New Zealand

Last month the Fiji government announced it had banned entire villages from taking part in the Recognised Seasonal Employer ccheme in New Zealand or the similar Australian scheme after complaints from the New Zealand government about misconduct and disorderly behaviour by some Fijian workers.

Now the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Jone Usamate, has met with some of the Fijian workers in this country to " hear their views of the challenges faced."

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.

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.

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.

The New Zealanders were again able to give a number of players decent court time following an equally impressive first-up 89-22 win over Northern Ireland in their first match of pool play in the Botswana-based tournament. Showcasing their depth of talent and variety, New Zealand were able to play several combinations without disrupting the structure or flow of their game plan. Defender Michaela Sokolich-Beatson was the only player not to take the court, the captain recently returning from a back injury.

Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour, Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell said Samoa now works in partnership with 36 employers and the workers are now spreading over 9 regions within New Zealand.

“The RSE scheme brings in an estimated SAT$20 million per season into Samoa’s economy which itself is a major milestone of the scheme,” he said at the RSE Employers Conference in Wellington this week.

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.

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.

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.

Samoa's Rugby Union Chairman and Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, is fully supportive of the endeavor.

“The Manu Samoa Old Boys Association is way overdue. For them to step up now speaks volumes about their commitment to Samoa and their willingness to give back to the sport and to the people of Samoa,” Tuilaepa said. 

“The Manu Old Boys will play a leading role on the ground as scouts for new talent and also assist the Samoa Rugby Union when it comes to organizing international test games overseas.