Regional
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.
PNG seeks deadline for refugee resettlement
Saturday 24 March 2018 | Published in Regional
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – The Papua New Guinea government wants Australia to set a deadline to get refugees from Manus Island out of the country.
New Zealands festival of Pacific culture marks 26 years
Saturday 24 March 2018 | Published in Regional
NEW ZEALAND – Organisers of Pasifika Festival, held in Auckland this weekend, want to focus the two-day event on re-connecting with grassroots this year.
Vanuatu bans single-use plastics
Saturday 24 March 2018 | Published in Regional
VANUATU – Vanuatu’s government has signed orders limiting the use of plastic and regulating waste throughout its 82 islands.
Cyclones looming near PNG and Vanuatu
Saturday 24 March 2018 | Published in Regional
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Papua New Guinea’s weather office is warning people to prepare for a possible tropical cyclone.
'Children's lives in danger'
Saturday 24 March 2018 | Published in Regional
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – More than a quarter of a million people remain in need of urgent assistance almost a month after a large earthquake devastated the Papua New Guinea highlands.
Girls rugby project promotes equality
Saturday 24 March 2018 | Published in Regional
TONGA – A Tongan community centre for young women has announced a ‘Girls in Rugby’ project to boost support for gender equality through sport.