WEATHER ALERT
A New Zealand city waves goodbye to its 'disturbing' giant hand sculpture that many came to love
Read full article: A New Zealand city waves goodbye to its 'disturbing' giant hand sculpture that many came to lovePerched on two fingers on the roof of an art gallery in Wellington, New Zealand, the giant sculpture of a hand has loomed over the city for five years.
Samoan coast where King Charles will visit worries about the future after ship damaged reef
Read full article: Samoan coast where King Charles will visit worries about the future after ship damaged reefPeople who live in villages along the Samoan coastline where a New Zealand navy ship ran aground, caught fire and sank this month are worried about their livelihoods and the future of tourism and fishing in the area as they prepare for the arrival of Britain's King Charles III on Wednesday.
A New Zealand airport wants you to hug goodbye faster
Read full article: A New Zealand airport wants you to hug goodbye fasterTravelers leaving the New Zealand city of Dunedin will have to keep their emotional farewells brief after a new three-minute time limit was imposed on goodbye hugs in the airport’s drop-off area in order to prevent lingering cuddles from causing traffic jams.
New Zealand needs one more win to retain America's Cup after building 6-2 lead over Britannia
Read full article: New Zealand needs one more win to retain America's Cup after building 6-2 lead over BritanniaEmirates Team New Zealand has built a 6-2 lead over INEOS Britannia in the America’s Cup finals to move one point away from defending its title.
New Zealand opens up 3-0 lead over Britain in America’s Cup final after almost crashing
Read full article: New Zealand opens up 3-0 lead over Britain in America’s Cup final after almost crashingEmirates Team New Zealand has opened up a 3-0 lead over INEOS Britannia in the first-to-seven wins finals of the 37th America’s Cup.
New Zealand ship didn’t sink because its captain was a woman, the ‘appalled’ defense minister says
Read full article: New Zealand ship didn’t sink because its captain was a woman, the ‘appalled’ defense minister saysNew Zealand’s Defense Minister Judith Collins has decried what she called misogynistic online comments about the woman commander of a navy ship which ran aground, caught fire and sank off the coast of Samoa on Sunday.
No evidence of major fuel spill on Samoan reef where New Zealand navy ship sank
Read full article: No evidence of major fuel spill on Samoan reef where New Zealand navy ship sankSamoa’s deputy prime minister says there's no evidence of a major fuel spill on a Samoan reef after a New Zealand navy ship sank.
Samoa warns of 'highly probable' fuel spill after New Zealand navy ship caught fire and sank
Read full article: Samoa warns of 'highly probable' fuel spill after New Zealand navy ship caught fire and sankSamoa's acting prime minister says a fuel spill is “highly probable” after a New Zealand navy ship grounded, caught fire and sank off the coast of the Pacific island nation.
Google says it will stop linking to New Zealand news if a law passes forcing it to pay for content
Read full article: Google says it will stop linking to New Zealand news if a law passes forcing it to pay for contentGoogle says it will stop linking to New Zealand news content and will reverse its support of local media outlets if the government passes a law forcing tech companies to pay for articles displayed on their platforms.
A New Zealand pilot is freed after 19 months in rebel captivity in Indonesia's Papua region
Read full article: A New Zealand pilot is freed after 19 months in rebel captivity in Indonesia's Papua regionA New Zealand pilot held hostage for more than a year in the restive Papua region of Indonesia has been freed by separatist rebels.
New Zealand’s army chief: Pacific nations need tailored military training
Read full article: New Zealand’s army chief: Pacific nations need tailored military trainingNew Zealand’s army chief, Maj. Gen. Rose King, has highlighted the challenges Pacific Island nations face with foreign military training in an interview with The Associated Press.
Seen abroad as a leader on Indigenous rights, New Zealand enters a divisive new era
Read full article: Seen abroad as a leader on Indigenous rights, New Zealand enters a divisive new eraAs New Zealand celebrates its annual Māori language week, the government is ramping up initiatives to remove recognition of Indigenous people and language from public policy and law.
A smelly penguin wins New Zealand's hard-fought bird election
Read full article: A smelly penguin wins New Zealand's hard-fought bird electionThe hoiho or yellow-eyed penguin won New Zealand's annual Bird of the Year vote, after a fierce contest without the foreign interference and controversies that have upset the country's avian elections before.
A Māori king who urged racial unity in New Zealand is laid to rest and a new queen rises
Read full article: A Māori king who urged racial unity in New Zealand is laid to rest and a new queen risesNew Zealand's Māori monarch, Kīngi Tūheitia, has been laid to rest atop a sacred mountain as his youngest daughter, Ngā wai hono i te po, became the second Māori queen in a tradition dating back to 1858.
Leaders of South Korea, New Zealand strongly condemn expanding North Korea-Russia military ties
Read full article: Leaders of South Korea, New Zealand strongly condemn expanding North Korea-Russia military tiesThe leaders of South Korea and New Zealand have strongly condemned the deepening military ties between North Korea and Russia.
Lydia Ko completes 'Cinderella-like story' by winning Women's British Open soon after Olympic gold
Read full article: Lydia Ko completes 'Cinderella-like story' by winning Women's British Open soon after Olympic goldLydia Ko has captured her third major title and first in eight years by winning the Women’s British Open by two strokes at the home of golf at St. Andrews.
New Zealand official says Western neglect of Pacific Islands let other nations boost their influence
Read full article: New Zealand official says Western neglect of Pacific Islands let other nations boost their influenceNew Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters says Western nations, including the United States and New Zealand, failed to understand swiftly enough the geopolitical importance of island nations in the South Pacific, leaving a power vacuum that allowed other countries to increase their diplomatic influence.
Kim Dotcom loses 12-year fight to halt deportation from New Zealand to face US copyright case
Read full article: Kim Dotcom loses 12-year fight to halt deportation from New Zealand to face US copyright caseKim Dotcom, founder of the once wildly popular file-sharing website Megaupload, lost a 12-year fight this week to halt his deportation from New Zealand to the U.S. on charges of copyright infringement, money laundering and racketeering.
Gunmen kill New Zealand helicopter pilot in another attack in Indonesia's restive Papua region
Read full article: Gunmen kill New Zealand helicopter pilot in another attack in Indonesia's restive Papua regionGunmen have stormed a helicopter and killed its New Zealand pilot shortly after it landed in Indonesia’s restive Papua region.
Air New Zealand scraps its 2030 carbon emissions target, saying solutions are costly and scarce
Read full article: Air New Zealand scraps its 2030 carbon emissions target, saying solutions are costly and scarceAir New Zealand has scrapped its 2030 carbon emissions reduction targets, citing lags in producing new planes, a lack of alternative fuel and “challenging” regulatory and policy settings.
New Zealand's inquiry into systemic abuse follows 2 decades of similar probes worldwide
Read full article: New Zealand's inquiry into systemic abuse follows 2 decades of similar probes worldwideNew Zealand is the latest country to confront cruel, systemic and commonplace abuse of children and vulnerable adults in state and faith-based care institutions.
Buses carrying Chinese tourists veer off New Zealand road in 2 crashes at the same spot. 15 hurt
Read full article: Buses carrying Chinese tourists veer off New Zealand road in 2 crashes at the same spot. 15 hurtTwo buses carrying Chinese tourists have veered off a road on New Zealand’s South Island in separate crashes, and 15 passengers were taken to hospital.
Siniakova and Townsend win women's doubles title at Wimbledon
Read full article: Siniakova and Townsend win women's doubles title at WimbledonAfter seeing longtime doubles partner Barbora Krejcikova win the Wimbledon singles title, Katerina Siniakova went out on Centre Court and added another Grand Slam trophy to her own collection.
Faced with threats from Russia and its Asian supporters, NATO and Indo-Pacific partners get closer
Read full article: Faced with threats from Russia and its Asian supporters, NATO and Indo-Pacific partners get closerFour Indo-Pacific countries attending the NATO summit have issued a joint statement to “strongly condemn the illicit military cooperation” between Russia and North Korea.
New Zealand will radically ease zoning rules to try to relieve its stubborn housing shortage
Read full article: New Zealand will radically ease zoning rules to try to relieve its stubborn housing shortageNew Zealand's housing minister says the country will drastically ease restrictions on land use in a bid to “flood the market” with land for homes and override the powers of local councils to curb development.
Antetokounmpo, Greece strong in opener; Doncic, Slovenia still have chance to qualify for Olympics
Read full article: Antetokounmpo, Greece strong in opener; Doncic, Slovenia still have chance to qualify for OlympicsGiannis Antetokounmpo was dominant with 32 points in 19 minutes during Greece's 109-82 win over the Dominican Republic in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Piraeus, Greece.
Japan, New Zealand agree on intel sharing pact amid growing regional security concerns
Read full article: Japan, New Zealand agree on intel sharing pact amid growing regional security concernsJapan and New Zealand have agreed in principle on an intelligence sharing pact as their leaders shared concern about the increasingly challenging security environment in the region, including closer ties between Russia and North Korea.
US cricket team advances to second round in Twenty20 World Cup debut at Pakistan's expense
Read full article: US cricket team advances to second round in Twenty20 World Cup debut at Pakistan's expenseThe United States cricket team has made more history by qualifying for the second round in its Twenty20 World Cup debut after its last group game against Ireland was washed out in Florida.
Chinese Premier Li and New Zealand’s Luxon hail close ties as they sign trade deals in Wellington
Read full article: Chinese Premier Li and New Zealand’s Luxon hail close ties as they sign trade deals in WellingtonChinese Premier Li Qiang has met with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Wellington, where the two leaders played up the ability of “good friends” to respectfully disagree — while publicly diverging on little.
New Zealand renews search for father who vanished into forest with children 2 years ago
Read full article: New Zealand renews search for father who vanished into forest with children 2 years agoPolice in New Zealand offered an 80,000 New Zealand dollar reward and immunity from prosecution on Tuesday to anyone who could help them secure the safe return of three children missing since December 2021.
Colton Herta shows speed as Honda fights back in penultimate Indy 500 practice session
Read full article: Colton Herta shows speed as Honda fights back in penultimate Indy 500 practice sessionColton Herta and Andretti Global showed some speed in the penultimate Indianapolis 500 practice session as cars reverted to race setups after qualifying.
Japan's top rugby competition bucks trends, continues to grow as the game faces headwinds elsewhere
Read full article: Japan's top rugby competition bucks trends, continues to grow as the game faces headwinds elsewhereAs professional rugby teams and tournaments around the world contend with tough financial headwinds Japan continues to buck the trend, experiencing historic growth both in teams and crowds.
NFL to open academy in Australia to identify and develop young prospects
Read full article: NFL to open academy in Australia to identify and develop young prospectsThe NFL will expand its international search for talent by opening an academy in rugby-mad Australia to develop promising teenagers in the Asia-Pacific region into college and pro prospects.
New Zealand slips into its second recession in 18 months as economy contracts
Read full article: New Zealand slips into its second recession in 18 months as economy contractsNew Zealand has entered its second recession in 18 months after the latest round of GDP figures confirmed its economy contracted in the last quarter of 2023.
New Zealand will ban disposable e-cigarettes in a bid to prevent minors from taking up the habit
Read full article: New Zealand will ban disposable e-cigarettes in a bid to prevent minors from taking up the habitNew Zealand says it will ban disposable e-cigarettes, or vapes, and raise financial penalties for those who sell such products to minors.
Passenger describes people 'bounced off the roof' on plane that dropped during flight to New Zealand
Read full article: Passenger describes people 'bounced off the roof' on plane that dropped during flight to New ZealandOfficials are investigating what caused a “strong shake” before a sudden plunge on a plane traveling between Australia and New Zealand.
50 people are injured by a 'strong movement' on a plane traveling from Australia to New Zealand
Read full article: 50 people are injured by a 'strong movement' on a plane traveling from Australia to New ZealandOfficials say at least 50 people have been injured by what they described as a “strong movement” on a Chilean plane traveling from Sydney to Auckland, New Zealand.
Banda acquired by the Orlando Pride for second-highest transfer fee in women's soccer
Read full article: Banda acquired by the Orlando Pride for second-highest transfer fee in women's soccerThe Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League have acquired Zambian forward Barbra Banda for a club-record transfer fee.
New Zealand tour operators told to pay $7.8 million in fines and reparations over volcanic eruption
Read full article: New Zealand tour operators told to pay $7.8 million in fines and reparations over volcanic eruptionTourist operators of a New Zealand island where a volcanic eruption killed 22 people have been ordered to pay nearly $7.8 million in fines and reparations.
After years of delays, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ties the knot
Read full article: After years of delays, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ties the knotAfter almost five years of engagement and a postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has married longtime partner Clarke Gayford in a private ceremony.
Spain forward Jenni Hermoso says former coach Jorge Vilda made players feel uncomfortable
Read full article: Spain forward Jenni Hermoso says former coach Jorge Vilda made players feel uncomfortableSpain forward Jenni Hermoso has led the fight against sexism in Spanish soccer after finding herself in the global spotlight when she was kissed on the lips by former federation president Luis Rubiales without her consent after the Women's World Cup final.
Australia and New Zealand leaders seek closer defense ties
Read full article: Australia and New Zealand leaders seek closer defense tiesAustralia and New Zealand leaders have agreed to seek closer defense ties as New Zealand considers sharing advanced military technologies with the United States and Britain through the so-called AUKUS partnership.
Rocket Lab launches a Japanese satellite from the space company's complex in New Zealand
Read full article: Rocket Lab launches a Japanese satellite from the space company's complex in New ZealandCalifornia-based Rocket Lab has launched a Japanese satellite from the space company's complex on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula.
Thousands protest Indigenous policies of New Zealand government as lawmakers are sworn in
Read full article: Thousands protest Indigenous policies of New Zealand government as lawmakers are sworn inThousands of protesters have rallied against the New Zealand government’s Indigenous policies as the Parliament convened for the first time since October elections.
New Zealand leader plans to ban cellphone use in schools and end tobacco controls in first 100 days
Read full article: New Zealand leader plans to ban cellphone use in schools and end tobacco controls in first 100 daysNew Zealand’s new prime minister plans to ban cellphone use in schools and repeal tobacco controls in the agenda for his first three months in office.
Christopher Luxon sworn in as New Zealand prime minister, says priority is to improve economy
Read full article: Christopher Luxon sworn in as New Zealand prime minister, says priority is to improve economyChristopher Luxon has been sworn in as New Zealand’s prime minister and says his priority is to improve the economy.
A trial of New Zealand tourism operators in the volcanic eruption that killed 22 people ends
Read full article: A trial of New Zealand tourism operators in the volcanic eruption that killed 22 people endsA trial of New Zealand tourism operators accused of safety breaches after 22 people died in a 2019 volcanic eruption has ended with the last remaining defendant found guilty on one count.
The Rugby World Cup final will be supercharged by one of sport's greatest rivalries
Read full article: The Rugby World Cup final will be supercharged by one of sport's greatest rivalriesNew Zealand and South Africa will contest Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final and bring one of sport’s most intense rivalries to the ultimate stage for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Musk's X tests $1 fee for new users in the Philippines and New Zealand in bid to target spam
Read full article: Musk's X tests $1 fee for new users in the Philippines and New Zealand in bid to target spamElon Musk’s social media platform X has begun charging a $1 fee to new users in the Philippines and New Zealand.
Cricket and flag football are among five sports nearing inclusion for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Read full article: Cricket and flag football are among five sports nearing inclusion for 2028 Los Angeles OlympicsFlag football and cricket were among five sports that took their next step toward inevitably being added to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
On the campaign trail, New Zealand leader Chris Hipkins faces an uphill battle wooing voters
Read full article: On the campaign trail, New Zealand leader Chris Hipkins faces an uphill battle wooing votersNew Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is facing an uphill battle to woo voters less than three weeks before an election.
New Zealand economy to remain sluggish for 2 years, although doing better than feared, figures show
Read full article: New Zealand economy to remain sluggish for 2 years, although doing better than feared, figures showNew Zealand’s economy is expected to remain sluggish for another two years, although the overall picture is rosier than many observers had feared, new figures indicate.
Water breaks in both halves in Rugby World Cup matches this weekend because of hot weather in France
Read full article: Water breaks in both halves in Rugby World Cup matches this weekend because of hot weather in FranceThere will be water breaks at all matches on the first weekend of the Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand jury finds mom guilty of murdering her 3 young daughters
Read full article: New Zealand jury finds mom guilty of murdering her 3 young daughtersA New Zealand jury has found a mother guilty of murdering her three young daughters after rejecting her defense that she was so mentally ill at the time she couldn’t be held responsible.
New Zealand, whose pandemic response was closely watched, removes last of COVID-19 restrictions
Read full article: New Zealand, whose pandemic response was closely watched, removes last of COVID-19 restrictionsNew Zealand has removed the last of its remaining COVID-19 restrictions, marking the end of a government response to the pandemic that was watched closely around the world.
China, Russia and Iran are engaged in foreign interference in New Zealand, intelligence agency says
Read full article: China, Russia and Iran are engaged in foreign interference in New Zealand, intelligence agency saysNew Zealand’s domestic intelligence agency says that China, Iran and Russia are engaged in foreign interference in New Zealand.
Paralluelo's extra-time goal gives Spain a win over the Dutch and a Women's World Cup semifinal spot
Read full article: Paralluelo's extra-time goal gives Spain a win over the Dutch and a Women's World Cup semifinal spotSalma Paralluelo has scored deep in extra time to give Spain a 2-1 win over the Netherlands and send the sixth-ranked nation into the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup for the first time.
New Zealand is partnering with BlackRock in aim to reach 100% renewable electricity
Read full article: New Zealand is partnering with BlackRock in aim to reach 100% renewable electricityNew Zealand’s government says it will partner with U.S. investment giant BlackRock as it aims to become one of the first nations in the world to have its electricity grid run entirely from renewable energy.
American Outlaws to hold Houston watch party for US Women’s team during knockout game of World Cup
Read full article: American Outlaws to hold Houston watch party for US Women’s team during knockout game of World CupThe United States is still in the battle for the Women’s World Cup, and the American Outlaws fan group is organizing a watch party in Houston for the round of 16 game.
Fox and Telemundo see great ratings for American women, but rest of Women's World Cup struggles
Read full article: Fox and Telemundo see great ratings for American women, but rest of Women's World Cup strugglesFans of the United States women’s soccer team remained faithful viewers no matter what hour the game was on.
Americans' escape in group stage preserved meaningful US betting action on the Women’s World Cup
Read full article: Americans' escape in group stage preserved meaningful US betting action on the Women’s World CupThe shot that hit the post in the Americans’ scoreless draw with Portugal not only allowed the defending champions to advance out of the group stage, it also preserved any meaningful betting action in the U.S. on the Women’s World Cup.
Knockout round opens at Women's World Cup with Japanese vs Norway, unproven Swiss faces Spain
Read full article: Knockout round opens at Women's World Cup with Japanese vs Norway, unproven Swiss faces SpainThe Women's World Cup suddenly seems wide open with the elimination of many of the top teams in the world.
The Women’s World Cup featured eight new teams that treasured the experience gained on global stage
Read full article: The Women’s World Cup featured eight new teams that treasured the experience gained on global stageThis year's Women's World Cup featured eight nations making their tournament debut.
Lindsey Horan calls former teammate Carly Lloyd's criticism 'noise' at the Women's World Cup
Read full article: Lindsey Horan calls former teammate Carly Lloyd's criticism 'noise' at the Women's World CupUnited States co-captain Lindsey Horan brushed aside criticism leveled at the team by former striker-turned-pundit Carli Lloyd, calling it outside noise.
Italians in tears after shocking loss knocks them out of Women's World Cup
Read full article: Italians in tears after shocking loss knocks them out of Women's World CupItaly’s players dropped to their knees, buried their faces and tearfully wondered how their tournament had suddenly ended following a shocking upset to South Africa in the Women’s World Cup.
Women's World Cup greets its 1 millionth ticketholder as sales approach 1.7 million
Read full article: Women's World Cup greets its 1 millionth ticketholder as sales approach 1.7 millionA Colorado woman has become the 1 millionth ticketholder to attend a game at the Women’s World Cup being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
The Women's World Cup has produced some big moments. These are some of the highlights & lowlights
Read full article: The Women's World Cup has produced some big moments. These are some of the highlights & lowlightsThe Women’s World Cup is taking shape with shocks and highlights as it nears the end of the group stage.
New Zealand out of Women's World Cup following 0-0 draw with Switzerland as Swiss advance
Read full article: New Zealand out of Women's World Cup following 0-0 draw with Switzerland as Swiss advanceNew Zealand outshot Switzerland and even moved goalkeeper Victoria Esson into an attack position several times, but failed to break a 0-0 tie Sunday in the Women’s World Cup.
Norway moves into the knockout round at Women's World Cup with 6-0 rout over the Philippines
Read full article: Norway moves into the knockout round at Women's World Cup with 6-0 rout over the PhilippinesSophie Roman Haug’s three goals kick-started Norway’s dormant offense and sparked a 6-0 win over the Philippines on Sunday that moved the Norweigians to the knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup.
U.S. Women's World Cup tie vs. Netherlands draws combined audience of 7.93 million on Fox, Telemundo
Read full article: U.S. Women's World Cup tie vs. Netherlands draws combined audience of 7.93 million on Fox, TelemundoThe United States’ 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in the Women’s World Cup drew 7.93 million viewers, making it the largest combined English- and Spanish-language audience for a group stage match involving the American women.
The Americans dominated their Women's World Cup opener. They face a tougher task against the Dutch
Read full article: The Americans dominated their Women's World Cup opener. They face a tougher task against the DutchThe United States and the Netherlands meet again on the Women’s World Cup stage with smaller stakes than the 2019 title game won by the Americans.
Two goals in 2 minutes help Japan beat Costa Rica 2-0 at Women's World Cup
Read full article: Two goals in 2 minutes help Japan beat Costa Rica 2-0 at Women's World CupHikaru Naomoto and Aoba Fujino scored two minutes apart in the first half to lead Japan to a 2-0 Women’s World Cup victory over Costa Rica on Wednesday, and the Japanese qualified for the knockout stage later when Spain beat Zambia.
Former Stanford goalkeeper in US players' hearts at the Women's World World Cup
Read full article: Former Stanford goalkeeper in US players' hearts at the Women's World World CupSophia Smith flashed the zipping her lips gesture as she celebrated her second goal against Vietnam during the opening United States' opening match at the Women’s World Cup in tribute to former Stanford teammate Katie Meyer.
Confident US enters Women's World Cup against underdog Vietnam as quest for 3rd title begins
Read full article: Confident US enters Women's World Cup against underdog Vietnam as quest for 3rd title beginsThe United States begins its journey to a record third consecutive Women’s World Cup title with the same confidence it had in winning the last two tournaments.
Blinken heads to Tonga, New Zealand, Australia as US shifts Indo-Pacific strategy into overdrive
Read full article: Blinken heads to Tonga, New Zealand, Australia as US shifts Indo-Pacific strategy into overdriveSecretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Tonga, New Zealand and Australia next week as the Biden administration shifts its Indo-Pacific strategy into overdrive in part to counter China’s growing influence in the region.
New Zealand opens Women's World Cup with a 1-0 upset over Norway on emotional 1st day in host nation
Read full article: New Zealand opens Women's World Cup with a 1-0 upset over Norway on emotional 1st day in host nationHannah Wilkinson has scored to open the second half and New Zealand has upset Norway 1-0 for its first-ever win at the Women’s World Cup just hours after a shooting in downtown Auckland that shocked the host nation.
Women's World Cup security heightened ahead of opening match following deadly shooting in Auckland
Read full article: Women's World Cup security heightened ahead of opening match following deadly shooting in AucklandSecurity was heightened ahead of Thursday night’s opening Women’s World Cup game after a gunman killed two people at a downtown construction site in Auckland, roughly 12 hours ahead of co-host New Zealand’s match against Norway.
Women's World Cup spotlight shining on Australia as co-host New Zealand seeks its own attention
Read full article: Women's World Cup spotlight shining on Australia as co-host New Zealand seeks its own attentionNew Zealand’s Football Ferns are aiming to win fans as well as matches at the Women's World Cup.
Britain officially joins an Asia-Pacific trade group that includes Japan and 10 other nations
Read full article: Britain officially joins an Asia-Pacific trade group that includes Japan and 10 other nationsBritain has officially joined an Asia-Pacific trade group that includes Japan and 10 other nations during a meeting in New Zealand.