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New Zealand
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New Zealand

New Zealand
New Zealand
The latest news, analysis and opinion on New Zealand. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Capital
Wellington
Head of State
King Charles III
Head of Government
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon
A screenshot from The Laid-off Girl, one of more than 275,000 AI microdramas released online this year. Photo: Douyin
Chinese culture

Slow is beautiful: China’s war against AI drama goes beyond algorithms

Rapid expansion in production has intensified concerns over copyright and the mounting pressure on human creators.

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Science

Biomedicine | China’s CAR-T cell therapy cancer breakthrough shows progress

Cambodia

Cambodia hosts anti-scam summit as scepticism lingers

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Conservation

Black robin rules roost in New Zealand’s Bird of the Year vote

The critically endangered bird received more than 26,000 votes, beating the kakapo and karearea falcon to the title.

A black robin perches on a branch on Chatham Island in October 2024. Photo: Royal Forest and Bird Society / AFP
A black robin is seen on a branch on Chatham Island in December 2022. Photo: Royal Forest and Bird Society / AFP
Pacific nations

Opinion | Pacific island states are trapped in Cold War 2.0

Geopolitically, it’s like a feudal hierarchy: small island nations as vassals, Australia and New Zealand as local lords and the US as king.

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Science

Could Chinese explorers have settled New Zealand before the Maori?

Mainstream academics and Maori groups voice scepticism, but researchers say acknowledging lesser-known history could alter national identity.

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Shein

Shein slump deepens as stock tumbles 25% below IPO price

Jefferies says Shein’s ‘low-cost parcels, Guangdong’s supplier density, and supplier-funded experimentation’ will be more expensive.

Clothes from fast-fashion brand Shein hang at their office in Sao Paulo, Brazil, December 15, 2025. Photo: Reuters
From our archives

On This Day | Hong Kong mourns Mao Zedong’s death in 1976 – SCMP archive

Fifty years ago, Mao Zedong’s death sent shock waves around the world.

Britain

UK lawmakers reject bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales

The bill had proposed allowing adults with fewer than six months to live to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval.

China-EU relations

Beijing lodges diplomatic protests over Taiwan official’s visit to Italy

European Parliament official says conference attendance by Hsiao Bi-khim was kept confidential to safeguard her participation.

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Beijing has made “serious representations against Italy and the European Union” over a visit by Taiwan’s Hsiao Bi-khim to an international forum on Ventotene Island. Photo: Shutterstock
Science

US, China trials suggest a single nanodrug shot might stop bad cholesterol forever

Separate trials using CRISPR and base editing to silence lipid genes show drastic drops in LDL-C without daily medication.

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Two breakthrough clinical trials suggest that patients with high cholesterol may one day benefit from a one-and-done injection to keep bad cholesterol under control. Photo: Shutterstock Images
US-China relations

US port pledge ups China rivalry in Pacific but island nations stick to own course

Washington commits millions of dollars at last week’s regional leaders’ forum in Palau, but experts say it will not be that simple.

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SCMP Highlights

Cambodia scam gangs; viral Jennie clip tests South Korea law: 7 Asia highlights

From Japan warships attracting US interest to viral clip of Blackpink’s Jennie, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

International Property

Which property markets will be the winners and losers if Fed raises US rates?

Fed chairman’s focus on inflation at meeting last month has heightened expectations of monetary tightening.

Real estate agents’ signs at a sold home and homes for sale in London last month. Photo: EPA
Japan

US wants foreign warships for its navy. Japan is hoping to be picked

Should Washington commission Mogami-class frigates, it will become Japan’s largest deal since relaxing the rules on weapon exports in April.

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Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force Mogami-class stealth frigate JS Mikuma anchors at a naval base in Yokosuka on September 5, 2025. Photo: AP
Pacific nations

Exclusive | New Zealand ‘must never be seen as a proxy’, former PM Helen Clark warns

Calling the US Pacific strategy a ‘game of bluff’, Clark urges Wellington to defend its independent foreign policy tradition.

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The Philippines

UK-Philippines troop deal to boost Nato’s South China Sea reach

If finalised, the UK would be the fourth Nato member to reach a deal with the Philippines allowing troops to train on each other’s soil.

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Hong Kong entertainment

US singer Post Malone delays Hong Kong concert, sparking fan complaints

Concert organiser Live Nation Hong Kong says September 16 show at Kai Tak Stadium has been postponed.

Post Malone performs at the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California. Photo: TNS
Australia

New Zealand moves to ban social media for under-16s

Wellington is proposing fines of up to 10 per cent of global turnover for tech firms, but a coalition partner has vowed to block the measure.

Pakistan

Former cricket captains appeal to Pakistan over jailed ex-PM Khan’s healthcare

The group of 21 sportsmen asked that Khan, also a former cricket captain, be allowed family visits and that medical checks be completed.

Christopher Luxon

New Zealand passes law blocking climate action against companies

The law was introduced in response to a suit filed by a Maori activist against six firms for their contribution to environmental harm.

The national flag flies in front of the executive wing of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings in Wellington in September 2025. Photo: Reuters
Pacific nations

Cook Islands PM re-elected despite row with New Zealand over China ties

The result shows that local voters are not as concerned about geopolitical issues as claimed in earlier reports, analysts say.

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Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown speaks at a Pacific Islands Forum meeting in 2024. Photo: AP
Japan

Japan looks to Australia, India to sustain defence readiness

Tokyo is seeking to mitigate risks linked to potential US munitions shortages and maintain credible deterrence, analysts say.

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China-New Zealand relations

China claims New Zealand’s spy report is product of foreign interference

Chinese embassy hits back at espionage claims, alleges Wellington is serving as a ‘pawn for anti-China forces’.

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Vietnam

Vietnam’s To Lam eyes trade, defence boost during trip to Australia, New Zealand

China’s actions in the South China Sea will be discussed but unlikely to be explicitly condemned, observers say.

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) greets Vietnamese President To Lam at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday. Photo: AAP/dpa
Canada

Canada’s British Columbia gets federal help as wildfire forces evacuations

Wildfire prompts Canadian province to declare a state of emergency and evacuate about 18,000 people.

The Bald Range wildfire burns in Summerland, British Columbia at the weekend. Photo: The Canadian Press via AP
Hong Kong courts

Bar Association broadly backs new offence for persistent child sexual abuse

Hong Kong Bar Association vice-chairman Martin Hui says four ‘safeguards’ are needed to ensure fairness for both defendant and victim.

Video | New Zealand politician joins meeting from bathroom

Councillor Jo Galer logged into a meeting of the Dunedin City Council with her laundry clearly visible in the background.

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