Our Scans · Wellington · Weekly Summary

• Postal workers in Wellington, New Zealand, took the extraordinary step of refusing to deliver pamphlets containing anti-Muslim disinformation, recognizing the potential for real-world harm. DISA
• The cities of Wellington, New Zealand, and Shanghai, China have created AI-driven digital twins, helping city planners visualize development projects and predict impacts, such as how a new sports arena will affect surrounding neighbourhoods. TheAlvinReport
• Australia will insist on New Zealand's participation in QUAD projects (quadrilateral security dialog with the United States, Japan and India), and will involve Wellington in AUKUS (a trilateral military alliance of Australia, Great Britain and the United States). Pravda EN
• Wellington, the New Zealand capital, is anticipating welcoming 500 of the world's leading climate scientists when it hosts the Climate and Cryosphere Open Science Conference in 2026. CMW
• New Zealand has reached a trade deal with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, that Wellington said would open up major opportunities for Kiwi exporters in the Middle East. FDD
• Maintaining diplomatic channels of communication with Israel, including via Israel's Ambassador and other Embassy officials in Wellington, is important as it affords the opportunity to convey New Zealand's positions and to engage with Israel directly and frankly. New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Jetstar will increase capacity on domestic routes in New Zealand, including Christchurch-Auckland and Auckland-Wellington, and has hinted at further growth in its domestic operations in 2025. Flight Global
• New Zealand has agreed to officially explore the potential benefits of joining the Aukus pact, the latest sign that Wellington will contribute to the security agreement mainly aimed at countering China. Foundation for Defense of Democracies
• WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - California-based Rocket Lab, which specializes in putting small satellites into orbit, plans to launch a Japanese satellite on Friday from the space company's complex on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula. Winnipeg Free Press
• New Zealand is home to some of the world's most impressive geothermal activity, and its capital city, Wellington, is aware of the vast potential beneath its feet. City Monitor
• Opponents worry about the negative political impact with New Zealand's Pacific Island and Southeast Asian neighbours - or raise concerns that joining AUKUS could end Wellington's commitment to an independent foreign policy and nuclear-free South Pacific region. Breaking Defense
• At least six people have been killed after a fire engulfed a hostel in New Zealand's capital Wellington and authorities fear the death toll could rise when rescue team can safely search through the gutted building. Al Jazeera
• WELLINGTON - New Zealand will provide 15 million NZ dollars ($9.41 million) in emergency budget support for the Cook Islands in its ongoing recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. chinadailyhk
• According to a recent study conducted by the University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand has a highly efficient food export economy that has the potential to provide multiple meals to its citizens through exports alone. Inventiva
• WELLINGTON - The New Zealand government said it will introduce a law that will require big online digital companies such as Alphabet's Google and Meta Platforms to pay New Zealand media companies for the local news content that appears on their feeds. The Straits Times
• Launching US government satellites from New Zealand required a bilateral treaty and technology safeguard agreement signed between Washington and Wellington before Rocket Lab and the NRO could proceed. Breaking Defense
• Global sea levels are pegged to rise 25 to 30 centimetres by 2060, but major urban areas in New Zealand, such as Auckland and Wellington, are set to experience this decades earlier than expected. Insurance Business
• Wellington City Council, New Zealand, has set a target to reduce community-wide emissions to net zero by 2050. CityTalk
• Tonga is expected to issue formal requests for aid soon, but in the meantime New Zealand said two ships, HMNZS Wellington and HMNZS Aotearoa, had set off with water supplies, survey teams and a helicopter. Al Arabiya English
• The New Zealand response to the developing situation in Tonga is well underway and the offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Wellington is expected to arrive in Tonga later today. The Beehive
• Wellington could soon have kiwi nesting beside Parliament House thanks to an ambitious conservation project that aims to reintroduce New Zealand's iconic national bird to the capital city within the next decade. NZEDGE
• The Biden administration's intent to forge greater ties with liberal democracies, like New Zealand, to counter a rising China will present challenges for Wellington. Wavell Room
• No commitment to support New Zealand's commitment to reduce carbon emissions and be carbon neutrality by 2050 by Wellington Airport or airlines using their facilities. wellington.scoop.co.nz

Last updated: 26 June 2025