Politics

23 June 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump might demand more defense spending from Japan and South Korea during a meeting alongside the NATO summit in the Netherlands.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon shake hands at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 20.
International relations

New Zealand PM talks trade and security with Xi in first visit to China

Beijing and Wellington seek to balance trade with competition over Cook Islands

20 June 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
New Zealand's new defense plan calls for NZ$12 billion in spending over four years, with a portion going toward extending the life of aging frigates.
Defense

New Zealand eyes defense spending boost to 2% of GDP

$6.6bn military buildup plan follows Chinese exercises in Tasman Sea

8 April 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
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese voiced support for Ukraine after Volodymyr Zelenskyy's disastrous meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukraine war

Australia, New Zealand vow Ukraine support as Trump, Zelenskyy clash

Prime ministers both quiet on two presidents' calamitous White House meeting

1 March 2025
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown visits the National Deep Sea Centre in Qingdao, China, in this picture released on Feb. 12. (Facebook via Reuters)
International relations

China, Cook Islands seabed research pact sparks environmental concerns

PM's China visit yielded cooperation deals but rankled New Zealand

17 February 2025
Officials participate in the South Pacific Defence Ministers' Meeting in Auckland, New Zealand, which endorsed a new rapid response humanitarian assistance and disaster relief initiative. 
International relations

Pacific disaster response group aims to streamline preparedness

Australia seen consolidating role as region's primary security partner

11 October 2024
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks during an interview with Nikkei Asia in Kuala Lumpur on Sept. 3. (Photo by Fumika Sato)
Interview

New Zealand aims to double exports to ASEAN, Indo-Pacific

PM Luxon says trade agenda to focus on green economy and renewables

4 September 2024
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters (Photo by Takuya Fujiwara) 
Indo-Pacific

New Zealand foreign minister calls for 'more compromise' on New Caledonia

Comments on territory in Japan speech spark response from French envoy

19 July 2024
NATO is forming a closer relationship with four key Indo-Pacific nations to counter perceived security threats from China and Russia.  
Indo-Pacific

NATO to up security links with Japan, South Korea, Australia, NZ

Atlantic military alliance will issue joint cooperation document next week

4 July 2024
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon tells Nikkei Asia that the country wants to be more engaged in defense and security issues in the Indo-Pacific region. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
Interview

New Zealand 'resets' foreign policy on Indo-Pacific security: PM

Wellington keen to boost exports but wary of China encroachment

20 June 2024
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, center, is welcomed by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, left, and New Zealand Gov. General Dame Cindy Kiro in Wellington on June 13.
International relations

China's premier in New Zealand: Differences should not become 'chasm'

Leaders' talk of trade and cooperation comes amid cooler Beijing-Wellington ties

13 June 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
Joanne Ou previously served as spokesperson for Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before being transferred to New Zealand as chief representative. (Photo by Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New Zealand)
Taiwan tensions

Taipei sees New Zealand in sync with like-minded democracies, envoy says

China puts Wellington on guard as it increases its clout among Pacific islands

28 May 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
New Zealand has accused China of "state-backed malicious cyber activity." (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters and AP)
International relations

New Zealand joins U.K. and U.S. in condemning China-linked hacks

PM Luxon says calling out Beijing is a 'big step' for his country

26 March 2024
Christopher Luxon, now New Zealand's prime minister, speaks to National Party supporters after winning the general election on Oct. 14, 2023.
Politics

New Zealand's conservatives gut Ardern's progressive policies

PM Luxon's government repeals green car rebates and world-first tobacco ban

16 March 2024
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Sydney in December: Luxon's government may deepen alignment with like-minded partners.
Opinion

New Zealand's new PM isn't going back to old ways on China

Luxon's pro-business instincts tempered by coalition partners

15 January 2024
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, right, and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hold a joint press conference at the Commonwealth Parliament Offices in Sydney on Dec. 20.
Defense

New Zealand 'interested in exploring' AUKUS opportunities

PM Luxon meets Australia's Albanese on first official trip overseas

20 December 2023
New Zealand's new government, to be led by the National Party's Christopher Luxon, is expected to ease a ban on foreigners buying homes despite criticism of its plans.
Opinion

New Zealand voters may get more change than they bargained for

National-led government set to walk back many of Jacinda Ardern's reforms

17 October 2023
New Zealand Prime Minister and Labor leader Chris Hipkins, left, during a demonstration in Wellington on Oct. 6, and opposition leader Chris Luxon campaigning for the National Party on Oct. 11.
Politics

New Zealand awaits Saturday election as opposition coalition looms

Center-right National Party leads in polls but needs support of smaller parties

13 October 2023
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
Christopher Luxon, leader of the New Zealand National Party, casts his vote in Auckland on Oct. 2.
Opinion

Election unlikely to end New Zealanders' restlessness

Many policy areas escape debate in lackluster campaign

5 October 2023
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is trying to shore up public support ahead of a general election on Oct. 14.
Politics

New Zealand's ruling Labour Party sinks in polls ahead of election

Soaring prices leave voters struggling to pay rent and avoiding doctor visits

16 September 2023
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, left, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang meet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in June. (Pool via Reuters)
Opinion

New Zealand's new prime minister is making nice with China

Chris Hipkins will be more reluctant to engage with U.S.-led security initiatives

9 August 2023
Sailors wave from the New Zealand vessel HMNZS Te Kaha. The country seeks to "ensure its interoperability" with fellow Five Eyes members the U.S., the U.K., Canada and Australia.
Indo-Pacific

New Zealand warns of 'assertive' China in 1st national security strategy

Document highlights Beijing's influence and infrastructure-building in Pacific region

5 August 2023
NATO headquarters in Brussels. The alliance is deepening partnerships with the AP4 nations of the Indo-Pacific.
Indo-Pacific

NATO to upgrade ties with Australia, New Zealand, South Korea

Together with Japan, four nations will have tailored partnership programs

13 June 2023
New Zealand Defense Minister Andrew Little tells Nikkei his country has an interest in eventually cooperating with the U.S., U.K. and Australia in technologies that might lead to breaking encryptions. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)
Indo-Pacific

New Zealand interested in AUKUS cooperation in non-nuclear tech

Defense chief says country eyeing cybersecurity, AI, quantum computing

2 June 2023
A New Zealand soldier guards a convoy of trucks in the Solomon Islands in April 2006.
29 May 2023