New Zealand

The tiny Pacific island nation of Niue has come up with an original plan to protect its territorial waters — it will get sponsors to pay. HPR's Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.

The FIFA Women's World Cup is underway with some of the top soccer players from around the world converging in New Zealand. Joining them are some of the best Native Hawaiian soccer players in the islands, who are just days away from making their international debut against the Māori. From New Zealand, HPR's Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi reports.

New Zealand and Fiji have signed a defense agreement to strengthen military training and maritime security. It comes as regional tensions are rising over security. HPR’s Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.

Amid heightened military tension between the U.S. and China, the assistant secretary of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Global Public Affairs, Bill Russo, stopped in Honolulu en route to Fiji and New Zealand. The Conversation's Catherine Cruz spoke to Russo about his diplomatic trip.

The Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates again will continue to play a role in housing sales— both here in Hawaiʻi and around the country. Across the Pacific, higher rates are already having a historic impact on the housing market. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

Regional tensions between the United States and China remain a concern for Pacific Island leaders. But when they gathered at the end of last week in Fiji, the leaders also had other topics on their agenda. HPR’s Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.

As Hawaiʻi residents deal with a flood watch on all main islands starting today, severe weather is having an even greater impact on another island chain in the Pacific. The North Island of New Zealand is facing the threat of further storms following a devastating cyclone. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

One government decision coming in the New Year concerns the future of public broadcasting. Not in the United States — but in New Zealand. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

Some of the strictest anti-smoking laws in the world are set to take effect next year. They’re in a country that already has a relatively low use of tobacco — and where smoking rates are continuing to decline. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

As Hawaiʻi continues the shift to increased use of renewable energy, one big challenge that remains is jet fuel. People around the world are working on developing it, including some recent developments in Thailand. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.