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 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.
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.
Air New Zealand will turn one of its 787s into a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Auckland Airport on Saturday. It's part of a broader day of action aimed at boosting the country's vaccination rate.
The new mandate compels health care workers, including doctors and pharmacists, to be fully vaccinated by December. Teachers and other education workers must be fully vaccinated by January.
The New Zealand singer worked with a team of language experts to re-record five of her new songs in the indigenous Māori language, released just in time for Māori Language Week.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the man was a Sri Lankan national who was inspired by the Islamic State group and described the incident as a terror attack.
But her selection is not without controversy. Some argue that because Laurel Hubbard went through male puberty, she will have an unfair advantage over her competitors.
Less than three weeks after launching quarantine-free travel between the two countries, New Zealand is suspending flights from Australia after new cases were found there.
The pandemic is under such control in the two countries that people will be able to travel between them for the first time without quarantining since March 2020.
The case of a woman who reportedly married ISIS fighters and is now stuck in Turkey with her young children has become the subject of a diplomatic dispute between Australia and New Zealand.
The policy will give parents the right to three days of paid leave when a pregnancy ends in stillbirth. "Their grief is not a sickness, it is a loss. And loss takes time," said the bill's initiator.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Thursday the government will work with suppliers to get free period products into schools in June, building off a pilot program started last year.
