Auckland

The 35-year-old had not played a competitive match since she lost to Karolina Pliskova in the semi-finals of the U.S. Open last September, withdrawing from all tennis to deal with a persistent shoulder injury.

The 22-time grand slam winner, who had participated in a charity doubles match with sister Venus against All Blacks siblings Julian and Ardie Savea before the tournament started, was appearing for the first time in Auckland and persistent rain on Monday postponed her first round match until Tuesday.

Just two main draw singles matches were completed on the first day, with a number of qualifying also still to be completed.

22-time grand slam winner Williams will play Frenchwoman Pauline Parmentier first up before Naomi Osaka resumes her match with Annika Beck of Germany with the Japanese player a set up.

The New Zealand number one Marina Erakovic will then play seventh seed Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, before third seed Caroline Wozniacki opens her campaign against Nicolle Gibbs of the United States.

Parker fights Mexico's Andy Ruiz in Auckland tonight for one of the most coveted belts in the world, one of the top four in the glamour division.

A win would launch Parker to international stardom and Samoa are ready to cash in.

In New Zealand's first ever hosting of the championship bout, Parker, 24, will fight Mexican Andy Ruiz, 27, for the title at Auckland's Vector Arena.

Ruiz, is unbeaten in 29 fights with 19 knockouts while Parker has an unbeaten run of 21 fights with 18 knockouts.

RNZ reports the atmosphere in South Auckland this week is reminiscent of when local fighter David Tua took on three-time heavyweight world champion Canadian boxer Lennox Lewis for the WBC, IBF and IBO titles in 2002.

The pair will fight for the WBO belt at Vector Arena in less than a fortnight, on December 10.

Parker's trainer Kevin Barry said the 24-year-old heavyweight's past four years as a professional - during which he has won all 21 of his fights - has served as an apprenticeship.

Ruiz has spent eight years as a professional and is unbeaten in 29 fights.

Barry said that gives the visitor a distinct advantage.

The Fale O Samoa complex was opened on July 31 earlier this year. It is built on 5345 square metres of prime land located in the heart of Mangere, on the corner of Bader Drive and Mascot Ave, opposite the Mangere Town.

The complex is situated practically in a gateway to the rest of Auckland. Just 15 minutes from Auckland’s International and Domestic Airports, 5 minutes from access to the Southern and North Western motorways and on a good day, 20-30 minutes from the CBD, this could certainly be a gem in the crown for the Samoan Government.

The festival from 12-13 March is expected to attract 100,000+ visitors over the two days, after returning to Western Springs, Auckland’s favourite public space featuring a lake surrounded by grassy areas and trees.

Residents of Paptoetoe have told how they saw a woman gagged and bound with ropes tumble out of a car boot on Huia Road, though police have so far said only that she was thrown from the car.

A Middlemore Hospital spokesperson said this morning that the woman was in a critical condition in the intensive care unit and "causing concern".

A gorgeous bright, pink and black hand printed strapless tiered dress worn by Princess Kate in the Solomon Islands during the 2012 Royal Diamond Jubilee tour that put TAV Pacific on the international radar.

The Pacific Christian School in Mangere had its registration suspended last week by the Education Ministry.

The school's principal, Lisita Paongo, says police warnings given to the school lacked evidence. Ms Paongo says families and staff are disappointed with the decision and want the school to stay open.

She says they're even more upset because they found out through the media before a formal announcement was made by the school's board.

The school came under scrutiny last year, when an 11 year old stabbed another child with a pair of scissors.