New Zealand

“New Zealand and Australia are being accused of pushing a trade deal to advance their own commercial interests at the expense of Pacific Islands’ national interests,” Green Party trade spokesperson Barry Coates said.
 
“The fact that the Pacific’s two biggest economies, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, have opted out is a warning sign that Australia and New Zealand have demanded too many concessions. Their absence from PACER Plus will undermine the existing Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) and Pacific regionalism.
 

The book is a collection of best work initially published on the digital magazine website, e-Tangata .

As well as Pacific writing, it includes contributions from Maori and Pakeha writers on everything from politics to social issues and popular culture.

Co-editor and journalist Tapu Misa said their aim was to get mainstream New Zealanders accessing more Pacific writers and voices, and so publishing this book, titled The Best of e-Tangata was just one way to do that.

"We'd just like to do more," Ms Misa said.

The two square off in Auckland on May 6 and Fury had spoken hopefully of giving himself four or five weeks in New Zealand ahead of the fight.

But he remains in Bolton, basing his preparations at a gym on the outskirts of Manchester, and now won't arrive in Auckland until possibly less than a fortnight before the fight.

"We had a few issues with sparring partners. We are just finalising things at the moment. We are looking forward to coming out there," Fury's trainer and father Peter Fury said.

The Western Force is reportedly set to be the Australian franchise axed from next year's Super Rugby competition if SANZAAR pushes forward with a proposed restructure.

An announcement on the restructure is expected this week.

McGrath said the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) needs to protect its' five Super Rugby teams even if it means forging a new competition with sides from New Zealand and Asia.

McGrath oversaw the introduction of the Melbourne Rebels into Super Rugby in 2011, Australia's fifth side.

This will help further assist in the protection and conservation of humpback whales in the Pacific.
The announcement was made at the Whales in a Changing Conference, now underway in Nuku'alofa.
 

"The New Zealand Government will be providing funding for Niuean NGO Oma Tafua to conduct humpback Whale research in Niue," announced Her Excellency Sarah Walsh, the New Zealand High Commissioner in Tonga.

More than 600 Solomon Islanders currently work in viticulture and horticulture in New Zealand the highest number since Solomon Islands joined the scheme in 2007.

However this pales in comparison to other countries such as Vanuatu who have more than 4000 workers in NZ and Samoa and Tonga who have around 2000 workers respectively.

Solomon Islands minister of foreign affairs Milner Tozaka toured New Zealand last week visiting employers and workers in Wairarapa, Marlborough, Hawkes Bay and Napier.

The 45 year old married father of two from Sagone village in Savaii Island was thought to have suffered a heart attack.

He had been working at a cool store at Opotiki in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty.

He had worked under the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme for several years.

The chief executive of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Agafili Shem Leo, said the government was waiting for the coroner's report to confirm the cause of death before the body was flown to Samoa, where the man's funeral will be held.

Pacific Island Trade and Invest's Auckland commissioner says more distributors in the industry are jumping on board to form partnership deals with exporters from the region.

The organisation helps market developing businesses from Pacific Island forum member countries across international markets.

Michael Greenslade said industry partners are increasingly impressed with the unique organic products coming in from across the Pacific.

New Zealand had knocked back the government's aspirations for a seat, saying it was not an option if the Cook Islands wanted to retain New Zealand passports for its people.

The Cook Islands 'free association' relationship with New Zealand leaves Wellington responsible for defence and foreign policy and while the Cook Islands had separate membership of some UN agencies it was represented by New Zealand at the main international body.

Trainer Fury had his initial application rejected on grounds of character, linked to two previous spells in prison, but Associate Minister of Immigration David Bennett granted a special direction, so he can prepare his son for the bout with WBO world heavyweight champion Parker.

Bennett said: "This is a national sporting event with worldwide interest, and Mr Fury is the trainer of Hughie Fury.