World
Oceania
NZ's wellbeing budget targets mental health, suicide, welfare
But leaks, allegations of hacking and calls for the resignation of the head of the country's Treasury Department have threatened to overshadow it.
Latest
World politics
PNG Parliament elects new prime minister
Former finance minister James Marape has vowed to review the country's big oil and gas contracts after being critical of how they were being managed.
Cyber security
New Zealand police drop investigation into the hacking of the 'wellbeing' budget
The saga has dominated headlines, sparked jabs between political parties, and threatened to overshadow the much-vaunted "wellbeing" budget.
- by Charlotte Greenfield
Protest
On eve of 'wellbeing budget', NZ teachers stage mega-strike
More than half of public schools are closed on Wednesday as teachers take to the streets for a "mega-strike" over a pay dispute with the government.
World politics
PNG Prime Minister O'Neill tenders formal resignation
Peter O'Neill has named a successor, but so has the Opposition.
- by Tom Westbrook
Cyber warfare
'Witch-hunt': New Zealand rattled by budget 'hacking' claims
The centre-right National Party released what it said were details from the Labour-led administration's budget but refused to say how it got the information.
- by Boris Jancic
Christchurch shooting
'Egg boy' Will Connolly donates $100,000 to help mosque attack survivors
The money was raised on two Go Fund Me pages set up by others after Connolly egged Fraser Anning, who had blamed Muslim immigration for the shooting.
Wellbeing
Sceptics abound as Ardern sets sights on first 'wellbeing' budget
Some economists say the NZ PM, who burst into prominence in 2017 vowing to fix inequality among other problems, might be found wanting on budget day.
- by Charlotte Greenfield
Asylum seekers
Uncertain future for Australian contracts with unsettled Papua New Guinea
Foreign minister Marise Payne said you would be "brave to predict" what would happen to offshore processing after PNG's prime minister quit.
- by Michael Bachelard and Richard Baker
World politics
PNG turmoil as prime minister Peter O'Neill resigns
O'Neill has quit suddenly after ruling Papua New Guinea for seven years.
Protest
PNG opposition claims new defections enough to oust PM Peter O'Neill
Defections from the ruling coalition have been going on for weeks and on Friday, at least nine members switched sides.
- by Tom Westbrook