China flag (file image).

Barbara Dreaver: China's missile test sends unmistakable Pacific message

Analysis: Beijing's dummy warhead test, fired hours after Australia and Fiji signed a new defence pact, signals a Pacific influence battle entering a sharper, more public phase.

6:00am

1:32

China launched the missile from a nuclear submarine in the South Pacific, according to state media.

'Deeply concerning': China fires nuclear-capable test missile in South Pacific

New Zealand was warned that China planned to fire a missile into the South Pacific Ocean only hours before the launch, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said.

4:23pm

1:32

Todd McClay (left) and Christopher Luxon (right) speaking on the Government's trade agenda in Auckland.

Govt touts rising India trade – PM condemns anti-immigrant rhetoric

The trade drumbeat comes ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in Auckland on Friday - the first official visit by an Indian leader in 40 years.

4:20pm

2:44

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte gestures as she speaks during a press conference in Manila, Philippines on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.

Philippine Senate opens impeachment trial of Vice President

It is a politically volatile event that will unfold with the backdrop of her bitter political feud with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

2:14pm

Xi Jinping (bottom left) with promoted generals Wang Shuguang (top left) and Wang Gang (top right).

China's military promotes two new generals after anti-corruption purge

The shake-up is believed to be in part an effort to ensure the military's loyalty to China's ruling Communist Party and its leader, Xi Jinping.

Sunday 2:19pm

Soldiers and volunteers take part in a rescue work after an overcrowded passenger bus plunged from a highway into a rocky ravine in Pakistan. (Source: Balochistan Emergency Services Department via AP)

Overcrowded bus plunges into ravine in Pakistan, killing 40

The bus was speeding when it went out of control and fell into the ravine in Dana Sar.

Sat, Jul 4

The Royal New Zealand Navy's ships sail in formation.

Using distance as a defence strategy is now wishful thinking for NZ

As China’s military expansion shakes up the Indo-Pacific region’s security order, it's becoming harder to argue that distance offers a form of protection.

Sat, Jul 4

In this photo provided by Indian Prime Minister's Office, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during the AI Summit in New Delhi, India, Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Indian Prime Minister Modi to make first official New Zealand visit

Narendra Modi will arrive in Auckland next week, reflecting the growing relationship between the two countries, Christopher Luxon says.

Fri, Jul 3

Kiwi basketball coach Tab Baldwin in 2014.

Kiwi coaches facing homicide charges over Manila drownings

The Ateneo Blue Eagles basketball team were on a conditioning exercise with coaches Tab Baldwin and Grant Dearns when they were swept into deeper water.

Thu, Jul 2

Australian man Simon Peter Carman, 45, has spoken after being charged with the murder of 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla in Thailand.

'Angry': Woman's run-in with Thai teen's Australian alleged killer

Simon Peter Carman was arrested after the body of teenager Tunchanok Donhomla was found in a suitcase in Pattaya, south of Bangkok.

Wed, Jul 1

Women mourn over the death of their children killed after the roof of a tutoring centre under-construction collapsed on the outskirts of Lahore, Pakistan.

Roof of tutoring centre collapses in Pakistan, killing at least 14 kids

Eight other children were injured and being treated at a hospital.

Wed, Jul 1

June 2026
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford.

'Not helpful': Stanford says Peters risks undermining NZ-India relationship

Winston Peters was called out by the minister after taking India trade deal discussions public before final decisions had been made.

Tue, Jun 30

Simon Peter Carman, 45, was arrested in Bangkok.

More details emerge about Australian accused of killing Thai teen

It has been revealed that the 45-year-old man accused of murdering a 17-year-old had previous run-ins with the law.

Tue, Jun 30

Yan Zhang is a former member of the China Zhi Gong Party which is closely connected with the Chinese Communist Party, who ran for Porirua City Council in 2025.

Wellington ACT candidate quits after political group link revealed

The party confirmed today that the Kenepuru candidate had resigned – a week after her unveiling.

Tue, Jun 30

Heroin found in the lining of a tote bag. (Source: Australian Border Force)

Airline worker charged in Australia over tote bags lined with heroin

The 26-year-old woman from Thailand allegedly hid $610,600 worth of heroin in the lining of 12 tote bags.

Mon, Jun 29

The stepmother and father of Tunchanok Donhomla.

'Deeply saddened': Parents of Thai girl found dead in suitcase

A 45-year-old Australian national has been charged with murder over the death.

Mon, Jun 29

Alleged killer claims Thai suitcase death was 'out of my control'

Alleged killer claims Thai suitcase death was 'out of my control'

Australian man Simon Peter Carman, 45, is charged with the murder of Tunchanok Donhomla and has apologised to the 17-year-old's family.

Mon, Jun 29

The man, named by local police as Simon Peter Carman, was arrested at Bangkok's main international airport on Friday evening while allegedly attempting to leave the country on a Jetstar flight to Perth.

Australian man charged with murder of teen girl in Thailand

An Australian man has been charged with murder in Thailand after the body of a teenage girl was found stuffed in a suitcase by railroad tracks.

Sun, Jun 28

The surface of the Citic Tower also known as Zun Tower is damaged in Beijing,, Friday, June 26, 2026.

Small aircraft crashes into Beijing’s tallest building - reports

A flight tracking service said the plane crashed into the CITIC Tower, also known as China Zun, which rises more than 528 metres above the Chinese capital.

Sat, Jun 27

The wall of a building is seen partly damaged following an earthquake in Hachinohe, Aomori prefecture, northern Japan. (Source: Kyodo News via AP)

Powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake strikes off northern Japan

The country’s meteorological agency said there was no danger of a tsunami following the quake off the eastern coast of Iwate.

Thu, Jun 25

Sylvie Yasmina in a video thanking officers for rescuing her. (Source: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police)

French woman, five kids rescued after decade of captivity in Pakistan

Sylvie Yasmina, 54, was rescued from a mud-brick home in Bara after one of her sons managed to leave the house and reach a police station.

Thu, Jun 25

Ashen Phaipanya was intubated and sedated at a Bali hospital.

Kiwi teen in Bali ICU battling meningitis and pneumonia

A family holiday turned into a "parent's worst nightmare" when teenager Ashen Phaipanya contracted meningitis in Indonesia.

Thu, Jun 25

Firefighters work at the site of a fire at an elementary school in Tokyo, Japan.

Hundreds of children rescued after fire at Tokyo school

Television footage showed black smoke billowing out of windows on the fourth floor, as firefighters combated the fire at the scene.

Fri, Jun 19

A man identified by Polish media as Robert Kuzovkov and by prosecutors as Robert K., in accordance with Polish privacy law, who they said was an artist who used the pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky, poses for a photo with one of his paintings near the Russian Embassy in Berlin, Germany

Suspect in killing of artist critical of Putin arrested in Poland

The killing is the latest act which Polish authorities believe could be part of a campaign of Russian sabotage.

Fri, Jun 19

Sarpreet Singh prepares to kick the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between IR Iran and New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium.

Sarpreet Singh proud to pave the way for Sikh footballers at World Cup

According to New Zealand Football, the forward is the first Sikh to play at a senior men’s FIFA World Cup.

Fri, Jun 19