Samoa beat Tonga 56-41 in the opening match in Papakura last night, before the Cook Islands edged Papua New Guinea 54-51.
The region's top ranked side, Fiji, had a first round bye after competing at the Commonwealth Games.
The Pearls failed to win a game on the Gold Coast and coach Vicki Wilson said she's expecting strong competition from their Pacific rivals.
"Well I know Samoa will be drawing on all the experienced players in New Zealand," she said