New zealand involvement in vietnam

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

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

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

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

The Labour party elected former Covid-19 Response and Police minister Hipkins, 44, to lead the party and the country on Sunday. This comes after the surprise resignation of Ardern, 42, who said she had "no more in the tank" to lead the country. Hundreds gathered in the grounds of Parliament as Ardern left for the final time, hugging each of her members of parliament in turn, with many looking visibly emotional. She then travelled to Government House, where she tendered her resignation to King Charles' representative in New Zealand, Governor General Cindy Kiro. Hipkins and his deputy Carmel Sepuloni - the first person of Pacific Islander descent to hold the role - were then sworn in, in a ceremony lasting a few minutes. Hipkins, who has so far refused to comment on his policies since being elected leader, will hold his first cabinet meeting later on Wednesday. Known as "Chippy", Hipkins is well-known to New Zealanders for his competence in tackling Covid-19, though he … [Read more...] about New Zealand’s Chris Hipkins sworn in as prime minister

A general election would be held on October 14, she added. "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," a visibly emotional Ardern said during the statement. "I have not been able to do that." Ardern's term will conclude no later than Feb. 7. Ardern said she believed the New Zealand Labor Party would win the upcoming election and added that a vote to elect the next Labor leader would be held on Sunday. New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson, who also serves as finance minister, said in a statement he would not seek to stand as the next Labor leader. … [Read more...] about New Zealand Prime Minister Ardern says she will step down next month

“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

Sumit Rathor will be responsible for overseeing Gojek operations in the Vietnamese market and leading strategic growth of the business moving forward He will be responsible for leading Gojek Vietnam’s next chapter of growth, focused on business sustainability, while continuing to create a positive social impact for the company’s customers and partners. With more than 20 years’ experience in strategy, operations and finance, Rathor joined Gojek in 2019 as regional head of Gojek, Indonesia, managing central and east Java Bali territories. He later relocated to Vietnam in 2022 to lead Merchant, Marketing and Strategy functions, bringing extensive knowledge and hands-on expertise in maximising human capital in technology-driven environments to deliver increasing value for stakeholders. He takes over from Duc Phung, co-founder and former general manager of since 2020, who has chosen to seek new professional challenges outside the organisation. Catherine Hindra Sutjahyo, head of … [Read more...] about Gojek appoints new leader in Vietnam

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