South Korea has recorded the world’s lowest fertility rate. Recently released government data show the nation’s fertility rate has dropped to 0.81 babies per woman. It is the sixth year in a row the rate has declined. It fell to less than one child per woman in 2018. Countries generally need a fertility rate of […]

The chief instructor of the Japan Karate Association visited Timaru last week. Shuseki Shihan (chief instructor) Ueki Masaaki was hosted by the Timaru Karate Club. During his stay, he provided instruction to the club students. Timaru karate club sensei (instructor) Lizelle​ Pelser said the club was “honoured and privileged” to host Masaaki. “It’s absolutely a […]

Exports from Vietnam to New Zealand are recording strong growth, the Vietnamese Trade Office in New Zealand has said. Among other products, upturn was seen in the revenue of tea and coffee (52%), pottery and ceramics (108%), paper and paper products (48%), steel (36.8%), and garment, footwear and accessories (22.8%). In the first eight months […]

Immigration New Zealand has apologised to a Korean-based chef who has waited 3.5 months for a New Zealand work visa. Chinese-born Zhicheng Huang, who currently lives in South Korea, was offered a job by the Invercargill Licensing Trust. He is one of several overseas-based chefs the licensing trust has offered jobs to in Invercargill because […]

A New Zealand company is launching its smoothie products in South Korea. Seriously Healthy is launching its Serious Smoothie products, which are single-serve pouches of frozen fruit pieces, into South Korea after success in Australia and Fiji. Founder Samuel Rosser said the products make it easier to prepare a healthy smoothie. “We keep it as […]

King Charles is planning to visit New Zealand as part of the royal family’s biggest-ever series of tours around the world to commence his reign. The trips will involve two years of international travel aimed at “extending a hand of friendship and support”, royal sources told the British Mirror. New Zealand, Australia and a number […]

The remains of 49 Māori and Moriori people, taken by an Austrian taxidermist, have been returned to the country. The remains were brought back to New Zealand last month from the Natural History Museum, Vienna. They were taken from New Zealand and the Chatham Islands by Austrian taxidermist and grave robber Andreas Reischek, who lived […]

Robbie Williams is coming to New Zealand for two concerts next year. The English singer will perform at the Mission Estate Winery Concert in Hawke’s Bay on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 November 2023. Tickets for his first concert sold out in under an hour. Williams was only planning to perform a single concert but […]

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is struggling to attract applicants for a job in the picturesque but isolated South Island town of Haast. The Department is looking for a biodiversity supervisor to work in the Mount Aspiring National Park. However, so far there have only been three applicants for the role. Operations manager for DOC […]

A councillor in the Grey District, in the South Island, has won her seat after her name was drawn from an office stationery basket. Northern ward candidates Kate Kennedy and James Rogatski were tied on 199 votes. In this situation, the law says that the winner is to be decided by random draw. Kennedy said […]