Apia's cyclone-struck grand dame is getting ready to rule again, writes Robyn Yousef.

Heavyweight boxing contender Joseph Parker plans to follow in the steps of the All Blacks and take his talents to Samoa.

Sometimes work is just work ... even on a beach, with beautiful people, and never-ending surf, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Fresh water or salt, the bathing options in Samoa are heavenly, says Elisabeth Easther.

After a range of World Cups and test matches in his seven years as Prime Minister, Key could now rival Usain Bolt in his sprint to the changing room, writes Claire Trevett.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has spoken of his pride in his team handling conditions he described as among the toughest they have faced.

It's game day and rugby fans are out in full force as the All Blacks play in Samoa for the first time.

The enthusiasm with which the All Blacks have been greeted in Apia should get New Zealand Rugby thinking.

A Samoan-Kiwi opera singer will perform New Zealand's national anthem at the big showdown at Apia Park today.

Family ties have gone out the window for one Samoan-Kiwi family who will have split allegiances at this week's first All Black test in Apia.

Manu Samoa have prepared for their battle against the All Blacks with hymns and prayers at a service at Our Lady of The Rosary church today.

Sweltering heat of 29°C and 74 per cent humidity await the men in black when they kick off their Rugby World Cup campaign and play a historic first test in Samoa.

Welcome to the Manu Samoa way of doing things - one which is a world away from the All Blacks, finds Patrick McKendry in Apia.

Five days from the historic test between the All Blacks and Manu Samoa, Apia - and the villages which line the road from Faleolo Airport to Samoa's capital - have put on quite a show.

A flight from Auckland to Honolulu was re-routed earlier this afternoon because of a fuel gauge problem.

All Blacks' management have been liaising closely with Samoa Police before their historic test in July.

Newcastle centre Joseph Leilua says Samoa must use last year's impressive Four Nations campaign as their benchmark for Saturday's Pacific test against Tonga.

"Just the thought of people dating the same culture, Polynesians dating other Polynesians. You never see it nowadays. It's always been kind of like ... a taboo."

Paul Rush samples the simple pleasures of Robert Louis Stevenson's Samoa.

It's not often the All Blacks can be accused of running scared but there are genuine fears over July's historic match against Samoa in Apia following an outbreak of a mosquito-born epidemic.

Anne Cairns is a veteran of a range of paddling sports. But at the canoe racing national championships next week she'll take the first step towards achieving Olympic qualification.

Fun, fitness, sightseeing - the Swim Series is a great winter getaway with something for everyone from 7 to 70, writes Zoe Hawkins.

A dramatic new image has emerged of the volcanic eruption which has disrupted air travel to and from Tonga.

Hundreds of travellers and holidaymakers have been left stranded after flights to and from Tonga were cancelled yesterday because of a huge volcanic ash cloud.

The New Zealand Rugby League are considering staging a test against Samoa next year, off the back of the Pacific team's impressive performance in the Four Nations.

Where did you grow up? Mostly in Avondale but when I was 13 my dad took me to Samoa. We came back when I was 16.

Samoa are the poor cousins of the Four Nations tournament, with their players paid less than 10 per cent of what the Kangaroos and Kiwis are set to earn.

A week of self-examination awaits the Kiwis as they try to put the errors from Saturday's narrow Four Nations 14-12 league win over Samoa in Whangarei behind them.

In Samoa, Anika Moa heals her heartbreak and replaces lost lovers with newfound friends.