New Zealand welcomed tourists from the U.S., Canada, Britain, Japan and more than 50 other countries for the first time in more than two years.

The country's defense minister cites both the Russia-Ukraine war and China for accelerating the rearming of fighter jets and warships.

One Asia-Pacific security observer says Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. would all be "very concerned" about the draft agreement.

The move is meant to speed up the recovery of the island nation's pandemic-battered economy, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Wednesday.

Three years after the deadly shootings, a victim of the shootings travels more than 200 miles on foot and by bike to retrace the gunman's journey.

Experts say New Zealand's actions have likely saved thousands of lives by allowing the nation to mostly avoid earlier, more deadly variants and buying time to get people vaccinated.

The police action was the most significant use of force to date by authorities against the protesters, who oppose coronavirus vaccine mandates.

The police action was the most significant use of force to date by authorities against the protesters, who oppose coronavirus vaccine mandates.

The new law calls for prison time for anyone who performs conversion therapy on children under 18 or who performs a practice that "causes serious harm to the individual" — regardless of their age.

Anti-government protesters are refusing to budge from their encampment in Wellington. One lawmaker is blasting music and COVID-19 vaccine announcements, a tactic that's drawn mixed reviews.

Among the protesters' grievances is the requirement in New Zealand that certain workers get vaccinated against the coronavirus, including teachers, doctors, nurses, police and military personnel.

"This stage of the pandemic is different to what we have dealt with before. Omicron is more transmissible," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.

The Ngati Toa, a Maori tribe whose version of the intimidating display has been popularized by New Zealand's All Blacks rugby team, says it supports COVID-19 vaccinations.

This penguin's adventure might have taken a few wrong turns. It's only the third time an Adélie penguin is known to have made it to the shores of New Zealand.

The Christchurch City Council will end its contract with Ian Brackenbury Channell, reportedly the world's only state-appointed wizard. The "Wizard of New Zealand" has had a long and unique career.