Regional
Auckland council in for a shake-up
Friday 17 March 2017 | Published in Regional
Auckland mayor Phil Goff is embarking on a major shake-up of council functions, including water and stormwater, which have been in the spotlight following last week's devastating downpours.
Silver medalist on her way to Samoa
Friday 17 March 2017 | Published in Regional
SAMOA – The moment Samoa has been waiting for is only a few days away now.
Fostered independent view
Friday 17 March 2017 | Published in Regional
FRENCH POLYNESIA – The founder of Tahiti-Pacifique magazine Alex du Prel has died on Moorea after an illness at the age of 73.
Beehive thefts rife in New Zealand
Friday 17 March 2017 | Published in Regional
NEW ZEALAND – New Zealand’s bees are being stolen and traded by organised crime syndicates seeking to profit from skyrocketing honey prices thanks to surging demand in China, police and beekeepers say.
State broadcaster is 'government enemy'
Friday 17 March 2017 | Published in Regional
TONGA – A Noble Representative in Tonga’s parliament says closing down the nation’s state broadcaster would be unconstitutional.
Leaked cables shed colourful light on 1975 New Zealand
Thursday 16 March 2017 | Published in Regional
Secret diplomatic cables describe a frustrated country filled with testosterone-fuelled working-class men clamouring for a new populist leader.
Councils push Health to make fluoride decisions
Thursday 16 March 2017 | Published in Regional
Councils vulnerable to activist lobbying are pushing for the Ministry of Health to take over decision-making powers on the future of water fluoridation.
King Kong not wanted
Thursday 16 March 2017 | Published in Regional
VIETNAM – Hanoi’s municipal government has rejected a plan by Vietnam’s culture ministry to erect a “life-size” King Kong statue by an iconic lake in the city.
Missile takes down drone
Thursday 16 March 2017 | Published in Regional
USA – A Patriot missile priced at about US$3 million was used to shoot down a small quadcopter drone, according to a US general.
Woken up by exploding headphones
Thursday 16 March 2017 | Published in Regional
AUSTRALIA – Australian authorities have warned about the dangers of using battery-powered devices on flights after a woman’s headphones caught fire.
Candidate under investigation
Thursday 16 March 2017 | Published in Regional
FRANCE – The right wing French presidential candidate François Fillon has been placed under formal investigation for misuse of public funds.
Trump tax return leaked
Thursday 16 March 2017 | Published in Regional
USA – US President Donald Trump paid $38 million in tax on more than $150 million income in 2005, a leaked partial tax return shows.
Capital city's water leaking
Wednesday 15 March 2017 | Published in Regional
NEW ZEALAND – Pipes in New Zealand’s capital are leaking a million litres of water a day as a result of the powerful November 2016 earthquake.
Blue boats plague territory
Wednesday 15 March 2017 | Published in Regional
NEW CALEDONIA – Maritime authorities in New Caledonia say 70 so-called “blue boats” from Vietnam have been identified fishing illegally for beche-de-mer in the past nine months.
Tonga considers deportation issues
Wednesday 15 March 2017 | Published in Regional
TONGA – Deportee reintegration is a major concern for Tonga this week as US officials arrived to take part in a three-day conference with the Tongan government and law enforcement officials in Nuku‘alofa.
Manus MP confused by 'closure'
Wednesday 15 March 2017 | Published in Regional
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – There is confusion on Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island after the Supreme Court this week determined that the regional processing centre for asylum seekers on the island had officially closed.
Grab Bags prove to be life saving
Wednesday 15 March 2017 | Published in Regional
TUVALU – The importance of small boat safety in the region is being reiterated by the Pacific Community after the successful rescue of two fishermen in Tuvalu.
Goff calls for flood inquiry
Tuesday 14 March 2017 | Published in Regional
An investigation will be carried out on the failed New Lynn culvert and the Ardmore treatment plant that is struggling to filter dirty flood waters.
It's all go for Polyfest 2017
Tuesday 14 March 2017 | Published in Regional
Polyfest 2017 is back and it's got all the students in South Auckland upbeat about it.
Sewer check reveals extent of meth issue
Tuesday 14 March 2017 | Published in Regional
More than half a kilogram of methamphetamine has been found on average each day in Auckland's sewers, new research says.