Renju Jose

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced proposed legislation banning children under 16 from using social media. Technology platforms that fail to implement reasonable age-verification measures could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue. Luxon says the measure is needed to protect children from addictive technology, harmful content and mental-health risks, while acknowledging that enforcement will be difficult. Coalition partner New Zealand First opposes the bill; leader Winston Peters points to Australia's similar policy as a failure and favors greater parental responsibility.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced plans to introduce legislation banning social media access for children under 16. The proposal would require platforms to use reasonable age-verification measures and could impose penalties of up to 10% of global revenue for non-compliance. Luxon cited harmful content, addictive technology, mental-health effects, sleep disruption and educational pressures, while coalition partner New Zealand First opposes the bill and argues that parental responsibility should prevail. The proposal follows Australia’s under-16 social media ban, which Winston Peters described as a failure, and faces an uncertain path through New Zealand’s parliament.

Australia is preparing to vaccinate vulnerable native birds against the lethal H5N1 avian influenza strain, initially focusing on priority species kept in captivity. The move follows the country’s first reported mass seabird deaths linked to the virus spreading from migratory birds to local species. With about 45% of Australia’s 850 bird species endemic, conservationists face significant risks to unique wildlife. The initiative follows New Zealand’s programme to protect 300 key breeding birds from endangered species.

Australia will begin vaccinating vulnerable native birds against H5N1 avian influenza in the coming days and weeks, initially prioritising captive species based on their vulnerability and conservation importance. The move follows the country’s first mass seabird deaths after the virus spread from migratory birds to local wildlife. Authorities acknowledge that vaccination cannot prevent transmission among wild birds, but say it can protect species at greatest risk. New Zealand has undertaken a similar programme for 300 breeding birds from five endangered species.

An Antarctic polar blast has brought snow to sea level across New Zealand’s South Island, blanketing Dunedin and Christchurch and creating dangerous icy roads. Bus services in Dunedin were cancelled, ferry crossings between the North and South islands were suspended because of strong winds and heavy swells, and schools and roads were disrupted. MetService forecasts that the cold snap will continue for another two days, with many regions expected to experience their coldest temperatures of the year on Thursday morning.

An Antarctic polar blast brought snow to sea level across New Zealand’s South Island, disrupting roads, schools, buses, ferries and flights. Dunedin experienced widespread snowfall and icy conditions, while snow also reached Christchurch’s New Brighton Beach. MetService warned that the cold snap, heavy rain and powerful winds would continue, with many regions expected to experience their coldest temperatures of the year. The weather follows a series of severe storms that caused flooding, landslides, power outages and coastal evacuations.

Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, with citizens to be called dei-Naoero. Parliament approved the change through a constitutional amendment in May, while President David Adeang said a planned referendum was unnecessary because Naoero already represents the people’s identity. The government has notified international organizations and other countries, restoring the island’s indigenous name after European colonizers adopted the name Nauru.

New Zealand has detected its first case of H5N1 bird flu in a migratory brown skua near Wellington, following similar detections in Australia. Authorities are monitoring for spread among poultry and native wildlife while advising the public not to handle sick birds. A vaccination programme is targeting 300 breeding birds from five critically endangered species, including takahē and kākāpō, amid fears that rapid transmission could push vulnerable flightless and ground-nesting birds toward extinction.

New Zealand has confirmed its first H5N1 bird-flu infection in a brown skua found near Wellington, with no evidence so far of wider transmission among wildlife or poultry. Biosecurity authorities are monitoring the area and urging the public not to handle sick or dead birds. The virus poses a particular threat to New Zealand’s vulnerable, endangered bird species, prompting vaccination of 300 breeding birds from five species, while wildlife experts warn that rapid spread could drive some species toward extinction. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says the country is well prepared after observing the virus’s effects elsewhere.

Australia has downgraded its “do not travel” advice for the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Israel and Kuwait to a recommendation to reconsider travel, while retaining the strongest warning for some Israeli border areas. The change restores travel-insurance eligibility for Australians transiting major Gulf hubs and could help Emirates and other Gulf carriers recover passengers and reduce fares after travellers shifted to Asian routes. Industry figures welcomed the move, although analysts expect recovery to be gradual because of continuing security concerns, advance booking cycles and competition from Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific. Falling oil prices could also eventually ease jet-fuel costs and airfares.

Australia has eased its travel advice for the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Israel and Kuwait, changing the recommendation from “do not travel” to “reconsider your need to travel.” The revised guidance is expected to allow Australians to travel through major Gulf air hubs while retaining travel-insurance coverage, and Flight Centre Travel Group anticipates a strong recovery in bookings and the return of cheaper fares from Middle Eastern airlines.

Gale-force winds and waves forecast to reach 9 metres caused major disruption in Wellington, including flight and ferry cancellations, road closures and the temporary evacuation or sheltering of residents along the southern coast. Authorities declared a state of emergency in affected areas, while Wellington Airport and Air New Zealand warned of further disruption. Ferry and fishing services were suspended as dangerous seas were expected to intensify along New Zealand’s coastlines.