Auckland

The countries represented are Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, the Marshall Islands, Palau, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Most of the country delegations will be led by a senior official of its Economic Development Agency (EDA).

Police said the Mt Eden Presbyterian Church on Esplanade Rd was broken into and 10 church pews were stolen.

RNZ reports the wooden seats were large and distinctive, and would have been difficult to transport.

They were more than 8m long and more than 117 years old.

Police believed at least two people and a large vehicle or trailer would have been needed to take them.

Akil Mitchell, who plays for the New Zealand Breakers, was in Auckland for an Australian NBL game on Thursday night when the incident happened.

The finger of an opposing player accidentally dislodged his eyeball.

The American fell to the ground holding his hands to his left eye and was rushed to hospital.

The 35-year-old had not played a competitive match since she lost to Karolina Pliskova in the semi-finals of the U.S. Open last September, withdrawing from all tennis to deal with a persistent shoulder injury.

The 22-time grand slam winner, who had participated in a charity doubles match with sister Venus against All Blacks siblings Julian and Ardie Savea before the tournament started, was appearing for the first time in Auckland and persistent rain on Monday postponed her first round match until Tuesday.

Just two main draw singles matches were completed on the first day, with a number of qualifying also still to be completed.

22-time grand slam winner Williams will play Frenchwoman Pauline Parmentier first up before Naomi Osaka resumes her match with Annika Beck of Germany with the Japanese player a set up.

The New Zealand number one Marina Erakovic will then play seventh seed Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, before third seed Caroline Wozniacki opens her campaign against Nicolle Gibbs of the United States.

The pair will fight for the WBO belt at Vector Arena in less than a fortnight, on December 10.

Parker's trainer Kevin Barry said the 24-year-old heavyweight's past four years as a professional - during which he has won all 21 of his fights - has served as an apprenticeship.

Ruiz has spent eight years as a professional and is unbeaten in 29 fights.

Barry said that gives the visitor a distinct advantage.

Talāsinga Mōleni of Niutōua and Nukuleka has told Kaniva News his young brother Taʻelata Mōleni was killed in Mt Wellington, Saturday 18.

Detective Senior Sergeant Colin Higson said Police and Ambulance were called to the Bernard Street address at about 12.20am to a report of public disorder.

The festival from 12-13 March is expected to attract 100,000+ visitors over the two days, after returning to Western Springs, Auckland’s favourite public space featuring a lake surrounded by grassy areas and trees.

Residents of Paptoetoe have told how they saw a woman gagged and bound with ropes tumble out of a car boot on Huia Road, though police have so far said only that she was thrown from the car.

A Middlemore Hospital spokesperson said this morning that the woman was in a critical condition in the intensive care unit and "causing concern".

A gorgeous bright, pink and black hand printed strapless tiered dress worn by Princess Kate in the Solomon Islands during the 2012 Royal Diamond Jubilee tour that put TAV Pacific on the international radar.