New Zealand

Dozens of motorists trapped by heavy snow in New Zealand’s North Island

The wild weather has seen southerly gales peak at 167 km/h in Wellington, and a 10m wave was recorded in Cook Strait. Further south, snowy conditions are expected to ease by this weekend.

RNZI reports the Hawke's Bay Civil Defence, police and the NZ Transport Authority have launched a rescue operation after more than a dozen motorists got their vehicles stuck on State Highway 5 between Napier and Taupō.

Hutt Valley Polyfest gives youth identity boost

From just eight primary schools taking part six years ago, 43 primary and early childhood centres as well as seven colleges, took the stage during the 2017 Hutt Valley Polyfest.

Twelve hundred spectators packed out the Walter Nash Stadium on the final night of the Polyfest, where secondary school students showcased their talent.

Up to seven thousand also witnessed children as young as three and four perform over the week.

Polyfest organiser Luana Leuluai was overwhelmed with the turnout of both spectator and participant.

Hutt Valley Polyfest gives youth identity boost

From just eight primary schools taking part six years ago, 43 primary and early childhood centres as well as seven colleges, took the stage during the 2017 Hutt Valley Polyfest.

Twelve hundred spectators packed out the Walter Nash Stadium on the final night of the Polyfest, where secondary school students showcased their talent.

Up to seven thousand also witnessed children as young as three and four perform over the week.

Polyfest organiser Luana Leuluai was overwhelmed with the turnout of both spectator and participant.

U-16 Women’s Championship: First-ever full representation

In 2016, a hugely successful U-17 women’s tournament was hosted in Cook Islands featuring nine nations of which Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu, made their debuts at this age-group. For Fiji it was an historic outing after they finished third, narrowly beating New Caledonia in the match for third place.

This year will mark the debut of American Samoa, who have never participated in this competition, and the return to this level for Solomon Islands whose last outing was in 2010 when they finished a very respectable second.

Pacific squads confirmed for OFC U-19s Women’s Championship

Kicking off just over a year after the 2016 OFC U-17 Championship – and only a few months after the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea – there are many familiar faces coming to Auckland this July.

Defending champions New Zealand have recruited an army of international experience for their attempt at a sixth-consecutive title including Malia Steinmetz, Grace Jale, and goalkeeper Anna Leat – who will offer senior international football experience to Gareth Turnball’s squad having already been in the mix for the New Zealand national women’s team.

Mexico 2 New Zealand 1 Peralta completes dramatic comeback

After Juan Carlos Osorio made eight changes to Mexico's team, it looked like he would pay the price when Chris Wood gave New Zealand a shock first-half lead, the first time his country have scored in six Confederations Cup matches.

But Raul Jimenez's third goal in his last four internationals brought Osorio's men back on level terms after the break and Peralta's winner ensured El Tri secured victory despite star striker Javier Hernandez remaining on the substitutes' bench.

NZ not worried about absences from PACER Plus

Nine countries from around the region, as well as Australia and New Zealand, are in Tonga to sign the PACER Plus agreement, wrapping up nearly a decade of negotiations.

The deal has been polarising with critics saying it threatens the interests of island countries, and was unbalanced towards the interests of Australia and New Zealand.

But proponents tout it as a new kind of deal that links development to trade.

Todd McClay said this would give funding to boost exports from Pacific countries, and create rules to make it easier for the region's countries to trade.

Lions to dedicate tour to London victims, says Warburton

Speaking in Waitangi on Sunday, the Wales star's thoughts were with the six people killed and at least 48 others injured in the incident at London Bridge and the Borough Market.

Warburton, whose team opened their tour with a 13-7 win over the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians on Saturday, said the Lions wanted to bring some joy to those affected.

"In future performances and wins, we'll dedicate to those who have been involved and I guess we can play a small part in trying to cheer a majority of the nation up by trying to be successful over here," he said.

Fiji cultural gifts to be returned by NZ

The teeth, known in Fiji as tabua, are highly regarded cultural gifts and had been seized at New Zealand's border over the last 15 years under The Trade in Endangered Species Act.

More than 90 percent of specimens seized at New Zealand's border under the Convention of International Trade and Endangered Species, or CITES, are destroyed.

But since the early 1990s, after a request from Fiji authorities, all tabua has instead been collected and stored by DOC.

Wendy Jackson, the head of CITES New Zealand, said the repatriation was the first of its kind for DOC.

NZ budget failed Pacific people on housing, says MP

The budget was revealed yesterday in Wellington, and Labour's spokesperson for Pacific people, Aupito Su'a William Sio, said it will increase inequality.

Aupito said that rather than tax cuts, Pacific people needed a budget that improved education, health and housing.

"The home ownership rates for Pacific are at its lowest," he said.

"The overcrowdedness that I see in my electorate and parts of South Auckland - it's just tearful."