New Zealand

Scientists have uncovered the fossil of an ancestral penguin off the east coast of New Zealand. It was one of the earliest known species of penguin and also one of the largest.

The 166-year-old yacht race, which has featured giant foiling catamarans in recent years, will return to monohulls in 2021. But the new boats are far from traditional.

When Ardern was elected Labour leader just 12 weeks ago, her party's polling numbers surged so rapidly it was dubbed "Jacindamania." She'll be the country's youngest prime minister in 150 years.

Jacinda Ardern had just been announced as the new leader of the Labour party, when a TV host asked her whether she felt like she had to make a choice between "having babies and having a career."

Researchers following a group of New Zealanders over the course of 40 years found an association between childhood lead exposure and declines in intelligence and socioeconomic status later in life.

The researchers say that when the highly intelligent kea parrots hear a call associated with play, they start playful tussling, aerial acrobatics, or throwing objects into the air.

Lawmakers granted the Whanganui River the rights of legal representation on Wednesday. The vote caps over a century of struggle by the local Maori people, who see the waterway as a sacred ancestor.

After two mass strandings left over 650 pilot whales washed ashore at a remote beach and hundreds died, volunteer rescuers finally got some good news: A large pod swam back to sea overnight.

Volunteers gathered early to send some 100 surviving whales back to sea, after one of the worst mass strandings in New Zealand's history. But just hours later, a new large pod washed ashore nearby.

The country's Department of Conservation says the stranding of more than 400 whales is one of its worst on record. Rescue attempts are underway for the survivors, which number upwards of 100.

In a surprising move, John Key said it was the "right time" to leave politics. Key, who spent eight years as leader of his country and his party, says he will formally step down on Dec. 12.

Nearly 2,000 people in New Zealand are gearing up to spread a little joy by giving a gift to a stranger. The gift exchange is run by the country's postal service and is now in its seventh year.