New Zealand PM

PM Jacinda Ardern pays tribute to Fijians killed in Christchurch mosque attacks

Ardern spoke this morning at Lautoka Mosque as part of her trip to Fiji to remember Imam Hafiz Musa Patel, Ashraf Ali Razak and Ashraf Ali.

She also thanked the Fijian community for their response in the aftermath.

"I want to place on record our deep appreciation for the many messages of support and sympathy we received from Fiji following the March 15 attacks, it gave us strength to know that you stood in solidarity with us.

"But it was especially moving to receive those messages when you faced your own grief," she said.

New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern named 'Pacific Person of the Year'

It is only the second time the title has been given to a person of non-Pacific heritage, with former Australian Prime Minister John Howard being a previous recipient of the honour.

The magazine's editor Samisoni Pareti said each year his publication attempted to look at the person, people or organisations that had made an impact on the Pacific.

Mr Pareti said Ms Ardern was given the 2019 title because of her work at the Pacific Islands Forum to bring consensus around the issue of climate change.

PM announces increase in climate change funding for Pacific

Ms Ardern is pledging $300 million in climate-related assistance over four years, an increase of $100 million.

The prime minister made the announcement in New York where she is attending for the United Nations General Assembly this week along with about 140 other world leaders.

Action on climate change is high on her agenda.

In a speech to the Climate Week conference she said climate change posed a security threat to vulnerable nations including New Zealand's Pacific neighbours.

Ms Ardern said it challenged international legal frameworks.

New Zealand PM to visit Samoa for independence celebrations

“The visit will be an opportunity to reaffirm the special relationship that exists between our countries and will include a celebration of 55 years of our Treaty of Friendship,” Mr English says.

“I am looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Tuilaepa and discussing a wide range of political and economic issues including the Pacific Islands Forum, which Samoa will host in September. Samoa is an important bilateral partner for New Zealand and we greatly value its leadership in the region.”

New Zealand PM: Bill English to succeed John Key

It follows Mr Key's surprise resignation last week. Social housing minister Paula Bennett has been named as deputy prime minister.

The appointments were confirmed after a meeting of the National Party's caucus.

Mr English, currently finance minister and deputy prime minister, will be officially sworn in at Government House in Wellington later on Monday.

In a tweet, Mr English said he was "excited and humbled" to be elected.