New Zealand is contributing NZ$5 million to a disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation project in the southern province of Ben Tre, Vietnam.

Updated 8 August, 9am NZ time: There was a brief eruption from Mt Tongariro in the central North Island just before midnight on 6 August, New Zealand time.

New Zealand has been confirmed as one of the world’s most innovative nations in the recently released 2012 “Global Innovation Index”. Our ranking of 13 out of 141 countries was an improvement on last year’s 15th position. We also placed third highest in the ‘Southeast Asia and Oceania’ region, behind Singapore and Hong Kong.

Do you have an inquiring mind and want to contribute to the future development of your country?

New Zealand ASEAN Scholars awards empower future leaders with the knowledge, skills and qualifications to contribute to economic, social and political development within ASEAN nations.

The New Zealand Government, through the New Zealand Aid Programme, provides scholarships for qualified students from Vietnam to undertake development-related studies at a university or polytechnic in New Zealand.