New Zealand

RWC 2019: New Zealand v Canada

The All Blacks began their campaign with victory over South Africa, in the process taking a huge early step towards the knockout stages of the tournament.

Their next outing is against Canada; while it is expected to be a more straightforward affair, Hansen has still named a strong New Zealand side.

Included in the XV are brothers Beauden, Jordie and Scott Barrett, becoming just the second trio of siblings to start together in a World Cup match - after Tonga's Vunipola brothers in 2015.

Changes to NZ border rules kick in today

Up to 1.7 million travellers from 60 countries who previously didn't need a visa will now be required to declare their passport details and any criminal history before they can travel.

The government has spent $5 million on a domestic and international marketing campaign to make sure people aren't stopped at the gates.

Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand executive director Justin Tighe-Umbers said about 4000 to 5000 travellers would need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) each day.

NZ declares war on coconut rhinoceros beetle in the Pacific

A new strain of the beetle, CRB-G, is resistant to traditional control methods, and the government said it could cause $US150 million dollars to be lost from the Pacific's coconut and palm oil industries every year.

CRB-G is established in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands where it is damaging palm trees.

New Zealand is contributing about $US11 million dollars to the fight, some of which will go to science institute AgResearch.

New Zealand increases seasonal jobs for Pacific workers

The NZ Minister of Immigration Iain Lees-Galloway announced that the RSE cap would increase by 1,550 places this year, bringing the total available RSE visas to 14,400.

“We are helping our regions’ growers to plan ahead and get the support they need. For the first time we are announcing a two-year increase to the RSE quota. This will help address industry concerns that a lack of certainty on RSE numbers makes it hard for them to plan for labour needs and accommodation requirements,” Iain Lees-Galloway said.

New Zealand's oldest school Wesley College marking 175 years

Wesley College, at Paerata, south of Auckland, is marking 175 years after being established by the Wesleyan Missionary Society in October 1844.

The school is well known for producing more recent All Blacks than any other school in the country, most notably Jonah Lomu.

Originally a boys' school in recent times Wesley has been also produced a number of high achieving female sports stars.

There has also been significant success in academia, the arts, business and politics at home and internationally.

     

NZ and Australia plan to lower remittances costs in Pacific

Remittances are a key source of earnings for many Pacific families who have relatives working abroad and the intervention comes as both Wellington and Canberra step up their engagement in the region.

The plans are part of a push to meet UN Sustainable Development Goals, which include a commitment to reduce remittance costs to less than three percent by 2030. In the Pacific, the average remittance costs are more than 10 percent, well above the global average of 7.1 percent.

Goals galore for NZ women in OFC U-19 opener

Kelli Brown opened the scoring with just seconds on the clock and ended the game with an incredible eleven goals to her name.

Arabella Maynard and Maggie Jenkins scored five a piece and were among six other players to get on the scoresheet, while Samoa ended the match with ten players after Paepae Tuitama was sent off in the 42nd minute.

New Zealand coach Gemma Lewis was understandably thrilled with her team's opening performance.

Jacinda Ardern announces Parris Goebel will represent NZ at the Dubai World Expo

The celebrity dancer and choreographer met with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Friday, to discuss her plans for the six-month long expo.

Ardern said Goebel's plans were "spectacular" and would do the country proud. Her programme was made to reflect themes of caring for people and the environment, with a focus on youth and sustainability.

In a statement, Goebel said her new role was "an honour" and she was using it as a chance to work with artists from different fields.

Football Ferns striker Hannah Wilkinson completes Sporting Lisbon move

The 27-year-old has signed a one-year contract with Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon and said there are pictures of Ronaldo everywhere she turns.

"That was one thing that kind of gives me chills every time I step into the academy because in the meeting room it's just his face and pictures of him playing at the same place you're training in right now and how he developed through the ages at that very place," she said.

Internal Affairs Minister recognises New Zealand for RSE impact in Vanuatu

Napuat highlighted this in his official opening address at the opening of the RSE Conference held in Port Vila.

“Vanuatu is fortunate to host this conference and sees it as a reflection of the success of our workers and Vanuatu’s ranking as the top sending country in the Pacific region. By moving this conference to our shores is yet another achievement for us in that we are seen as a committed partner.”

RSE is a golden opportunity for many basic and low-level skilled Ni-Vanuatu workers, who have contributed their earnings towards developing their respective communities.