Stories from Wellington · New Zealand

A new agricultural company has been founded by university graduates. The company aims to innovate within the agricultural sector. In 2017, Chen Gejiang and two university students founded an agricultural company.

The government's chief digital officer acknowledged that there is currently no formal public sector strategy in place.

A total of 41 people have drowned so far this year in New Zealand. Increased economic pressure to provide food may be causing individuals to take greater risks, such as fishing alone. Water Safety New Zealand reported that the number of drownings occurring across the country this year is tracking higher than the previous year. No specific casualty numbers or locations were provided in the report. The statement was made during a broadcast on RNZ National.

The ACT Party in New Zealand is proposing new immigration policies to identify individuals overstaying visas. Leader David Seymour stated that approximately 20,000 people are currently overstaying their visas. The party plans to test platform companies, such as Uber and DoorDash, to verify the legal residency status of their workers. Other proposed measures include deporting serious offenders and strengthening English language requirements. The proposal aims to test these companies' compliance with immigration standards. Immigration lawyer Alistair McClements stated that the proposed welfare changes are unnecessary because the vast majority of migrants arrive with existing employment. McClements suggested the announcement does not significantly alter the current immigration regime.

A tremor was felt by more than 2,000 people, according to the government seismology website Geonet. Most reports originated from the Wellington region. Some residents at the top of the South Island also reported feeling the earthquake.

RNZ National reported on the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery band, which has been playing continuously since 1860. John Knowles, a former leader of the band and member since the 1970s, was a guest on Culture 101 reflecting on 160 years of tradition, uniform, and music.

New Zealand plans to adopt independent testing and compliance certifications similar to those used in Australia.

A minor earthquake with a magnitude of 2.9 was registered in New Zealand. The tremor occurred near Hastings. A minor earthquake measuring 2.8 on the Richter scale has been registered in New Mexico. Two separate earthquakes have been registered in New Zealand.

A spokesperson urged the New Zealand government to reject a US proposal for military engagement, describing it as an illegal war.

Violent crime victimization rates have increased among Pacific Islanders in Aotearoa over the last two years. Employment, food insecurity, and incarceration have also significantly risen within this demographic.