Auckland University of Technology has launched a “first of its kind” Indonesia Centre in a cultural diplomacy initiative. “The centre is an acknowledgement of the strong relationship enjoyed between the government of Indonesia and AUT, and the acknowledgement of both parties to strengthen that relationship,” AUT’s Vice-Chancellor Derek McCormack said.

Based in New Zealand, the project began in March this year and so far has gained pledges from around 450 people based all around the world. In the first month, 15,000 trees were pledged - that's now gone past 120,000. Some people have paid for trees to be planted in forest restoration projects in Madagascar, Haiti, Ethiopia, and Nepal. Others have simply bought and planted a tree themselves and sent a copy of the receipt to the project.

Indonesia and New Zealand agreed on Wednesday to improve coordination in combating terrorism through information exchange and preventive measures. [...] BNPT chief Comr. Gen. Suhardi Alius and New Zealand's assistant commissioner for international and national security, Michael Pannet, also discussed deradicalization programs, with both countries agreeing to exercise a soft-power approach as a means of prevention, particularly toward families and communities with a history of radicalism to alter their orientation and offer counternarratives.

Aid provided by the New Zealand Government for humanitarian crises in Africa and Yemen will increase by $4.85 million. The boost, to help combat drought, disease and people suffering from conflict, was announced by Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee on Wednesday.

A Te Arawa cultural group will perform in front hundreds of thousands of people at two festivals in Korea this week. Then in December, Korean cultural performers will take the stage at Rotorua's first Mudtopia Festival. Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry said the two cultural exchanges would have cultural and economic benefits for both countries.

For Kiribati, adapting to climate change might mean relocating entirely. Pacific islanders’ identities are very much tied to their ancestral land, the physical islands on which they live. Migration may mean a national and cultural loss, especially when most traditions are preserved orally. [...] Anote Tong, former president of Kiribati, advocates for “migrating with dignity.” This policy was designed to give citizens the tools to relocate legally, finding work in other nations like Australia and New Zealand.

New Zealand will contribute $1.5 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross for crucial humanitarian assistance in Iraq, Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced. [...] “The funding will help meet critical humanitarian needs through providing emergency food, water, healthcare and household items to affected people.