Like most people in Rotorua and New Zealand I understand the realities of cancer, and they are not pleasant.

Cousins, brothers, fathers and sons will line up alongside one another during the Te Arawa Pa Wars in Rotorua.

Paul Hickey writes: After a fair few years in radio and using a microphone as the tool of my trade, it's not often that I get the opportunity to do something new.

It seems like just yesterday we hit the streets as part of the Rotorua Daily Post and The Hits food drive, collecting for the Salvation Army foodbank.

Paul Hickey writes: I don't mean to brag but I haven't had a sick day in over three years, and visits to the doctor are few and far between.

While many sports fans around New Zealand will take a keen interest in the Netball World Cup I haven't sensed huge excitement around it yet, writes Katie Holland.