New Zealand

14 June 2019; DW: Brenton Tarrant's lawyers on Friday entered not-guilty pleas to 51 charges of murder, 40 charges of attempted murder and one terrorism charge at the Christchurch High Court. 

In an attack broadcast live on Facebook, a lone gunman armed with semi-automatic weapons targeted Muslims attending Friday prayers in Christchurch on March 15. It was New Zealand's worst peacetime mass shooting and led to substantial changes in the country's gun laws.

Fit for trial

11 June 2019; DW: The Court of Appeal issued its judgment on Tuesday for a China extradition case dating back to 2011. In the first case of its kind between the two countries, the decisions of the Justice Ministry have been quashed and will have to be reconsidered.

WELLINGTON, June 9 (Xinhua) -- New Zealanders from across the country are calling for the criminal justice system to be overhauled, the country's Justice Minister Andrew Little said on Sunday, citing a new report providing reform options for the government to build a safer and more effective justice system.

The newly released interim report by the Safe and Effective Justice Advisory Group captures feedbacks from New Zealanders on the current state of the justice system and offers insights on how it can be improved.

WELLINGTON, June 7 (Xinhua) -- A street in the eastern suburbs of Christchurch was blocked off by the police after a gunshot was heard and reported.

Police arrived in the area early Friday morning after receiving a report saying a firearm was discharged on the street by a park in the suburb of Avonside, Senior Sergeant Paul Robertson said in a statement.

There were no reported injuries, Robertson said, adding investigations are underway.

WELLINGTON, June 6 (Xinhua) -- One person died following a firearm-involved incident near Kawhia, New Zealand's North Island, early Thursday.

Police were called to a rural address about 4:00 a.m. local time (1600 GMT Wednesday) on a shooting report, Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley said in a statement.

Initial indications showed the incident was caused by a firearm.

Three others were also wounded in the incident and were reported to be in a moderate condition, Pitkethley said, adding that one person was assisting police with their enquiries.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand’s government says it will spend billions of dollars more on mental health services and combatting child poverty as part of a new approach to its finances.

The liberal-led government on Thursday unveiled the country’s first so-called well-being budget. It aims to measure social outcomes like health and the environment alongside traditional metrics such as economic growth.

The new approach has been lauded by some internationally but criticized by the conservative opposition as meaningless window-dressing.

29 May 2019; DW: Tens of thousands of New Zealand teachers joined the country's largest ever education strike on Wednesday, demanding higher pay and shorter hours.

The labor action by almost 50,000 secondary and primary school teachers came a day before Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's center-left government was set to release its first "well-being" budget.

21 May 2019; DW: The man accused of gunning down 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch has been formally charged with terrorism. The charge is a first for New Zealand and carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

New Zealand police said Tuesday they had filed a terrorism charge against the Australian national accused of killing 51 worshippers in attacks on Christchurch mosques in March. 

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday visited the two New Zealand mosques where 51 worshippers were killed by a gunman in March.

Guterres spent about 30 minutes inside the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch talking to Muslim leaders and survivors of the attacks.

Outside the mosque, he told reporters that like many people around the world, he had been moved by the poignant stories of compassion and grace.

WELLINGTON, May 13 (Xinhua): New Zealand dairy company Fonterra has sold its ice cream company Tip Top for 380 million New Zealand dollars to British dairy giant Froneri.

Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell confirmed the sale, saying it was a bittersweet moment for Fonterra. "Fonterra received a number of quality bids for Tip Top, we have secured a good price for our farmers and unit holders," Hurrell said.

It is understood that Fonterra had signed an agreement with the new owner to supply milk which ensured Fonterra farmers would continue to contribute to Tip Top.