance.

New Zealand’s prime minister says protesters who oppose coronavirus mandates are using “intimidation and harassment,” as the convoy of demonstrators continues to disrupt the capital of Wellington.

Police arrested dozens of protesters camping on the grounds of New Zealand's Parliament on the third day of a protest against coronavirus mandates.

Hundreds of people protesting vaccine and mask mandates drove in convoy to New Zealand’s capital and converged outside Parliament as lawmakers reconvened after a summer break.

New Zealand’s government will end its quarantine requirements for incoming travelers and reopen its borders.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she is self-isolating after coming into close contact with a person infected with the coronavirus.

Kiribati and several other small Pacific nations were among the last on the planet to have avoided any virus outbreaks, thanks to their remote locations and strict border controls.

Dozens of former guests from New Zealand, Australia, the U.S. and elsewhere are raising money to help the owners of the Ha’atafu Beach Resort in Tonga after it was destroyed by a tsunami.

Amazon’s “The Lord of the Rings” series has forged a name for itself.

The eruption of the undersea volcano near Tonga over the weekend was incredibly explosive but also relatively brief.

Keri Hulme, the New Zealander whose 1984 debut novel The Bone People won the Man Booker Prize, has died.

New Zealand will reopen its borders to the world over the coming months, allowing for the return of displaced residents from January and tourists from April.

Bars, restaurants and gyms can reopen in Auckland from early December but customers will be required to show proof they’ve been fully vaccinated.

Young people living in Pacific Rim countries want to see more ambition from their leaders when it comes to tackling climate change and to see money devoted to a shared fund to prepare for future pandemics.

The lockdown of New Zealand’s largest city is likely to end later this month, with some coronavirus restrictions being eased Tuesday.

Authorities say at least 98 people are dead and 30 others critically wounded after an oil tanker truck exploded near Sierra Leone's capital.

A New Zealand couple have unearthed a huge potato that is quite possibly the largest on record.

The first person to fly across New Zealand’s Cook Strait in an electric plane says he did so with plenty of battery power to spare.

New Zealand’s government has set an ambitious target of fully vaccinating 90% of all eligible people to end coronavirus lockdowns.

New Zealand counted its most new coronavirus cases of the pandemic as an outbreak in its largest city grew and officials urged vaccinations as a way out of Auckland’s two-month lockdown.

New Zealand’s government has acknowledged what most other countries did long ago: It can no longer completely get rid of the coronavirus.

The southern winter that just ended in New Zealand was the warmest ever recorded, and scientists say climate change is driving temperatures ever higher.

The Islamic State-inspired extremist who attacked shoppers in a New Zealand supermarket had been fighting deportation for immigration fraud, leaving the nation’s leader expressing frustration at the process.

New Zealand’s government says it's extending a strict nationwide lockdown until at least Friday as it tries to extinguish a growing coronavirus outbreak.

New Zealand has detected its first community transmission of the coronavirus in months, triggering urgent meetings among top lawmakers.

New Zealand has long been associated with “The Lord of the Rings” but with the filming of a major new television series suddenly snatched away, the nation has become more like Mordor than the Shire for hundreds of workers.

New Zealand plans to begin a cautious reopening of its borders to international travelers early next year.

Only 26 people in New Zealand have died from the coronavirus since the pandemic began, after the nation of 5 million managed to completely stamp out its spread.