Latest from Pacific Islands

'Born into a global society that couldn't protect them': Journalist's frustration amid Samoa measles crisis

Napier journalist tells of his experience living in Samoa during tragic measles crisis.

Samoa measles crisis strands Hawke's Bay fruit pickers

Some Samoan RSE workers can't come to Hawke's Bay to pick fruit because of measles crisis.

Bougainville votes for independence from Papua New Guinea

Around 85% of eligible voters cast more than 181,000 ballots in two weeks of voting.

Distraught parents taking kids with measles out of hospitals in Samoa

At least three families took children out of hospital against medical advice.

Death with dignity: How a Rotorua club is helping Samoa during the measles outbreak

Reports of children being buried in sheets prompted effort.

Samoa measles outbreak: Unvaccinated told to mark homes with red flags

Red cloths or flags will signal teams going door-to-door with free booster shots.

Measles death toll climbs to 55 as two children die overnight

Another day brings two more deaths from measles in Samoa.

Samoan measles epidemic: Death toll now 53 after five more children die

The measles death toll in Samoa has risen to 53 after five children died in the last day.

'Families are suffering': Xmas celebrations cancelled as measles death toll rises in Samoa

Forty-eight people so far have died since the outbreak began - most of them children.

First contact, 250 years on - flotilla arrives at Waitangi

Friday's scenes of waka paddling out to greet sailing ships a flashback to 1769.

Rugby: NZ Heartland XV defeats Vanua XV in Lautoka

Humid conditions and committed opposition means victory had to be grinded out.

Rugby: NZ Marist defeat NZ Heartland XV in Te Aroha

First victory by the Marist side in the annual fixture since 2011.

Audrey Young: Reading between the lines of Pacific paper

China is not mentioned in latest Defence paper, but it doesn't need to be.

Defence Minister: People, more than money, will win favour with the Pacific

China has poured billions into the Pacific, but Ron Mark puts 'people power' above money.

Fiji: Sigatoka's million-dollar dunes

Tim Roxborogh discovers the ancient secrets of Sigatoka's sands.

Defence paper seen as pushing back on China's Pacific influence

Defence paper welcomed as New Zealand seen as neglecting Pacific - to China's advantage

The school that 'saved' Jonah Lomu and produced 12 ABs

Jonah Lomu's old school Wesley College is NZ's oldest surviving secondary school.

Laura Clarke, the diplomat who made history

British High Commissioner knows more te reo Māori than many Kiwis, and is not at all posh.