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Authorities in New Zealand's biggest city, Auckland, began mopping up on Saturday after torrential rains brought flash flooding and evacuations, with at least two people confirmed dead and two missing in the widespread inundation. A state of emergency remained in place in the city of 1.6 million people on New Zealand's north island as the rains eased after Friday's flooding in the north, northwest and west. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, less than a week in office, flew by helicopter over the city before touring flood-hit homes. "The level of devastation in some areas is considerable," Hipkins told reporters, describing the event as "unprecedented" in recent memory. Daylight revealed the impact of the storm, caused by warm air descending from the tropics, sparking heavy rain and thunderstorms, said Auckland Emergency Management, part of the city's council. "Auckland was clobbered on Friday – Auckland's wettest day on record – and today we start the clean-up," the agency's … [Read more...] about New Zealand’s Auckland starts clean-up after deadly flash floods

Flood-ravaged Auckland is forecast to receive further heavy rain in the coming days, authorities in New Zealand's largest city said on Monday, as insurers counted the costs of what looks likely to be the country's most expensive weather event ever. Four people lost their lives in flash floods and landslides that hit Auckland over the last three days amid record downpours. A state of emergency remains in place in Auckland and further south in regional Waitomo. Flights in and out of Auckland Airport are still experiencing delays and cancellations, while beaches around the city of 1.6 million are closed. "There has been very significant damage across Auckland," New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told state-owned television station TVNZ on Monday. "Obviously there were a number of homes damaged by flooding but also extensive earth movements." Currently, around 350 people were in need of emergency accommodation, he added. Looming clouds Metservice is forecasting further … [Read more...] about New Zealand counts cost of Auckland floods, more rain forecast

Heavy rainfall hit New Zealand's north island again on Sunday, causing landslides, flash floods and knocking out roads, with the death toll rising to four after a person who had been missing was confirmed dead. Battered by rain since Friday, Auckland, New Zealand's largest city of 1.6 million people, remained under a state of emergency. The nation's weather forecaster, MetService, warned of more severe weather on Sunday and Monday for the north island. Intense rainfall could also cause surface and flash flooding, it said. The focus of the emergency has since moved south, with Waitomo District - located about 220 kms (137 miles) from Auckland - declaring a state of emergency late on Saturday. Police confirmed that a man missing after being swept away on Friday in Onewhero, a rural village about 70 kms (43 miles) south of Auckland, had died. "The most horrific part of it is that we've lost lives," Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni told reporters in Auckland. Climate change … [Read more...] about New Zealand roiled by flash floods, landslides for third day

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Thursday made a shock announcement she had "no more in the tank" to continue leading the country and would step down no later than early February and not seek re-election. Ardern, holding back tears, said that it had been a tough five and a half years as prime minister and that she was only human and needed to step aside. "This summer, I had hoped to find a way to prepare for not just another year, but another term - because that is what this year requires. I have not been able to do that," Ardern, 42, told a news conference. "I know there will be much discussion in the aftermath of this decision as to what the so called 'real' reason was... The only interesting angle you will find is that after going on six years of some big challenges, that I am human," she continued. "Politicians are human. We give all that we can, for as long as we can, and then it’s time. And for me, it’s time." A ruling New Zealand Labour Party vote for a new … [Read more...] about PM Ardern shocks New Zealand, says she is stepping down

Jacinda Ardern was officially replaced on Wednesday as New Zealand prime minister, after stunning the country by announcing her abrupt departure from the role last week. New Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, 44, was sworn in by New Zealand's governor-general during a ceremony in the capital, Wellington. "This is the biggest privilege and responsibility of my life," Hipkins said after formally taking office. "I'm energized and excited by the challenges ahead." Ardern said last week she no longer had "enough in the tank" after steering the country through natural disasters, its worst-ever terror attack and the COVID-19 pandemic. She made her last public appearance as prime minister earlier on Wednesday, walking out of parliament as hundreds of onlookers broke into a spontaneous round of applause. Her centre-left government has increasingly struggled over the past two years, hampered by soaring inflation, a looming recession and a resurgent conservative opposition. Hipkins, the … [Read more...] about Jacinda Ardern Replaced As New Zealand PM At Official Ceremony

“From my perspective, I think that bodes very well for both countries going into 2023 and I'm pleased to see that both countries are showing strong signs of growth – Vietnam of course especially so,” the ambassador said in an interview on the occasion of the Tet (lunar New Year) festival. According to the diplomat, Vietnam's economic growth last year is very impressive in the context that a contraction is seen in most parts of the world. Vietnam’s growth says a lot about the government’s approach to post-COVID recovery – with a real prioritization on recovery and its policies, she said. “Countries like New Zealand, and Vietnam’s many other trade partners have also noticed that, and as a result, responded very positively.  We’ve seen a real uptick in engagement; both business-to-business engagement and government-to-government as countries such as ours want to deepen their collaboration with Vietnam, and enjoy some of the benefits that Vietnam has with its strong economic growth,” … [Read more...] about Common approach – advantage for Vietnam – New Zealand economic and trade relations: Ambassador

Following their tenure as foreign ambassadors to Vietnam, two diplomats have chosen to launch businesses in Vietnam, taking advantage of the Southeast Asian country’s dynamic startup scene. Former French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean-Noël Poirier and former New Zealand Ambassador Haike Manning both served in Vietnam from 2012 to 2016 – a tenure which left such an impression on each of them that they both chose to stay in the country following their ambassadorships. Ex-ambassador’s laundromat service Former French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean-Noël Poirier left diplomatic service following his term in Vietnam, but he didn’t choose to leave the country. Instead, he opened three laundromats in Hanoi, one of which managed to stay open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic while the other two only recently reopened following financial hardship brought about by the coronavirus. But laundromats are just a side hustle for Porier. When he’s not busy making sure Hanoians have clean clothes, … [Read more...] about Ex-diplomats start businesses in Vietnam

Data from the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia shows that many key exports of Vietnam continue to post high growth amid various challenges. (Photo: vneconomy.vn) Sydney (VNA) – Two-way trade between Vietnam and Australia enjoyed a record year-on-year growth of 26.91% to 15.7 billion USD in 2022, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia. Data from the office shows that many key exports of Vietnam continue to post high growth amid various challenges, including machinery, equipment, tools, and other spare parts (62.1%); footwear (41.3%); textiles (26.3%); aquatic products (37.3%); iron and steel (102.9%); handbags, suitcases and umbrellas (24.8%); coffee (62.53%); and electric wires and cables (81.2%). Meanwhile, Australia continued to be an important supplier of raw materials for Vietnam’s production of coal, cotton, ores and other minerals, and wheat. Australian consumers choose  fresh litchi imported from Vietnam.(Photo: VNA) Head of the trade office … [Read more...] about Vietnam-Australia trade hits record high in 2022

Indian news outlet stattimes.com recently published an article saying Vietnam is likely to become a burgeoning industrial hub, especially for tech and apparel, as well as its beautiful beaches and delicious cuisine. The newswire pointed out that while parts of Asia are still in the process of recovering from the global pandemic, the Vietnamese economy has boomed, reaching an impressive 8% growth last year, faster than other major regional economies in Asia, including India, Japan, and China. In addition, export revenue hit US$372 billion, an annual rise of 10%. The Indian news outlet attributed the boom for Vietnamese industry to the disruption to supply chains occurring on the Chinese Mainland, Asia’s largest manufacturing hub, particularly as factories were subject to shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, companies turned to alternative locations as a means of continuing and diversifying their production streams. According to the publication, the country boasts a … [Read more...] about Vietnam likely to become next Asian industrial hotspot

The AFF Cup finals are the last matches that coach Park Hang-Seo takes control of the Vietnamese national football team. Vietnam lost to Thailand by a one-goal margin in the AFF Cup 2022 final second leg on January 16, the match that saw Park Hang-Seo end his reign as the head coach of the Vietnamese national football team. Vietnam's forward Phan Van Duc (red, 20) in the AFF Cup 2022 final second leg with Thailand on January 16. Photo: Duy Duc/The Hanoi Times Thailand won the final of the AFF Cup 2022 by 3-2 on aggregate. This is the seventh AFF championship for Thailand and they are the most-time winner of the tournament. In the final first leg, Thailand and Vietnam shared a 2-2 draw at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi with the latter playing as the home team. The score had given Thailand some advantages over Vietnam when the two teams met again at Thammasat Stadium in Thailand’s Pathum Thani City. Vietnam had to either win the second leg or end it … [Read more...] about Vietnam lose AFF Cup final, coach Park Hang-Seo ends his term