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Most of the 25 survivors were left severely burned from the

New Zealand orders compensation over volcano eruption

A New Zealand court has ordered the tour booking agents and managers of an island where a volcanic eruption killed 22 people to pay survivors more than NZ$10 million and fined them around NZ$2.6million.

World • 01 Mar 24

The eruption off the coast of the New Zealand's North Island claimed 22 lives and left dozens more with horrific injuries

New Zealand begins sentencing in volcano eruption case

Sentencing is under way for the tour booking agents and managers of an island in New Zealand where a volcanic eruption killed 22 people, mostly tourists, in 2019.

World • 26 Feb 24

Golriz Ghahraman has been in parliament since 2017 and was the first refugee to become a member of parliament (File image)

New Zealand MP resigns over shoplifting allegations

A New Zealand Green Party MP has resigned after it was alleged by media that she had shoplifted at high-end local boutiques on at least three occasions.

World • 16 Jan 24

Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford got engaged in 2019 and have a five-year-old daughter

Former New Zealand leader Ardern weds long-time partner

New Zealand's former prime minister Jacinda Ardern has married her long-time partner Clarke Gayford in a private ceremony.

World • 13 Jan 24

The move would stop disruptive behaviour and help students focus, prime minister Christopher Luxon said (file image)

New Zealand to ban mobile phones in schools

Mobile phones will be banned in schools across New Zealand, conservative Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said, as his fledgling government looks to turn around the country's plummeting literacy rates.

World • 01 Dec 23

Central bank governor Adrian Orr said it was proud of its Maori name "Te Putea Matua"

New Zealand's central bank defends Maori language use

New Zealand's central bank chief defended its use of the Maori language in official communications, as the country's new centre-right government looks to roll back the use of the indigenous language in the public sector.

World • 29 Nov 23

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (C) made the announcement on his first day in office

Doctors criticise scrapping of New Zealand smoking ban

Doctors blasted New Zealand's conservative government for revoking world-leading anti-smoking laws, warning that people will die over the act of "public health vandalism".

World • 28 Nov 23

Duties on New Zealand beef - as well as other products - will be cut under the trade deal

Brussels gives green light to EU-New Zealand trade deal

Brussels has given the final green light for an EU-New Zealand trade deal that, while mutually lowering barriers for both markets, highlights the recent failure of EU-Australia negotiations.

Business • 27 Nov 23

The 'generational smoking ban' adopted last year stoped sales of tobacco to anyone born after 2008 (stock image)

New Zealand to scrap world-leading anti-smoking laws

New Zealand's plans for world-leading anti-smoking laws will be revoked, Christopher Luxon confirmed after being sworn in as prime minister, in a move described as a "huge win for the tobacco industry".

World • 27 Nov 23

White Island, also known as Whakaari, erupted in December 2019, killing 22 people

Company guilty over New Zealand volcano disaster

The New Zealand firm that managed a volcanic island, which erupted killing 22 people in 2019, has been found guilty of failing to adequately protect visitors.

World • 31 Oct 23

Labour leader Chris Hipkins conceded he could not form a government

New Zealand's National Party to lead new government

New Zealand's centre-right National Party led by Christopher Luxon will form a new government with its preferred coalition party ACT, after Labour leader Chris Hipkins conceded he could not form a government following the country's general election.

World • 14 Oct 23

Chris Hipkins said Labour was starting to see momentum build in the final hours of campaigning

Ruling Labour facing defeat in New Zealand election

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has urged voters to get out and re-elect Labour in tomorrow's national election, as polls indicate a change in government after six years of left-wing rule.

World • 13 Oct 23

Cook Islands Prime Minister (L) pictured with US President Joe Biden at the summit in White House

US recognises two Pacific states in move against China

The United States has officially recognised the Pacific nations of Cook Islands and Niue, President Joe Biden announced, as he hosted regional leaders in a bid to wrest influence from China.

World • 25 Sep 23

There are about 2,400 yellow-eyed penguins left, according to estimates by New Zealand's Department of Conservation

NZ probes mystery illness killing rare penguins

A mystery illness is decimating the chicks of New Zealand's endangered yellow-eyed penguins, and scientists say they may have found the cause.

New Zealand • 22 Sep 23

The eruption off the coast of the country's North Island in 2019 claimed 22 lives and left dozens more with horrific injuries

More charges dropped over NZ's White Island blast

A New Zealand judge today dropped charges against two booking companies that helped organise tours to volcanic White Island on the day of its deadly eruption in 2019.

World • 12 Sep 23

22 people were killed after the eruption in December 2019

Charges over deadly NZ volcanic eruption dismissed

The owners of a New Zealand island where a volcanic eruption killed 22 visitors in 2019 have had individual charges against them dismissed by a court in Auckland.

World • 05 Sep 23

New Zealand had some of the toughest Covid-19 pandemic rules in the world (File image)

New Zealand set to remove final Covid-19 restrictions

New Zealand will lift all remaining Covid-19 requirements this week, bringing an end to some of the toughest Covid-19 pandemic rules in the world more than three years after they were put in place.

Coronavirus • 14 Aug 23

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the gunman died at the scene and there was no national security threat

Shock and sorrow over deadly Auckland shooting

The Prime Minister of New Zealand has expressed shock and sorrow over the mass shooting at a construction site in Auckland, in which two people were killed and a male shooter died just hours before the city is due to host the opening match of the Women's World Cup.

World • 20 Jul 23

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the soccer tournament would proceed as planned

Shooter kills two in Auckland attack ahead of World Cup

At least two people and an armed attacker were killed and five others wounded in a shooting in New Zealand's largest city of Auckland, hours ahead of the opening match of the Women's soccer World Cup in the city.

World • 20 Jul 23

The volcano erupted in 2019, killing 22 people

Pilot jumped into ocean when NZ volcano erupted

A helicopter pilot has told a court that he and two of his passengers escaped serious injury by jumping into the ocean when a New Zealand volcano erupted in 2019, killing 22 people.

World • 13 Jul 23

Trial opens over 2019 New Zealand volcano disaster

A trial has opened over New Zealand's 2019 White Island volcanic eruption, a "massive explosion" that engulfed tourists and killed 22 people while leaving others with terrible burns.

World • 11 Jul 23

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins

New Zealand signs 'ambitious' trade deal with EU

The European Union and New Zealand have signed a free trade agreement which Brussels says can lift exchanges between the two by 30% with a decade.

Business • 09 Jul 23

Radio New Zealand has so far corrected 22 stories on its website dating back to April 2022 because of what it termed 'inappropriate editing' (Stock image)

Stories 'edited' at New Zealand's national broadcaster

New Zealand's national radio broadcaster said it has set up an independent review of its editorial processes after it published a range of stories on its website, including on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, that were altered to present "a false account of events".

World • 14 Jun 23