Demonstrators supporting Maori rights rallied across New Zealand including a large group gathered outside Wellington's Parliament building waving Maori sovereignty flags.

New Zealand: Thousands rally against bill undermining indigenous rights

Disaster relief work is under way after heavy rains battered the tourist town of Queenstown in New Zealand. The local government was forced to declare a state of emergency due to heavy flooding.

New Zealand's Queenstown hit by heavy rains

Does the language used in an official communication often confuse you? Do you find yourself lost in the jargons used in government policies? Well, New Zealand may soon pass a law making the use of simple language mandatory in official communications. Molly Gambhir has a report.

Gravitas: New Zealand fights to keep official communications free of jargons

<p>New Zealand has long been seen as the moderate, even absent,&nbsp;voice&nbsp;on&nbsp;China&nbsp;in the "Five Eyes" western alliance, so much so that&nbsp;its&nbsp;commitment to the group was questioned just 12 months ago.</p>

<p>The recent signing of a&nbsp;security&nbsp;pact&nbsp;between&nbsp;China&nbsp;and nearby&nbsp;Solomon&nbsp;Islands&nbsp;appears to have changed that.</p>

<p>New Zealand's tone on both&nbsp;security&nbsp;and Beijing's growing presence in the South Pacific has toughened, a shift analysts say reflects concerns the agreement will give Beijing a strategic foothold and potentially a military presence in the Pacific that could destabilise Western influence.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-solomon-islands-meet-discussions-include-china-deal-476990">Australia-Solomon Islands meet, discussions include China deal</a></strong></p>

<p>"It's a real challenge to New Zealand's sense of where the Pacific is heading," said Robert Ayson, Professor of Strategic Studies at Victoria University of Wellington.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the&nbsp;pact&nbsp;as "gravely concerning" and called on&nbsp;Solomon&nbsp;Islands&nbsp;to discuss it within the Pacific&nbsp;Islands&nbsp;Forum.</p>

<p>"What is really changing around us is the level of assertiveness and aggression we see in the region," Ardern said later at a United States-New Zealand Business Summit.</p>

<p>New Zealand has previously often shied away from such criticisms, which analysts put down to the country's heavy trade reliance and close economic relationship with&nbsp;China.</p>

<p>Both&nbsp;China&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Solomon&nbsp;Islands&nbsp;have said the new&nbsp;pact&nbsp;will not undermine peace in the region. Details of the final agreement have not been released but Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the agreement called for&nbsp;China&nbsp;to help the&nbsp;Solomon&nbsp;Islands&nbsp;maintain social order and cope with natural disasters, and did not pose a risk to the United States.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;The Pacific power struggle: US officials land in Solomon Island</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-pacific-power-struggle-us-officials-land-in-solomon-island-473034/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p><strong>Soft power</strong></p>

<p>But statements by Ardern and Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta were a clear signal they shared U.S. and Australian concerns about Chinese&nbsp;security&nbsp;engagement in the Pacific, said Anna Powles from the Centre for Defence and&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Studies at Massey University.</p>

<p>"It also sent a signal to the Pacific that New Zealand supported regional collective&nbsp;security&nbsp;initiatives, and to third parties, specifically&nbsp;China, that regional crises in the Pacific would be managed by the region," she said.</p>

<p>While small and with limited military capabilities, New Zealand's soft power in the Pacific is arguably stronger than&nbsp;its&nbsp;allies. It has a large Pacifika population and strong family, business, sporting and cultural ties along with territories in the region.</p>

<p>New Zealand sees&nbsp;itself as a Pacific country and wants stability and prosperity for&nbsp;its&nbsp;neighbours, and needs a free and open Indo-Pacific to protect trade and telecommunication connections.</p>

<p>David Vaeafe, programme manager at non-governmental organisation Pacific Cooperation Foundation, said the relationship with the Pacific was not all about money but about listening and understanding what the region needs.</p>

<p>"New Zealand's foreign policy towards the Pacific is slowly evolving and engaging from being 'you shouldn't do this' to consulting and being part of that process," he said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/senior-white-house-official-kurt-campbell-visits-solomon-islands-after-it-signed-security-pact-with-china-472920">Senior White House official Kurt Campbell visits Solomon Islands after it signed security pact with China</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>Five Eyes Criticisms</strong></p>

<p>A year ago, there were questions over Wellington's commitment to the Five Eyes alliance with Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States, after Mahuta said Wellington was uncomfortable with expanding the role of the group.</p>

<p>There had been criticism after New Zealand opted not to sign joint statements from other Five Eyes members, including one on Hong Kong and another on the origins of COVID-19.</p>

<p>White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell&nbsp;told a business summit earlier this month that New Zealand's underestimation of&nbsp;security&nbsp;risks in the past appeared unlikely to be an issue.</p>

<p>"I think there is an understanding that the challenges that are presenting themselves on the global stage are not so distant - they're closer and they have direct implications," he said.</p>

<p>Already New Zealand and Japan have announced plans to increase&nbsp;security&nbsp;ties and other moves are afoot.</p>

<p>Mahuta visited Fiji at the end of March and signed an agreement that among things will facilitate information on shared&nbsp;security&nbsp;challenges.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/security-deal-with-china-wont-affect-peace-says-solomon-islands-prime-minister-472403">Security deal with China won't affect peace, says Solomon Islands prime minister</a></strong></p>

<p>At the start of the month, a partly New Zealand-backed tuna processing plant for the&nbsp;Solomon&nbsp;Islands&nbsp;that is set to create more than 5,500 jobs was announced.</p>

<p>The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has quietly shuffled more money into Pacific development cooperation budget for 2021-2024, according to changes made on&nbsp;its&nbsp;website. The fund has been increased since December by nearly&nbsp;NZ$120 million ($75 million) to $1.55 billion.</p>

<p>New Zealand's budget on Thursday will likely give further detail on Pacific spending with New Zealand's defence minister previously highlighting the region as a priority.</p>

<p>"New Zealand is quite strongly aligned to the United States and Australia," VUW's Ayson said. "That doesn't mean we always see eye-to-eye and it doesn't mean the we're as closely aligned as Australia, but New Zealand's&nbsp;security&nbsp;alliance is quite strong."</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


New Zealand has long been seen as the moderate, even absent, voice on China in the "Five Eyes" western alliance, so much so that its commitment to the group was questioned just 12 months ago.

New Zealand has long been seen as the moderate, even absent, voice on China in the "Five Eyes" western alliance, so much so that its commitment to the group was questioned just 12 months ago. The recent signing of a security pact between China and nearby Solomon Islands appears to have changed that. New Zealand's tone on both security and Beijing's growing presence in the South Pacific has toughened, a shift analysts say reflects concerns the agreement will give Beijing a strategic foothold and potentially a military presence in the Pacific that could destabilise Western influence. Also read | Australia-Solomon Islands meet, discussions include China deal "It's a real challenge to New Zealand's sense of where the Pacific is heading," said Robert Ayson, Professor of Strategic Studies at Victoria University of Wellington. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the pact as "gravely concerning" and called on Solomon Islands to discuss it within the Pacific Islands Forum. "What is really changing around us is the level of assertiveness and aggression we see in the region," Ardern said later at a United States-New Zealand Business Summit. New Zealand has previously often shied away from such criticisms, which analysts put down to the country's heavy trade reliance and close economic relationship with China. Both China and the Solomon Islands have said the new pact will not undermine peace in the region. Details of the final agreement have not been released but Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the agreement called for China to help the Solomon Islands maintain social order and cope with natural disasters, and did not pose a risk to the United States. Watch | The Pacific power struggle: US officials land in Solomon Island Soft power But statements by Ardern and Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta were a clear signal they shared U.S. and Australian concerns about Chinese security engagement in the Pacific, said Anna Powles from the Centre for Defence and Security Studies at Massey University. "It also sent a signal to the Pacific that New Zealand supported regional collective security initiatives, and to third parties, specifically China, that regional crises in the Pacific would be managed by the region," she said. While small and with limited military capabilities, New Zealand's soft power in the Pacific is arguably stronger than its allies. It has a large Pacifika population and strong family, business, sporting and cultural ties along with territories in the region. New Zealand sees itself as a Pacific country and wants stability and prosperity for its neighbours, and needs a free and open Indo-Pacific to protect trade and telecommunication connections. David Vaeafe, programme manager at non-governmental organisation Pacific Cooperation Foundation, said the relationship with the Pacific was not all about money but about listening and understanding what the region needs. "New Zealand's foreign policy towards the Pacific is slowly evolving and engaging from being 'you shouldn't do this' to consulting and being part of that process," he said. Also read | Senior White House official Kurt Campbell visits Solomon Islands after it signed security pact with China Five Eyes Criticisms A year ago, there were questions over Wellington's commitment to the Five Eyes alliance with Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States, after Mahuta said Wellington was uncomfortable with expanding the role of the group. There had been criticism after New Zealand opted not to sign joint statements from other Five Eyes members, including one on Hong Kong and another on the origins of COVID-19. White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell told a business summit earlier this month that New Zealand's underestimation of security risks in the past appeared unlikely to be an issue. "I think there is an understanding that the challenges that are presenting themselves on the global stage are not so distant - they're closer and they have direct implications," he said. Already New Zealand and Japan have announced plans to increase security ties and other moves are afoot. Mahuta visited Fiji at the end of March and signed an agreement that among things will facilitate information on shared security challenges. Also read | Security deal with China won't affect peace, says Solomon Islands prime minister At the start of the month, a partly New Zealand-backed tuna processing plant for the Solomon Islands that is set to create more than 5,500 jobs was announced. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has quietly shuffled more money into Pacific development cooperation budget for 2021-2024, according to changes made on its website. The fund has been increased since December by nearly NZ$120 million ($75 million) to $1.55 billion. New Zealand's budget on Thursday will likely give further detail on Pacific spending with New Zealand's defence minister previously highlighting the region as a priority. "New Zealand is quite strongly aligned to the United States and Australia," VUW's Ayson said. "That doesn't mean we always see eye-to-eye and it doesn't mean the we're as closely aligned as Australia, but New Zealand's security alliance is quite strong." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Alarmed by Solomon Islands-China pact, New Zealand finds its voice on security

<p>Sanjay Manjerkar has expressed that despite the fact that Rohit Sharma has come up a wide margin as a Test opener, the star batsman should shed a portion of his assaulting senses to prevail in English conditions. Sanjay Manjrekar accepts the forthcoming World Test Championship finale against New Zealand will be Rohit's greatest test as a Test batsman.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rohit Sharma is relied upon to bat in the top-order for India when they take on the Blackcaps at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on June 18.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sanjay Manjrekar, who recommended he is content with the advancement the opening batsman has made as a Test cricketer, be that as it may, trusts Rohit will have his assignment cut out against the Blackcaps in English conditions.</p>

<p>"Rohit Sharma as an opener has improved tremendously with regards to defence. He plays the ball closer to the body now and is far more patient than he used to be. He also tends to leave more balls outside off and the feet move better, but England will still be his stiffest test. He will have to change his instinct and character as a batsman to succeed unless the sun is out all the time. This will be the biggest test for Rohit Sharma the Test opener," Sanjay Manjrekar wrote for the Hindustan Times.</p>

<p>Rohit Sharma was in gigantic form when India took on England at home recently. The opener amassed 345 runs in seven innings at a normal of 57.50, assisting India with securing the series 3-1 and book their position in the World Test Championship finale.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notwithstanding, Rohit's form in the away Tests has been a significant worry, with the batsman averaging only 27 in overseas conditions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rohit Sharma consistently takes his time as necessary to dominate ODI matches. However, he boosts his strike rate with some rich, ferocious, and tremendous cricketing shots towards the latter part of his innings. This is the thing that is required in Test cricket as well, which will permit him to play all the more openly, giving him more opportunity to settle and detonate, at whatever point required.</p>

<p>The 34-year-old was important for the Indian side that won the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Rohit played the last two Tests of the four-match arrangement, scoring 129 runs at an average of 32.25.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Sanjay Manjerkar has expressed that despite the fact that Rohit Sharma has come up a wide margin as a Test opener, the star batsman should shed a portion of his assaulting senses to prevail in English conditions.

Sanjay Manjerkar has expressed that despite the fact that Rohit Sharma has come up a wide margin as a Test opener, the star batsman should shed a portion of his assaulting senses to prevail in English conditions. Sanjay Manjrekar accepts the forthcoming World Test Championship finale against New Zealand will be Rohit's greatest test as a Test batsman. Rohit Sharma is relied upon to bat in the top-order for India when they take on the Blackcaps at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on June 18. Sanjay Manjrekar, who recommended he is content with the advancement the opening batsman has made as a Test cricketer, be that as it may, trusts Rohit will have his assignment cut out against the Blackcaps in English conditions. "Rohit Sharma as an opener has improved tremendously with regards to defence. He plays the ball closer to the body now and is far more patient than he used to be. He also tends to leave more balls outside off and the feet move better, but England will still be his stiffest test. He will have to change his instinct and character as a batsman to succeed unless the sun is out all the time. This will be the biggest test for Rohit Sharma the Test opener," Sanjay Manjrekar wrote for the Hindustan Times. Rohit Sharma was in gigantic form when India took on England at home recently. The opener amassed 345 runs in seven innings at a normal of 57.50, assisting India with securing the series 3-1 and book their position in the World Test Championship finale. Notwithstanding, Rohit's form in the away Tests has been a significant worry, with the batsman averaging only 27 in overseas conditions. Rohit Sharma consistently takes his time as necessary to dominate ODI matches. However, he boosts his strike rate with some rich, ferocious, and tremendous cricketing shots towards the latter part of his innings. This is the thing that is required in Test cricket as well, which will permit him to play all the more openly, giving him more opportunity to settle and detonate, at whatever point required. The 34-year-old was important for the Indian side that won the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Rohit played the last two Tests of the four-match arrangement, scoring 129 runs at an average of 32.25.

'England will still be Rohit Sharma's stiffest test', says Sanjay Manjrekar

<p>New Zealand on Thursday temporarily suspended entry for all travellers from India following a surge in COVID-19 cases arriving from there, local media reported.</p>

<p>The ban comes after it was reported that 17 of the 23 new COVID-19 cases in managed isolation announced on Thursday had arrived from India.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/night-curfew-in-lucknow-kanpur-varanasi-as-covid-cases-surge-376010" hreflang="en">Night curfew in Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi as Covid cases surge</a></strong></p>

<p>The ban will commence on Sunday and will remain in place until April 28, New Zealand Herald reported. The island nation has reported 2,531 cases so far. While arrivals from India had triggered the risk assessment, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the Government would be looking at risks posed by other COVID-19 hot spot countries.</p>

<p>"This is not a permanent arrangement but rather a temporary measure," she said.</p>

<p>The temporary hold would also help reduce the risk that travellers themselves faced, the Prime Minister added.</p>

<p>India has been witnessing a sudden increase in COVID-19 cases. The country has so far reported over 1.28 crore cases. The active COVID-19 caseload of the country reached more than 8,43,000 and the daily positivity rate is on a steady rise.&nbsp;</p>


New Zealand on Thursday temporarily suspended entry for all travellers from India following a surge in COVID-19 cases arriving from there, local media reported. The ban comes after it was reported that 17 of the 23 new COVID-19 cases in managed isolation announced on Thursday had arrived from India.

New Zealand on Thursday temporarily suspended entry for all travellers from India following a surge in COVID-19 cases arriving from there, local media reported. The ban comes after it was reported that 17 of the 23 new COVID-19 cases in managed isolation announced on Thursday had arrived from India. Also read | Night curfew in Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi as Covid cases surge The ban will commence on Sunday and will remain in place until April 28, New Zealand Herald reported. The island nation has reported 2,531 cases so far. While arrivals from India had triggered the risk assessment, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the Government would be looking at risks posed by other COVID-19 hot spot countries. "This is not a permanent arrangement but rather a temporary measure," she said. The temporary hold would also help reduce the risk that travellers themselves faced, the Prime Minister added. India has been witnessing a sudden increase in COVID-19 cases. The country has so far reported over 1.28 crore cases. The active COVID-19 caseload of the country reached more than 8,43,000 and the daily positivity rate is on a steady rise.

New Zealand suspends entry for travellers from India amid COVID-19 spike

<p>Amid the outbreak of coronavirus, New Zeland based comedian Melanie Bracewell has found fame by impersonating the country's Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern.</p>

<p>Bracewell has been in isolation for 5 weeks and after hearing from almost everyone about how she looks like PM Ardern, she decided to make Tik Tok videos impersonating her. The videos have gone viral and she has been gaining popularity all across with even Ardern herself admiring her work.<br />
<br />
Bracewell has copied the prime minister’s makeup, hairstyle, clothes and speech and has gained tens of thousands of views for her videos.<br />
<br />
Bracewell describes Ardern – who had led New Zealand during a terrorist attack, a deadly volcanic eruption and the coronavirus pandemic&nbsp; – as “the mother of the nation”.<br />
<br />
“Six months ago if you told me I’d be spending hours on making TikTok videos I would laugh in your face and now I’m sucked in forever,” Bracewell said on Twitter.&nbsp; Thanks to her new videos she enjoys a strong online fanbase.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">6 months ago if you told me I'd be spending hours on making tik tok videos I would laugh in your face and now I'm sucked in forever <a href="https://t.co/L0RATUKush">pic.twitter.com/L0RATUKush</a></p>
— Melanie Bracewell (@meladoodle) <a href="https://twitter.com/meladoodle/status/1249461976234749953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Back at it again <a href="https://t.co/JS0Biyw191">pic.twitter.com/JS0Biyw191</a></p>
— Melanie Bracewell (@meladoodle) <a href="https://twitter.com/meladoodle/status/1249180057798615041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Encouraged by the reactions, Bracewell is now spending her time in lockdown recreating some of Ardern’s most iconic moments, including her meeting with Donald Trump, and her Vogue cover shoot.<br />
<br />
Ardern even complimented Bracewell’s technical skill on a recent video and wrote “You do my makeup better than I do," adding an emoji of a blushing face.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und">Ahhhhhhhhh <a href="https://t.co/WWhldJJrzp">pic.twitter.com/WWhldJJrzp</a></p>
— Melanie Bracewell (@meladoodle) <a href="https://twitter.com/meladoodle/status/1248895790241599489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Owing to the popularity of these videos, Bracewell fears that her fans may not want to see anything else on her page.<br />
Ardern’s leadership during the pandemic has been widely praised worldwide as New Zeland has been able to flatten the curve in record time.</p>


Amid the outbreak of coronavirus, New Zeland based comedian Melanie Bracewell has found fame by impersonating the country's Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern. Bracewell has been in isolation for 5 weeks and after hearing from almost everyone about how she looks like PM Ardern, she decided to make Tik Tok videos impersonating her.

Amid the outbreak of coronavirus, New Zeland based comedian Melanie Bracewell has found fame by impersonating the country's Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern. Bracewell has been in isolation for 5 weeks and after hearing from almost everyone about how she looks like PM Ardern, she decided to make Tik Tok videos impersonating her. The videos have gone viral and she has been gaining popularity all across with even Ardern herself admiring her work. Bracewell has copied the prime minister’s makeup, hairstyle, clothes and speech and has gained tens of thousands of views for her videos. Bracewell describes Ardern – who had led New Zealand during a terrorist attack, a deadly volcanic eruption and the coronavirus pandemic – as “the mother of the nation”. “Six months ago if you told me I’d be spending hours on making TikTok videos I would laugh in your face and now I’m sucked in forever,” Bracewell said on Twitter. Thanks to her new videos she enjoys a strong online fanbase. 6 months ago if you told me I'd be spending hours on making tik tok videos I would laugh in your face and now I'm sucked in forever pic.twitter.com/L0RATUKush — Melanie Bracewell (@meladoodle) April 12, 2020 × Back at it again pic.twitter.com/JS0Biyw191 — Melanie Bracewell (@meladoodle) April 12, 2020 × Encouraged by the reactions, Bracewell is now spending her time in lockdown recreating some of Ardern’s most iconic moments, including her meeting with Donald Trump, and her Vogue cover shoot. Ardern even complimented Bracewell’s technical skill on a recent video and wrote “You do my makeup better than I do," adding an emoji of a blushing face. Ahhhhhhhhh pic.twitter.com/WWhldJJrzp — Melanie Bracewell (@meladoodle) April 11, 2020 × Owing to the popularity of these videos, Bracewell fears that her fans may not want to see anything else on her page. Ardern’s leadership during the pandemic has been widely praised worldwide as New Zeland has been able to flatten the curve in record time.

Jacinda Ardern gives a thumbs up to Kiwi comedian Melanie Bracewell for impersonating her perfectly

<p>New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday that everyone entering the country from midnight Sunday must self isolate for 14 days in an effort to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp; </strong><a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/europe-now-the-epicentre-of-coronavirus-pandemic-who-286257"><strong>Europe now the epicentre of coronavirus pandemic: WHO</strong></a></p>

<p>People from small South Pacific island countries, which currently have no reported cases, will be exempted, Ardern said in a news conference. New Zealand has a large South Pacific islander population.</p>

<p>All cruise ships will also be told not to come to New Zealand until June 30, she said.</p>

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<p>Ardern said these were "far-reaching and unprecedented" measures to tackle a global pandemic. New Zealand has six confirmed cases and has not recorded any deaths.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/coronavirus-burial-site-satellite-images-reveal-mass-graves-in-irans-qom-city-286238"><strong>Coronavirus burial site? Satellite images reveal mass graves in Iran's Qom city</strong></a></p>


New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday that everyone entering the country from midnight Sunday must self isolate for 14 days in an effort to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday that everyone entering the country from midnight Sunday must self isolate for 14 days in an effort to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. Also read: Europe now the epicentre of coronavirus pandemic: WHO People from small South Pacific island countries, which currently have no reported cases, will be exempted, Ardern said in a news conference. New Zealand has a large South Pacific islander population. All cruise ships will also be told not to come to New Zealand until June 30, she said. × Ardern said these were "far-reaching and unprecedented" measures to tackle a global pandemic. New Zealand has six confirmed cases and has not recorded any deaths. Also read: Coronavirus burial site? Satellite images reveal mass graves in Iran's Qom city

Everyone entering country must self-isolate to contain coronavirus, said Jacinda Ardern

<p>British singer Elton John had to cut short his Auckland concert midway after he lost his voice due to walking pneumonia.&nbsp;The singer broke down in tears on stage at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium after he was unable to sing despite receiving medical assistance.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Later the singer took to his Instagram page on Sunday night to apologise to fans who had turned up for the show.<br />
<br />
"I want to thank everyone who attended tonight’s gig in Auckland. I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia earlier today, but I was determined to give you the best show humanly possible," he said in the post.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also see:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-elton-john-to-madonna-7-singers-who-canceled-their-concerts-due-to-health-problems-281109#elton-john-281090"> In Pics: 6 other singers&nbsp;who cancelled their concerts due to health problems</a><br />
<br />
"I played and sang my heart out until my voice could sing no more. I’m disappointed, deeply upset and sorry. I gave it all I had," he added.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8n268KD7fD/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">I want to thank everyone who attended tonight’s gig in Auckland. I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia earlier today, but I was determined to give you the best show humanly possible. I played and sang my heart out, until my voice could sing no more. I’m disappointed, deeply upset and sorry. I gave it all I had. Thank-you so much for your extraordinary support and all the love you showed me during tonight’s performance. I am eternally grateful. Love, Elton xx 📷 @bengibsonphoto</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/eltonjohn/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Elton John</a> (@eltonjohn) on <time datetime="2020-02-16T09:30:11+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Feb 16, 2020 at 1:30am PST</time></p>
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<p>The singer had to be assisted from the stage after he failed to sing 'Daniel'.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The singer won an Academy Award last week for best original song in his own biopic, 'Rocketman'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>John, in fact, had told the crowd early in the concert that he was ill and his voice was "shot", but he was determined to put on a great show.<br />
<br />
He struggled to perform `Candle in the Wind` and told the audience he did not know how long he could continue, the Herald said. He briefly left the stage but returned in a new costume.<br />
<br />
Several songs later he had lost his voice entirely and the show was over. He was seen weeping and waving to a cheering crowd as he left the stage, assisted by medics.<br />
<br />
The concert was part of John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.<br />
<br />
Elton John is scheduled to play two more Auckland shows - on Tuesday, February 18 and Thursday, February 20. There has been no news of the shows getting cancelled and are expected to take place as per the schedule. Media reports state that doctors are confident that John will recover by then.&nbsp;</p>


British singer Elton John had to cut short his Auckland concert midway after he lost his voice due to walking pneumonia. The singer broke down in tears on stage at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium after he was unable to sing despite receiving medical assistance.

British singer Elton John had to cut short his Auckland concert midway after he lost his voice due to walking pneumonia. The singer broke down in tears on stage at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium after he was unable to sing despite receiving medical assistance. Later the singer took to his Instagram page on Sunday night to apologise to fans who had turned up for the show. "I want to thank everyone who attended tonight’s gig in Auckland. I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia earlier today, but I was determined to give you the best show humanly possible," he said in the post. Also see: In Pics: 6 other singers who cancelled their concerts due to health problems "I played and sang my heart out until my voice could sing no more. I’m disappointed, deeply upset and sorry. I gave it all I had," he added. View this post on Instagram I want to thank everyone who attended tonight’s gig in Auckland. I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia earlier today, but I was determined to give you the best show humanly possible. I played and sang my heart out, until my voice could sing no more. I’m disappointed, deeply upset and sorry. I gave it all I had. Thank-you so much for your extraordinary support and all the love you showed me during tonight’s performance. I am eternally grateful. Love, Elton xx 📷 @bengibsonphoto A post shared by Elton John (@eltonjohn) on Feb 16, 2020 at 1:30am PST × The singer had to be assisted from the stage after he failed to sing 'Daniel'. The singer won an Academy Award last week for best original song in his own biopic, 'Rocketman'. John, in fact, had told the crowd early in the concert that he was ill and his voice was "shot", but he was determined to put on a great show. He struggled to perform `Candle in the Wind` and told the audience he did not know how long he could continue, the Herald said. He briefly left the stage but returned in a new costume. Several songs later he had lost his voice entirely and the show was over. He was seen weeping and waving to a cheering crowd as he left the stage, assisted by medics. The concert was part of John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. Elton John is scheduled to play two more Auckland shows - on Tuesday, February 18 and Thursday, February 20. There has been no news of the shows getting cancelled and are expected to take place as per the schedule. Media reports state that doctors are confident that John will recover by then.

Elton John cuts short concert mid-way due to illness, breaks down on stage and apologises 

<p>Next year's Women's Cricket World Cup final will be played at Christchurch's Hagley Oval, it was announced Thursday, underscoring the growth of the game over the past two decades.</p>

<p>When Christchurch previously hosted the women's final in 2000 it was played on a rural ground 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the city.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Auckland will host a bumper opening weekend at Eden Park, before the focus shifts to matches in Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga and Dunedin and Christchurch.<br />
<br />
Full <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWC21?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWC21</a> match schedule to be released in March 👀 <a href="https://t.co/KnlzllGK3G">pic.twitter.com/KnlzllGK3G</a></p>
— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1220150729333186560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>For the 2021 edition, it will be played at an upgraded Hagley Oval, one of New Zealand's principal Test venues, which has recently received approval to erect lights to host night fixtures.</p>

<p>The tournament opener will be at Auckland's Eden Park, which hosted the 1987 and 2011 Rugby World Cup finals, with other matches to be played at cricket Test venues in Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga and Dunedin.</p>

<p>New Zealand captain Sophie Devine said the allocation of games to prominent Test grounds was a milestone for women's cricket.</p>

<p>"Last time New Zealand hosted the World Cup in 2000 it was all out at Lincoln University, which is a great venue but the opportunity to... play at some of the best cricket grounds, not only in New Zealand but in the world, is&nbsp;a really special opportunity," she said&nbsp;</p>

<p>India veteran Mithali Raj, who recently announced her retirement from the Twenty20 format to focus on ODI matches, said women's cricket "is slowly getting access to centre stage so it's important that we continue to grow this interest around the world."</p>

<p>Emily Drumm, who captained the New Zealand side which won the World Cup in 2002, said the women's game was amateur then but the situation was changing now "it's our time ... to&nbsp;future-proof&nbsp;the game."</p>


Next year's Women's Cricket World Cup final will be played at Christchurch's Hagley Oval, it was announced Thursday, underscoring the growth of the game over the past two decades.

Next year's Women's Cricket World Cup final will be played at Christchurch's Hagley Oval, it was announced Thursday, underscoring the growth of the game over the past two decades. When Christchurch previously hosted the women's final in 2000 it was played on a rural ground 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the city. Auckland will host a bumper opening weekend at Eden Park, before the focus shifts to matches in Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga and Dunedin and Christchurch. Full #CWC21 match schedule to be released in March 👀 pic.twitter.com/KnlzllGK3G — ICC (@ICC) January 23, 2020 × For the 2021 edition, it will be played at an upgraded Hagley Oval, one of New Zealand's principal Test venues, which has recently received approval to erect lights to host night fixtures. The tournament opener will be at Auckland's Eden Park, which hosted the 1987 and 2011 Rugby World Cup finals, with other matches to be played at cricket Test venues in Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga and Dunedin. New Zealand captain Sophie Devine said the allocation of games to prominent Test grounds was a milestone for women's cricket. "Last time New Zealand hosted the World Cup in 2000 it was all out at Lincoln University, which is a great venue but the opportunity to... play at some of the best cricket grounds, not only in New Zealand but in the world, is a really special opportunity," she said India veteran Mithali Raj, who recently announced her retirement from the Twenty20 format to focus on ODI matches, said women's cricket "is slowly getting access to centre stage so it's important that we continue to grow this interest around the world." Emily Drumm, who captained the New Zealand side which won the World Cup in 2002, said the women's game was amateur then but the situation was changing now "it's our time ... to future-proof the game."

Women's Cricket World Cup 2021 to grace New Zealand Test grounds

The eruption has reportedly killed 13 people and seriously injured around 30 more.

New Zealand: Volcano eruption on white island

New Zeland north island volcano erupted at least 13 people killed and 30 injured.

Wion Speed News: New Zeland Volcano erupted

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