New Zealand

Qantas Airways saw a sharp turnaround in its freight division as the lack of international flights created a temporary shortage of cargo space due to increased demand.
Transportation

Qantas and Air New Zealand see recovery despite 1H losses

National carriers say international travel to be down even after borders reopen

25 February 2021
Women embrace as they attend the 10th-anniversary memorial service in Christchurch, New Zealand, on February 22.
Natural disasters

New Zealand marks 10 years since Christchurch quake

6.3-magnitude temblor in 2011 killed 185 people and injured thousands

22 February 2021
Government debt is now extremely cheap, with nominal and real interest rates on the sovereign debt of high-income economies at staggeringly low levels. (Source photo by Getty Images) 
The World Ahead

Five powerful forces will affect the world in 2025: Martin Wolf

Tech, inequality, debt, de-globalization and political stress to remain decisive

16 December 2020
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, left, and her new foreign minister, Nanaia Mahuta, face an increasingly challenging diplomatic landscape.
International relations

Australia-China divide forces New Zealand to 'straddle two worlds'

New foreign minister cuts her teeth as tensions -- and pressure to speak up -- build

14 December 2020
This art deco mansion in Shanghai was designed by Laszlo Ede Hudec, who also designed the city's landmark Park Hotel.
Life

Art deco's lasting legacy in Asia

Jazz Age brought iconic design style to Shanghai, Mumbai, Tokyo

14 December 2020
A passenger arrives from New Zealand after the Trans-Tasman travel bubble opened. Travelers outside the bubble are still largely banned.
Economy

Businesses push back on Australia and New Zealand travel bans

With low infection rates, companies say entry limits are too strict

8 December 2020
"For many businesses forced to close their doors during lockdowns, Facebook and Instagram have been a lifeline," writes Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg. (Photo courtesy of Facebook)
Opinion

How an open internet can power Asia-Pacific's economic recovery

Everyone should have the opportunity to be part of the digital future

19 November 2020
Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chairs the 4th RCEP Summit on Nov. 15: the agreement is poised to become a critical platform for the discussion of trade and economic issues.
Opinion

RCEP agreement will transform trade in Asia, for Asia

First time China, Japan, and South Korea connected via one trade pact

16 November 2020
Leaders and trade ministers from the 15 Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership countries pose for a virtual group photo during the signing ceremony hosted by Vietnam on Nov. 15.
Trade

Asia forms world's largest trading bloc RCEP after years of talks

After signing, focus turns to ratification; China to hold sway in India's absence

16 November 2020
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is following a monetary policy of "least regrets" -- meaning it would prefer to do too much too soon rather than too little too late.
Economy

New Zealand weighs negative interest rates as COVID rages overseas

Despite economic bounce, RBNZ tees up cheap cash and eyes 2021 rate cut

10 November 2020
Polling suggests New Zealanders likely voted against legalizing recreational use of cannabis.
Society

Cannabis and euthanasia votes bring New Zealand to moral crossroads

Referendum results due Friday after impassioned campaigns

29 October 2020
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern holds a meeting with her Labour Party's members of parliament on Oct. 20, after their landslide victory in the country's general elections.
Politics

New Zealand economy, trade and China in focus after Ardern triumph

Handed first majority in decades, PM faces challenge of 'delivering'

23 October 2020
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks at her victorious Labour Party's election night event in Auckland on Oct. 17.
Politics

New Zealand's Ardern eyes COVID rebound after landslide reelection

Unprecedented performance gives Labour Party enough seats to govern alone

17 October 2020
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, left, and opposition National Party leader Judith Collins: Recent polling puts the incumbent's Labour Party well ahead. (Pool photo/Reuters)
Politics

New Zealand's COVID election tests true power of 'Jacinda-mania'

PM aims to turn pandemic success into unprecedented majority on Saturday

16 October 2020
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern seeks a second term in the Oct. 17 election.
Politics

New Zealanders to vote on legalizing cannabis and euthanasia

Prime minister supports assisted-suicide bill but silent on pot question

13 October 2020
Facebook is enhancing the encryption capabilities of its Messenger and Whatsapp services.
Technology

Five Eyes and Japan call for Facebook backdoor to monitor crime

Security alliance worries encrypted messaging apps can be used by bad actors

11 October 2020
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will face reelection on Sunday. 
Your Week in Asia

Apple 5G iPhone, China-India talks, New Zealand election

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

11 October 2020
Cows feed at a farm managed by New Zealand dairy exporter Fonterra near the Chinese city of Tangshan, east of Beijing.
Business deals

New Zealand's Fonterra sells money-losing Chinese farms for $370m

Group entered the country in 2008, but cost of purchasing feed was a burden

5 October 2020
Kaikoura Seafood BBQ which is usually full of international tourists in Kaikoura, pictured on June 10: hospitality business is not coming back anytime soon.
Opinion

New Zealand slump a red alert for world economy

Canary in the coal mine of Asian trade on worst trajectory since Great Depression

21 September 2020
Commonwealth flags in London: Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the U.K. share a common language and democratic norms, though this does not guarantee smooth sailing toward closer ties.
International relations

'CANZUK' alliance idea makes waves with Indo-Pacific in flux

Assertive China and unpredictable US revive calls for tight-knit 'Anglosphere'

4 September 2020
The central Chinese city of Wuhan has been steadily returning to normal since April, when the lockdown was lifted. It has not reported local transmission of the coronavirus since May 18.
29 August 2020
South Korean police stand guard near the Sarang Jeil Church, which has become a new cluster of coronavirus infections, in Seoul on Friday.
Coronavirus: Free to read

Coronavirus: Week of Aug. 16 to Aug. 22, Seoul church says government fabricating tests

Visitors to Japan down 99.9% for fourth month; India reports 68,898 cases in one day

22 August 2020
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to the media on Aug. 17, explaining her decision to postpone the general election until Oct. 17.
Politics

New Zealand's COVID comeback overshadows Ardern's reelection bid

As mysterious new outbreak delays vote, popular PM's rivals smell opportunity

18 August 2020
New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern listens during a joint news conference with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Auckland in December 2018. 
Opinion

New Zealand says South Korean diplomat row separate from WTO chief pick

Country's ambassador to South Korea responds to Nikkei Asian Review article

8 August 2020
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, left, and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speak after a summit in Auckland, New Zealand, in December 2018.
International relations

Diplomat sex scandal in New Zealand imperils South Korean WTO bid

Ardern has asked Moon to send suspect back to Wellington to face charges

6 August 2020