Congratulations @Socceroos!

“To tackle the new challenges of today, it is essential to acquire new capabilities. This also necessitates embracing change. Although it may face political pushback, as Japan’s “Iron Lady” I am strongly determined to bring abt the necessary transformation”ft.com/content/8344e590-a7f0…

NZ “has asked a US court to toss out a bid to ban NZ fish imports to help protect Māui and Hector’s dolphins... NZ’s request has been supported by the US government itself – but the charity fighting the case says it has no intention of backing down.” newsroom.co.nz/2026/06/11/go…

David Hockney, Who Restored the Human Form to Art, Dies at 88 nytimes.com/2026/06/12/arts/… via @NYTimes

✨ Valuable insights today on the Mekong’s future at the ASEAN–New Zealand Forum on Subregional Cooperation. Vital to @ASEAN’s growth yet facing complex challenges, 🇳🇿 New Zealand is proud to be a long-term partner — supporting Mekong-led solutions for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient development. #NZASEAN

RT @NZDefenceForce: NEWS📢 #NZNavy frigate HMNZS Te Mana and replenishment vessel HMNZS Aotearoa, with their combined ships’ companies of 28…

Wellington looking like a postcard this morning. ❤️

🚨 BREAKING: Al Carns has resigned as Armed Forces Minister

BREAKING: Security minister Dan Jarvis appointed new defence secretary after resignation of John Healey Latest 🔗 trib.al/kL1cwHr 📺 Sky 501

British Defence Secretary resigns over unmet defence spending commitments.

“The Indian government has voiced a “strong protest” after three Indian seafarers were killed in US military strikes against [a Palau-flagged vessel] travelling through the strait of Hormuz.” theguardian.com/world/2026/j…

Congratulations to @SamoaUN's Mataafa Faatino Utumapu and @PalauMission's Villaney “Lany” Remengesau on historic elections to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. A milestone for these Pacific leaders representing the Pacific on the global stage. #COSP19

Spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense and Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang: On June 8, the 13th China-New Zealand Strategic Defense Dialogue was held in China. The two sides had in-depth and candid discussions on international and regional issues of shared concern, and reaffirmed the willingness to strengthen substantive engagement and cooperation. The dialogue helped enhance mutual understanding and trust between the two sides. 中国国防部新闻发言人张晓刚大校：6月8日，中新（西兰）两军第13次战略对话在华举行。双方围绕共同关心的国际和地区问题坦诚深入交换意见，表达了加强两军务实交流合作的积极意愿，增进了相互理解和信任。

"It is what it is"- Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale says he can't release the text of the China security pact because it has a non-disclosure clause, and it would be irresponsible to break it. He says the situation is unfortunate, and shouldn't be repeated abc.net.au/news/2026-06-11/s…

Notably, in this latest joint statement just released after his meeting in Tokyo, Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim welcomes Japan's relaxation of postwar curbs on arms transfers. And he isn't the only ASEAN statesman to do so, despite Beijing's narrative. kln.gov.my/web/guest/-/japan…

Liking how the Chinese Embassy concludes its emails:

"The number of state-based conflicts reached a record high of 65 [in 2025], with interstate conflicts doubling for the second consecutive year, highlighting an increasing trend in international tensions" - New article in JPR based on Uppsala Conflict Data academic.oup.com/jpr/advance…

Some nice visuals in this piece by @toby_etc on Asia New Zealand Foundation's latest Perceptions of Asia report. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/10…

“We firmly reject the comments made by the Russian Ambassador regarding New Zealand’s response to the war in Ukraine,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “NZ’s actions reflect our commitment to international law and the rules-based international system” thepost.co.nz/politics/36102…

“Japan continues to be seen as NZ’s closest friend in Asia, closest defence and security partner, & most trusted power in Asia, surpassing New Zealanders' trust in the United Kingdom for the first time. Singapore was the next most trusted power in Asia…” rnz.co.nz/news/chinese-engli…