New Zealand

The woman, a Korean-born New Zealander, arrived in South Korea in 2018 and had no record of departure since then, a police officer told Reuters.

Her whereabouts and whether she had other relatives with her when she arrived in South Korea were not immediately known.

"New Zealand police had requested confirmation whether the person who might be related to a crime case was in South Korea," the police officer said, adding that given her past address and age, she could be the mother of the kids.

The Aotearoa New Zealand International Climate Finance Strategy, Tuia te Waka a Kiwa, was released by Mahuta and Climate Change Minister James Shaw this morning.

It would spell out in practical terms how New Zealand could put its investments to work "to support Pacific partners and whānau to build resilience and deal with the number one security threat in the region," Mahuta said.

After welcoming the PM then introduced Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala before an official photo shoot in front of the giant Tongan Coat of Arms at the Cabinet Chambers' foyer.

The bilateral that followed discussed the strengthening of ties between the two countries, development assistance and trade opportunities.

It also gave the opportunity for PM Hu'akavameiliku to thank Hon and her delegation for New Zealand's continued assistance to Tonga, especially in the last six months, since the January 15 Hunga-Tonga-Hunga- Ha'apai volcano and tsunami on January 15, 2022.

The coffin of Mōsese Pasikala was carried by his family Thursday in what had been described as his last visit to his home.

Kaniva News reports more than two dozen people gathered outside a residence to greet the delivery of the coffin.

A prayer service held in front of his coffin was also livestreamed.

Reports said the deceased’s wife was still in hospital.

Police said on Sunday a person has died and another was critically injured after a car crashed into a bus stop in South Auckland.

Under the orange setting you must wear a mask in most indoor settings. However, you can visit cafes and bars, attend gatherings and events, and go to gyms and hairdressers with no capacity limits or distancing requirements.

There are to be no changes to rules for case isolation and household contact quarantine requirements - and the next review setting will be in September.

Minister for the Covid-19 Response Dr Ayesha Verrall said significant pressure on hospitals meant current measures were still required.

"I came from a Tongan family, I grew up in a Tongan church so it's not like I had a choice to sing."

Cook Islands sibling group Samson Squad took home the SunPix People's Choice Award for Best Pacific Artist.

Tautape Samson said trying to create music during lockdown was a challenge.

Sea-Kit International’s “uncrewed surface vessel” USV Maxlimer was dispatched in June, and has brought home a plethora of data and photos to fill important gaps in our understanding of the site and surrounding ocean.

“Early data shows ongoing activity within the caldera, though it is too early to tell if it is due to continuing eruption but at a reduced intensity, or hydrothermal venting driven by cooling lava, or both,” said oceanographer Sharon Walker, from the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Police said Len Courtenay, 22 and a friend died at the scene at around 5.40pm on Wednesday.

Kaniva News reports Len’s mother Makalita Angianga is expected to arrive in Houhora, Pukenui near Cape Reigna at the northwestern-most tip of the North Island for his funeral.

She said Courtenay had just celebrated his 22th birthday on July 20.

A prayer service is expected to take place at a residence in Māngere, south Auckland to remember Courtenay.

Police previously said emergency services were notified of the crash.

Tonga is the first of five Pacific nations that the two vessels will support as part of operation Mahi Tahi.

Commanding officer on Manawanui, John McQueen, said the aim is to enhance the capabilities of these island countries.

"We'll be conducting a number of activities in Niue, Tonga, Fiji, Tuvalu and the Tokelaus so a lot of that is to do with partnering with our pacific friends and nations into assisting them with activities that they would not be able to otherwise unsupported and with ourselves," he said.

Hua'kavameiliku arrived in Christchurch on Wednesday and travelled to Ashburton and Timaru in Canterbury where he received a warm welcome from the local Tongan community.

He paid a visit to Timaru Boys' High School where he attended as a senior student in 1988 and spoke at a special reception about his teenage years in the town.

"Thirty-four years ago in 1988, four young Tongan students, including me, entered Timaru Boys' High," he said.