An increasing number of Pacific island nations are turning to the Beijing-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Chinese government for financing, Reuters observed this weekend.
(AFP) — New Zealand plans to open a virus-free “travel bubble” with the tiny Pacific realm of the Cook Islands before year’s end, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Monday, while expressing caution about a similar arrangement with Australia.
A New Zealand seafront town has banned a replica of Captain Cook’s ship Endeavour from docking there to mark 250 years since the explorer’s arrival after an outcry from the local indigenous Māori community.
