The New Zealand dollar gained on a weakening greenback after comments from the Reserve Bank of Australia yesterday spurred traders' appetite for high-yielding currencies.

NZ won't extend the number of refugees it accepts and needs to address the increasing risk of people-smuggling boats hitting our shores, says the PM.

Reports say Pete Bethune's prosecution in Tokyo has demanded a two-year prison term.

Bieber was targeted by an internet prank which leaves him struggling to find a way out of exporting his teeny-pop to North Korea.

Prime Minister John Key and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak today agreed they wanted progress on free trade negotiations but little has been done to ease Korean fears over New Zealand's agriculture sector.

An American geologist detained and tortured by China's state security agents was jailed for eight years today.

Rob Gray finds that all you really need to ride around the world is a motorbike and a fair bit of determination.

General David Petraeus has formally assumed command of the 130,000-strong international force in Afghanistan.

Anamarie Ewins wants to deliver another sporting milestone for New Zealand and become the first woman to row solo across the Tasman.

Equities slid overnight amid further signs of economic weakness in China, Europe and the US.

As we pulled up at the Kyrgyz nomad camp I noticed that a young woman was milking the mares and started to get excited.

Jim Eagles visits strife-torn Kyrgyzstan and finds stunning scenery, friendly nomads and plenty of fermented mares' milk

Sholto Byrnes experiences Malaysian hospitality, from its coral reefs to cosmopolitan cities.

Artistic director Karen Grylls should be justifiably proud of the diversity and range of music that her 46-strong choir will be singing.

Global celebrations of Jackson's brilliant but troubled life kicked off with the unveiling of a memorial in London yesterday.