New Zealand

NZ acknowledges PNG workers

He stated this during the meet with the New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carmel Sepuloni.

“We note Samoa's concern of skilled shortages it experienced, which resulted in it suspending its participation in the programme at the moment. However, for PNG we have a lot of semi-skilled youth population that we want to utilize under this programme,” Minister Tkatchenko stated.

Aid to New Zealand

The encounter was prior to the Special Leaders' Retreat where Minister Tkatchenko offered PNG's support to New Zealand following the extreme disaster caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

“We will send our PNGDF to support New Zealand with clean up exercises, if required,” said Minister Tkatchenko.

Sepuloni acknowledged PNG's offer of support and said; “New Zealand is used to offering support to other Pacific Island countries in times of need and to receive that in return is indeed overwhelming.”

New Zealand declares State of Emergency

It is only the third time such a declaration has been made, with the previous two being for the Christchurch earthquakes and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Professor John Hopkins, Director, LEAD Institute of Law Emergencies and Disasters, University of Canterbury said the state of emergency declaration provides extensive powers to the National Controller (and by extension the government) to order individuals and groups to act in a way that is required to address the emergency.

“These powers include forced evacuations, closing roads, providing supplies, etc.

Minister determined to boost NZ and Aust partnership

Foreign Affairs Minister, Justin Tkatchenko and his New Zealand counterpart Hanaia Mahuta discussed ways of enhancing the current status of the labor mobility program to include more Papua New Guineans across various industries in the New Zealand market - an objective that mirrors that of Australia.

NZ Foreign Minister calls for urgent PIF retreat

The delegation will be visiting the Seasonal Workers Program in New Zealand, which has offered 18,000 positions for seasonal workers. Currently, there are only 100 Papua New Guineans working in New Zealand and the delegation will be visiting them on site, meeting with contractors, the Labor and Immigration Department, and the Foreign Affairs representatives.

Tkatchenko in NZ for official visit

During their visit to the Victoria University, they hope to make arrangements for up to 250 young people from PNG to receive diplomacy training over a period of five years.

The Minister emphasized the importance of regional security and highlighted the positive relationship between New Zealand and PNG in terms of defense training. The delegation will also show their support for the PNG Female Football team, currently in New Zealand.

New Zealand pilot taken hostage by West Papua separatist group after plane set alight

Key points:

  • Military personnel are searching for the pilot and five passengers
  • The West Papua National Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack
  • The rebel group say it will release the pilot when the government recognises the region's independence

A police spokesperson in Papua province, Ignatius Benny Adi Prabowo, said authorities were investigating the incident, with police and military personnel sent to the area to locate the pilot and five passengers.

Lae City FC Set For Today’s Clash

Lae City FC plays its second match against AS Venus of Tahiti today (Sunday 07th August 2022) at 1pm.

AS Venus currently leads the Group A pool with 1 win so far.

Lae City FC has 1 draw from their first match and has to win this second match in order to stay in the competition.

Head Coach Bob Morris is happy with his pack so far, and has realigned them from Game 1.

So far, lead up training in Auckland has been favourable with the team having enough time to acclimatise and have a good feel of the international standard synthetic soccer pitches.

NZ To Host FIFA Women’s World Cup

The draw will take place in Auckland on October 22, 2022. Taking place in the city’s Aotea Centre, the draw will reveal the match fixtures for the 32 teams competing in the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand in just over a year.

The globally televised draw show will include cultural performances and insights into the five Australian and four New Zealand host cities that will welcome teams and football fans and many surprises.

New Zealand overcome tough Tahiti challenge to book final spot

New Zealand boss Danny Hay made several changes to the side that faced New Caledonia last time out, with just Matt Garbett and Callum McCowatt remaining from the 11 who started the 7-1 win. Meanwhile, Samuel Garcia made just the one change to the Tahiti team that lost 3-1 to the Solomon Islands, Mauri Heitaa coming in at left-back.

The plan from the All Whites was obvious from the start, looking to retain possession and stretch the game with their wing-backs Cacace and Niko Kirwan.