New Zealand

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The tsunami threat around the Pacific from a huge undersea volcanic eruption began to recede Sunday, but the massive ash cloud covering the tiny island nation of Tonga prevented surveillance flights from New Zealand to assess the extent of damage.

Satellite images showed the spectacular eruption that took place Saturday evening, with a plume of ash, steam and gas rising like a mushroom above the blue Pacific waters. A sonic boom could be heard as far away as Alaska.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — An undersea volcano erupted in spectacular fashion near the Pacific nation of Tonga on Saturday, sending large tsunami waves crashing across the shore and people rushing to higher ground. A tsunami advisory was in effect for Hawaii, Alaska and the U.S. Pacific coast.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or the extent of the damage as communications with the small island nation remained cut off hours after the eruption.

WELLINGTON, Dec 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) – New Zealand reported 49 new Delta variant cases of COVID-19 in the community today, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country’s current community outbreak to 10,825.

Among the new infections, 22 were recorded in the largest city of Auckland, three in nearby Waikato, 19 in Bay of Plenty, one in Hawke’s Bay and four in the Lakes, according to the Ministry of Health.

A total of 46 cases are being treated in hospitals, including eight in intensive care units or high dependency units, the ministry said in a statement.

WELLINGTON, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) – New Zealand identified four more COVID-19 cases of Omicron variant, among recent international arrivals, taking the total in the country to eight, said New Zealand’s Ministry of Health, in a statement today.

All infected are isolated in the border quarantine facilities, said the statement, adding that, New Zealand reported 49 new cases of COVID-19.

Of the 49 new cases, 39 were community cases across New Zealand, and 10 were imported cases, said the ministry.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand’s government believes it has come up with a unique plan to end tobacco smoking — a lifetime ban for those aged 14 or younger.

Under a new law the government announced Thursday and plans to pass next year, the minimum age to buy cigarettes would keep rising year after year.

That means, in theory at least, 65 years after the law takes effect, shoppers could still buy cigarettes — but only if they could prove they were at least 80 years old.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Lawmakers in the Solomon Islands debated on Monday whether they still have confidence in the prime minister, after rioters last month set fire to buildings and looted stores in the capital.

China, meanwhile, said it was shipping in aid for its citizens caught up in the violence.

Many businesses remained closed in Honiara ahead of the vote over concerns that violence could erupt again, leading to an eerie calm.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand will reopen its borders to the world over the coming months, the government announced Wednesday, allowing for the return of displaced residents from January and tourists from April.

The South Pacific nation imposed harsh border restrictions when the pandemic began, effectively banning tourists and requiring returning residents to spend two weeks in a quarantine hotel run by the military.

At times, demand for quarantine beds has far outstripped supply, causing some displaced residents to wait months for available slots.

WELLINGTON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) on Saturday launched the Putrajaya Vision 2040 implementation plan for future cooperation in the Asia-Pacific at the 28th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

APEC's new long-term blueprint aims for an "open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040, for the prosperity of all our people and future generations."

The plan is APEC's most important deliverable for the year, and a core focus for New Zealand as the host. 

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping warned Thursday against letting tensions in the Asian-Pacific region cause a relapse into a Cold War mentality.

His remarks on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum came weeks after the U.S., Britain and Australia announced a new security alliance in the region which would see Australia build nuclear submarines. China has harshly criticized the deal.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Making coronavirus vaccines more accessible and reducing carbon emissions were two key pledges that Pacific Rim senior officials could agree to Wednesday.

But what went unstated were the deep tensions that run through the unlikely group of 21 nations and territories that include the U.S., China, Taiwan, Russia, and Australia. Those tensions have raised questions about who can join a Pacific trade deal and whether the U.S. will get to host a future round of meetings.