Economy

30 October 2025
Yields on 10-year government bonds in New Zealand have dropped below those in Australia.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand's Oct. 8 interest rate decision went against 15 of 26 economists surveyed in a Reuters poll. 
Economy

NZ central bank cuts rates by more than expected, flags further easing

Benchmark interest rate drops 50 basis points, offering some relief to nation's PM

8 October 2025
Anna Breman was nominated for the role after the RBNZ board conducted a worldwide search and identified 300 potential candidates.
Finance

New Zealand names Anna Breman as central bank governor

Swedish central bank deputy becomes first female chief at Reserve Bank of New Zealand

24 September 2025
The European Union has been exploring ways to expand its trade partnerships since early this year.
Trump tariffs

As Trump tariffs loom, EU and CPTPP eye closer ties

Brussels moves to promote free trade, though entry into Pacific trade bloc unlikely

17 April 2025
Tourism was a bright spot in New Zealand's late-2024 economy, data showed, with visitors arriving in destinations including the capital city of Wellington. 
Economy

New Zealand exits recession, posting Q4 GDP growth of 0.7%

'Upside surprise' performance could indicate additional rate cuts this year

20 March 2025
Elon Musk, the world's richest man and a giant force in telecoms, is also one of the most politically influential people on the planet, raising questions for small island nations like Palau, seen above, as they consider using his Starlink service to improve their connectivity. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP, Getty Images and Reuters)
Policy Asia

Musk's Starlink expansion across the Pacific sparks enthusiasm -- and concern

Deals get remote islanders online, but fears linger over stranded investment, data security

14 March 2025
China is Australia's largest trading partner, making reduced Chinese demand a headwind for its economy.
17 December 2024
A thermometer shows a temperature of 44C in Athens, Greece, on July 18.
Opinion

World should take note of a new trade and climate change deal

ACCTS agreement between 4 small nations is a practical model for all economies

31 July 2024
Winston Peters, New Zealand's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, calls the situation in the Gaza Strip "an absolute humanitarian catastrophe." He was speaking in Kuala Lumpur on June 7. (Photo by Hakimie Amrie)
Interview

New Zealand seeks closer ties with ASEAN on climate change

Deputy PM Winston Peters calls regional cooperation critical in 'complicated' world

11 June 2024
A woman tries to cool down in the Philippines in April 2024. People around Asia should expect more scorching weather as the year unfolds. 
Climate Change

Asia braces for more extreme weather like 2023, world's hottest year

Health fallout set to worsen as severe heat, dryness and rain have already hit region

6 May 2024
The Malaysian Health Minister will table an amendment to the Tobacco Act, which is part of the Generational End Game policy, aiming to restrict tobacco products to people born after 2007.
Your Week in Asia

Malaysian tobacco ban bill, Singapore GDP, New Zealand election

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

8 October 2023
People load shopping into a car in New Zealand. The nation's central bank has remained singularly focused on curbing inflation, lifting rates by 525 basis points since October 2021.
Economy

New Zealand central bank ups rates to 14-yr high, signals hikes done

RBNZ raises interest rates by 25 basis points to 5.5%

24 May 2023
Air New Zealand is launching bunk beds in economy class on its Auckland-New York and Auckland-Chicago flights. (Photo courtesy of Air New Zealand)
Travel & Leisure

Air New Zealand to offer beds in economy class from $250 each

Skynest available on Auckland to New York or Chicago flights

13 May 2023
A large crack is seen in a highway near the town of Kainantu, following a 7.6-magnitude earthquake in northeastern Papua New Guinea on Sept. 11.
11 September 2022
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's support has dropped off considerably since 2021.
Politics

Inflation and lockdowns hurt New Zealand's ruling party in polls

Once a COVID success story, PM Ardern's camp trails opposition ahead of 2023 election

23 August 2022
People walk outside a train station in Auckland. New Zealand launched a special visa program for entrepreneurs on a trial basis in 2017.
Economy

New Zealand social innovator visa offers blueprint for Japan

Program draws entrepreneurs as global competition for tech pioneers heats up

4 June 2022
New Zealand Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O'Connor. (Photo by Tetsuya Kitayama) 
Interview

N.Z. calls for potential CPTPP members to meet 'high standards'

Membership negotiations with U.K. will be held cautiously, says Minister O'Connor

22 April 2022
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed in Tokyo to start negotiations to share information and intelligence. 
International relations

Japan, New Zealand in talks to share information and intelligence

PM Ardern stresses importance of bilateral ties in move toward renewable energy

21 April 2022
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appears at Wellington International Airport on April 13, after the country's borders reopened to Australian tourists at 11:59 pm on April 12. 
International relations

New Zealand PM eyes economy reboot with Japan, Singapore visits

As approval ratings dip, Ardern seeks political boost with tourism, trade

18 April 2022
A containership at a port in a Shenzhen free trade zone: APEC's joint statement called trade a "pillar for the development and future prosperity of all our people."
International relations

At APEC, Xi vows to open China as Taiwan promotes CPTPP bid

Biden raises U.S. engagement while grouping seeks trade-led COVID recovery

13 November 2021
Full vaccination rates vary widely across APEC, with Vietnam toward the lower end at about 30%.
COVID vaccines

APEC ministers pledge more COVID vaccines and safe travel

21 members, including U.S. and China, hold virtual talks ahead of Friday summit

10 November 2021
RCEP comes into force 60 days after six of 10 ASEAN nations and three of five other countries submit depositions to ASEAN, which is serving as the wider bloc's secretariat.
Trade

World's biggest trade deal RCEP to take effect Jan. 1

Asia-focused pact covers 30% of global population and GDP

4 November 2021
New Zealanders drive to a vaccination center in Auckland on Aug. 26, with the country's largest city under a strict lockdown.
Coronavirus

New Zealand's delta COVID outbreak grows amid race to vaccinate

Extended lockdown tests economic resilience with uncertain end point

27 August 2021
Japan takes 36 times longer to process trade paperwork than France or Italy, the World Bank reports.
Trade

Blockchain greases trade wheels between 7 Asian-Pacific economies

TradeWaltz aims to keep supply chains of 5,000 companies moving at steady pace

11 July 2021
A passenger prepares to catch a flight to New Zealand at Australia's Sydney Airport on April 19, as the countries' quarantine-free travel bubble opens.
Coronavirus

Australia-New Zealand travel bubble off to fast, emotional start

Quarantine-free trips raise hopes for an economic shot in the arm

19 April 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
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
Stream article image
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