By James Hurndell In early December the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), which includes Pacific Island nations and major distant-water fishing nations, failed to agree on new measures to conserve Pacific tuna stocks. The inability to achieve consensus…
By Ben Schaare The landmark, unexpected climate change agreement that China and the United States announced on November 12 is an ambitious step toward reducing global carbon emissions. The deal surprised Australia and New Zealand, and leaves their policies lagging…
By James Hurndell Shortly after New Zealand’s 2014 general elections, Prime Minister John Key announced he would follow through on a pre-election pledge to hold a referendum on whether to change the national flag. Opponents of the current flag argue…
By James Hurndell U.S. ambassador to Fiji Frankie Reed on October 30 announced that the United States would lift sanctions on Fiji and seek opportunities for reengagement with the Fijian military. While Fiji has an operationally experienced and sizeable military…
Who is he? Bill English has served as deputy prime minister and finance minister of New Zealand since 2008. He has been a member of Parliament for the National Party since 1990. English became the National Party’s leader in 2001…
Who is he? Gerry Brownlee is a lawmaker with New Zealand’s National Party, representing the Christchurch suburb of Ilam. He is the third-ranking member of Prime Minister John Key’s cabinet and his portfolio includes managing the government’s legislative agenda and…
John Key’s National Party won a general election victory in New Zealand on September 20, 2014. Our Pacific Partners Initiative breaks down the electoral results that will determine membership of the next New Zealand parliament in this infographic.
By Richard Teare Australian prime minister Tony Abbott and New Zealand prime minister John Key in June visited Washington for meetings with President Barack Obama and other U.S. officials. Both leaders addressed breakfast audiences at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce;…
By Richard Teare It was my good fortune to be assigned as deputy chief of mission of the U.S. embassies in New Zealand from 1983 to 1986 and Australia from 1986 to 1989. New Zealand and Australia are congenial places…
Paul Bloxham, HSBC chief economist, recently dubbed New Zealand the “rockstar” economy of 2014. Analysts predict New Zealand’s economy will grow more than 3 percent this year, driven by high dairy prices and the rebuilding of Christchurch following the devastating…
