Murray McCully

New rules are needed for tourist ships visiting Antarctica to prevent a disaster in the world's most isolated region, according to New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully. "I am greatly concerned that unless we take action, there will be a serious maritime casualty involving a tourist vessel in Antarctica, and we will be faced with a humanitarian and environmental disaster," McCully said. A three-day meeting started in Wellington Wednesday of about 80 experts from the 47 Antarctic Treaty countries, aimed at drawing up new regulations for tourist ships visiting Antarctica. McCully told the meeting that four tourist ships had run aground in the ... Read Full Story

Water and power supplies have largely been restored in cyclone-hit Fiji, but thousands of people are still unable to return to their damaged homes. Cyclone Mick ripped through the Pacific Island nation on Monday, leaving a trail of destruction. Three people died and two are still missing. Fiji's Disaster Management Committee (DISMAC) said the Rewa River delta, near Suva, and Navua, on the southern side of the main island of Viti Levu, were hardest hit by the cyclone. Fifty-four homes were completely destroyed. A full assessment of damage to outlying islands had yet to be made. "We've sent out 17 teams to collect information ... Read Full Story

New Zealand and the Russian Federation have agreed to exploit the potential of trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation, Foreign Minister Murray McCully says. Read Full Story

Australia and New Zealand announced tit-for-tat expulsions of Fiji's top envoys on Wednesday, exacerbating tensions with the military regime and deepening its isolation. The two countries made near-simultaneous statements a day after the Pacific island state ordered their own envoys out, claiming interference in its judicial affairs. "This excuse is neither warranted, reasonable nor justified," Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told reporters in Perth. "We worry about Fiji further isolating itself from the diplomatic community," he added. It is the third time Fiji has thrown out a New Zealand envoy since its latest coup in 2006, but the first expulsion of a diplomat from ... Read Full Story

Australia and New Zealand kicked out Fiji's top envoys on Wednesday in retaliation for a similar move by the Pacific country's military regime, abruptly raising regional tensions. The two countries made near-simultaneous announcements a day after Fiji said it would expel their senior diplomats in Suva over alleged interference in its judicial matters.. Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said acting high commissioner Kamlesh Kumar Arya had been ordered to return to Suva within 24 hours, adding that he was "deeply disappointed" at Fiji. He rejected claims of meddling in the island nation, which has already been suspended from the Commonwealth and from the Pacific ... Read Full Story