New Zealand

Children groomed for prostitution' by their boyfriends, parents in NZ

Auckland University social researcher Natalie Thorborn has released the disturbing findings into the plight of underage sex workers saying it is much more common than people think.

NZ Herald reports girls just 12 years old were often groomed by boyfriends who eventually forced them into a situation where they had no option but to sell their bodies.

In some instances even parents were selling their own children for sex.

A 9-year-old girl was tied to her bed by her mother and forced to have sex with men.

Pacific leadership focused on improving lives of islanders

Gerry Brownlee made this comment after attending the Pacific Islands Forum leaders summit in Apia, where he was standing in for New Zealand's prime minister Bill English.

He told RNZ that the Pacific Islands' leadership is well focused on interacting with other countries to improve living standards for their own people.

NZ Electoral Commission to help enrol gang members

The Commission had earlier said it did not feel comfortable going onto the gang's premises.

A gang advocate, Denis O'Reilly, said getting gang members to vote was a way of helping them become more law abiding.

RNZI reports O’Reilly praised the Commission for getting Black Power members registered at a meeting on a marae in Hawera recently.

"It's a symbol by the Crown that says, 'We care. Yes we will thrash you if you break the law, but we also want to engage with you'.

"So it's as symbolic as anything," Mr O'Reilly said.

New Zealand to play Japan

Anthony Hudson’s team, who defeated the Solomon Islands home (6-1) and drew away (2-2) for an 8-3 win on aggregate to book their place in the Intercontinental Playoff in November, will face the World No 44 Japan on Friday 6 October at Toyota Stadium in Nagoya.

While the All Whites won the OFC Stage 3 Playoff, Japan defeated Australia (2-0) in the AFC Stage Three Qualifiers to book their place in the 20118 FIFA World Cup Russia™.

Universities celebrate Tongan Language Week together

The University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology are known to have an unspoken rivalry as neighbouring institutions.

The vice president of the Tongan Student Association of the University of Auckland (TAUA) Eleni Lokotui said it was not a dramatic, serious rivalry, but there was always a competitiveness between the two.

Ms Lokotui said the rivalry was more prominent during the annual gathering 'Amatakiloa' which all New Zealand Tongan groups attend.

Learning mother tongue an asset, says Tongan-born NZ MP

Tonga-born MP Jenny Salesa said over her time in parliament she has asked principals and teachers what skills children need when they start school.

She said she had been told too many children of Tongan descent in New Zealand start school at the age of five speaking neither language fluently.

She has been stressing the message that learning Tongan can benefit their education overall.

Military exercise between Tonga and NZ cancelled

Exercise Tropic Wing 2017 was mutually agreed upon by HMAF and the NZDF during a meeting in 2015.

The purpose of the training exercise is to maintain the close cooperation and relations between both armed forces, and to further develop military skills and jungle training of respective troops.

The exercise was planned to take place on Tongatapu and ‘Eua in close coordination with the Tonga Police Force, Tonga Airport Authority and Forestry in Eua. HMAF is looking forward to further opportunities in the future to train with our development partners.

New Zealand poised to help Tonga with election process

On Friday, Tonga's King George Tupou the sixth has dismissed the country's scandal-ridden Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva and dissolved parliament.

The move, made after a concerted effort by the country's Nobles to push Mr Pohiva out, has left the fledgling democracy in political turmoil.

Mr Brownlee says King Tupou the sixth has made a step that is unprecedented.

"We are assessing as to whether this is an appropriately constitutional move from the King of Tonga - and at first glance, it looks like it is," he said.

NZ and New Caledonia into final

Both teams secured their final spot after defeating their opponents in the semi-final yesterday.

New Zealand secured their place earlier with a strong win, dominating Cook Islands 9-0 despite an impressive game from the knockout debutants.

The defending champions had to struggle to find a gap in the crowded Cook Islands backline in the early minutes before Kelli Brown broke through to open the scoring in the 18th minute.

Not long after Maggie Jenkins extended it up with two quick goals and Brown slotted in two more to bring New Zealand’s tally to five.

Semi-final showdown today

Both teams advanced to the semi-final after finishing top in the Pool A group match.

New Zealand finished on top with nine clear points and were unbeaten in their pool games while New Caledonia secured second spot with six points.

The defending champions who also won the recent OFC U-19 Women’s Champion are vying to add another title in the U-16 category.

However, Cook Islands U-16 cannot be underestimated as they are eyeing for the final spot.

The second final will feature Fiji against New Caledonia at 8pm today.