Wellington - Villagers on the Vanuatu island of Ambae were facing their second evacuation in seven months Friday after a volcano rumbled back to life and rained ash on their homes.

Wellington - New Zealand is halting all new offshore oil and gas exploration to become a global leader in the fight against climate change, the centre-left government said Thursday, but opponents accused it of "economic vandalism".

Auckland - Up to a quarter of homes in Auckland were without power Wednesday after a wild storm packing winds of more than 200kmh (125mph) lashed New Zealand's largest city.The storm hit the city of 1.

Sydney - China is discussing building a military base with the government of Vanuatu. This is seen as a further move by China to expand its global and regional projection of power. The question is exactly where this strategy is going.

Wellington - New Zealand's parliament has passed legislation to erase historic convictions for engaging in gay sex, saying the bill would help right past injustices.

Wellington - A missing British round-the-world sailor unclipped his safety tether before a swinging boom knocked him into the churning Southern Ocean, likely rendering him "unconscious before he hit the water," his crew-mates revealed Thursday.

Wellington - New Zealand said Tuesday it would like to expel Russian spies in retaliation for allegedly poisoning an ex-agent in Britain -- only it can't find any Moscow operatives in the remote South Pacific nation.

Auckland - Spanish entry Mapfre led the seven-yacht fleet out of Auckland Harbour on Sunday as the gruelling Volvo Ocean Race resumed with its toughest leg across the tempestuous Southern Ocean.

Wellington - The island nation of Samoa has declared its waters a shark sanctuary, joining a string of other Pacific countries in protecting the marine predators.Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele said the move would help sustain a vital part of the ocean's ecosystem....

Wellington - A mentally disturbed teenager tried to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II during a 1981 visit to New Zealand and police covered up the botched attempt, according to official documents released Thursday.

Wellington - Details of a revamped cross-Pacific pact aimed at slashing trade barriers were released Wednesday amid a renewed push for the United States to rejoin the 11-nation deal.

Wellington - Former New Zealand prime minister Bill English announced his retirement Tuesday after failing to retain office in last year's "Jacinda-mania" general election.

Wellington - Internet mogul Kim Dotcom's legal case returns to court in New Zealand Monday for what may be the Megaupload founder's final chance of avoiding extradition to the United States.

Wellington - The Kiribati government faced criticism Friday for obstructing foreign journalists attempting to cover a major ferry disaster that has left the tiny Pacific nation in mourning.

Wellington - New Zealand wildlife lovers are mourning the death of a gannet named Nigel, dubbed "the loneliest bird in the world" due to the absence of any feathered friends on his island home.

Wellington - An aerial search for survivors from a ferry that sank in the remote Pacific two weeks ago was suspended Friday with more than 80 people still missing, many of them children, officials said.

Wellington - New Zealand ordered a high-level inquiry into historical abuse of children in state care Thursday, saying past failures must be acknowledged to prevent it happening again.

Wellington - Many children and teenagers are among those missing after a ferry sank in the remote Pacific, official figures have revealed, with victims described as their region's "youngest and brightest".

Wellington - More than 80 people were aboard a ferry that sank in the remote Pacific, officials confirmed Wednesday, as a senior Kiribati lawmaker called for an independent inquiry into the vessel's disappearance.

On Sunday, California-based startup Rocket Lab made history again, launching its Electron Rocket from its launch facility on the Māhia Peninsula in New Zealand, carrying a payload of commercial satellites that were successfully put into Earth orbit.