Rappler's latest stories on New Zealand
Unpopular New Zealand health minister quits after coronavirus lapse
'It's essential our health leadership has the confidence of the New Zealand public," says Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
New Zealand to host APEC 2021 as cyber-summit
'We simply can't guarantee what will be possible by the end of next year... we need to provide certainty, as a host, about how we'll operate and that's what we've done,' New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says
New Zealand freezes assets of alleged Russian cyber criminal
Police say they acted after discovering funds belonging to Alexander Vinnik, who is in custody in France facing fraud charges, were being held in a New Zealand company
New Zealand shocked as policeman shot dead in rare attack
The officer is the first to die on duty after more than a decade in usually-peaceful New Zealand
New Zealand takes biggest economic hit in 29 years
New Zealand's gross domestic product shrinks 1.6% in the 1st quarter of 2020, the biggest fall since early 1991
New Zealand military to control borders after virus bungle
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says it was 'absolutely nonsensical' two women who recently arrived from Britain were not tested earlier, adding border controls needed to be tightened to prevent similar failures
New Zealand reports first new virus cases in 25 days
(UPDATED) Both new patients are recent arrivals from the United Kingdom
New Zealand cuts research to keep Antarctica virus free
Antarctica New Zealand says it is developing a managed isolation plan with multiple government agencies to ensure COVID-19 does not reach the continent
Eyeing U.S., New Zealand drops plans for armed police patrols
'It is clear through the course of the trial that armed response teams do not align well with the style of policing that New Zealanders expect,' Commissioner of Police Andrew Coster says
Joyful PM Ardern declares New Zealand virus victory
(UPDATED) 'We are confident we have eliminated transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now,' Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says in a televised address, saying Kiwis had 'united in unprecedented ways to crush the virus'
New Zealand PM chides Black Lives Matter marchers over virus rule breach
Jacinda Ardern is concerned that large crowds – estimated at about 2,000 in Auckland – could undermine New Zealand's success in fighting the virus
U.S. anti-racism protests stretch to distant New Zealand
Thousands in New Zealand march in solidarity with US protesters over the death of George Floyd
New Zealand PM unruffled as earthquake hits mid-interview
'Quite a decent shake here, if you see things moving behind me,' Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says, smiling
Glass only half full as New Zealand's bars reopen
A pub owner in New Zealand says bars and nightclubs will face a difficult time adjusting to an era of physical distancing and contact tracing
Jacinda Ardern surges in polls on Kiwi virus success
The survey indicates an overwhelming 91.6% backing for Ardern's COVID-19 response, which involved a strict seven-week lockdown that appears to have the virus under control
New Zealand's Ardern turned away from cafe under virus rules
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, her fiance Clarke Gayford, and their friends are turned away from a Wellington cafe because of social distancing rules
New Zealand boosts budget spending amid virus downturn
The COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund is the centerpiece of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's annual budget
Crewcuts and catch-ups as New Zealand lockdown ends
A long-awaited haircut is the top priority for many Kiwis after almost two months in isolation, with queues of tangle-headed customers forming at barbers before dawn
New Zealand to end coronavirus lockdown
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says that, from Thursday, shopping malls, restaurants, cinemas and playgrounds will reopen – with the country moving to Level Two on its four-tier system.
New Zealand has won a battle against virus transmission – Prime Minister
After nearly 5 weeks at the maximum Level Four restrictions – with only essential services operating – due to the coronavirus, New Zealand will move to Level Three late on Monday
New Zealand to ease coronavirus lockdown next week
Ardern says easing the lockdown would help the economy...with forecasts that unemployment could skyrocket to almost 26%
Resigned, fired: Health officials in other countries leave posts during pandemic
(UPDATED) A health minister goes out for a walk at the beach despite lockdown restrictions. Another collapses during a session with parliament. Who else are stepping down in the face of the pandemic?
New Zealand prime minister takes 20% pay cut as virus hits economy
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says her personal salary, those of her fellow ministers and of top public servants would be slashed by a fifth for 6 months
Australia, New Zealand flatten virus curve but keep lockdowns intact
'Patience has got to be our virtue here,' says Australia's PM, noting that countries like Singapore and South Korea had initial success against COVID-19 but saw a surge in new cases after travel and other restrictions were eased
Passengers from virus-infected cruise ship leave for Australia
Uruguay residents wave flags and clap their hands in their balconies as buses take the Australian and New Zealander cruise passengers to the airport
Police website crashes as Kiwis turn into shutdown snitches
Police commissioner Mike Bush says a website for reporting people breaking coronavirus lockdown rules opened on Sunday afternoon and received such heavy traffic that it temporarily crashed
Ferries, airports swamped as Kiwis rush home for virus lockdown
In response to the chaos at ferry terminals and airports, the New Zealand government grants a two-day extension until Friday for those returning home to self-isolate
Virus-hit Air New Zealand offered bailout
Under the deal, the government – which owns 52% of Air New Zealand – will extend up to NZ$900 million (US$515 million) of credit to the airline over the next two years
New Zealand decriminalizes abortion
'From now on abortions will be rightly treated as a health issue,' says New Zealand's justice minister
New Zealand unveils huge stimulus package to ease pandemic shock
The government says its NZ$12.1-billion stimulus package is the largest peacetime spending spree in modern New Zealand history
Air New Zealand to axe flights, jobs over coronavirus
On its long-haul network, Air New Zealand will be reducing its capacity by 85%. It is still unclear how many jobs would be affected.
New Zealand slashes rates as prime minister warns of recession
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the economic impact of the coronavirus on the country 'could be greater than the global financial crisis'
Muslims still feel unsafe a year after New Zealand massacre
The abuse experienced prior to the attacks on March 15 last year died down after the killings but appears to be on the rise again, with unease growing among the Muslim community amid ongoing vitriol and threats
New Zealand teen arrested after threat to mosque
The intimidating message made on an encrypted messaging app reportedly shows a man in a balaclava sitting in a car outside the Al Noor mosque accompanied by threatening text and a gun emoji
New Zealand confirms 1st coronavirus case
New Zealand is introducing strict travel bans on arrivals from Iran similar to those already imposed on arrivals from China
Jericho Cruz, Guam crushed by New Zealand in FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers
Bouyed by its statement win over defending champion Australia, New Zealand demolishes Jericho Cruz and Guam for a perfect start in the first window
New Zealander jailed for life over Briton's Tinder date murder
The 28-year-old is given a non-parole period of 17 years for strangling Grace Millane in December 2018 in a case that shocked New Zealand
Man suspected of killing wife, 3 children in Australia fire
Hannah Clarke dies in a Brisbane hospital just hours after her 3 children aged 3, 4 and 6 were found dead in the car on a suburban street
Pneumonia forces Elton John to cut short Auckland gig
The 72-year-old performer, who is suffering from walking pneumonia, struggles to sing while seated at a grand piano as he 'tearfully apologized' to fans
New Zealand PM Ardern calls for September election
Jacinda Ardern says Kiwis will go to the polls on September 19
No longer angry Serena glad to be back in New Zealand
Serena Williams will play in the Auckland WTA Classic for the first time since 2017, a time she was unaware she was pregnant with her daughter Alexis Olympia
New Zealand volcano death toll rises to 19
There were 47 people, mainly Australian tourists, on the island when it erupted
Tourists trampling on New Zealand's tranquility – report
The South Pacific nation has long marketed itself as '100% Pure' and 'clean and green', but has seen a huge growth in visitors in recent years
New Zealand observes silence as PM warns of long volcano probe
(UPDATED) Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern suspends a cabinet meeting and stands with head bowed to quietly reflect on the disaster
New Zealand eruption death toll rises to 18 as body search continues
(UPDATED) The death toll now stands at 18 after an Australian victim who had been repatriated to Sydney died in hospital almost a week after the deadly eruption
Divers search for remaining bodies from New Zealand volcanic eruption
(3rd UPDATE) They are focusing on an area where a body was seen floating in the water earlier in the week
New Zealand troops retrieve 6 bodies in daring volcano mission
An military team is dispatched to recover 8 bodies that remain on New Zealand's most active volcano, which sits semi-submerged 50 kilometers out to sea
New Zealand military set for risky mission to retrieve bodies from volcano
With the help of drone flights and helicopter pilots who were near the volcano immediately after the eruption, authorities have located 6 of the 8 bodies on the island
Eruption fears halt plans to get bodies off New Zealand volcano
The official death toll after Monday's explosion on White Island stands at 6, with police listing another 9 as missing, up from the previous figure of 8. It remains too hazardous for rescuers to travel there, however.
Heroism, devastation after deadly New Zealand volcano eruption
Amid questions over why tourists were allowed to visit the volcano, police announce a criminal investigation into the circumstances of the deaths and injuries
