New Zealand

New Zealand’s Top Spy Sounds the Alarm Over China’s Influence in the Pacific Amid Rising Pressure from Trump on Five Eyes Agreement

Dave Chamberlain4 weeks ago4 weeks ago04 mins

新西兰首席间谍对中国在太平洋影响力的警告，特朗普向“五眼”协议施加压力 Dave Chamberlain, Wellington In a recent address to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs in Wellington, Security Intelligence Service Director-General Andrew Hampton highlighted the escalating security risks posed by China’s expanding presence in the Pacific. His comments come at a time when the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance—comprising New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the U.K.,…

New Zealand’s top spy warns on China’s influence in the Pacific, backs Five Eyes

tech1 month ago1 month ago05 mins

by Martin Haffner Associate Editor In a stark warning that underscores the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Pacific region, New Zealand’s leading intelligence officer has raised alarms over China’s growing influence in the area. This statement comes as global tensions escalate and nations seek to safeguard their sovereignty and interests amidst strategic rivalries. In recent…

Political expert hopes NZ and Australia will ‘step up’ to fill gaps left by USAID cuts

tech2 months ago03 mins

by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The Trump administration’s decision to eliminate more than 90 percent of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) funding means “nothing’s safe right now,” a regional political expert says. President Donald Trump’s government has said it is slashing around US$60 billion in overall US development and humanitarian assistance around the…

‘Very little detail’: PM Brown explains vague China agreement

tech2 months ago08 mins

by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The comprehensive agreement the Cook Islands has signed with China “deliberately” contains few details because the government has not yet committed to any specific projects, says Prime Minister Mark Brown. On Monday, the government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, published the Action Plan 2025-2030 for the Comprehensive…

Concerns Emerge in New Zealand Over Cook Islands’ Upcoming Cooperation Deal with China

Dave Chamberlain2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters Richard Sanders On Sunday, New Zealand’s foreign minister expressed “significant concern” regarding the Cook Islands’ imminent cooperation agreement with China. Prime Minister Mark Brown is scheduled to visit Beijing next week, where he is expected to sign a “joint action plan” aimed at establishing a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with…

Mark Brown on China deal: ‘No need for New Zealand to sit in the room with us’

tech2 months ago07 mins

by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says New Zealand is asking for too much oversight over its deal with China, which is expected to be penned in Beijing next week. Brown told RNZ Pacific the Cook Islands-New Zealand relationship was reciprocal. “They certainly did not consult with us when…

Cook Islands reportedly dropping separate passport idea, Winston Peters ‘blindsided’ by China move

tech2 months ago010 mins

by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The Foreign Affairs Minister’s office is aware of media reporting suggesting the Cook Islands has backed down from its controversial proposal to introduce its own passport, an initiative that threatened to shake the island state’s relationship with New Zealand. It comes as Peters also expressed shock on Friday morning that…

New Zealand’s Diplomatic Tensions with Kiribati: Aid Withdrawal Sparks Controversy

tech3 months ago03 mins

NZ FM Winston Peters Tusi Tala NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters has responded to remarks by Kiribati’s education minister, who claimed that President Taneti Maamau had a prior commitment that led to him missing a meeting with New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister. Peters announced that the New Zealand government is reassessing its development aid program,…

‘They’re struggling’: The 3300 Ni-Vanuatu in New Zealand

Dave Chamberlain4 months ago05 mins

BY Martin Haffner Associate Editor] Wellington, New Zealand — As New Zealand continues to welcome migrants from various corners of the globe, a unique community of approximately 3,300 Ni-Vanuatu individuals is grappling with challenges that threaten their integration and well-being in their new home. Predominantly arriving through seasonal work programs and immigration pathways, these individuals…

NZ controversial nuclear ban in the spotlight

Dave Chamberlain6 months ago05 mins

by Richard Sanders, Staff Writer The U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand has stated that Pacific nations should have the autonomy to determine their own stances on nuclear weapons. This statement follows comments from former Trump adviser John Bolton, who suggested that New Zealand could be in danger if it maintains its strict prohibition on nuclear…