Category: New Zealand

NZ Hostel Fire That Claimed 6 Lives a ‘Dreadful Human Tragedy’: Australian PM

The deadly hostel fire in New Zealand’s capital has been described by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a “dreadful human tragedy.” The fire, which engulfed parts of the fully booked 92-room Loafers Lodge hostel in Wellington, claimed the lives of six people, with several others unaccounted for. Albanese said he had spoken with New…


New Zealand PM Invited to Biden’s Pacific Summit in Papua New Guinea

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will visit Papua New Guinea later this month to attend President Joe Biden’s summit with Pacific leaders, his office said on Thursday. Hipkins will embark on his trip to Papua New Guinea on May 21, marking his first visit to the Pacific nation since becoming prime minister in January….


Taiwan Urges New Zealand to Invest More in Pacific to Counter China’s Influence

Taiwan’s foreign minister has urged New Zealand to increase its investment in Pacific countries to reduce their dependence on China, warning of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) “ambition” in the region. “I hope New Zealand can make more investment in the Pacific countries,” Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said in an interview with New Zealand’s…


New Zealand National Party Donor List Reveals Strong CCP Ties

Two overseas agents from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s state media have been revealed as two of the top donors of New Zealand’s major opposition party, and the country is lacking proper laws to make it illegal. The New Zealand Electoral Commission’s donation records—released in late April—reveal that the National Party’s 2022 donors include three high-level…


New Zealand Defence Force to Receive Biggest Pay Increase ‘In Decades’ as Personnel Leave in Droves

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel are getting the biggest pay rise in over a decade in an attempt to stop serving members deserting the forces. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the wages of men and women who served in the defence force have lagged behind. “It’s unfair, and it’s leading to significant rates of…


Television Presenter Felt Empowered by Shen Yun’s Message

AUCKLAND, New Zealand—Tiare Tawera, CEO, actor, and fitness guru, attended the Shen Yun Performing Arts concert with his sister Carly Taia, a legal secretary, at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre on April 22. Having worked in the television industry for two decades, Mr. Tawera, who is a presenter on “Toi Te Ora,” said the Shen…


Report Finds Wealthiest New Zealanders Pay Half the Tax of Most, Sparking Calls For Tax Hikes

Calls to increase the taxation of the wealthy have resurfaced in New Zealand after a report by the country’s tax department found that the wealthiest Kiwis paid less effective tax than most others. Inland Revenue (IRD) conducted a two-year investigation into how much tax the wealthy people in New Zealand pay based on the full…


Shen Yun ‘Draws Us Into a Divine World, Shows What Life Can Be,’ Says Musician

AUCKLAND, New Zealand—Musician Sunny Ray and her mother Jamala Smyth, a therapist, were inspired by the Shen Yun Performing Arts concert at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre on April 21. “So very inspiring, the dancing itself, but it’s the message that comes through from behind,” said Ms. Ray. “Behind it is this passion and this…


Kiwis Granted Direct Citizenship Pathway in Australia in ‘Historic Decision,’ NZ PM Says

New Zealanders looking to settle long-term in Australia are in for celebrations as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a direct pathway to Australian citizenship for Kiwis. From July 1, New Zealand citizens who arrived since 2001 and have lived in Australia for four years and meet the standard citizenship criteria will be eligible to…


Shen Yun an ‘Experience of God’: Independent Artistic Director, Singer, Dancer

AUCKLAND, New Zealand—Rana Hamida described Shen Yun Performing Arts as an “experience of God.” Ms. Hamida is an independent artistic director who works with events and festivals, coordinating artists from different mediums of expressions. She is also a singer and dancer. She and Mr. Glenn Hart, a freelance photographer, attended the last of Shen Yun’s five sold-out shows…