Tag: New Zealand

  • Simi’s ‘Duduke’ earns gold certification in New Zealand

    Simi’s ‘Duduke’ earns gold certification in New Zealand

    Singer and songwriter Simi has achieved a significant milestone with her hit song “Duduke”, earning a gold certification in New Zealand for selling 15,000 units.

    Released in 2022, the song’s catchy beat and heartfelt lyrics resonated with listeners worldwide.

    The song’s music video, which featured Simi’s baby bump, showcased her joy and anticipation as she awaited the arrival of her child.

    The song’s success inspired the “Duduke Challenge,” where fans created their own interpretations of the song.

    Simi’s daughter, Adejare, has also become affectionately linked to the song, with some fans referring to her as “Duduke.”

    It was gathered that while Simi doesn’t mind the association, she prefers her daughter to be called by her actual name.

  • New Zealand unveils 10-year visa for parents of migrants

    New Zealand unveils 10-year visa for parents of migrants

    New Zealand is set to launch a new long-term visa aimed at strengthening family ties for migrants. The Parent Boost Visa, which takes effect from 29 September 2025, will allow parents of temporary residents to stay in the country for up to 10 years.

    Under the new visa policy, eligible parents can initially stay for five years, with the option to apply for an additional five-year extension, provided they continue to meet all requirements.

    Designed as a multiple-entry visitor visa, the Parent Boost Visa aims to support skilled migrant workers by allowing their parents to join them for extended periods. However, the visa does not offer a direct path to permanent residency. Those seeking to become residents must still apply under existing categories such as the Parent Resident Visa or the Parent Retirement Resident Visa.

    Key Eligibility Requirements:

    Sponsorship by a New Zealand citizen or resident.

    Comprehensive health insurance for a minimum of one year, covering emergency care up to NZD $250,000.

    Two health assessments: one during the application process and another outside New Zealand in the third year of stay.

    Proof of continuous insurance coverage throughout the visa duration.

    Read Also: Top six African countries with highest Schengen visa applications

    Financial Requirements:

    Applicants must meet one of the following financial criteria:

    The sponsor earns at least the median wage (for one parent) or 1.5 times the median wage (for two parents).

    The parent(s) have a steady income that meets the New Zealand Superannuation rate.

    The parent(s) hold savings of at least NZD $160,000 for a single applicant or NZD $250,000 for a couple.

    Visa Fees:

    Standard application fee: NZD $3,000 (including immigration fees and levy).

    Pacific fee band applicants: NZD $2,450.

    International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL): NZD $100.

    Health reassessment after three years: NZD $325 (or NZD $240 for Pacific applicants).

    By offering significantly longer stays than traditional visitor visas, the Parent Boost Visa enables migrants to care for their ageing parents, maintain closer family bonds, and contribute to a more stable family life in New Zealand.

    This visa complements other options currently available to parents and grandparents of migrants, including short-term visitor visas and residency pathways with limited annual quotas.

  • Best Online Casinos New Zealand | 5 Fast Payout NZ Real Money Casinos 2025

    Best Online Casinos New Zealand | 5 Fast Payout NZ Real Money Casinos 2025

    Are you looking for the best online casino in New Zealand offering exciting real money rewards and free spins? You’ve come to the right place! We’ve handpicked the top New Zealand online casinos for 2025, offering fantastic bonuses, fast payouts, and a thrilling gaming experience. 

    Whether you’re aiming for big wins or just want to enjoy top-quality gameplay, these casinos have it all.

    We have reviewed 5 best online casinos in New Zealand. They are JACKBIT7Bit CasinoBitStarz, MIRAX Casino & KatsuBet.

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    CasinoCasino BonusBest For
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    5 Best Real Money Online Casinos in New Zealand Reviewed!

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    #1. JACKBIT – Best Online Casino NZ With Rakeback Offers

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    BitStarz Casino is often considered one of the best online casinos in New Zealand, offering an exceptional range of games, rewards, and ongoing promotions. This casino provides players with an incredible gaming experience, including access to some of the best online pokies NZ has to offer. With excellent customer support and a great reputation, BitStarz is a top choice for Kiwi players.

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    MIRAX Casino offers a variety of banking methods that are easy and secure for New Zealand players:

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    KatsuBet Casino offers several trusted banking methods to ensure smooth transactions for NZ players:

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    Final Verdict on the Best Online Casinos New Zealand 2025

    Choosing the right casino is always important, and we hope this list of the best online casinos in New Zealand for 2025 has helped you make a well-informed decision. No matter which casino you choose from the above options, you can be sure that you are getting an outstanding online casino real money experience. These casinos offer everything from top-notch games to amazing bonuses, fast payouts, and seamless banking options. Happy gambling!

    FAQs

    ● What Are The Top Online Casinos In New Zealand For Real Money? 

    The best casinos for real money in New Zealand include:

    ○ Jackbit Casino

    ○ 7Bit Casino

    ○ BitStarz Casino

    ○ Mirax Casino

    ○ KatsuBet Casino

    These casinos offer great bonuses and a variety of games.

    ● Are Online Casinos Legal In New Zealand? 

    Yes, online casinos are legal in New Zealand. While local casinos are not allowed, playing at licensed international casinos is completely legal for residents.

    ● How Do I Choose The Best Online Casino In New Zealand? 

    Look for:

    ○ Licensing and Regulation

    ○ Game Variety

    ○ Bonuses

    ○ Secure Payment Options

    ○ Good Customer Support

    ● How Can I Ensure Safe Online Gambling In New Zealand? 

    Stay safe by:

    ○ Playing at licensed casinos

    ○ Setting a gambling budget

    ○ Using secure payment methods

    ○ Avoiding casinos with red flags

    ○ Seeking help if gambling becomes problematic

  • Dominican Republic 2024: Flamingos rout New Zealand 4-1 in World Cup opener

    Dominican Republic 2024: Flamingos rout New Zealand 4-1 in World Cup opener

    Nigeria coasted to a 4-1 victory over flummoxed New Zealand as the 2024 FIFA U-U-17 Women’s World Cup finals rolled into action in Santiago de los Caballeros on Wednesday.

    Shakirat Moshood scored one of the competition’s fastest goals since it was launched 16 years ago, when she rounded the defence of the girls from Down Under to score the first goal after only 80 seconds at the CFC Stadium.

    The precocious Faridat Abdulwahab rocked the crossbar seven minutes later from 23 yards, and in the 13th minute, Nigeria went two goals up when defender Taiwo Adegoke’s shot from well outside the box was misjudged by the goalkeeper who palmed the ball over the line before scrambling in vain to push it out. A check with the Video Assistant Referee confirmed that the ball had, indeed, crossed the line.

    Firing from all cylinders, Nigeria again rattled the opposing goalkeeper in the 17th minute, with a sharp shot from Moshood that was punched over the bar. Four minutes later, Peace Effiong, all over the pitch, heaved the ball too high from six yards. In the 26th minute, Harmony Chidi rounded the goalkeeper who made a great block on the second attempt.

    Captain Taiwo Afolabi stung the goalkeeper’s palms from close range in the 28th minute, and from the resultant corner kick, Abdulwahab easily lifted the ball over the goalie from 16 yards for Nigeria’s third goal.

    Read Also: Fans rail against Sanusi’s 5th term  bid as NFF General Secretary

    In the second half, the Flamingos continued their raid on the opposition goal, and eight minutes into the restart, it was 4-0 after Afolabi’s looping header from Adegoke’s cross from the right sailed over the goalkeeper into the net.

    On the hour, Saxon scored a goal right from the training ground, collecting the ball from a corner kick and doing a smart turn to shoot past goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma, thus pulling one back for the New Zealanders.

    Although Chidi, Nigeria’s top scorer from the qualifying series, was again foiled in the 75th minute, the Flamingos finished on the ascendancy and will look forward to another three points against debutants Ecuador on Saturday, that will take them to the tournament’s knockout stage.  

  • RUGBY: New Zealand stun Canada to retain Olympic sevens title

    RUGBY: New Zealand stun Canada to retain Olympic sevens title

    New Zealand’s women defended their Olympic sevens title with a gritty, come-from-behind 19-12 victory over Canada as the United States bagged a surprise bronze.

    The Kiwis outscored the Canadians by three tries to two in a tense, defence-led match in front of a near-capacity 69,000 crowd at the Stade de France.

    The US, having made their first-ever semi-finals, had earlier upset pre-tournament favourites Australia 14-12 to claim third place.

    The final saw Kiwi skipper Risi Pouri-Lane step Chloe Daniels and run in from 50 metres for the opening try, also hitting the conversion.

    New Zealand pinned Canada back in their own 22m, but when the ball was worked left to Charity Williams, the winger was one-on-one with Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.

    However, the New Zealander, a star of both the sevens and 15s game for more than a decade, saw yellow for the high, covering tackle.

    Read Also: NFF partners Ministry of Interior over girl-child project

    Canada took advantage, Daniels played into space by Olivia Apps for a straight run-in to the line and successfully adding the extras.

    Sarah Hirini tried one ambitious offload too many as the Kiwis re-gathered, Alysha Corrigan intercepting and showing a clean pair of soles for Canada’s second try to leave it 12-7 at half-time.

    New Zealand started the second period exactly as they needed to, the impressive Michaela Blyde stepping inside Corrigan for a fine try, converted by Tyla King to hand them back the lead.

    Stacey Wakaa then got the decisive score following a fine Hirini break and some slick inter-passing between those two and King.

    A dramatic bronze medal match saw Maddison Levi score two more tries to finish on a record 14 for the tournament.

    The previous best in an Olympics was Woodman-Wickliffe’s tally of 10 for New Zealand at the 2016 Rio Games.

    But it was not enough as the US responded with tries from Alev Kelter, when Levi’s sister Teagan was in the sin bin, and Alex Sedrick to make it 12 points apiece.

    Sedrick herself kicked the vital conversion to seal a famous US bronze in perfect timing for the run-in to the next Olympic Games, on home soil in Los Angeles in 2028.

    The women’s tournament followed a similar three-day competition for the men, which could not have been better scripted as global superstar Antoine Dupont led France to victory over defending champions Fiji.

     “We always said this is our chance of coming of age for rugby sevens in the Olympics, and it has been, it’s been incredible,” World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin told reporters Tuesday. “553,000 spectators in six days. It’s been amazing. It’s everything we hoped it could be. And hopefully, it’s a great platform for the future.”

  • ‘Sri Lanka attacks retaliation for New Zealand Mosque shootings’

    The Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka were an act of revenge for a recent attack on mosques in New Zealand, according to the country’s Minister of Defense.

    “The preliminary investigations have revealed that what happened in Sri Lanka (on Sunday) was in retaliation for the attack against Muslims in Christchurch,” Ruwan Wijewardene told Parliament on April 23, according to Reuters.

    Wijewardene didn’t provide details nor indicate the source of information behind the claim that the Sri Lanka bombings, which killed 321 and wounded around 500, were intended to avenge the Christchurch shooting attacks.

    Fifty people were killed in the New Zealand attacks on March 15, in which a heavily armed lone gunman shot victims attending Friday prayers at two mosques.

    Wijewardene said two Sri Lankan jihadi groups—the National Thawheed Jama’ut and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim—were behind the blasts.

    It’s unclear whether the Sri Lankan groups received assistance from international terrorist organizations and, if so, what was the nature of their involvement.

    Read Also: Sri Lanka attacks: Death toll hits 290

    Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament that investigators are looking into any potential foreign links.

    The ISIS terror group has claimed responsibility for the attacks through its Amaq propaganda agency.

    In a statement, the terror group said it was targeting Christians and citizens of countries bombing its territory.

    “A security source told Amaq agency the perpetrators of the attack targeting the citizens of [U.S.-led] coalition countries and Christians in Sri Lanka were Islamic State [ISIS] fighters,” the statement said, according to The Independent.

    The statement contained no additional information or evidence.

    The Independent reported that ISIS supporters had earlier circulated photographs claiming to show three of the suicide bombers allegedly responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks.

    The photographs reportedly showed the men posing with weapons in front of the ISIS flag and were captioned with the names Abul Muktar, Abu Ubaida, and Abul Barra.

    The New York Times reported that the Sri Lankan government said it had received a warning of a possible threat to churches by National Thowheeth Jama’ath more than 10 days before the attacks.

    The warning was conveyed by an unidentified foreign intelligence agency, according to the report.

    Earlier on April 23, Sri Lankan government and military sources said a Syrian had been detained among 40 people being questioned over the bombs.

    “He was arrested after the interrogation of local suspects,” one of the sources said, referring to the unidentified Syrian.

    TheEpochTimes

  • It’s a new dawn for cricket in Nigeria, says NCF boss

    The feat achieved by the Nigeria’s U-19 cricket tea at the just concluded ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifiers in Namibia has been described as a new dawn for the sport in the country as the Sylvester Okpe-captained side became the first Nigeria team to qualify for a cricket World Cup.

    After emerging the overall winner at the six-nation qualifiers held in Namibia following their unbeaten run in the competition, Nigeria became the first team from the continental championship to join top playing cricket nations like Pakistan, South Africa, Afghanistan, Australia, India, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe and host – South Africa as teams that had already booked their places at the global championship holding in 2020.

    An excited President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), Professor Yahaha Ukwenya described the feat as a new dawn for the sport. “As a President, it is great and incredible and I cannot believe the boys have done this. We trained them to be true Nigerians, tough in character and spirit and not giving to anybody and to tell everybody that we are Africa’s largest nation and some of the toughest human beings from the continent are from Nigeria and they played that way. But we had no idea that they will get this far and by match by match, they fought and came out victorious,” Ukwenya said.

    For the coach of the team, Uthe Ogbimi, the feat did not come on a platter of gold. “It has been a long trek coming all the way from last year to qualify from the division two to division one and to come to division one and clear everybody is indeed so massive in our heart. We want to thank the federation for allowing us to go to Zimbabwe for a playing tour against strong opposition and it indeed lifted the game of the players. I think Nigeria should celebrate and corporate bodies should rally round the team to support us for the World Cup.”

    An elated Okpe said: “We had a little up and down in the game and we must thank God for the success here in Namibia. This qualification means a lot to me and it is the best moment in my life since I started playing cricket particularly to be part of the first Nigeria team to qualify for any cricket World Cup. We will go back to drawing to check our mistakes and correct it before the World Cup.”

  • New Zealand to unveil gun laws after mosque shootings, says PM

    New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday she would announce new gun laws within days, after a gunman killed 50 people in mass shootings at two mosques in the city of Christchurch.

    The premier said at news conference after her cabinet reached in principle decisions on gun reform laws in the wake of New Zealand’s worst ever mass shooting.

    Australian Brenton Tarrant, 28, a suspected white supremacist, was charged with murder on Saturday.

    Tarrant was remanded without a plea and is due back in court on April 5 where police said he was likely to face more charges.

    “Within 10 days of this horrific act of terrorism we will have announced reforms which will, I believe, make our community safer,” Ardern said.

    In addition to the 50 killed, dozens were wounded at two mosques in the South Island city during Friday prayers.

    Gun City owner David Tipple said the alleged gunman legally bought four weapons and ammunition online from the store between December 2017 and March 2018, however it did not sell him the high-powered weapon used in the massacre.

    “The MSSA, military-style automatic, reportedly used by the alleged gunman was not purchased from Gun City.

    “Gun City did not sell him an MSSA, only A-category firearms,” Tipple told a news conference in Christchurch.

    Under New Zealand gun laws, A-category weapons can be semi-automatic but limited to seven shots.

    Tipple said he supported Ardern’s move to reform gun laws as the Christchurch shootings had raised legitimate concerns.

    Ardern did not detail the new gun laws, however has said she supports a ban on automatic weapons following the Christchurch shootings.

    Australia introduced some of the world’s toughest gun laws after its worst mass killing, the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in which a lone gunman killed 35 people using a semi-automatic AR-15 – the same weapon used in the Christchurch massacre.

    Australia banned semi-automatic weapons, launched a national gun amnesty in which tens of thousands of guns were handed in, and made it much tougher to own firearms.

  • FG condemns terrorist attack on places of worship in New Zealand

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, said this in a statement by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Mr George Edokpa, on Friday in Abuja.

    Onyeama condemned the attacks which took place during Jumaat Prayers on Friday, March 15, killing 49 Muslim worshipers and injured many others.

    The minister who regretted the barbaric and vicious acts unleashed against innocent worshipers expressed Nigeria’s sympathies to New Zealand.

    “Nigeria stands in solidarity with New Zealand in their time of grief and fully supports the prosecution of the perpetrators of this heinous crime to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.
    He condoled with the Government and the people of New Zealand and prayed for God to grant the families of the victims the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and wished the injured speedy recovery.
    NAN
  • Dollar set for biggest weekly drop in three months

    The dollar slipped against its rivals on Friday and was set for its biggest weekly drop in more than three months before a U.S. Central Bank meeting next week.

    Policymakers will at the meeting shed more light on the outlook for interest rates.

    While no change in policy rates is expected next week after the Fed paused a multi-year rate hiking cycle in January, officials might strike a more cautious view on the outlook for the global economy after a volatile week in currency markets.

    “We are coming to the end of a very exhausting week in currency markets with the Brexit news and, investors are waiting to get more insights from the Fed,” said Esther Maria Reichelt, an FX strategist at Commerzbank.

    Against its rivals, the dollar fell 0.2 per cent to 96.61 in early London trading. For the week, it is set to weaken 0.7 per cent, its biggest drop since early December.

    READ ALSO: Naira stable at N360.5 to dollar at parallel market

    Antipodean currencies led by the Australian dollar and its New Zealand counterpart were the biggest gainers against the dollar after Beijing said it could use reserve requirements and interest rates to support growth.

    The outlook for both those currencies is heavily correlated with the outlook for the Chinese economy.

    The yen remained firm after the Bank of Japan kept monetary policy steady but tempered its optimism that robust exports and factory output will underpin growth, giving a boost to its perceived safe-haven status.

    Elsewhere, the pound paused for breath but stayed on course for its biggest weekly gain in seven weeks on growing expectations that Britain won’t crash out of the European Union without a deal on March 29.

    Sterling last traded at 1.3217 dollar, below Wednesday’s nine-month high of 1.3380 dollar, but up 1.8 per cent so far this week, the biggest such gain since late January after the UK parliament voted to seek a delay in Britain’s exit from the European Union, following a decision to avert a no-deal Brexit.

    The Chinese currency in the offshore market also remained firm against the dollar at 6.71 yuan per dollar.

    Reuters/NAN