New Zealand

PNG replaced South Africa as World Cup hosts in March, gifting them automatic qualification and a second berth for Oceania.

Hosts Tonga face a tough test in today's opening match against defending Oceania champions New Zealand, who have been on an unbeaten run since 2002.

Coach Penateti Feke was a part of the Tongan team at July's Pacific Games.

She's selected four of her teammates from that event, while nine have experience from last year's Under 20 tournament.

Statistics New Zealand has released its latest population projections which indicate overall trends.

The Pacific population is expected to make up 11 percent of the total population in 2038 compared with eight percent in 2013.

Much of the population will be based in Auckland and will increase its presence there by three percent to comprise 18 percent of the city's population in 2038.

Statistics New Zealand has released its latest population projections which indicate overall trends.

The Pacific population is expected to make up 11 percent of the total population in 2038 compared with eight percent in 2013.

Much of the population will be based in Auckland and will increase its presence there by three percent to comprise 18 percent of the city's population in 2038.

For decades the Indonesian twin provinces of Papua and West Papua have been a no-go zone amid claims of genocide and extreme violence. 

Native Affairs sent a team to the region - the first such NZ crew granted access to the troubled area of Melanesia in a half century.

Reporter Adrian Stevanon has filed an in-depth report on Papua New Guinea's neighbour.

Pacific Media Centre postgraduate researcher on West Papuan affairs Karen Abplanalp, a photojournalist, was also part of the crew.

Last Saturday, a suicide prevention Fono, organised by various community health groups, was held in the city, organised in conjunction with several organisations who work for the interests of Pacific youth including the Spirit of Rangatahi Charitable Trust.

While suicide or depression are not topics widely discussed by Pacific families, close to 300 people came together to hear how they could help the young people in the community deal with these issues.

The gathering included Tongan, Tokelaun, Cook Islands, Samoa, Niuean and other members of the community in Porirua.

Twenty seven climate justice activist, mostly women were detained by Police Wednesday for protesting outside the Australian High Commission.

“If Australia and New Zealand really care about the Pacific as a partner, they must stand with us to call for global climate justice at the upcoming COP21 summit in Paris later this year,” said the protesters.

The peaceful demonstration included civil society organizations, women’s groups and students who urged the Australian and New Zealand governments to support the Pacific call at the COP21 summit in Paris, France in November.

For the past month a 20 strong contingent of New Zealand army engineers and tradespeople has been mentoring PNG soldiers in road building techniques.

The gravel road, from the highlands to the north coast, will link over 100 remote mountain villages, cutting through dense forest and crossing the Bismarck mountain range.

Lieutenant Leroy Judge says the team has been teaching road building techniques, basic maintenance, and safety procedures.

In the TV3 Reid-Research poll - released last night - Kiwis were asked whether they wanted change now that they had seen the final four alternative flag options.

Only 25 percent said yes, while the majority said no.

But PM Key - who has previously voiced his support for the silver fern on the flag - said the question asked was too basic, as there were people who had yet to make up their minds.

He told Morning Report fewer than 50 percent of people want to keep the current flag, and that number was falling.

This comes after scathing criticism from the PNA chief executive after the Pacific Island Forum leaders decision to look into the merits of replacing the PNA's Vessel Day Scheme with a New Zealand style quota management system.

New Zealand's Shane Jones says regional leaders want a year given to look into the future of tuna fisheries management in the Pacific and he says the PNA should heed their wishes.