Articles tagged with Asia

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NZ to attend APEC and East Asia Summit

New Zealand will be represented by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay at the APEC Leaders’ Meeting in China and Foreign Minister Winston Peters at the East Asia Summit in Philippines. These high-level meetings bring together leaders and ministers from across the Indo Pacific, and issues important to New Zealand’s security and prosperity will be discussed. The East Asia Summit is the region’s premier forum for dialogue on political, strategic and economic issues and will be held in Manila on 16 and 17 November.

US Commits $60M to Support Pacific Energy Crisis Amid Global Challenges

Foreign Minister Winston Peters welcomed the US decision to provide $60 million in energy support to the Pacific, addressing budget shortfalls caused by the global energy crisis. The Pacific Islands Forum and partners like New Zealand, Australia, Japan, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank have been actively working to help Pacific nations manage fuel dependency and price shocks. New Zealand’s development program focuses on boosting economic and energy resilience by promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency in the region.

US Commits $60M to Support Pacific Energy Amid Global Crisis, Says Winston Peters

Foreign Minister Winston Peters welcomed the United States' decision to provide US$60 million in energy support to the Pacific, addressing budget shortfalls caused by the global energy crisis. The Pacific Islands Forum and partners like New Zealand, Australia, Japan, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank have been collaborating to help Pacific Island countries manage fuel dependency and price shocks. New Zealand’s development program focuses on enhancing economic and energy resilience through renewable energy and improved efficiency to reduce reliance on imported fuels.

New Zealand’s Food Safety Minister Leads APEC Efforts on Regional Food Security

Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard is representing New Zealand at the 11th APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting in China, which focuses on regional cooperation to address food security challenges and promote sustainable, resilient food systems. The forum brings together 21 member economies to share policies, enhance trade, and collaborate on innovation, climate resilience, and supply chain stability. New Zealand emphasizes its commitment to open trade and access to safe, nutritious food while engaging in bilateral meetings with business stakeholders during the visit.

New Zealand Strengthens ASEAN Partnership Amid Global Turbulence and Regional Talks

Foreign Minister Winston Peters highlighted the importance of regional cooperation amid global turbulence and its economic and security impacts during high-level talks in Manila. He emphasized New Zealand’s longstanding partnership with ASEAN and announced a new Comprehensive Partnership with the Philippines to enhance regional stability and resilience. Peters also engaged in multiple bilateral meetings with various foreign ministers, reinforcing New Zealand’s commitment to collaboration in the Asia-Pacific region.

New Zealand and Philippines Announce Comprehensive Partnership to Boost Cooperation

New Zealand and the Philippines have formalized a Comprehensive Partnership to enhance cooperation across political, defense, trade, and people-to-people ties. This partnership, announced by Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa P. Lazaro, marks 60 years of diplomatic relations and aims to support a stable, rules-based Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, both countries signed new agreements on education and geothermal energy, with further discussions planned during Peters’ visit to ASEAN-related events in Manila.

NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters to Strengthen Ties at ASEAN and Manila Meetings

Foreign Minister Winston Peters will visit Manila next week to strengthen New Zealand's relationship with the Philippines and engage in regional meetings, marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties. The visit aligns with New Zealand's Foreign Policy Reset focused on enhancing partnerships in Southeast Asia, particularly with ASEAN, a key trade and security partner. During the trip, Peters will conduct bilateral meetings, sign cooperation agreements, and participate in ASEAN, East Asia Summit, and ASEAN Regional Forum meetings involving major regional powers.

New Zealand Tertiary Education Sees 8% Growth in Qualification Completions in 2025

New Zealand's tertiary education sector saw an 8% increase in qualification completions in 2025, with domestic completions rising 5.9% and international completions up 22%. Improved student retention and higher completion rates were noted among women, full-time students, Māori, Pacific, and Asian students, with private training establishments showing the largest domestic growth. The overall data reflects greater student engagement and progression to higher-level qualifications, supporting workforce skill development and economic growth.

Customs Minister Warns Young New Zealanders: Drug Couriering Risks Life and Freedom

Customs Minister Casey Costello warned that young New Zealanders are being exploited by criminal groups to courier drugs, facing severe legal consequences including lengthy prison sentences. Recent arrests highlight ongoing drug smuggling operations, with significant quantities of methamphetamine involved and both locals and foreign nationals apprehended at airports. The Minister urged young people and their families to resist such offers, emphasizing the risks of imprisonment at home and harsher penalties, including the death penalty, in some Southeast Asian countries.

New Zealand Minister Brooke van Velden to Represent NZ at International Labour Conference

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden will represent New Zealand at the International Labour Conference in Geneva, where she will discuss the country’s employment law reforms, including the gateway test that clarifies employment status for platform-based workers. She will also participate in the Asia Pacific Labour Ministers meeting and engage in standards-setting discussions, while taking the opportunity to meet with senior leaders in London and Singapore to discuss labour market and health and safety reforms. The conference, hosted by the International Labour Organization, gathers around 4,000 attendees from 187 member states to address global labour issues.

New Zealand’s Dynamic Foreign Policy: Strengthening Asia Ties Amid Global Change

The speech outlines New Zealand's proactive foreign policy response to unprecedented global geopolitical disruptions, emphasizing a strategic reset focused on active diplomacy, multilateral reform—especially of the United Nations—and strengthening ties with Asia to safeguard national prosperity and security. It highlights significant progress in elevating relationships with key Asian countries through comprehensive partnerships and frequent high-level engagements, reflecting the government's commitment to Asia as central to New Zealand’s future. Despite resource constraints, New Zealand pursues a pragmatic, realist approach, advocating for sustained diplomatic effort and defense investment to enhance its international influence and prepare for eventual restoration of a rules-based global order.

Australia-New Zealand Finance Ministers Strengthen Economic Ties Amid Global Challenges

Minister of Finance Nicola Willis and Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers met to address regional fuel supply disruptions, economic outlook, and trans-Tasman integration amid global challenges. They committed to ongoing cooperation on fuel market conditions, financial system resilience, and targeted assistance to the Pacific, emphasizing practical, timely responses to minimize inflation and fiscal costs. The leaders also discussed enhancing economic growth through the Single Economic Market agenda and participated in business and commemorative events to strengthen bilateral ties.

James McDonald Becomes Australasia’s Most Successful Group 1 Jockey at 34

Minister for Racing Winston Peters congratulated James McDonald for becoming Australasia’s most successful Group 1 jockey with 130 victories, surpassing Damien Oliver's record. At just 34, McDonald's achievement highlights his exceptional talent, professionalism, and dedication to the sport. Peters emphasized McDonald's status as a global superstar and ambassador for Australasian racing through his strong public connection and partnerships with top trainers.

Thousands of Kiwis Access Online GP Care Over Holidays for Timely Health Support

The Government’s new Online GP Care service enabled around 11,000 New Zealanders to access timely medical consultations during the holiday period, with over 60,600 consultations delivered since its May 2025 launch. The service addresses barriers such as rural location and appointment availability, reaching diverse communities and offering a new feature to compare and book the earliest appointments across providers. Health New Zealand plans to expand the service’s use in targeted healthcare settings, aiming to create a more accessible and patient-centered health system.

New Zealand Boosts Mental Health Support with Funding for Community Programs

New Zealand’s Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced increased funding for four grassroots organisations to improve early access to mental health support, focusing on prevention and removing barriers. The funded projects include expanded early intervention, digital support services, workplace mental health programs, and culturally tailored assistance for Asian communities, collectively reaching thousands nationwide. This initiative, supported by the Mental Health Innovation Fund, aims to reduce wait times and ensure timely, appropriate mental health care across diverse communities.