New Zealand will use its participation at Expo 2020 Dubai to "reconnect with the world", according to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
New Zealand responded to the coronavirus pandemic with procedures that included border closures, compulsory quarantine for travellers, contact tracing and snap lockdowns.
As a result, New Zealand recorded about 2,000 confirmed cases and 26 deaths since last March, when the pandemic began.
In Auckland on Thursday, Ms Ardern said Expo 2020 represented a chance for New Zealand to re-establish its presence on the world stage.
"We're here to really kickstart New Zealand's presence and Expo 2020," Ms Ardern said at the launch event.
"This – in a post-Covid world – will be a chance for New Zealand to reconnect with the world."
New Zealand Trade Minister Damien O'Connor said the timing of Expo 2020 Dubai meant many New Zealanders would be vaccinated by October.
"We're aware of the danger of travelling internationally – but we expect by that time many would have had access to the vaccine,” he said.
New Zealand started its national campaign for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine last month and expects to have inoculated its entire population by the end of the year.
It initially ordered 1.5 million doses of the vaccine, enough to vaccinate 750,000 people, but recently announced plans to buy an additional 8.5 million doses, which are expected to reach the country in the second half of the year.
The country has a population of about 4.85 million people.
New Zealand at Expo – what to expect?
New Zealand announced in December that its pavilion, located in the Sustainability District of the Expo 2020 site, was 95 per cent complete. It is expected that the building, including its feature facade, will be completed in mid-2021.
The New Zealand Pavilion was designed by Jasmax architects to increase efficiency through its use of sustainable materials, including Abodo New Zealand eco-timber, which will be a striking aspect of the pavilion’s restaurant and venues.
The pavilion's facade will be a highlight of the structure. Made from Kaynemaile, a lightweight material made in New Zealand from recycled materials and is itself 100 per cent recyclable.
The New Zealand pavillion theme is kaitiakitanga, which refers to the care and connection between land and people.
It was inspired by waka taonga, which are receptacles made by Maori to safeguard items of considerable value.
Choreographer Parris Goebel was announced as the creative director for New Zealand's Expo 2020 entertainment and cultural programme.
It will feature a focus on youth and will reflect New Zealand’s Expo 2020 theme, which revolves around sustainability and stresses the importance of looking out for future generations.
The launch event in Auckland announced that Six60, one of the country's biggest bands, will play at Expo 2020 Dubai.
The band played to about 23,000 people in Christchurch's Hagley Park last month, which was the biggest audience in the world to attend a live concert since the pandemic began.
Six60 is the first to be unveiled as part of a hand-picked line-up of New Zealand talent, which will include singers, dancers and artists.
“Our entertainment and cultural programme, which is curated by Parris Goebel, includes a diverse range of New Zealand talent from dancers and singers to artists and cultural performers with a particular emphasis on those with Maori and Pasifika roots," said Clayton Kimpton, New Zealand’s commissioner-general to Expo 2020 Dubai.
"We’re working with some very new, up-and-coming young talent right through to the established groups like Six60 and we know visitors will be thoroughly entertained."
In pictures – Expo 2020 Dubai pavilions
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
GRAN%20TURISMO
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Neill%20Blomkamp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20David%20Harbour%2C%20Orlando%20Bloom%2C%20Archie%20Madekwe%2C%20Darren%20Barnet%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
