New Zealand

Australia claim series win

New Zealand wilted in the Melbourne heat at the MCG, where Australia wrapped up a crushing 247-run win on day four of the second Test on Sunday.

Blundell rallied for the Black Caps, celebrating his second Test hundred in three matches with a resilient 121 runs, but he had no support from his team-mates after Nathan Lyon (4-81) and James Pattinson (3-35) starred.

Marnus Labuschagne (1-11) ended Blundell's unforgettable innings late in the evening as Australia only required nine wickets to skittle New Zealand for 240 – Trent Boult not batting due to a fractured finger.

New Zealand beat hosts to Cape Town title

Only a week after South Africa had beaten the All Blacks Sevens 15-0 in the opening round of the 2020 Series in Dubai, the teams met for the 25th time in a Cup final with the Blitzboks bidding to win the first two rounds for the first time since triumphing in Dubai and George in 2008-09.

South Africa started the better, to the delight of the Cape Town Stadium crowd roaring them on, with Seabelo Senatla racing away only for a great tackle by Regan Ware to not only stop him but dislodge the ball but then a strong run from Kurt Baker took New Zealand into the Blitzboks' 22.

NZ humiliated in final of Dubai Sevens, kept scoreless by rampant South Africa

A first-half try by captain Siviwe Soyizwapi was added to after the interval by Chris Dry and replacement Seabelo Senatla. None were converted.

"We call ourselves a defence team, and we're proud of it,” Soyizwapi said.

Having won Dubai for a record seventh time, and fourth time in the last six tournaments, South Africa goes to its home Cape Town Sevens next weekend leading a world sevens series it last won in 2018.

“The rust is off and we're keen to play at home,” Soyizwapi said.

Pacific's largest fresh produce market opens in PNG

The New Zealand-funded project, in partnership with PNG's National Capital District Commission, is two stories high and will host 1500 vendors, and include a café, playground, food court, and parking area.

The redevelopment of 'Gordons Market' was launched last week by National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop and New Zealand's High Commissioner to PNG, Philip Taula.

NZ defeat Great Britain 12-8

No tries were scored in the first half with the sides locked 2-2 at half time, but the Kiwis took charge after the break as Jamayne Isaako and Corey Harawira-Naera crossed over.

Daryl Clark replied late on, but Great Britain would fall short and suffer a second loss at the start of the 2019 tour, having lost to a Tonga Invitational XIII last weekend.

RWC 2019: New Zealand v Canada

The All Blacks began their campaign with victory over South Africa, in the process taking a huge early step towards the knockout stages of the tournament.

Their next outing is against Canada; while it is expected to be a more straightforward affair, Hansen has still named a strong New Zealand side.

Included in the XV are brothers Beauden, Jordie and Scott Barrett, becoming just the second trio of siblings to start together in a World Cup match - after Tonga's Vunipola brothers in 2015.

Changes to NZ border rules kick in today

Up to 1.7 million travellers from 60 countries who previously didn't need a visa will now be required to declare their passport details and any criminal history before they can travel.

The government has spent $5 million on a domestic and international marketing campaign to make sure people aren't stopped at the gates.

Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand executive director Justin Tighe-Umbers said about 4000 to 5000 travellers would need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) each day.

NZ declares war on coconut rhinoceros beetle in the Pacific

A new strain of the beetle, CRB-G, is resistant to traditional control methods, and the government said it could cause $US150 million dollars to be lost from the Pacific's coconut and palm oil industries every year.

CRB-G is established in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands where it is damaging palm trees.

New Zealand is contributing about $US11 million dollars to the fight, some of which will go to science institute AgResearch.

New Zealand's oldest school Wesley College marking 175 years

Wesley College, at Paerata, south of Auckland, is marking 175 years after being established by the Wesleyan Missionary Society in October 1844.

The school is well known for producing more recent All Blacks than any other school in the country, most notably Jonah Lomu.

Originally a boys' school in recent times Wesley has been also produced a number of high achieving female sports stars.

There has also been significant success in academia, the arts, business and politics at home and internationally.

     

NZ and Australia plan to lower remittances costs in Pacific

Remittances are a key source of earnings for many Pacific families who have relatives working abroad and the intervention comes as both Wellington and Canberra step up their engagement in the region.

The plans are part of a push to meet UN Sustainable Development Goals, which include a commitment to reduce remittance costs to less than three percent by 2030. In the Pacific, the average remittance costs are more than 10 percent, well above the global average of 7.1 percent.