WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Reuters) — Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was officially welcomed to New Zealand on Monday (March 27) during a traditional ceremony at Wellington’s Government House. Welcomed by New Zealand’s governor-general with a traditional Maori Hongi, or nose rub, Premier Li and his wife Cheng Hong watched a traditional Haka being performed. The Chinese delegation were greeted by New Zealand’s Prime Minister Bill English and his wife Mary English before the Premier inspected the […]
Tag: Bill English
New Zealand in free-trade push ahead of China Premier Li visit
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Reuters) — New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English on Friday (March 24) announced a renewed push to promote free trade in his first major trade policy announcement since taking over as leader last December. New Zealand’s $180 billion economy depends on exports, and the country lobbied hard in favour of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. It wants to push for an expansion of a free-trade agreement with China at a meeting with […]
Bill English elected to replace New Zealand PM Key
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — New Zealand’s ruling National Party appointed the experienced Bill English as the country’s new prime minister on Monday following last week’s shock resignation of his popular predecessor John Key. The center-right National Party caucus met to confirm the decision on Monday morning, with English to be officially sworn in at Government House in Wellington later in the day. State Services Minister Paula Bennett was named as deputy prime minister. “Bill […]
Two early bids to replace Key as New Zealand PM
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — New Zealand will have at least a two-way race to decide their next prime minister following the bombshell resignation of the popular John Key. Current deputy Bill English and Health Minister Jonathan Coleman both confirmed Tuesday, following a government caucus meeting, that they would contest the leadership. A third MP, Police Minister Judith Collins, said she was still considering her options. When three-term leader Key announced Monday he was stepping […]





