Regional
Magic performance by Naked Samoans
Tuesday 3 April 2018 | Published in Regional
NEW ZEALAND – The magic of storytelling Pacific Island-style has seen audiences return in droves to see a popular Pacific comedy group for performances at this month’s Auckland Arts Festival.
Nauru scraps court of appeal
Tuesday 3 April 2018 | Published in Regional
NAURU – It has been revealed that Nauru’s government has secretly scrapped its links to the High Court of Australia which served as Nauru’s court of appeal – impacting on the rights of asylum seekers to challenge the refusal of refugee status.
Cyclone kills at least five in Fiji
Tuesday 3 April 2018 | Published in Regional
FIJI – Tropical Cyclone Josie has caused severe flooding in parts of Fiji, with four people reported dead and one missing.
Every official wants to be the 'king'
Sunday 1 April 2018 | Published in Regional
TONGA – It seems that ministers of the Tonga government and their officials are all following their own logic, writes a commentator on the Matangi Tonga news site.
Minister stands by girls sports ban
Sunday 1 April 2018 | Published in Regional
TONGA – A woman boxer will be Tonga’s flag bearer at the XXI Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia next week.
Deforestation reveals Amazon culture
Sunday 1 April 2018 | Published in Regional
Once people thought the Amazon was a near-uninhabited rainforest before the Europeans turned up, but researchers say they have found new evidence that it was in fact a hive of human culture and home to millions of people.
Light pollution damaging Earth
Sunday 1 April 2018 | Published in Regional
Earth’s nights are getting brighter, and that has scientists concerned.
Helmet rules change 'ridiculous'
Thursday 29 March 2018 | Published in Regional
NEW ZEALAND – A Timaru woman says calls to change compulsory helmet rules are ridiculous, after a helmet saved her husband’s life.
Health system facing crisis
Thursday 29 March 2018 | Published in Regional
NEW ZEALAND – The New Zealand health system is facing a funding shortfall so bad that three DHBs are likely to need at least $4.3 billion in capital expenditure alone.
Dunedin rolls out the 'Ed carpet'
Thursday 29 March 2018 | Published in Regional
NEW ZEALAND – Ed Sheeran’s tour in Dunedin this week has been called the city’s biggest event ever, and is hoped to bring its biggest economic windfall since the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Budget restraints hid hospital rot
Wednesday 28 March 2018 | Published in Regional
NEW ZEALAND – Counties Manukau DHB was reluctant to ask the previous National-led government for funding to fix mouldy, rotting and unstable buildings because of pressure from ministers to stay in surplus, its acting CEO says.
Lawyer sues for damages
Wednesday 28 March 2018 | Published in Regional
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – The controversial Papua New Guinea lawyer Paul Paraka has launched legal action seeking damages for the long-running probe into state payments to his law firm.
Seat lost over sedition charge
Wednesday 28 March 2018 | Published in Regional
FIJI – Fijian opposition MP Mosese Bulitavu has lost his seat in parliament after being convicted on six year old sedition charges.
Volcano eruption escalating
Wednesday 28 March 2018 | Published in Regional
VANUATU – Residents on Ambae in Vanuatu are living in fear as their island’s volcano continues to belch fire and ash with the danger level of the Manaro Voui crater at level 3 – signifying an escalating eruption event.
Minister sticks by rugby and boxing ban
Wednesday 28 March 2018 | Published in Regional
TONGA – Tonga’s Education Minister remains adamant that girls should not play rugby or take part in boxing.
New Zealand begged to intervene
Wednesday 28 March 2018 | Published in Regional
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – New Zealand should bypass Australia and negotiate the resettlement of Manus Island refugees with the PNG government, a sick asylum seeker says.
Children traumatised on Nauru
Wednesday 28 March 2018 | Published in Regional
NAURU – A senior United Nations official has demanded Australia reconsider its offshore processing policy as concerns about detainees’ mental health grows.
Tongans pray for forgiveness
Tuesday 27 March 2018 | Published in Regional
TONGA – Tongans have prayed for forgiveness following a month of shocking murders and road accident deaths in the Christian kingdom.
Professional contracts on offer
Tuesday 27 March 2018 | Published in Regional
PACIFIC – The Pacific Rugby Players Association says professional contracts are already on the table for some of the players who attended this week’s Pacific Island combined training camp.
Roofing materials donated
Tuesday 27 March 2018 | Published in Regional
Tonga – Three container loads of building supplies from Fletcher Building South Pacific are set to arrive in Tonga to assist in rebuilding cyclone-damaged homes of people most in need.