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.

Flights to Samoa around the date of next year's All Blacks match are almost three times as expensive as those the week before. Are they now out of reach?

There will be drums, family reunions, an insane amount of roast pork, incredible pride and emotion but, when the final whistle goes on July 8 next year, the story can't stop.

The All Blacks have taken the first step towards treating Pacific Islands rugby with the respect it deserves and laying the groundwork for activating brilliant sporting rivalries laying dormant.

Every day after work and just before dusk - signalling time for evening prayers - dozens of village boys and young men come together for a game of rugby.

The All Blacks’ charge to their World Cup defence will begin in the Samoan sun in July next year.

The New Zealand Rugby Union and Samoan Rugby Union will this afternoon confirm next year's historic All Blacks test in Apia.

Manu Samoa should, in theory, have easier access to its best players in the lead-up to Rugby World Cup 2015 after announcing a major sponsorship deal yesterday in Auckland.

Passengers on a flight to New Zealand got a scare when a large centipede scuttled up the leg of a first class passenger.

Whether you're on a tight budget or splashing out, the islands have it all.

A century ago today, Kiwi soldiers arrived in German Samoa ready for battle. The Herald is live-streaming the national ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary.

A stack of former All Blacks will eye up their chances of another World Cup.

The All Blacks are putting the final touches on their World Cup preparations which will see them play a midweek test in Samoa, a truncated Rugby Championship and a second Bledisloe encounter.

When Brazil saw its football team go to pieces before their eyes this week, there must have been many rugby fans in NZ thinking, could it happen to us?

Flower festival is a chance to sample more than sun and sand in Samoa, writes Robyn Yousef.

The All Blacks will play Samoa for the first time in Apia next year as both nations embark on their World Cup preparations.

Shane Jones appears to be getting fond of being addressed as "Your Excellency" as a new ambassador, but it remains unlikely he will ever be called humble.

Labour MP David Shearer has accused the PM of using his Pacific Mission as a campaign platform to pimp for the Pacific vote in breach of the trip's apolitical nature.