New Zealand

The Commission had earlier said it did not feel comfortable going onto the gang's premises.

A gang advocate, Denis O'Reilly, said getting gang members to vote was a way of helping them become more law abiding.

RNZI reports O’Reilly praised the Commission for getting Black Power members registered at a meeting on a marae in Hawera recently.

"It's a symbol by the Crown that says, 'We care. Yes we will thrash you if you break the law, but we also want to engage with you'.

"So it's as symbolic as anything," Mr O'Reilly said.

Anthony Hudson’s team, who defeated the Solomon Islands home (6-1) and drew away (2-2) for an 8-3 win on aggregate to book their place in the Intercontinental Playoff in November, will face the World No 44 Japan on Friday 6 October at Toyota Stadium in Nagoya.

While the All Whites won the OFC Stage 3 Playoff, Japan defeated Australia (2-0) in the AFC Stage Three Qualifiers to book their place in the 20118 FIFA World Cup Russia™.

Both teams secured their final spot after defeating their opponents in the semi-final yesterday.

New Zealand secured their place earlier with a strong win, dominating Cook Islands 9-0 despite an impressive game from the knockout debutants.

The defending champions had to struggle to find a gap in the crowded Cook Islands backline in the early minutes before Kelli Brown broke through to open the scoring in the 18th minute.

Not long after Maggie Jenkins extended it up with two quick goals and Brown slotted in two more to bring New Zealand’s tally to five.

Both teams advanced to the semi-final after finishing top in the Pool A group match.

New Zealand finished on top with nine clear points and were unbeaten in their pool games while New Caledonia secured second spot with six points.

The defending champions who also won the recent OFC U-19 Women’s Champion are vying to add another title in the U-16 category.

However, Cook Islands U-16 cannot be underestimated as they are eyeing for the final spot.

The second final will feature Fiji against New Caledonia at 8pm today.

An early goal from Aniala Jensen motivated the All Whites girls to dominate and claim the game.

From the start New Calenonia got the game underway but New Zealand quickly took position and made their first attempt when Grace Wisnewski connected a cross from Britney Cunningham-Lee but it went over the crossbar.

A minute later they had a second chance from Maggies Jenkins who attempted to dribble into the New Calendonia box but it was cleared away in time.

They kept hunting for the opening goal but the New Caledonia backline always denied their chances.

The Pacific Peoples Minister, Alfred Ngaro, said the new funding would allow festival organisers to explore options to allow the festival to grow further.

He said his ministry would bring on a specialist and an advisory group to work with the Polyfest Trust, which has organised the festival for decades.

Mr Ngaro said the festival helped Pacific people gain confidence, leadership and many other skills, and he wanted to see more people there, celebrating Pacific diversity.

Photo: SUPPLIED Students from Avondale College perform at the festival. 

Waiouru in the central North Island plummeted to a chilly -7°C degrees, Taupo went to -5°C, while Rotorua and Hamilton dipped to -3°C, and Whenuapai, in the Waitakere Ranges, was as low as -2°C.

Auckland motorists were faced with the unfamiliar sight of ice on car windscreens this morning as the temperature fell to an unusual 1°C.

That was lower still than Saturday night's 1.4°C - the city's coldest temperature in two years.

Whangarei managed a record of sorts with its 8th coldest morning since 1967, according to NIWA.

Te epetoma o te reo Māori Kuki Airani or Cook Islands Language Week celebrates the languages spoken by the people of the Cook Islands.

The theme of this year's Cook Islands language week is: "Ei rāvenga nāku i te tuatua i tōku reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani ka anoano au i te turuturu ā tōku ngutu`are tangata `ē te matakeinanga - an encouraging home and community environment is what I need to build my love and my confidence to speak my reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani."

There are a number of cultural activities and events are being held across New Zealand, this week.

It was the second goals galore for New Zealand.

In their opening match against the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2016 hosts Papua New Guinea, New Zealand defeated them with the same goal margin.

The game was a one-sided affair with New Caledonia having little chances of breaking through New Zealand.

Although the game was an easy ride for them, they had to fight hard for 15 minutes before Samantha Tawharu opened the goals galore with a goal she sent past New Caledonia goal keeper Karine Xozame after a rapid New Zealand counter attack.

Last month the Fiji government announced it had banned entire villages from taking part in the Recognised Seasonal Employer ccheme in New Zealand or the similar Australian scheme after complaints from the New Zealand government about misconduct and disorderly behaviour by some Fijian workers.

Now the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Jone Usamate, has met with some of the Fijian workers in this country to " hear their views of the challenges faced."