The Government has introduced a new National Policy Statement for Infrastructure and updated two others for renewable generation and electricity networks to speed up infrastructure and clean energy development. The new direction aims to simplify planning, prioritise essential infrastructure, and reduce barriers to renewable electricity, including small scale projects. Expanded guidance for transmission and distribution networks will support upgrades and protect key assets. The changes are intended to cut red tape, boost economic growth and accelerate New Zealand’s transition to renewable energy.

The New Zealand Government has launched an AI Advisory Pilot to help small businesses adopt artificial intelligence tools that improve productivity and competitiveness. Ministers say AI could add NZ$76 billion to the economy by 2038, but many small firms lack confidence and guidance. The pilot will provide expert support and up to 50% co funding (capped at NZ$15,000) for businesses to develop and implement tailored AI plans. The six month programme will offer advice on practical use, privacy and responsible adoption. The initiative complements wider investment of up to NZ$70 million in advanced AI research.

Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay has been reappointed Vice Chair of the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference, to be held in March 2026 in Cameroon. He will attend preparatory meetings in Switzerland to advance New Zealand’s trade priorities. McClay says the role reflects New Zealand’s commitment to the multilateral trading system. He will focus on agricultural outcomes, fisheries subsidies reform, the e commerce moratorium and strengthening dispute settlement. New Zealand serves alongside Jamaica and the Philippines.

Hong Kong International Airport recorded strong 2025 results, handling 61 million passengers, up 15%. Flight movements rose 8.7% to 394,730, and cargo throughput increased 2.7% to 5.07 million tonnes. A robust Christmas peak pushed daily traffic above 200,000 for eight days. In December alone, the airport served 5.8 million passengers, a 13.5% rise from 2024. Visitor and transfer/transit volumes grew by double digits, with the Chinese Mainland, Southeast Asia and North America showing the largest gains.

China plans to accelerate agricultural modernisation by creating up to 500 demonstration zones by 2030. These zones will focus on six areas: grain, animal husbandry, specialty industries, smart agriculture, urban agriculture and dryland farming. The initiative aims to boost production capacity, improve quality and efficiency, strengthen green and tech driven agriculture and support national food security. The zones are intended to develop scalable models for modern agriculture and enhance industrial and operational systems. The plan follows a national call to advance rural revitalisation.

Hong Kong’s Companies Registry reported strong growth in 2025, with 195,343 new local and re domiciled companies registered, lifting the total to a record 1,557,103. The new re domiciliation regime drew over 420 enquiries and 30 applications, with six firms successfully relocating to Hong Kong. Registrations of charges, releases, prospectuses and documents all increased. Searches of document records reached 5.23 million. Limited partnership funds grew 35% to 1,347, and open ended fund companies rose 43% to 676. The Registry issued 760 new TCSP licences and 155 money lender licences.

Autonomous driving trials in Hong Kong are expanding after the Transport Department issued six pilot licences covering 62 vehicles. The first licensee, an experienced autonomous driving firm operating in 22 cities, has logged over 80,000km of safe testing across North Lantau, Cyberport, Kai Tak, and now dense urban districts. Systems are refined for Hong Kong’s complex roads, right hand drive rules, unique roundabouts, and temporary signals. Trials have scaled to 10 vehicles, added passenger operations, expanded routes, and increased speeds to 50km/h.

China will further open its services sector by adding nine new pilot cities - Dalian, Ningbo, Xiamen, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Hefei, Fuzhou, Xi’an and Suzhou - to implement 159 measures across telecom, healthcare and finance. Each city will pursue tailored reforms, such as Dalian enhancing logistics as a Northeast Asia shipping hub and Ningbo leveraging advanced manufacturing and cross border trade. The expansion builds on the pilot program launched in 2015, which now covers 20 areas and aims to advance institutional opening up as well as improve regulatory frameworks.

Air New Zealand ranked second in Asia Pacific for on time performance in 2025, achieving 79.29% on time arrivals and operating 97.22% of scheduled flights, completing 171,216 flights across its network. The improvement follows a major scheduling overhaul that tailored aircraft turn times to conditions at individual airports, boosting late 2025 performance to over 84% in some months. The airline is extending this approach across its entire network, supported by new digital scheduling tools, enhanced frontline training, upgraded ground equipment and improved customer support.

China has updated its green product certification and labeling regulations, shifting from label focused management to full chain supervision. The revised measures unify product catalogs, evaluation standards, certification rules, and labels, while introducing a tiered oversight system. They set out detailed requirements for certification procedures, certificate management, label usage, and supervisory responsibilities. China’s green product catalog now includes 122 consumer related categories such as appliances, furniture, building materials, packaging, and textiles.

Hong Kong will host the 94th INTERPOL General Assembly in 2026, marking the first time the event is held in the HKSAR and underscoring its role as a global policing “super connector.” China’s Ministry of Public Security and Commissioner Chow Yat ming highlighted the trust placed in Hong Kong and the HKPF. The HKPF contributes actively to INTERPOL, maintains officers in Lyon and Singapore, and is expanding international cooperation, particularly with ASEAN and Belt and Road partners. Hong Kong is also strengthening ethics governance and cross border crime fighting initiatives.

China has introduced three year beef import quotas effective from 1 January 2026 following a safeguard investigation. New Zealand receives a duty free quota starting at 206,000 tonnes, rising to 214,000 tonnes - above its recent annual exports of 150,000 tonnes - valued at up to NZ$1.75 billion. Trade Minister Todd McClay says strong engagement ensured New Zealand avoided reduced access and that exports under the FTA will remain effectively unaffected. China is New Zealand’s second largest beef market, taking 19% of exports by value.

Hong Kong is advancing its gold ambitions through a co-operation agreement with the Shanghai Gold Exchange, establishing a cross boundary clearing system. The HKSAR Government plans to expand local gold storage to over 2,000 tonnes within three years, positioning the city as a regional gold reserve hub. A central clearing system will support internationally compliant gold transactions, alongside efforts to diversify gold investment. Hong Kong has also joined the London Metal Exchange’s global warehousing network.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission has expanded access for overseas investors to 14 new futures and options varieties in China's futures market. The newly added specific domestic varieties include nickel futures and options on the Shanghai Futures Exchange, lithium carbonate futures and options on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange, the regulator announced. They also cover select products on the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange, as well as TSR 20 options, low-sulphur fuel oil options, and international copper options on the Shanghai International Energy Exchange

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has set the 2026 General Election for 7 November, saying early notice provides certainty. He highlights progress on inflation, interest rates, economic confidence, exports, and the India FTA. Luxon also cites reductions in crime, youth offending, and ram raids, along with improved early‑years reading results. He says the Government will continue focusing on “fixing the basics” through the year. Parliament rises 24 September, dissolves 1 October, with advance voting from 26 October and writ return due 3 December 2026.

Raglan will host the New Zealand Pro as the fourth stop of the 2026 World Surf League Championship Tour, marking the biggest elite surfing event ever held in the country and the first combined men’s and women’s WSL event in New Zealand. Running 15–25 May 2026, it will feature 36 men and 24 women competing at Raglan’s renowned left-hand point break. The Government’s Events Attraction Package is supporting the event, expected to boost tourism, strengthen the Waikato economy, and elevate New Zealand’s global profile as a premier destination for major sporting and cultural events.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has launched a 21 day, territory-wide year-end clean-up campaign ahead of Lunar New Year, urging public participation. Cleaning will be intensified across all districts, including markets, cooked food centres, hawker areas, public toilets and refuse points. Inspections and actions against illegal dumping and hygiene blackspots will increase, supported by extra street washing teams. The department will also boost mosquito and rodent control, particularly in older buildings and rear lanes, with enhanced night operations.

China is to strengthen support for foreign investment in 2026, promising equal treatment for foreign enterprises in consumption promotion, procurement and public bidding. Officials say China will continue high-standard opening up and expand market access and help foreign firms grow their value chains. The ministry will improve services for foreign investors through national treatment, targeted support, and regular roundtables. China also aims to align with international economic rules, broaden institutional opening up trials, and accelerate pilot programs that further open the services sector.

China will intensify its crackdown on telecom and online fraud, State Councilor Wang Xiaohong said at a national teleconference. Authorities will launch continuous enforcement waves and closely monitor high‑risk individuals, phone cards, networks and fraud channels. Wang highlighted the need for prevention through early warnings, stronger technological safeguards and wider public education. He called for deeper cross‑border law‑enforcement co‑operation to restrict fraud operations.

China aims to evolve from the “world’s factory” into a “market for the world,” using its vast domestic market to create global opportunities. In 2026, China will advance high standard opening up, improve policies for foreign investment, expand market access and ensure equal treatment for foreign enterprises. It plans deeper alignment with international trade rules, broader pilot reforms. BRI trade, growing collaboration in emerging industries, and China’s commitment to WTO reform and South-South cooperation will mark 25 years in the organisation.

FEHD inspections found poor hygiene and improper meat handling in some fresh provision shops, increasing rodent‑infestation risks. Between February 2 and 4, officers inspected over 250 shops, checking meat storage, waste disposal, rear‑lane cleanliness, structural defects and pest‑control measures. The operations resulted in 47 prosecutions and 101 verbal warnings. FEHD warned that inadequate hygiene and management create food sources and hiding places for rodents, threatening public health and food safety.

The Government has reduced the biosecurity component of the Border Processing Levy by 30 percent, lowering the charge for arriving air passengers from NZ$16.92 to NZ$12.03. The levy continues to fund essential protections such as x ray screening and detector dogs. The Government says strong biosecurity remains vital for New Zealand’s primary industries and is investing in new technology, more detector dogs and a digital border programme to improve passenger processing.

Auckland Airport and Chinese airlines are boosting China–New Zealand capacity as Lunar New Year demand grows. Air China will lift Beijing–Auckland flights from seven to ten weekly, while China Southern has expanded summer services and will operate 10 weekly winter flights Guangzhou-Auckland. Stronger demand, high load factors, and recent visa simplifications in both countries are driving growth. Rising transit traffic via major Chinese hubs is helping fill gaps left by limited Southeast Asia services.

The 19th Asian Financial Forum (Jan 26–27) brought over 3,600 leaders from more than 60 countries to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Under the theme “Co creating New Horizons Amid an Evolving Landscape,” the forum explored major financial and economic trends, including fintech, green finance, insurance, and risk management. During the event, Hong Kong’s Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau signed a co operation agreement with the Shanghai Gold Exchange.

The Government will present the 2026 Budget on 28 May, with a strong emphasis on funding core public services such as health, education, defence, and law and order. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the Budget will tightly control discretionary spending, focus on a small set of priorities, and avoid “splashing the cash.” Savings, reprioritisation, and disciplined financial management will feature prominently to maintain essential services while restoring the Government’s finances.

Forestry Minister Todd McClay has announced further cost reductions for forest owners in the Emissions Trading Scheme, lowering annual charges from NZ$14.90 to NZ$10.25 per hectare after earlier cuts prompted by an independent review. He says this reverses the previous Government’s proposed NZ$30.25 fee and represents a 66% reduction since the National-led Government took office. Proposed changes include updated service fees, reduced hourly rates, and new targeted charges.

New Zealand will build an LNG import facility to improve energy security as domestic gas supplies decline. The Government says the project will stabilise electricity prices, reduce reliance on coal and diesel during dry years, and support economic growth. Analysis indicates high energy costs have already reduced GDP and jobs. An LNG backup is expected to save households money, protect industry, and add resilience if gas supplies tighten. The facility, planned for Taranaki, could operate by 2027–28 and create skilled jobs.

Hong Kong Police and INTERPOL hosted the CyberEX Annual Meeting on February 2–3, bringing together over 120 experts from 30+ regions to discuss disrupting the industrialisation of cybercrime. Commissioner Chow highlighted the Force’s work on next‑generation technologies, including the Virtual Asset Intelligence Taskforce and CryptoTrace. Speakers stressed that cybercrime is borderless and requires global collaboration. The meeting featured discussions on cybercrime ecosystems, AI, extortion and virtual‑asset tracing, plus technology exhibitions.

China says it will offer stable, long‑term expectations for foreign businesses during the 15th Five‑Year Plan (2026–2030), according to Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yadong. The country will pursue high‑quality development, expand high‑standard opening‑up, and strengthen mutually beneficial trade ties. In 2025, investment from Korea, Canada, Finland and Britain all grew significantly, supported by recent high‑level visits that deepened trust and widened economic cooperation.

The Government will invest up to NZ$35 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to help OpenStar Technologies build a specialised facility for its next fusion machine. OpenStar, led by Dr Ratu Mataira, is pursuing a novel, potentially more stable and scalable fusion design. The funding will anchor fusion R&D in New Zealand, attract international investment, create high‑value jobs and generate spinoff benefits for aerospace and medical technology while advancing long‑term fusion energy development.

Greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand fell 1.1 percent in the September 2025 quarter, the lowest level since 2010. The drop was driven mainly by a sharp 21.6 percent fall in emissions from electricity, gas, water and waste services due to reduced fossil‑fuel use and strong hydro generation. Household emissions dropped 0.6 percent, led by lower transport emissions. Manufacturing emissions rose 7.2 percent. For the year to September 2025, total emissions fell 2.8 percent, with major declines in electricity and gas, manufacturing, mining and agriculture.

Auckland International Airport is marking its 60th anniversary with a custom 3m x 1.8m Lego model now on display in the international terminal. The installation showcases both the original 1960s terminal and the airport’s future integrated terminal, part of a NZ$5.7 billion infrastructure programme running through 2032. Chief Executive Carrie Hurihanganui says the airport has long been central to New Zealand’s travel, trade and tourism, reflecting decades of strong public enthusiasm for aviation.

Hong Kong’s Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, led a delegation to the APEC Health Working Group meeting in Guangzhou to discuss strengthening regional public‑health co‑operation. Member economies exchanged views on surveillance, immunisation, healthy ageing, mental health and new technologies. Hong Kong will present its next‑generation disease‑surveillance plans. Dr Lam highlighted Hong Kong’s role in APEC health initiatives and its commitment to capacity building under “one country, two systems”.