New Zealand

NZ on brink of U20 World Cup berth as Tonga eye first win

The Junior Football Ferns have scored 59 unanswered goals in big wins against Tonga, New Caledonia and Vanuatu at the Oceania Championship in Nuku'alofa, and have a maximum nine points with one match remaining.

Samoa will move to seven points if they can beat Vanuatu this afternoon, which would set up a final round decider against New Zealand, who have a bye today.

However a draw would leave them four points adrift of the leaders, gifting the title to New Zealand.

Football Ferns thrash New Caledonia 26-0

The Junior Football Ferns led 17-0 at half-time at the Oceania Under-20 Women's Championship in Nuku'alofa, with striker Emma Rolston scoring 11 goals before the break.

Coach Leon Birnie's side again underlined their strength at the Loto-Tonga Soka Centre as eight further goals came in the second half.

Grace Jale and Paige Satchell each scored hat-tricks while captain Jasmine Pereira scored six.

Goals to substitutes Jade Parris, Michaela Robertson and Isabella Richards completed the scoring.

The Ferns thumped Tonga 15-0 first up on Thursday.

All Blacks struggle to win over Georgia

The All Blacks scored four first-half tries and led 22-10 at the break.

But Steve Hansen won't be happy with his team's performance as they made far too many errors.

Our rugby reporter says while the All Blacks had the vast majority of the ball they were generally unable to break the Georgian defence, while their handling let them down.

Experts predict continuing dry for much of the Pacific

This comes after up to six months of well below normal rainfall had been received.

The forecast from New Zealand's NIWA and the Pacific Islands Meteorological Services says in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, after three months of very dry conditions, below normal rainfall can be expected through to the end of the year.

U20 World Cup spot up for grabs for Oceania women

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.

Pacifica could make up 11 percent of NZ population by 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.

Pacifica could make up 11 percent of NZ population by 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.

 

Native Affairs offers first NZ TV crew report for 50 years

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.

New Zealand Pasifika stand against suicide

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.

VIDEO: Rugby World Cup - New Zealand and Wales win openers

A final-quarter surge saw New Zealand registering a come from behind 26-16 victory over Argentina at Wembley in Pool C.

Over at the Millennium Stadium, Wales claimed a bonus point as they opened their campaign with an eight-try win over Uruguay in Pool A. Wales won the contest 54-9.