Latest from United Nations

'It's hell': Women, children slaughtered

Dozens of people have been executed by Syrian government loyalists sweeping through the remaining opposition-held districts of Aleppo.

Watch: David Shearer says goodbye

In his farewell speech to Parliament Shearer told how he has come full circle, retelling the mango skins story of a time that had a profound effect on him.

Shearer: South Sudan a 'remarkable' job

Labour MP David Shearer says his decision to leave Parliament to head to conflict-ridden South Sudan was because it was a "remarkable"

Ardern considering move to Mt Albert

Jacinda Ardern is thinking of standing in Mt Albert as MP David Shearer looks set to quit Parliament.

Public reacts to Shearer's resignation

The public's reaction to Labour MP David Shearer's resignation from Parliament has so far been overwhelmingly supportive this morning.

Will we face another costly byelection?

Labour leader Andrew Little hopes to avoid a byelection, and to have an early general election instead, following David Shearer's resignation.

Shearer to quit: Byelection looms

Exclusive: Labour MP David Shearer is poised to resign from Parliament to take up the tough job of leading the United Nations' mission in war-torn South Sudan.

New Zealand's Syria truce vetoed

New Zealand tried and failed to get a truce in Aleppo.

NZ seeks urgent vote on Syrian ceasefire

New Zealand is leading a bid to get UN Security Council members to agree to resumption of a ceasefire in Syria.

Record numbers of migrants drowning in Med

The United Nations have said that at least 239 migrants have drowned this week in two shipwrecks off the coast of Libya.

Haitians left starving after hurricane

A month after Hurricane Matthew blasted through southwestern Haiti, at least 800,000 people need food urgently.

World's most extreme punishments

Castration and stoning are among the most extreme forms of punishment carried out in parts of the world. WARNING: Graphic.

Wonder Woman appointed to the UN

UN move to show support for empowerment of women and girls has backfired.

Editorial: Brownlee should stick to his guns

Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee got a stern rebuke from China when he made the mildest of observations about Beijing's expansionist maritime policy.

'A famine unlike any we have ever seen'

They survived Boko Haram, now millions are at risk of starvation. It has been described as one of the world's biggest humanitarian disasters.

NZ pushes to break UN deadlock on Syria

New Zealand believes it has found a good middle ground for a Security Council resolution demanding an end to attacks that may kill civilians in Syria - days after Russia vetoed a similar text.

Govt on defensive over UN child review

Minister Anne Tolley says the UN Rights of the Child committee in Geneva asked her 250 questions but only one on child poverty.

Syrian regime 'blatantly lying' - NZ

New Zealand has accused Syria of telling "blatant lies" about the delivery of humanitarian aid to its own people.