Two years after the devastating tsunami, Samoa has lost none of its natural beauty, warmth, culture or charm, writes Belinda Henley.

Despite 2009's devastating tsunami, Samoa has lost none of its natural beauty, warmth, culture or charm.

A no-frills break on the island of Savaii proves uniquely soothing, writes Vaimoana Tapaleao.

With 17 days to go until the start of the World Cup, and 42 days for the tournament to run, ticket sales are still $30.5 million short of the $268m target. NZ will still lose $39m if all the tickets are sold.

Visiting Samoa reveals a little village, Saleaula, which sits entirely on barren lava.

New Zealand feature film The Orator (O Le Tulafale) has been selected to premiere in competition in the Orizzonti (New Horizons) section of the 68th Venice International Film Festival.

The All Blacks have the advantage of player depth over old foe Australia for the World Cup, says former skipper Sean Fitzpatrick.

As John Key prepares for a White House visit next week, New Zealand's Pacific role is growing in value.

The man who has changed the driving side of the road and time is now proposing Samoa changes its dates.

The leader of Samoa's opposition party has been found guilty of bribery.

Overstayers are said to be paying hundreds of dollars for fraudulent citizenship certificates.

I've always felt that food was one of the great reasons to travel. But you'd have to say that until relatively recently it wasn't top of the list of reasons for visiting the South Pacific.

Samoa's newly re-elected prime minister has raised the ire of Pacific feminists by claiming one female MP in his cabinet is "more than enough".

A 10-metre-high tsunami ploughed into the Japanese coast on Friday, dashing ships into the shore, washing away houses and leaving devastation in its wake.