New Zealand's first COVID-19 case in six months prompted a snap nationwide lockdown. But the country's 'Zero COVID' policy is starting to come under criticism amid growing pressure on the economy.

New Zealand plans to waive hotel quarantine requirements, first for its nationals stuck abroad, and eventually for all. The US will begin discharging troops who refuse the vaccine.

New Zealand's first COVID-19 case in six months prompted a snap nationwide lockdown. But the country's 'Zero COVID' policy is starting to come under criticism amid growing pressure on the economy.

New Zealand will reopen its borders in stages over time. Meanwhile, the WHO warned that the Europe would see many more deaths during the winter. Follow DW for the latest.

The two countries join the ASEAN nations, China, South Korea, and Japan. The pact will cover 30% of the world's population and 53% of last year's exports.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces a comprehensive in-principle free trade agreement with the UK, arrived at after 16 months of talks. London said the deal ends tariffs on British exports such as clothing, footwear, ships and bulldozers. It estimated that trade between the two countries last year was worth £2.3 billion ($3.2 billion, 2.7 billion euros).

"We have an independent foreign policy", says New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, after confirming that New Zealand would not lift a ban on nuclear-powered vessels entering its waters in the wake of Australia's decision to develop a nuclear submarine fleet.

An attacker inspired by the Islamic State group stabbed six people at a New Zealand supermarket on Friday before police - who had the man under surveillance - shot him dead, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says.

The tightest restrictions will remain in place in the country's largest city, Auckland, however. Meanwhile, a new Vietnamese school year has started with most students still in a virtual classroom. DW has the latest.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces that the country is heading for a three-day lockdown after identifying a single case of locally transmitted Covid-19 suspected to be the Delta variant. New Zealand had not recorded any infections in the community for six months.

An orca calf that was beached and separated from its mother is cared for by conservationists as the search begins for the baby's mother. Named Toa -- Maori for 'warrior' -- the 2.5 metre (eight foot) orca is unweaned and unable to survive alone in the ocean.