Latest from Pacific Islands

So close, so foreign, so fabulous
The islands of New Caledonia provide a feast for the eyes, the mind and the tastebuds.

Transitional housing: Families offered lifeline
A transitional housing complex was opened in South Auckland today.

Polyfest gets $200,000 funding
The Government has $200,000 in funding to the Auckland Secondary School's Polyfest.

Guide to the perfect babymoon
Oliver Driver provides the definitive guide to a successful pre-baby holiday.

Emotional memorial for missing sailor
Kilino Joseph Lemafoe Tua was last seen in Samoa on April 29

Secret wartime Auckland plane crashes everyone knew about
Japanese internees were being taken from Auckland to Australia for a prisoner exchange.

Brutal assault on Tongan holidaymaker
A Tongan holidaymaker has suffered critical head injuries in a central Auckland assault.

The Big Read: 'I talk to them sometimes - talk and cry'
Five Tongan men died in Katikati last year. The pain for their families is still raw.

'The Maori Party has proved we care about Pacific'
The Maori Party has announced six Pacific Island candidates.

Volcano erupts in front of photographer as he set up camera
As photographer set up his camera, a volcano erupted right in front of him

Sonny Bill on island time in Fiji
Sonny Bill Williams has headed to Fiji to recuperate during his four match ban.

Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa, Denarau
Dean Buchanan checks into a Fijian resort with an adults-only private area

Amelia Earhart mystery: Forensic dogs scent human remains
Dogs trained to detect human bones may have found the site where Amelia Earhart died.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Honolulu
Shandelle Battersby checks into a near-new luxury resort near Waikiki Beach.

NZ cops leave Solomons after 14 years
"Moment of truth" as NZ cops depart Solomon Islands after 14 years of peacekeeping.

Island-making eruption's explosive back-story
NZ scientists reveal an explosive history behind the 2014 eruption that made a new island.

Vacay like a millionaire in the Pacific
Ever wondered where the super-rich go for a bit of Pacific R&R?

Will the Amelia Earhart mystery finally be solved?
Few aviation mysteries have captivated the public as much as the disappearance of Earhart.

Vanuatu: Getting into the swing
There's good justification for Vanuatu's claim to be the Happiest Place in the World.

PM on his first Pacific trip
PM has returned from his tour of the Pacific. Claire Trevett spoke to him on the way back.

Island time: PM's Pacific Mission
English and a host of govt representatives have spent the last week on the annual jaunt.

Tongan PM apologises to Bill English
Kiwi PM receives apology for alleged "recent incidents" involving Tongan seasonal workers.

Marquesas: Isles of dreams
Isobel Marriner realises a long-held yearning to explore an old Pacific trading route.

'English knows a lot about sheep but not Niuean culture'
Niue Premier Toke Talagi disgruntled that New Zealand brought in the food for lunch.

English supports $7.5m in aid for hotel
Bill English is visiting Niue for the first time as Prime Minister.