Auckland

Six other people, including police officers, were injured and the gunman is also dead after the incident at 07:22 (19:22 GMT) on a construction site in the central business district.

PM Chris Hipkins said the attack was not being seen as an act of terrorism.

The tournament would go ahead as planned, he said.

The public, he added, could be assured police had neutralised the threat and there was no ongoing risk after the incident on Queen Street.

No political or ideological motive for the attack had been identified, the prime minister said.

PMN News reports over a thousand people crowded into Freyberg Place to see the Afropasifika show, ​curated by EBM Models director Ernestina Bonsu Maro, who is of Rarotongan and Ghanaian heritage.

“It’s about celebrating our cultures, nationalities, our hair, facial features, our different vibes, colours. We just like to pop it out”, she says.

“For them to showcase Pacific wear at an African event - that’s what it’s all about - as we’re all indigenous.”

The police's wastewater testing programme analyses daily wastewater at 10 sample sites across New Zealand.

Newshub reports on average, the programme analyses samples one week of each month for traces of methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine. The latest results cover October to December last year (Q4). 

University of Auckland’s Immunisation Advisory Centre medical director Dr Nikki Turner said child immunisation rates in areas like south Auckland remain in a state of crisis an outbreak could have dire consequences.

“Measles can spread like wildfire,” Turner said. “You only get immunity to it through vaccination, or if you’ve previously contracted it.”

“The problem is our childhood vaccination rates have dropped and a lot of other people didn’t receive their vaccinations when they were younger. So there are some real gaps in the community.”

The meeting attended by the immigration minister, six Pacific MPs and community leaders was sparked by revelations of a case last week where a Pasifika overstayer was detained after a dawn raid. His lawyer said police showed up at his home just after 5am, scaring his children and taking him into custody.

Tonga A meets Manusina Samoa in Auckland in the curtain raiser before Moana Pasifika's home game against the Melbourne Rebels in the culture-themed round 10 of the Super Rugby Pacific competition at Mt Smart Stadium.

The invitational game will used by both sides for selection of their final teams to play in the Oceania Rugby Women's Championship planned for May.

Tonga A women's team manager Ilaisaane Manukalo Vaihu said Saturday's clash should become a permanent fixture between the two sides.

This is the first dedicated Tongan centre in the Auckland Kindergarten Association’s 115-year history, and was designed in collaboration with the local Tongan community reports PMN News. 

AKA Chief Executive Pauline Winter says the community's wish was for every child at the kindergarten to have their identity strengthened, and receive a foundation for lifelong learning, which is reflected in the name. 

“Fonua is about the connection of people, land and beginnings and is also the Tongan word for placenta.

With crowds allowed back to watch performances, around 60,000 people took the opportunity to do this over the four-day event reports Tagata Pasifika. 

And it was a welcome return, says new Samoan stage judge Nafanuatele Lafitaga Mafaufau-Peters, who was thoroughly impressed by the turn out. 

“It’s been amazing,” she says.

“Coming from being a teacher and being on the other side of this whole process I’ve just been so proud of the students in terms of their energy (and) their effort.” 

Prime Minister, Hu’akavameiliku confirmed this in a press conference.

The vessel is currently docked in Auckland for maintenance work.

Hu’akavameiliku said he is glad to have all the faults repaired, while it’s still docked there.

New Zealand Maritime is carrying out the final inspections of the ferry before it is released to return to Tonga.

“Inspectors from Tonga had also informed New Zealand Maritime of other pressing issues to address. We hope that it arrives soon, to help transport our people to the outer islands,” he said.

On Sunday, two teenagers were arrested in the Far North and charged with murder. 

PMN News reports Police have named the man who died as 28 year old local Joshuah Tasi, who was attacked following a car collision on Friday night. 

The NZ Herald reports Tasi was attacked while in his car sustaining stab wounds to his neck, chest and leg.

Bystanders attempted to apply pressure to the wounds, but Tasi died at the scene. 

Local residents gathered on Sunday night for karakia (prayers) and to pay tribute to the victim.