New Zealand

From just eight primary schools taking part six years ago, 43 primary and early childhood centres as well as seven colleges, took the stage during the 2017 Hutt Valley Polyfest.

Twelve hundred spectators packed out the Walter Nash Stadium on the final night of the Polyfest, where secondary school students showcased their talent.

Up to seven thousand also witnessed children as young as three and four perform over the week.

Polyfest organiser Luana Leuluai was overwhelmed with the turnout of both spectator and participant.

In 2016, a hugely successful U-17 women’s tournament was hosted in Cook Islands featuring nine nations of which Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu, made their debuts at this age-group. For Fiji it was an historic outing after they finished third, narrowly beating New Caledonia in the match for third place.

This year will mark the debut of American Samoa, who have never participated in this competition, and the return to this level for Solomon Islands whose last outing was in 2010 when they finished a very respectable second.

Kicking off just over a year after the 2016 OFC U-17 Championship – and only a few months after the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea – there are many familiar faces coming to Auckland this July.

Defending champions New Zealand have recruited an army of international experience for their attempt at a sixth-consecutive title including Malia Steinmetz, Grace Jale, and goalkeeper Anna Leat – who will offer senior international football experience to Gareth Turnball’s squad having already been in the mix for the New Zealand national women’s team.

After Juan Carlos Osorio made eight changes to Mexico's team, it looked like he would pay the price when Chris Wood gave New Zealand a shock first-half lead, the first time his country have scored in six Confederations Cup matches.

But Raul Jimenez's third goal in his last four internationals brought Osorio's men back on level terms after the break and Peralta's winner ensured El Tri secured victory despite star striker Javier Hernandez remaining on the substitutes' bench.

Nine countries from around the region, as well as Australia and New Zealand, are in Tonga to sign the PACER Plus agreement, wrapping up nearly a decade of negotiations.

The deal has been polarising with critics saying it threatens the interests of island countries, and was unbalanced towards the interests of Australia and New Zealand.

But proponents tout it as a new kind of deal that links development to trade.

Todd McClay said this would give funding to boost exports from Pacific countries, and create rules to make it easier for the region's countries to trade.

Speaking in Waitangi on Sunday, the Wales star's thoughts were with the six people killed and at least 48 others injured in the incident at London Bridge and the Borough Market.

Warburton, whose team opened their tour with a 13-7 win over the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians on Saturday, said the Lions wanted to bring some joy to those affected.

"In future performances and wins, we'll dedicate to those who have been involved and I guess we can play a small part in trying to cheer a majority of the nation up by trying to be successful over here," he said.

The teeth, known in Fiji as tabua, are highly regarded cultural gifts and had been seized at New Zealand's border over the last 15 years under The Trade in Endangered Species Act.

More than 90 percent of specimens seized at New Zealand's border under the Convention of International Trade and Endangered Species, or CITES, are destroyed.

But since the early 1990s, after a request from Fiji authorities, all tabua has instead been collected and stored by DOC.

Wendy Jackson, the head of CITES New Zealand, said the repatriation was the first of its kind for DOC.

The budget was revealed yesterday in Wellington, and Labour's spokesperson for Pacific people, Aupito Su'a William Sio, said it will increase inequality.

Aupito said that rather than tax cuts, Pacific people needed a budget that improved education, health and housing.

"The home ownership rates for Pacific are at its lowest," he said.

"The overcrowdedness that I see in my electorate and parts of South Auckland - it's just tearful."

The result saw the Tigers claim their first triumph over the Black Caps outside of Bangladesh and also served as a dose of revenge for last week's four-wicket loss against the same side. 

Fittingly, Mahmudullah (46) struck the winning runs in a contest that saw him surpass 3,000 runs in one-day internationals, as Bangladesh enjoyed a pre-ICC Champions Trophy morale boost.

After the early loss of Luke Ronchi (2), New Zealand upped the run rate as captain Tom Latham (84) and Neil Broom (63) compiled a 133-run partnership.

The Pacific group will rise from 8 percent of the population in 2013 to 10 percent by 2038.

The broad Asian group will jump from 12 percent to 22 percent.

Maori will grow from 16 percent to 18 percent.

Due to lower birth rates the 'European or other' group will drop from 75 percent to 66 percent.

Modelling of smaller ethnic groups indicate the Chinese and Indian share of the population, about 4.5 percent and 4 percent respectively, will double.

Overall New Zealand's population is predicted to grow by about 1 million by 2038.