New Zealand’s borders are opening up. When will the first tourists from Australia be allowed in?

• 12 April

• 28 April

• 2 May

• 4 May

Answer explanation

New Zealand’s borders will open to tourists from Australia from April 12 and visa waiver tourists from May 1. Tourists will still need to be fully vaccinated, be required to submit a pre-departure test before their flight, and will be asked to self-isolate if they test positive for COVID-19 in New Zealand.

A Russian court has fined a journalist protesting against the invasion of Ukraine. How was she protesting?

• She chained herself to a statue in Moscow’s red square

• She dumped a truckload of horse manure outside the walls of Putin’s residence

• She interrupted a live TV news bulletin

Answer explanation

She interrupted a live TV news bulletin - The journalist (Marina Ovsyannikova) held up a sign behind a studio presenter reading the news on Channel One and shouted slogans condemning Russia's February 24 offensive in Ukraine. She has been fined and it is not clear whether she will face further charges.

On which of the following did the Government introduce a tax cut last week?

• Fruit and vegetables

• Milk

• Cheese

• Petrol

Answer explanation

Petrol - The decision came after a significant increase in petrol prices, triggered primarily by Russia’s invasion of Ukaraine. The Government introduced a 25 cent per litre cut on the fuel excise and road user chargers for petrol and diesel for three months. They also halved the cost of public transport for three months.

What is the first name of this New Zealand politician who has announced his retirement?

Answer explanation

Simon Bridges has announced he is retiring from politics. He served as Leader of the National Party and Leader of the Opposition between 2018 and 2020, and has been the Member of Parliament for Tauranga since the 2008 election.

Who did Kiwi director Jane Campion apologise to last week after her speech at The Critics Choice Awards?

• Benedict Cumberbatch

• Her friends and family

• Venus and Serena Williams

Answer explanation

Campion was saying it was an honour to be in the room with such great women but then said, “Venus and Serena, you're such marvels. However, you don't play against the guys, like I have to.” Campion later gave a full apology in a statement for her “thoughtless” comment.

Who have Australia and the Netherlands launched legal action against, over the 2014 downing of flight MH17?

• China

• France

• Russia

• Malaysia

Answer explanation

The Malaysian Airlines flight was shot down on July 17, 2014, taking the lives of all 298 people onboard, including 38 Australians. Australia and the Netherlands say they will rely on "overwhelming" evidence that the flight was brought down by a Russian missile in eastern Ukraine, an area that was under the control of Russian-backed separatists.

British pop superstar Ed Sheeran has announced he’s bringing his tour to New Zealand in February 2023. What is the name of his tour?

• Bad Habits

• Mathematics

• Signs

• Shapes

Answer explanation

Mathematics - Sheeran joins a raft of international acts announcing shows in Aotearoa, including Foo Fighters, Dua Lipa, Snoop Dog, Guns n Roses and Billie Eilish.

What caused this scene in Chicago last week?

• A chemical spill

• St. Patrick's Day

• A Greenpeace protest

Answer explanation

The Chicago River has been turned green in honour of St Patrick's Day for more than 50 years. A harmless orange vegetable dye is used to get the desired green colour. Chicago has many residents with Irish heritage.

tennis player Novak Djokovic will be allowed to play at the French Open even if he is not vaccinated against COVID-19

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Djokovic was deported from Australia in January after a legal battle over whether he should be allowed to enter the country without being vaccinated. He has already stated he won’t be competing in US tournaments because his vaccination status won’t allow him to travel there.

Why has Dug the Spud, a record-breaking potato found in the Waikato, lost its title as the world's largest potato?

• It dried out before it was officially measured and lost weight 

• A larger one has just been unearthed in South Africa 

• Testing revealed it was not actually a potato

Answer explanation

Testing revealed it was not actually a potato - Unfortunately for Colin and Donna Craig-Brown, Dug the Spud isn’t a potato. The 7.9kg tuber is actually a type of gourd that was hauled out from under the soil on a small farm near Hamilton last year. The find, and Colin's hilarious interviews, had made headlines and featured on news shows around the world.