Lisa Coupe has won the New Zealand league FEI World Cup final today at Tauranga, with defending champ Katie McVean making history in taking the series for the third consecutive year. McVean (Mystery Creek) and her home-bred mare Dunstan Daffodil – half sister to her World Champs superstar Dunstan Delphi who was sold for an undisclosed multimillion dollar deal to Saudi Arabia last year – had to settle for fourth today after having an uncharacteristic refusal at the wall in the... more>

The world premiere of the new work by Samoan filmmaker Tanupo Aukuso, “The Tuiga Pt. 2” took place in American Samoa on Tuesday, January 31 at the Maliu Mai Beach Resort. The new film, which carries forward the story begun in Aukuso’s previous work, “The Tuiga Pt. 1”, made its debut to a room filled with families and friends of Aukuso, his cast and crew, local media representatives, American Samoa government officials, Samoan MPs, and local business professionals.... more>

New Zealand Police Location: Barry Curtis Park area District: Counties Manukau Traffic congestion Due to a large Waitangi Day public event being held at Barry Curtis Park, Manukau, motorists are advised to avoid the Chapel Rd, Ormiston Rd., areas. No more parking is available around the Park and motorists face lengthy delays driving through the area until after 6pm when the event ends.... more>

At Waitangi today to commemorate the 172nd anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, Prime Minister John Key paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, whose Diamond Jubilee year also commences today. “The Queen took the throne on 6 February 1952,” says Mr Key. “She has reigned for 60 years, and hers has been a reign of commitment and service to her realms and territories, including New Zealand. “On behalf of all New Zealanders, I would like to thank the Queen for... more>

Te Ururoa Flavell, Maori Party MP for Waiariki, is encouraging Iwi to put Section 9 of the State Owned Enterprises Act to the test, and take their cases to Court. "I am asking for Iwi and Maori Trusts to keep the pressure on the Government, and to test your rights as tangata whenua through the Tribunal and the Courts." said Flavell. "Sir Graham Latimer and the New Zealand Maori Council fought hard to put this clause in place to ensure that we had an avenue through which we could... more>

Emirates Team New Zealand Hamish Hooper blogs on Day 13 of Leg 3 on board CAMPER Well that’s it Leg 3 almost done and dusted. The guys are truly exhausted, they have really dug it in massively since things didn’t go our way in the Malacca straights. Since it became evident that our decision didn’t work out and we were leaving the Singapore Straits in 5th position, there hasn’t been a hint of negativity or even... more>

Wellington’s Rory Mead showed why he is the national enduro champion on Saturday but he will find it impossible to stay top of the points table.   The 25-year-old started his Yamaha New Zealand Enduro Championships defence in the best possible way, winning Saturday’s first round of five in the 2012 series near Kawhia, but he now packs his bags and heads to the United States to race, making his New Zealand title defence virtually impossible.   His American adventure rules... more>

The 29th running of the Erin Baker standard distance triathlon saw familiar names atop the leader board with Cameron Brown and Jo Lawn victorious around Kinloch today. The popular and long running event is run by the local Tri Sport Taupo Club in conjunction with the Contact Tri Series and kicks of a busy day of racing with over 900 participants involved in all events, culminating in the elite ITU Oceania Sprint Championships, with almost 200 taking on the Erin Baker event in cool overcast... more>

Steve Lousich and his wife Tania Pitt- Guthrie are usually flying half way around the world to compete in the sport they love, power lifting, but for today’s competition at the Masters Games the couple only had to travel from their home in Ashburton to Dunedin to compete. Steve is the President of the New Zealand Power Lifting Federation and holds the New Zealand Bench Press record in the 120kg class. Tania Pitt- Guthrie has just turned 40 and qualified for her first Masters Games in... more>

In recognition of his services to the Masters Games, Otago Daily Times sports writer, Alistair McMurran was given the honour of igniting the Games torch that will burn for the next ten days at the Games Village in the Forsyth Barr Stadium. Alistair has covered every Masters Games in Dunedin since they were first held in the city in 1992.   Games Manager Aaron Joy said the Games Committee were unanimous in bestowing this honour on Mr McMurran. “We really wanted to acknowledge the... more>