New Zealand becomes first country in the world to fully legalize drug checking
The new law allows individuals to test the safety of illicit substances at festivals and other locations without the fear of legal repercussions.
Australia & Oceania
This archive covers progress stories from Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Island nations. Expect reporting on environmental protection, Indigenous-led initiatives, public health advances, and policy wins that reflect the region’s distinct challenges and strengths.
Josh Cavallo becomes the first openly gay male top-level professional soccer player
Although Cavallo was fearful that his coming out would damage the career he’s worked so hard to build up, he felt that he needed to embody his truth for other players who may be “living in silence.”
New Zealand swears in first Indigenous Māori Governor-general
Before being sworn in as New Zealand’s first Māori Governor-general last week, Dame Cindy Kiro forged a career in academics, holding various leadership roles at many New Zealand universities.
Australia returns one of world’s oldest rainforests to Indigenous people
As BBC News reports, the historic handoff also includes the Cedar Bay (Ngalba Bulal), Black Mountain (Kalkajaka), and Hope Islands national parks, a combined area of more than 160,000 hectares.
Hawaii pledges to conserve, restore or grow 100 million trees by 2030
The One Trillion Trees Pledge is part of the 24-hour Global Citizen Live event today to “defend the planet and defeat poverty” and is meant to achieve net-negative carbon goals and combat climate change.
Queensland passes historic bill legalizing voluntary assisted dying
The Australian state’s new laws — which take effect in January 2023 — allow people 18 and older who are expected to die within 12 months, and who meet strict eligibility criteria, to seek medical assistance to end their lives.
Solar power in Australia outstrips coal-fired electricity for first time
Australia solar power just pulled off something historic: for a few minutes after noon on a sunny August Sunday, panels across the country generated 9,427 megawatts — edging past coal for the first time since the national electricity market began two decades ago. South Australia ran entirely on wind and sun during the window, and Victoria produced more renewable electricity than the whole state could use. Researchers credit a sweet spot of clear skies, mild temperatures, and low weekend demand, but the deeper story is a grid quietly tilting toward clean power. Brief as it was, the moment hints at what’s becoming normal — and what’s possible for energy transitions everywhere.
Australia’s big four banks to stop lending to thermal coal mining and coal-fired power plants
The Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Westpac, and National Australia Bank are closing their books on fossil fuel financing in response to shareholder pressure.
New Zealand to ban most single-use plastics by 2025
The new measure builds on the country’s 2019 decision to phase-out plastic bags and includes everything from disposable cutlery to ear buds and fruit labels, The Guardian reported.
Major firms sign ambitious deal to cut plastic waste in the Pacific
Called the ANZPAC Plastics Pact, the agreement aims to drastically reduce plastic waste from Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific by 2025. Among the signatories are big brands like Coca-Cola, Nestle, and Woolworths.