Englands first T20 against New Zealand in Christchurch washed out after tourists post 153-6; Sam Curran top scores with 49 not out; further T20s on Monday (Christchurch) and next Thursday (Auckland) b

The first T20I between New Zealand and England at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, was washed out by rain. Play was set to resume for New Zealand's chase of 154 at 21:18 local time, but persistent showers that lasted until 22:10 ensured that not even a five-over second innings was possible and forced the officials to call off the game.

England named their team more than 48 hours in advance, with Brook back and Jordan Cox dropping down to take on a finisher role in the absence of Will Jacks. The presence of Sam Curran and Bethell in the top seven means England can call on three seamers and three spinners. Zak Crawley is with the squad but must wait for a T20I debut.

New Zealand’s defense minister warned in an interview that small countries in the South Pacific face growing pressure from great power competition for their rare minerals and fisheries wealth, and that more action was needed from regional neighbors to help in preserving island nations' sovereignty.

Jim Bolger, New Zealand's prime minister from 1990 to 1997 who helped usher in a new era of reconciliation with indigenous Maori, died on Wednesday aged 90, his family said in a statement. Bolger had suffered kidney failure last year and had been undergoing dialysis.

Two meetinghouses of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand and New Caledonia sustained damages after fires broke out in both buildings on Sunday.

The index analyses 199 different passports and 227 destinations and ranks them by the number of countries the passport holder is granted visa-free access to. Advertise with NZME.

New Zealand’s parliament was briefly halted after the public gallery broke into an unplanned haka performance.