Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Ardern unveiled that kiwis will be subject to a ‘level four’ lockdown from 11:59pm local time (11:59am GMT) following the reporting of a single coronavirus infection in Auckland. “It is better to start high and go down levels rather than start too low, …
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After Amazon founder Jeff Bezos demanded a ‘Game of Thrones’-style program to boost his company’s streaming service, the retail giant paid $250 million to secure the television rights to the franchise four years ago – and author J.R.R. Tolkien’s estate had reportedly hoped to have it filmed primarily in the …
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The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) CEO Kereyn Smith said that Hubbard met the requirements to compete in the international games, and stressed that New Zealand’s team has a “strong culture of… inclusion and respect for all.” Smith acknowledged that the decision was controversial, stating that “human rights” must be …
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The updated medical advice was issued on Wednesday by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), an expert health panel advising the Australian government, and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). Noting that “the risk of severe outcomes from Covid-19 is significantly higher …
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Around 30,000 nurses, midwives, and healthcare assistants walked off the job on Wednesday, marching on the streets and rallying across the country for better pay and a safer workplace environment. They carried placards saying, “Good health needs valued nurses” and “Fair wages = more nurses.” The New Zealand Nurses Organisation …
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The divide between New Zealand and its Western partners was outlined during a parliamentary session on Wednesday, as politicians unanimously backed a motion expressing “grave concern” about allegations of human rights violations against Uighur Muslims. The declaration only managed to secure the support of MPs after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s …
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But there’s no worry of Amazon Studios going bust fulfilling its Middle Earth fantasies, because the New Zealand government is subsidising the series via a special 25% rebate for production costs. As well as being the most expensive TV show in history, Amazon’s Lord of the Rings project will also …
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In a statement released on Tuesday, Mahuta walked back her remarks, recommitting to the “security and intelligence partnership” with the other members of the Five Eyes intelligence network, describing it as vital to the nation’s defense. On Monday, the foreign minister told the New Zealand China Council that “we are …
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The World War II-era partnership between the intelligence agencies of the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand has issued official statements in recent months on a host of China-related matters, including alleged human rights violations against Uighurs and political developments in Hong Kong. Speaking at a meeting of …
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Under the country’s Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan, New Zealand hopes to gradually increase the legal smoking age and ultimately prohibit cigarette sales to anyone born after 2004. The initiative also calls for a significant reduction in the level of nicotine allowed in tobacco and places restrictions on where cigarettes …
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