PM Modi Shares Story of 30-Year-Old Gift in New Zealand Prime Minister Narendra Modi recounted a nostalgic tale during his visit to New Zealand, recalling a gift he received over 25-30 years ago. He shared that when he first arrived in the country, before entering public life, he was given three items—a scarf, a cap, and gloves—as a gesture of warmth during the cold weather. Modi, who brought these items back to India, revealed that he still keeps the scarf, which he described as a cherished possession, comparing its preservation to how one might safeguard a beloved relationship. Speaking at a cultural event in Auckland titled "Kya Ora Modi" for the Indian diaspora, Modi emphasized the enduring ties between India and New Zealand. He highlighted the foundation of their relationship on shared memories, lasting friendship, and mutual values. The event also featured New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who attended alongside Modi. Modi underscored India's remarkable economic growth, stating that the country is now the world's fastest-growing major economy. He positioned India as offering a new model for development, citing advancements like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which facilitates billions of digital transactions monthly. Additionally, he praised India's progress in emerging technologies such as drones and space exploration, noting its potential to reshape global industries. The visit included a tour of a state-of-the-art sports exhibition showcasing cutting-edge equipment developed in collaboration with New Zealand athletes. Modi highlighted how sports have historically served as a bridge between the two nations, celebrating the 100th anniversary of their sports relationship.#new_zealand #narendra_modi #unified_payments_interface #christopher_luxon #kya_ora_modi
World Cup 2026: Unlikely Hero Tim Payne Becomes Social Media Sensation New Zealand defender Tim Payne, a relative unknown in the global football landscape, has become an unexpected social media sensation after an Argentine influencer launched a campaign to spotlight him as the World Cup’s “least-known” player. The initiative, which gained traction over a few days, propelled Payne’s Instagram follower count from fewer than 5,000 to over 1.4 million—a figure surpassing the combined social media presence of New Zealand’s record goalscorer Chris Wood and the nation’s prime minister, Christopher Luxon. The surge in attention has positioned Payne as a central figure in the pre-tournament buzz, despite his limited international recognition. The campaign, which began with a viral post by the influencer, framed Payne as a symbol of underdog spirit. The influencer’s message, translated into Spanish, highlighted Payne’s role in New Zealand’s World Cup qualifying campaign, where the defender scored one goal and provided four assists. This performance earned him a spot in the 26-man squad for the nation’s third-ever World Cup appearance. The influencer’s call to action—urging followers to “follow Tim Payne”—quickly spread, leading to a dramatic increase in his online presence. By Friday, Payne’s follower count had reached 1.4 million, with the number continuing to climb. Payne, 32, expressed his surprise at the sudden attention, joking about the chaos of the past 48 hours. “Was wondering why my socials were blowing up and found your post, man,” he wrote in a response to the influencer. “Appreciate the love! Gracias, hermano.” His message, initially written in Spanish, included a humorous note about his ongoing efforts to improve his language skills via Duolingo.#new_zealand #world_cup_2026 #tim_payne #argentine_influencer #christopher_luxon
