Sources: BBC
New Zealand raises its minimum wage to $20 per hour, increasing the average income of 175,500 citizens by $44 per week, while income tax on those earning over $180,000 rises to 39 percent. Welfare spending, student allowances, and support for first time home buyers are also increased. 2021-04-1
New Zealand announces the stationing of three more non-combat military personnel in Afghanistan, boosting its military commitment to 13. 2017-08-25
New Zealanders vote to retain the current flag over the proposed design in the nation's flag referendum. More than 2 million people vote in the referendum. 2016-03-24
Voting begins for the second stage of New Zealand's flag referendum with the current flag going up against the design chosen on the first stage of the referendum. Voting will end on March 23 with polling showing the current flag is favoured to win. 2016-03-3
New Zealand announces the flag design chosen by the public that will challenge the current flag in a March 2016 vote. Voters will choose between the current flag, which features the British Union Jack with a dark blue background, and the challenger, a silver fern and four red stars on a black and blue background. 2015-12-15
Four alternatives to the current New Zealand flag are chosen for a Spring referendum (20 November – 11 December 2015) in which New Zealanders will determine their favorite of the new designs. 2015-09-1
A government appointed panel chooses 40 finalist flag designs out of more than 10,000 submitted. 2015-08-12
New Zealand says it plans to hold a referendum regarding the change of its national flag. 2014-03-11
A South Korean deep sea trawler sinks in the Southern Ocean two thousand kilometres south of New Zealand with at least five people dead and seventeen missing. 2010-12-13