New Faces, Old Tensions in East Asia

It is a time of tension in East Asia with growing nationalism, territorial claims between Japan and its neighbours and the persistent challenge of a nuclear North Korea

Trading Up in Asia

The Trans-Pacific Partnership could add billions of dollars to the U.S. economy and solidify Washington's commitment to the Pacific. But if the Obama administration fails to calm critics of the deal, there is a growing possibility that it could collapse

Australia Grants Temporary Visas to NZ-Bound Chinese Asylum Seekers

Australia granted temporary visas to a boatload of rescued Chinese citizens to replenish their supplies, arguing that it could not legally stop them from their scheduled path to New Zealand

New Zealand Women's Match-Racing Crew on Course for London Olympics

Though considered young compared to their key competitors, New Zealand's Jenna Hansen, Stephanie Hazard and Susannah Pyatt have remained undaunted in their bid for a sailing medal at the upcoming London Olympics

New Zealand MP Proposes Hanging for Filipino Captain of Oil Slicking Ship

A member of the New Zealand parliament called for the Filipino captain of the container ship that has been leaking oil since striking a reef to be hanged for the environmental disaster he caused in the Bay of Plenty

Bay of Plenty Oil Spill May Be New Zealand's Worst Environmental Disaster

Hundreds of tons of oil spilling into New Zealand's Bay of Plenty from a stranded cargo ship have created the country's worst environmental disaster, the nation's top environmental official said

England Out of Rugby World Cup, France in Semis vs. Wales

England's bid to return to the World Cup finals and reclaim the Webb Ellis Cup was dashed by the Les Bleus, with France posting a stunning 19-12 victory in their quarter-final clash at Eden Park in Auckland. France took advantage of 10 missed tackles to build a 16-0 lead

Romania and Japan Take Home Lessons from Rugby World Cup

Romania's World Cup bid is over, but the Six Nations regular competitor is expected to return home with valuable lessons. Despite being outplayed in their clash with Six Nations rival Georgia 25-9 Wednesday, the Romanian side is still backing the retention of a 20-team tournament

United States - Pacific Relations: Pacific-Minded

The door for China's dramatic increase in influence in the island nations of the Pacific was opened by decades of mismanagement of Pacific affairs by western allies Australia and New Zealand. And if the US and the west want to regain ground, the two Pacific partners are going to have to rethink how they engage with the region

'Pariah of the Pacific' Has Ham-handed Grip on Fiji

Bainimarama, the self-appointed prime minister of Fiji, is a South Pacific dictator. But he's not very good at it. The State Department says it has seen no reports of 'unlawful killings,' disappearances or political prisoners in Fiji. What kind of dictator is that? But he immediately earned the undying enmity of his largest neighbors, Australia and New Zealand