New Zealand

Peter Barrett, a leading figure in Antarctic science in New Zealand and internationally, has died. Colleagues describe him as a legend in the field, noting that even in death he left behind a list of tasks and challenges, reflecting his lifelong commitment to Antarctic research and climate issues. Tributes have come from across Aotearoa and the wider scientific community.

A new poll shows New Zealand's Green Party at a record high level of support, raising the prospects of a centre-left coalition forming after the country's next election. Stronger Green numbers could prove decisive in whether Labour and its allies can command a parliamentary majority, making the party's surge a key factor in campaign calculations.

A New Zealander known for supporting Ukraine has returned to the country, again putting himself at risk, and brought additional aid with him. The Kyiv Post reported the story, but no further details about the individual, the type of aid delivered, or the specific location were provided in the available reporting.

Kevin Pietersen says he will challenge Brendon McCullum's decisions should the New Zealander take on the England white-ball head coach role, with the position targeting a world No 1 ranking in limited-overs cricket. McCullum, already England's Test coach, is widely expected to add the white-ball job to his remit, and Pietersen's pledge of honest scrutiny has drawn attention to how the partnership would work.

New Zealand solar developer Lodestone Energy has launched its initial public offering, marking a step toward public listing for the utility-scale renewables company. The move opens the door for investors to buy into the country's growing solar sector, and market watchers will be tracking how the offering is received amid ongoing interest in clean energy assets across Australasia.

BioTech New Zealand has announced the formation of a new group focused on engineering biology, according to a report by IT Brief New Zealand. The initiative is intended to bring together work in synthetic and engineered biology within the country's biotechnology sector. Details on the group's membership, funding and specific goals have not yet been widely reported, and there has been little public reaction so far.

New Zealand's Defence Force says greater sharing of space-related information and capabilities will happen while keeping existing controls in place. The announcement points to expanded international cooperation on satellites and space data, but the ministry gave no further detail on which partners or systems are involved.

New Zealand's political parties are stepping up efforts to win over voters under financial pressure as the election campaign intensifies. With households squeezed by the cost of living, parties are tailoring promises and policy pitches to appeal to struggling voters, making cost-of-living relief a central theme of the race.

New Zealand's Accident Compensation Corporation has successfully defended its policy of cutting off weekly compensation at age 65. A legal challenge argued the rule amounted to unlawful age discrimination, but the courts have upheld the long-standing boundary. The ruling preserves the existing entitlement framework for injured workers, while reigniting debate about whether retirees injured before 65 should continue receiving support.

New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra is moving to serve the nutritional needs of people taking weight-loss medications such as GLP-1 drugs, which reduce appetite and can leave users short of protein and key nutrients. The company is positioning high-protein dairy products to fill that gap, tapping into one of the fastest-growing trends in global food and health.

New Zealand agricultural technology company Onside has acquired Assura, according to Startup Daily. The deal expands Onside's footprint in the agtech sector, though details on the transaction value and Assura's business focus have not been disclosed. Onside, known for its rural property access and biosecurity platform, has been broadening its offerings across the agricultural industry.

New Zealand Women are taking on England Women in an international cricket series, with fixtures being played across grounds in New Zealand. ESPNcricinfo is providing coverage of the venues hosting the matches. Fans are following the tour as both sides field strong squads in the women's international calendar.

Filming on Celebrity Traitors was temporarily halted after one of the show's stars became 'very anxious' during production, according to a New Zealand Herald report. The pause has drawn attention to the pressures contestants face on the high-stakes reality format, which hinges on deception, secrecy and intense social gameplay.