Current Events T3 W3 2025

Which international music star has announced three New Zealand concerts as part of his Loop Tour?

• Lewis Capaldi

• Dua Lipa

• Ed Sheeran

Answer explanation

c. Ed Sheeran - Ed Sheeran will perform in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch in January 2026 as part of his Loop Tour. The shows will support his upcoming album Play, and mark his first Christchurch performance in over a decade.

True or False:

The world’s highest court said last week that failing to act on climate change could break international law.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True – While the decision is not legally binding, the International Court of Justice declared that states must take action to prevent climate change under international and human rights law. It said that failure to do so may be considered a "wrongful act" and could result in reparations to nations harmed by inaction.

The Government has announced a new medical school will be built at which New Zealand university?

• University of Waikato

• Massey University

• Victoria University of Wellington

Answer explanation

a. University of Waikato - The Government has committed $82.85 million to help fund a new medical school at the University of Waikato, with the university contributing over $150 million. The new school, which will focus on rural and regional health, will join New Zealand's two existing medical schools at the University of Otago and the other at the University of Auckland.

Sky TV has announced it is buying Discovery NZ, including Three and ThreeNow. How much are they paying for the deal?

• $1

• $1 million

• $10 million

Answer explanation

a. $1 - Sky TV is acquiring Discovery NZ, which includes the TV channel Three and the streaming platform ThreeNow, for just $1.

The symbolic price reflects the challenges facing NZ’s media industry and includes the agreement with Stuff to provide news content and access to Warner Bros Discovery’s content.

Some people were left unhappy last week when the Trump administration released files about which famous American activist?

• Martin Luther King Jr.

• Rosa Parks

• Gloria Steinem

Answer explanation

a. Martin Luther King Jr. - Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and civil rights leader who fought for racial equality in the USA through non-violent protest. He was assassinated on 4 April 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Trump administration released over 240,000 pages of FBI records about him, even though they were originally sealed until 2027. His children criticised the move and asked that the files be viewed with empathy and historical understanding.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis acknowledged last week that butter is currently very expensive in New Zealand. What is the current average price of a 500 g block of butter?

• $6.42

• $8.60

• $12.20

Answer explanation

b. $8.60 – According to the latest data from Stats NZ, the average retail price of a 500 g block of butter in New Zealand as of April/ May 2025 is $8.60, reflecting a sharp year‑on‑year increase of around 46.5%. The high price is due in part to strong global demand, which limits local supply and pushes up retail prices.

Which New Zealand museum was named among the top 1% of attractions worldwide in the 2025 TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards?

• Canterbury Museum

• Auckland War Memorial Museum

• Te Papa

Answer explanation

c. Te Papa - Te Papa, the national museum in Wellington, was recognised as one of the top 1% of global attractions in the 2025 TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. It was also named NZ’s best attraction for the second year running, with high praise for its Māori taonga, Gallipoli exhibition, and immersive nature exhibits.

A new version of Barbie was released recently featuring a glucose monitor and an insulin pump. What health condition does the new Barbie have?

• Epilepsy

• Type 1 Diabetes

• Coeliac Disease

Answer explanation

b. Type 1 Diabetes - Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body stops producing insulin, requiring people to manage their blood sugar through daily insulin and regular monitoring. It often begins in childhood and currently has no cure.

Why did the Commerce Commission file charges against Noel Leeming last week?

• For failing to pay staff minimum wage

• For misleading customers with its price matching promotion

• For importing faulty electronics

Answer explanation

b. For misleading customers with its price matching promotion - The Commerce Commission alleges that Noel Leeming’s “Price Promise” misled customers by failing to clearly disclose important terms and conditions, making price matches difficult to obtain. The charges also relate to other advertising practices and how the company handled complaints about faulty goods.

Gumboot Friday will keep receiving government funding next year. What kind of service does the charity provide?

• Free employment training for school leavers

• Free counselling for young people

• Free parenting courses

Answer explanation

b. Free counselling for young people - Gumboot Friday is a NZ charity run by the I Am Hope Foundation, founded by mental health advocate Mike King. It offers free counselling to people aged 5 to 25, helping reduce wait times and supporting thousands of young people each year with access to mental health professionals.