Tag: Chris Hipkins

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 Prime Minister Cancels Club Dinner Hosted by Pro-China Group

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins canceled his plans to attend a dinner party with a pro-China group last week. According to the New Zealand online news publication Newsroom, the dinner was hosted by the New Zealand Chinese Business Club (NZCBC) and presented by a major Chinese liquor brand. The NZCBC was founded by former…


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…


New Zealand Formally Requests Assistance to Deal With Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery

New Zealand has formally asked Australia for assistance as the nation moves to clean up and recover from the trail of wreckage that Cyclone Gabrielle left. On Wednesday evening, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake also struck near the nation’s capital, Wellington. However, no tsunami warning was issued because the quake was “too deep to perturb seafloor,” GeoNet…


One After Another: New Zealand Hit by Magnitude 6.3 Earthquake, Cyclone Gabrielle Death Toll Rises

An earthquake struck New Zealand’s on Wednesday evening as residents of the North Island begin the clean up process after Cyclone Gabrielle left the country. Tremors were felt from lower North Island to the upper South Island, with GeoNet upgrading its initial 6.1 magnitude assessment to a magnitude of 6.3. It struck at a depth…


Tens of Thousands Face the Night Without Power: New Zealand Braces for Cyclone Grabrielle

Residents of New Zealand’s North Island are bracing for heavy rains and winds as Cyclone Gabrielle moves south and closes in on the coast. Local mayors across the island have declared local state of emergencies, particularly for the northernmost regions, with Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown warning residents that the worst was yet to come. “The…


Unprecedented Auckland Flash Flooding Caused by Climate Change: New Zealand PM

Flash flooding in New Zealand’s largest city that has claimed four lives was the result of climate change, the prime minister said. “Climate change is real, it’s with us, it’s having an impact on our weather,” new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told 1News. “We are seeing more of these extreme weather events; we’re going to…


Cost of Living Is ‘Number 1’ Priority, Newly Sworn in NZ PM Says as Inflation Remains at 7.2 Percent

An increasing number of New Zealand families are feeling the pinch from the rising cost of living, as the inflation rate remained at a near three-decade high in the three months to December. Stats NZ revealed the annual inflation rate in the December quarter remained stubbornly high at 7.2 percent. This was driven by housing…


New Zealand’s Incoming PM Chris Hipkins Pledges to Prioritize Cost of Living

Chris Hipkins on Wednesday pledged to make the cost of living his “first priority” after he was sworn in as New Zealand’s 41st prime minister following the abrupt resignation of Jacinda Ardern last week. “New Zealanders will absolutely see in the coming weeks and months that cost of living is right at the heart of our…


Chris Hipkins Nominated to Succeed New Zealand’s PM Jacinda Ardern

New Zealand’s ruling Labour Party has nominated Chris Hipkins to succeed Jacinda Ardern as the country’s prime minister after Ardern announced on Thursday that she would be stepping down from the top role. Hipkins, 44, currently serves as the education minister and previously led the country’s COVID-19 response. He is expected to receive formal endorsement…