Charlotte Graham-Mclay

Nauru has formally adopted the traditional name Naoero, changing its international code from NRU to NRO and its demonym from Nauruan to dei-Naoero. President David Adeang and lawmakers say the change reflects national identity, heritage and a move away from the country’s colonial past, although a proposed referendum was abandoned. The small Pacific island nation, with about 12,000 residents, faces severe economic and environmental challenges, including the collapse of its phosphate industry and rising seas threatening its future.

A landslide on an access road at the Gold Ridge open-pit mine on Guadalcanal killed Ashley Olo, whose body was recovered and returned to his family. Police continued searching for possible additional victims, including informal miners reportedly working at the site. The cause of the collapse remained unknown, while Prime Minister Matthew Wale raised concerns about mining practices and the need for stronger regulation. Mine owner Wanguo Gold Group said its employees, equipment and operations were unaffected.

A young male elephant seal named Neil has become a viral sensation in Tasmania, drawing crowds and causing property damage as he practices dominance behaviors typical for his species. Authorities warn that increased public interaction poses safety risks and could lead to dangerous encounters, urging people not to reveal his location. Experts note Neil’s presence may signal a return of elephant seals to the region, though his growing size could create further logistical challenges for local officials.

Leslie Roy Mills, a four-time Olympic athlete and former mayor of Auckland, died at age 91. Known for founding the Les Mills gym chain in 1968, he expanded the brand into a leading force in global group fitness through Les Mills International, created by his son Phillip. Mills earned multiple Commonwealth Games medals, set national athletics records, and later contributed to sports development in Papua New Guinea. His family praised his strength, drive, and lasting influence on the fitness world.

New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed a defense and security pact that resolves tensions created after the Cook Islands entered a strategic partnership with China without prior consultation. The agreement confirms New Zealand as the Cook Islands’ preferred defense partner, leading Wellington to unfreeze previously paused aid. Both governments downplayed the pact’s implications for the earlier China deal, which focused on economic and development issues. The move comes amid increasing geopolitical competition in the Pacific, where China has sought to expand its influence.

A hiker injured in a fall on New Zealand’s South Island was rescued without her dog, prompting a fundraiser that collected over NZ$11,000 to support an extended aerial search. Helicopter operator Matt Newton used thermal imaging equipment and a team of volunteers to locate the missing border collie Molly a week later near the waterfall where the accident occurred. Molly was found hungry but in good condition and was reunited with her injured owner shortly after being flown to safety.

Kakapo numbers have risen from about 50 to more than 200 following decades of intensive conservation work on predator‑free islands in New Zealand. A bumper crop of rimu berries has triggered an unusually strong breeding season, raising expectations for a record number of chicks. Conservationists manage breeding closely to preserve genetic diversity, using techniques such as artificial incubation and monitoring each bird. The species remains critically endangered, but improved breeding prospects and continued protection offer renewed hope for long‑term survival.

New Zealand’s Court of Appeal heard Brenton Tarrant’s bid to revoke his guilty pleas for the 2019 Christchurch mosque massacres in a tightly controlled, minimally public proceeding reflecting the country’s effort to limit the spread of his extremist ideology. Crown lawyers argued there is no evidence supporting Tarrant’s claim that he pleaded guilty during a mental breakdown and emphasized the overwhelming proof of his guilt. The court restricted Tarrant’s visibility, allowing only limited viewing of his testimony to reduce potential amplification of his racist motivations. Prosecutors urged the judges to reject the appeal to avoid further distress to victims, with a decision expected within months.

New Zealand will hold a national election on November 7, with economic conditions, living costs and housing expected to dominate the campaign. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon seeks a second term, arguing his government is rebuilding the post-pandemic economy, while opposition leader Chris Hipkins contends that Luxon has failed to deliver on key promises. Both major parties are likely to rely on coalition partners due to New Zealand’s proportional voting system, giving smaller parties like ACT, New Zealand First, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori significant influence. Analysts expect a tight race as inflation eases and economic concerns remain central for voters.

Social media companies removed 4.7 million accounts in Australia following a ban on platform use by children under 16, with officials citing the figures as early evidence of the policy’s effectiveness. Platforms face substantial fines for noncompliance and use various methods for age verification. Meta alone removed about 550,000 accounts and criticized the ban for driving young people to less regulated platforms. The law has broad parental support but draws opposition from privacy advocates and youth groups who warn of potential harm to isolated or vulnerable teenagers. Other countries, including Denmark, are considering similar measures while Australia’s regulator prepares new restrictions on AI chatbots.

Researchers identified an 8‑meter mega‑predatory lamniform shark from vertebrae found near Darwin, pushing back the emergence of giant sharks by 15 million years. Analysis using scans, models and fisheries data showed these early lamniforms had already become top predators by 115 million years ago. The findings indicate modern shark lineages rose early in marine ecosystems and may help scientists understand species responses to environmental change.

A Fabergé pendant valued at NZ$33,000 was recovered by New Zealand Police after an alleged thief swallowed it during a theft at Partridge Jewellers in Auckland. The item passed naturally after six days of monitoring without medical intervention. A 32‑year‑old man has been charged with theft and remains in custody, with a court appearance scheduled in Auckland District Court.

A young fur seal wandered into the Sprig + Fern The Meadows bar in Richmond, prompting staff and patrons to guide it to safety until conservation rangers arrived. The Department of Conservation had already received multiple reports about the seal, which was later released on dog-free Rabbit Island. Officials noted that such inland appearances are common during the annual “silly season” as seal populations grow. Bar co-owner Bella Evans said the seal, nicknamed Fern, is welcome back.

Police in Auckland are monitoring a man accused of stealing a £15,000 limited‑edition Fabergé egg pendant by swallowing it, with the item still unrecovered following a medical assessment. The 32‑year‑old suspect was arrested inside the jewellery store and is due back in court on 8 December, while authorities continue supervising him due to the unusual circumstances of the alleged theft.

New Zealand will restructure its firearms regulatory system by removing police officers from gun licensing while maintaining the near-total semiautomatic weapons ban enacted after the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee outlined reforms aimed at restoring trust between gun owners and regulators, creating a more independent Firearms Safety Authority, and simplifying compliance for license holders. The revised legislation will extend license renewal periods, adjust storage rules, strengthen controls on 3D-printed weapons, and introduce a red flag information-sharing system. Gun owners welcomed some changes but expressed disappointment over the lack of a clearer standard for determining who is fit to own a firearm. The bill is expected to reach Parliament by the end of the year, with the governing coalition holding enough votes to pass it.

Scientists studying humpback whales off Australia captured rare footage of remora fish timing their release and return during whale breaches, revealing coordinated behavior as they cling to migrating whales. Marine researcher Olaf Meynecke observed that while remoras benefit by feeding on dead skin and parasites, whales may find them irritating, sometimes breaching repeatedly in apparent attempts to dislodge them. The footage raises questions about how far remoras travel during the whales' long migrations and where they go when separated, as they attach to other large marine animals to avoid predators.

Severe winds and heavy rain in New Zealand caused the death of a man struck by a falling tree branch in Wellington and pushed a pedestrian into traffic. Flights, ferry services, schools and businesses were disrupted, and thousands of properties lost power in Wairarapa. Roads across both islands faced closures due to flooding, landslides and a truck rollover. MetService reported gusts up to 120 kph and warned of another, stronger weather system expected after the storm eased.

Police in Western Australia seized 135 firearms and revoked or suspended 44 gun licences from individuals identified as holding sovereign citizen beliefs after the fatal shooting of two officers in Victoria. Authorities used strengthened gun laws to classify those rejecting government authority as unfit to hold permits, citing rising officer deaths in recent years. The search for suspected shooter Dezi Freeman continues across rugged terrain in Victoria, as reports highlight his anti-government ideology and history of conflict with law enforcement.

New Zealand agreed to pay Samoa 10 million tala in compensation after the naval vessel HMNZS Manawanui ran aground and later sank due to crew and equipment failures. Environmental monitoring has shown the surrounding seawater remains clear, allowing fishing warnings to be lifted. Both governments are working to determine the future of the wreck while New Zealand implements recommendations from a Court of Inquiry, with disciplinary decisions for crew members still pending.

New Zealand’s efforts to extradite two Vietnamese officials accused of sexually assaulting two restaurant workers in Wellington failed due to the absence of an extradition treaty and Vietnam’s lack of cooperation. Authorities said investigators were confident an indecent assault had occurred and would have filed charges if the men had remained in the country. The victims expressed frustration over the outcome, noting that diplomatic ties between the countries appeared otherwise strong. New Zealand police said the case could be reopened if the suspects return, while the foreign ministry has raised concerns with Vietnam. A previous voluntary extradition case involving a Malaysian official was cited as precedent.

A New Zealand High Court ruling rejected Kim Dotcom’s latest effort to halt extradition to the United States, dismissing claims of political motivation and disproportionate treatment. The court upheld Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith’s 2024 decision to proceed with extradition, noting that Dotcom’s health conditions did not preclude surrender. The decision follows years of litigation stemming from U.S. accusations that Megaupload enabled massive copyright infringement. Dotcom’s former business partners pleaded guilty in New Zealand in 2023, avoiding extradition. His legal team may appeal before the October deadline as New Zealand authorities determine next steps in the extradition process.

Police shot fugitive Tom Phillips after he injured an officer while fleeing a robbery, ending nearly four years during which he lived in remote bushland with his three children. Authorities are investigating whether supporters helped him evade capture near Marokopa. The children, recovered safely, are now under a coordinated welfare plan involving child protective services. Phillips, previously charged over disappearances and wanted for armed robbery, had operated hidden camps and carried out break-ins to obtain supplies. A temporary court injunction restricts disclosure of further details.

A rare left‑coiled garden snail named Ned, discovered in Wairarapa, New Zealand, is unable to mate with common right‑coiled snails, prompting illustrator Giselle Clarkson and New Zealand Geographic to launch a nationwide search for another left‑coiled partner. Despite widespread attention, no suitable match has been found. Historical cases such as the British snail Jeremy highlight the rarity of sinistral snails and the genetic mutation behind the trait. Clarkson continues to care for Ned while hoping for a compatible companion.

New Zealand plans a partial rollback of its foreign-buyer housing ban, allowing holders of newly reintroduced residency investment visas to purchase one home valued at least NZ$5 million. The government argues the change will attract high‑value investors and stimulate economic growth, while opponents warn it will worsen affordability amid rising homelessness and unemployment. Applications for the visas could generate up to NZ$1.8 billion in business investment, with most eligible homes concentrated in Auckland and Queenstown. The policy reflects coalition compromises after the governing party campaigned on a full reversal of the 2018 ban.