New Zealand | DD News

November 17, 2025 12:30 PM

Asbestos contamination forces schools in Australia, New Zealand to close

More than 70 schools in Australia and New Zealand were closed on Monday for cleaning after asbestos was discovered in widely used children’s play sand products. Recalls have been issued for several colourful play sand products after laboratory testing detected traces of tremolite and chrysotile asbestos. A number of schools and preschools in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and one in Brisbane shut on Friday after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a natio...

November 10, 2025 2:43 PM

Rain helps tame wildfire in New Zealand’s oldest national park

A large wildfire burning through New Zealand’s oldest national park has probably been extinguished after steady rainfall helped to suppress the flames, authorities said on Monday. The fire in Tongariro National Park, a popular hiking spot in New Zealand's central North Island, broke out on Saturday and has so far burnt through 2,500 hectares (10 square miles) of alpine bush. In an update late Monday, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said an afternoon observation flight found "no visible signs ...

November 9, 2025 11:43 AM

New Zealand authorities send extra fire planes to battle 1,100-hectare wildfire

New Zealand authorities said on Sunday that extra aircraft were being sent to fight an out-of-control wildfire that has burnt through around 1,100 hectares (4.2 square miles) of national park in the country's central North Island. Firefighters began battling the fire in Tongariro National Park, a popular hiking spot, on Saturday afternoon and around 40 hikers had to be airlifted to safety. However, firefighting efforts were suspended overnight for safety reasons. Fire and Emergency New Zealand...

November 4, 2025 10:43 AM

India, New Zealand begin fourth round of FTA negotiations in Auckland

India and New Zealand have begun the fourth round of negotiations for their proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking another key step toward strengthening bilateral economic ties. The talks, being held in Auckland from November 3 to 7, aim to advance discussions on building a balanced, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial partnership between the two nations. The current round focuses on crucial areas such as Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, and Rules of Origin. Both sides are working to...

October 27, 2025 12:35 PM

EAM Jaishankar, New Zealand PM Luxon discuss bilateral cooperation, Indo-Pacific security in Malaysia

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday met New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and ensuring a secure and stable Indo-Pacific region. EAM Jaishankar, who is representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 20th East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, shared details of the meeting on X. “A pleasure meeting PM Christopher Luxon of New Zealand on the s...

October 24, 2025 9:33 AM

Women’s World Cup: Smriti, Pratika power India into semis with win over New Zealand in rain-hit clash

Openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal struck contrasting centuries and shared a record 212-run opening partnership to set up India’s 53-run victory (via DLS method) over New Zealand in a rain-affected Match 24 of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in Navi Mumbai on Thursday. Mandhana produced a stroke-filled 109 off 95 balls, while Rawal anchored the innings with a composed 122 off 134 balls as India piled up 340/3 in 49 overs. After rain interrupted play, New Zealand were set a revised targ...

September 17, 2025 1:08 PM

Michael Bracewell to lead injury-hit New Zealand in Australia T20Is

Michael Bracewell will captain a depleted New Zealand side in the upcoming T20I series against Australia, with regular skipper Mitchell Santner and several senior players ruled out through injury. Santner, recovering from abdominal surgery, is targeting a return later in the month against England, New Zealand Cricket said on Wednesday. In his absence, Bracewell will lead the side for the three-match series at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, starting October 1. Explosive opener Finn Allen is side...

September 15, 2025 10:04 AM

New Zealand’s Kane Williamson available for T20 World Cup on casual contract

Kane Williamson has confirmed his availability for the T20 World Cup as part of a group of New Zealand players signed up for casual contracts, but the Black Caps batting great will miss next month's T20I series against Australia. Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert also agreed to casual deals for the 2025/26 season, locking them in for the global showpiece in India and Sri Lanka starting in early-February, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Monday. New Zealand's casual con...

September 8, 2025 1:07 PM

New Zealand fugitive father on the run with children shot dead by police

A New Zealand father who had been on the run with his three children for nearly four years was shot dead by police on Monday and the children are all safe in custody, police said. Tom Phillips disappeared with his children, now aged 9, 10, and 12, in late 2021 in a case that has made national headlines over his ability to evade arrest. A police officer was shot several times with a high-powered rifle and seriously injured in the attempt to arrest Phillips, New Zealand police acting Deputy Comm...

September 2, 2025 1:28 PM

Pat Cummins’ back injury deals a blow to Australia’s Ashes preparations

Australia's preparations for their Ashes defence have taken a hit with captain Pat Cummins struggling with a lower back issue and given no return-to-play timeline. The 32-year-old fast bowler has been ruled out of upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand and India after scans revealed signs of lumbar bone stress. Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed on Tuesday that Cummins had lingering back pain from the West Indies tour and the injury would require ongoing management in the lead-up to the ...