Wellington in the news: wild storms, floods, schools closed, and regional relief efforts du jour. Capital of NZ; sits at the SW tip of the North Island.
New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed a declaration in Rarotonga, clarifying their relationship and resuming aid funding. The move follows a period of tension caused by a secret Chinese deal and aims to strengthen security ties, with New Zealand reaffirming its role as the Cook Islands' main partner.
Wellington has experienced record rainfall, prompting a state of emergency. Authorities have responded with evacuations and road closures. No fatalities have been reported, but one person remains missing. The weather agency warns more rain is expected, increasing risks of landslides and flooding in the coming days.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has secured support from his caucus in a confidence vote amid declining polls and internal party questions. The vote was held privately, and Luxon has declared his leadership is confirmed, as the country prepares for the upcoming November election.
Severe flooding in Wellington has caused widespread damage, with a man missing after floodwaters swept through his property. Emergency services have been working in affected areas, and the city remains under a state of emergency as heavy rain continues to pose risks of landslides and debris. The search for the missing man is ongoing.
Oil from a Kern County pipeline has flowed into storm drains and the LA River after a contractor struck a 6-inch pipe while laying fiber-optic cables. Containment booms are in place and birds are being cleaned; air monitoring is ongoing as authorities assess the impact.
New Zealand lawmakers who visited Taiwan have been banned for a year from China, Hong Kong and Macau. The move prompts diplomatic friction as Wellington defends parliamentary travel to Taiwan as longstanding practice under its One China policy. Officials say the ban is a China-driven reaction to cross-strait diplomacy.