Ban

It's hoped the new measures will ease pressure on an overflowing rubbish dump on Fogafale where most of the population lives.

Single use plastic bottles under 1.5 litres, plastic plates, cutlery and food wrap are among the items which will not be allowed in to the country from 1 August, according to the Director of the Department of Environment Soseala Tinilau.

Kaino was cited following the incident during the weekend's Heineken Champions Cup game between Bath and Toulouse.

Roberts was briefly knocked out following the 39th-minute incident - Kaino received a yellow card - and took no further part in the Recreation Ground clash that Toulouse won 22-20.

Kaino, who joined Toulouse earlier this year following an 81-cap All Blacks career, appeared before an independent disciplinary committee in Paris after being cited by match citing Commissioner Eugene Ryan. He pleaded not guilty.

Matai Seremaiah has also discouraged workers from drunk driving, saying he expected all government vehicles to be in department parking lots at half past four every day.

The Daily Post said Mr Seremaiah called his staff together and announced the ban after two government vehicles were involved in accidents over the Christmas break.

He also ordered a top official to pay for the cost of a vehicle involved in an accident months earlier.

The Council of Ministers decided on the ban at its meeting in December and it has agreed to several first steps in the management of marine litter.

Starting 31 January, 2018, there will be a ban on the importation of single-use non-biodegradable plastic bags and polystyrene takeaway boxes.

Local manufacturers of plastic bags can only use biodegradable plastics beginning on 31 January, 2018.

The government will also review and provide a new method for disposal of plastic bottle waste beginning on 31 January, 2018.

NZ Rugby Players Association boss Rob Nichol told Radio Sport Breakfast that the law change came as a surprise, the details ‘buried’ in the latest agreement.

“It came apparently through the participation agreement that the teams signed. But it was buried. We certainly weren’t across it. New Zealand Rugby, I don’t think were across it and the players haven’t been consulted or involved in the decision, from our perspective anyway,” said Nichol.

“We’re just trying to unpack it a bit and work with World Rugby and try and address it.”