New Zealand

Parker defends his world boxing title for the first time against the big Brit in Auckland on May 6.

With no support from Auckland City's promotional arm ATEED or the New Zealand government, Duco Events are again turning to Parker's strong Samoan connections for help.

Samoa stepped in at the last minute to provide about $140,000 for Parker's last fight in Auckland when he won the vacant belt by beating Mexico's Andy Ruiz in Auckland last December.

Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei met with Prime Minister Bill English this week to discuss the company's expansion across New Zealand, with Ren saying Huawei is interested by the country's attitudes towards trade, as well as the opportunities for Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity

"New Zealand's open and fair trade environment, and its emphasis on developing new technology, facilitates our ongoing commitment," Ren said.

The Pasifika festival is the largest Pacific Island cultural festival in the world and will run for two days at Western Springs Park this week.

The Pasifika Festival began as a joint Auckland City Council and community initiative in 1992 to celebrate and unite Auckland's growing Pacific population.

RNZ reports over the years the festival has featured fashion shows, theatre performances, a pop opera, a myriad of dance groups and more.

Co-founder Roy Vaughan said the very first Pasifika festival was held at Western Springs Park and attracted around 10,000 visitors.

Each year up to 1100 Samoan citizens, 250 Tongan and Fijian citizens and 75 Kiribati and Tuvaluan citizens are selected by ballot to be considered for residence in New Zealand.

RNZ reports the ballot under the Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category takes place throughout April.

Those who are successful then have eight months to lodge their resident visa applications, the critical part of which is an acceptable job offer from a New Zealand employer.

The staffer was allegedly involved in an incident on 12 March, but police were unable to question him after the embassy declined their request.

New Zealand then asked the US to remove the man, who American officials confirmed had left on Saturday.

Police have refused to give further details of the allegations.

However, New Zealand Radio reported the man - who has not been named - had left the country with a broken nose and a black eye.

The Whanganui River, which flows 145 kilometres from the central North Island to the sea, was given legal personhood by the country's parliament on Wednesday.

The river is a sacred and revered waterway to New Zealand's Maori Iwi people and its interests will now be represented by an Indigenous group.

It will be jointly represented by a member appointed by the Maori community, and one appointed by the government.

The country's Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson said the passing of the Te Awa Tupua Bill was a battle hard fought for.

The two work schemes, New Zealand's Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme and Australia's Seasonal Workers' Programme, provide short time work in horticulture and viticulture for Pacific Islanders, with the hope the money earned will generate economic benefits in the island countries.

Solomon Islands has not been able to calculate remittances in past years but the government said newly installed data systems now allowed measurement.

He has been leading a delegation to the French territory this week.

Views were exchanged on industrial fisheries and fish farming, with a focus on the cultivation of grouper and mackerel.

Mr Jones spoke of his desire for a partnership in the fisheries sector and in maritime training in which he says New Zealand has long-standing know-how.

Photo: supplied  Shane Jones led NZ delegation in French Polynesia 

The passenger was escorted by police to immigration officials to be interviewed.

An Immigration New Zealand spokesperson said the passenger was denied entry on grounds of character.

They could not reveal what those character grounds were.

The World Cup tournament will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from October 27-December 2, while PNG will host the Kumuls’ three pool matches in Port Moresby.

Tkatchenko said it is very well organised and he is pleased with the way the professional team and host committee are moving forward.

The host city, through the National Capital District Commission, has given K5m with the Government topping up with another K5m to host the event.