Wellington

Nearly 400 academics, scientists, policy makers and politicians are in the capital for the three-day conference.

Brianna Fruean, from Samoa and representing Pacific Climate Change Warriors, says it's encouraging to see more youth taking action against climate change. 

Fealofani Brunn who has captained the Samoan va'atele Gaualofa through her journeys around the world is confident they will get to Wellington in time but she says for now, it's safety first for crew on all the vaka.

"We're constantly on the weather channels like religious, just to make sure everything is safe. Gaualofa is the only Samoan Va'atele so it's a big thing for us to make sure the crew are intact."

Hundreds attended the event on the waterfront's Odlin Plaza, where Pacific food and hand-made crafts were sold and community groups performed.

Celebrations ended with performances from award-winning Niuean artist Tommy Nee and internationally-known reggae star, George Veikoso, also known as Fiji. 

The festival was MC'ed by Tofiga Fepulea'i from the comedy duo the Laughing Samoans.

It will be held at Odlins Plaza on the waterfront and feature performances by traditional and contemporary Pacific artists.

There will also be traditional pacific food, including a Pacific Island Cook-Off and a range of family-friendly activities.

The festival will be MCed by Tofiga Fepulea'i a former member of the comedy duo the Laughing Samoans.

The Wellington council says it is an opportunity for all Pacific people to celebrate and share their knowledge, values and beliefs.

The Wellington Pasifika Festival runs from 12 noon until 6pm.

Leilani Sio got the idea rolling with an online boosted campaign to help fund their involvement in next month's festival, receiving just over $2500 from donors, including Green MP Jan Logie.

Sio says the Pacific rainbow community has been absent in the big Pacific festivals for too long.

"I just had the idea that I think it would be important to actually participate in a Pasifika festival. They've been happening for more than two decades around Aotearoa and one thing that stuck out was the lack of representation as far as Rainbow Pasifika goes."

The quake, measuring magnitude 4.1, struck 15km northwest of Wellington just after 2.30am.

Geonet said the quake caused light shaking across the region.

More than 2100 people reported feeling the quake from as far afield as Bay of Plenty and Christchurch.

Many living in the Wellington region described it as a noisy quake that could be heard several seconds before it struck.

"I was already awake working and heard it coming. Rumble then shake," posted Tracy Wellington.

The All Blacks blindside flanker, who played against Argentina but was rested for the South Africa trip, has been given the all-clear to rejoin the Lions at Westpac Stadium.

He joins Brad Shields and fellow Hurricane Wes Goosen in returning to a powerful starting lineup.

Shields reclaims the captaincy after missing the past four weeks due to a knee ligament tweak suffered during Wellington's sole loss of the season against Tasman in Blenheim on September 10.

It was 17 kilometres deep, and 30km north-east of Seddon.

A Picton resident has described it as a "bit of a big juddery" quake, rattling their house.

All trains in the city are running at reduced speeds, Metlink has advised     

The 19-year-old will wear jersey No 12 on debut for Wellington in Wednesday night's Mitre 10 Cup match against Hawke's Bay, a year after Peter made his debut in Napier.

The family's newest Lion won't be joined in the 23 by his brother who is still recovering from shoulder surgery. But with mother Rachael Umaga and father Tony Jensen - a former hard-running Wainuiomata club stalwart - proudly watching on, it will be a memorable night for all concerned.

The All Black co-captain sat out his team's last two games with concussion, after he took a nasty blow to the head in a season opening loss to the Chiefs in Dunedin.

Smith's return is much needed good news for Coach Tony Brown, whose side has been ravaged by injuries through the opening three weeks of the competition. 

However, including season ending injuries to Jason Emery and Hayden Parker, 15 players were unavailable for selection against the Hurricanes.