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‘It’s bloody El Dorado’: Undersea riches to be reaped by the few
Instead of poor countries a small group of companies have taken control of the deep sea just as the rules for development are finalised.
- by Sherryn Groch
Latest
Brothers who own deadly New Zealand volcano have charges dismissed
Andrew, James and Peter Buttle had been on trial since July over the deadly 2019 eruption that killed 22 people, including 14 Australians.
Hipkins sinks teeth into election campaign, promising free dental
The NZ Prime Minister made the pledge at Labour’s campaign launch where he had to fight far-right protesters to be heard.
- by Ben McKay
A quick guide to the New Zealand election campaign
Kiwis go to the polls on the same day Australians will make their choice in the Voice referendum. What’s to know now that Jacinda Ardern is out of the picture.
- by Ben McKay
Solomon Islands says Australian police to stay until 2024 election
The Australians are part of an international security contingent that arrived in December 2021 to quell anti-government riots and was due to leave this year.
- by Kirsty Needham
Exclusive
Endangered species
Researchers find ‘stronghold’ of endangered bats on remote island
Australian and Fijian scientists crawled into a cave and swam through an underground pool in Fiji to discover thousands of the ecologically important Pacific sheath-tailed bats.
- by Latika Bourke
Remoteness no longer enough: NZ defence needs more money to counter China, climate change
New Zealand’s first national security strategy underscores how China’s rise is upending old norms – even 9000 kilometres away in Wellington.
- by Lewis Jackson and Lucy Craymer
Fiji prime minister cancels China visit after ‘small accident’
Sitiveni Rabuka’s visit was planned as China ramps up its push for security and trade ties with the Pacific Islands to compete with the United States and its allies.
NZ justice minister resigns after facing criminal charges in car crash
“Kiri is an incredibly talented person who clearly has been battling some demons, and has not won that battle,” Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said of Allan, once considered a rising star of the Labour Party.
- by Nick Perry
Updated
Crime
‘Terrifying’: Auckland gunman worked on CBD site during detention
The 24-year-old gunman who killed two people and injured several others at a construction site on Thursday morning was under home detention for domestic violence-related offences.
- by Alex Crowe
Pacific ‘less secure’ due to China’s assertiveness, says NZ prime minister
“Our region is becoming more contested, less predictable, and less secure,” Chris Hipkins said. “And that poses challenges for small countries like New Zealand.”
- by Lucy Craymer