Here in New Zealand, it’s been a full 2023 – and the rest of the world took notice.
Predictably, our turbulent political year made plenty of headlines overseas.
But with Jacinda Ardern’s resignation and the Bird of the Century campaign aside, there were other reasons we attracted the world’s eyes as well. Birds are a recurring theme, actually – remember Paora the kiwi in Florida?
The New York Times headline was: “They Cuddled a Kiwi. New Zealand Said, ‘Stop That’.”
Here’s a selection of Aotearoa’s other appearances in international media this year:
For a stint in April, the North Canterbury Hunting Competition was an animal welfare flashpoint – both here and overseas.
“New Zealand feral cat-killing competition for children axed after backlash,” went the BBC headline.
British comedian Ricky Gervais, a well-known animal lover, couldn’t resist weighing in.
He retweeted the BBC’s story with a caption pointing out how the contest made New Zealand look bad.
“Right. We need some new PR ideas to make the world love New Zealand.
“Maybe something involving kids and kittens. Yes, Hargreaves?”
Three people, including the gunman, died on July 20 when shots were fired in Auckland’s CBD.
It was the first day of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with the opening ceremony scheduled for Eden Park that night ahead of a game between the Football Ferns and Norway.
The world’s media swivelled towards New Zealand. Eyes were supposed to be on the country’s efforts as host – but instead, the headlines were of violence.
“Gunman kills two in Auckland, but Women’s World Cup will proceed as planned, says New Zealand PM,” The Guardian said. The New York Times, the BBC and USA Today all ran similar headlines.
Like the case of Paora the kiwi, this story later in July was a minor international incident. ESPN broke it first.
“Spain have decided to leave their training base in Palmerston North slightly early after boredom set in among the players and their families,” the US outlet reported. The uproar was immediate.
New Zealanders were protective of Palmy and the eventual World Cup winners quickly denied the report.
“It’s been a pleasure being in Palmerston North, we’re happy with the treatment we’ve received inside and out of the hotel,” said coach Jorge Vilda.
“They’ve treated us like family and I think it’s was very favourable environment to allow us to have good performances.”
During Jacinda Ardern’s years as prime minister, a lot of international readers and viewers tuned into New Zealand politics.
After Ardern’s Labour secured a historic win in 2020, the party was shunned at this year’s election – and the world took notice.
In the US, the New York Times headlined its story as: “New Zealand Elects Its Most Conservative Government in Decades.”
CNN’s website led with the headline: “New Zealand shifts right as voters punish ruling party.”
In the UK, the Daily Mail website led on: “New Zealand votes out Jacinda Ardern’s Labour party in ‘bloodbath’ election – as ex-Air New Zealand CEO becomes country’s next Prime Minister.”
The new Government has gotten stuck in since the election, with controversy surrounding its call to scrap tougher smokefree laws.
The BBC labelled it a “shock reversal” and said health experts strongly criticised the decision. The Guardian echoed the broadcaster’s angle, reporting it’s “a move that public health officials believe will cost thousands of lives and be “catastrophic” for Māori communities”.
The Daily Mail Australia said New Zealand’s “incoming conservative government” has “AXED” its “world-first” smoking ban.
But the UK in particular covered the issue, as a similar law to New Zealand’s scrapped ban is being proposed there.
“A change of government in New Zealand has led to the radical anti-smoking measures being scrapped – meaning England could soon have the toughest tobacco laws in the world,” Sky News said.
