New Zealand

Thousands flock to Mt Smart stadium

The Kiwi's coach has compared the clash to Australia's 'State of Origin' with the now infamous passion of Tonga's supporters expected to drown out any potential 'home' advantage.

The team's hugely successful Rugby League World Cup campaign in 2017 exposed many to the Pacific nation's pride for their team and country. Supporters dominated stadiums and red and white flags coloured neighbourhoods.

Over the past few weeks cars adorned with Tongan flags have reappeared on the Auckland's streets.

Christchurch attack: New Zealand launches gun buy-back scheme

More than $208m New Zealand dollars (£108m, $136m), have been set aside to compensate owners of semi-automatic weapons which were banned following the attacks.

The ban was agreed by parliament in April, weeks after the shootings.

In March, a gunman killed 51 people at a mosque and Islamic centre during Friday prayers.

The scheme, which only applies to licensed guns, will last six months meaning people will have until 20 December to hand in their weapons.

New Zealand man jailed for 21 months for sharing Christchurch shooting video

Philip Arps sent the video to 30 people and to a friend, asking for it to be modified to include a "kill count".

Christchurch District Judge Stephen O'Driscoll said Arps held "unrepentant views" towards the Muslim community.

A gunman killed 51 people in the attack on Muslims at a mosque and Islamic centre during Friday prayers in March.

At the Christchurch District Court on Tuesday, Arps pleaded guilty to two charges of distributing objectionable material for sharing footage that was livestreamed to social media during the attack.

The newest tunnel being built under Aucklanders' feet

A tunnel boring machine, named Amiria, has been digging out the last leg of a $400 million Watercare project which will ensure water comes out when Aucklanders turn on a tap.

The tunnel stretches 31km from a set of Watercare reservoirs in Manukau to those atop Khyber Pass.

About midday Thursday, Amiria popped out "bang on" where she was meant to at the top of the Khyber Pass reservoir.

Inside the tunnel will live an earthquake-proof water main with the capability of quenching 25 per cent of the city's thirst everyday.

Christchurch attack: Brenton Tarrant pleads not guilty to all charges

 Brenton Tarrant is charged with the murder of 51 people, 40 counts of attempted murder and one terrorism charge in New Zealand's deadliest peace time mass shooting.

Appearing via video link from prison, the 29-year-old sat in silence as his lawyer read out his plea.

The 15 March attack saw a gunman opened fire on Muslims during Friday prayers.

This is the first time a terrorism charge has been brought in New Zealand.

NZ Pacific communities to drive language promotion

The funds were announced in last week's so-called Wellbeing Budget as part of the launch of a Pacific Language Unit.

Grant Robertson said the unit will be within the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.

He said no government structures will be replicated and the funds will be focused on enhancing Pacific languages and cultures.

Mr Robertson said it provides central government support to programmes that already operate within the community.

Black Caps edge out Tigers at Oval

The Tigers' 244 all out began to look a decent score as the Black Caps wobbled badly after cruising to 160-2 but they eventually claimed a tense victory with just 17 balls in hand.

On another day, Bangladesh might have sprung another major upset, having turned over South Africa in their opener at The Oval.

Back at the same venue, the Tigers were undone by fractional run-out calls going New Zealand's way during the run chase. Taylor's 82 batted the Kiwis into a strong position that they converted into what became a nail-biting triumph.

 

 

U2 brings Joshua Tree Tour - and Noel Gallagher - to New Zealand

 

On November 8, the group will play seminal album The Joshua Tree, in its entirety and in sequence, at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium.

U2 will be supported on the tour by Noel Gallagher, of Oasis fame, touring under his solo moniker Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.

The tour, which also takes in Australia and Asia, follows a 2017 tour of Europe and North and Latin America, during which U2 played The Joshua Tree on the occasion of its 30th anniversary.

NZ 'asking for explanations' over USP allegations

New Zealand is the USP's second largest funder behind Australia, contributing US$3.5m ($NZ5.3m) in 2017.

The university's headquarters are in Suva and claims of mismanagement and questionable staff appointments over several years have been referred to Fiji's anti-corruption agency.

Mr Peters said New Zealand is talking to its partners across the Pacific and watching developments.

Taumalolo ready for another sea of red in New Zealand

Taumalolo says it is always overwhelming to see such support and they are looking forward to seeing the same turn out as the last one.

“It’s obviously hard to put in words. I guess the feeling does not become overwhelming until you take the field. So to be there alongside a crowd wearing red all around and singing the national anthem that’s when it really hits,” he said in an interview with NRL.com

Taumalolo said whenever fans sing a hymn or cheer that gives the boys a lift.