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Tau'ili'ili is travelling to Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Niue, and the Solomon Islands to research various musical instruments. Photo: Supplied / Tauiliili Alpha Maiava Samoan-born New Zealand writer, director, and composer Tau'ili'ili Alpha Maiava is on a journey to seven Pacific Islands to understand the origins of musical instruments that once flourished, and those that have become obsolete. He is travelling to Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Niue, and the Solomon Islands to research various musical instruments, including the conch shell, nose flute, pan pipe, lali, pāte, stamping tube, mouth harp, and mouth pipes, and the events that have influenced their current status. "When people envision the South Pacific, images of swaying palm trees, pristine...

Donald Trump supporters wait outside Madison Square Garden where former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump holds a campaign rally in New York, 27 October. Photo: LEONARDO MUNOZ / AFP Analysis - In 1992 James Carville, Bill Clinton's lead strategist, hung a sign on the wall of the Democratic candidate's campaign office in Little Rock, Arkansas. It had three lines on it to focus the team on the key vote-swinging issues and one of those lines would become so famous it's turned into a political cliché. The line read, 'It's the economy, stupid.' It stuck for good reason. Elections are almost always about the economy. It's atop most of the polls asking voters their main issue for the 2024 US presidential election as well. Just perhaps not in a way you think. We'll...

By Tom Balmforth and Alexander Tanas for Reuters With 98 percent of the ballots counted, Sandu led Stoianoglo with 54.3 percent, the Central Election Commission said. Photo: DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP Moldova's pro-Western incumbent Maia Sandu claimed victory at Sunday's closely-fought presidential election, defeating Alexandr Stoianoglo, her rival backed by the traditionally pro-Russian Socialist Party. With 98 percent of the ballots counted, Sandu led Stoianoglo with 54.3 percent, the Central Election Commission said at the end of an election and campaign that were marred by persistent allegations of interference denied by Russia. The victory for the 52-year-old ex-World Bank adviser, who has accelerated the nation's push to leave Moscow's orbit and join the European Union, is seen by h...

Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Photo: RNZ NICK MONRO The government is looking to tighten controls over exporting weapons or advanced technologies that could be misused in war. They would build on changes made since the controls were found to be too weak three years ago, when a 2021 review concluded they fell short of "contemporary best practice". Globally, exporters of "dual-use" civilian-military goods were facing "increasing scrutiny and regulatory complexity due to rising geopolitical tensions", said local law firm Minter Ellison in a commentary telling clients to prepare for tighter controls. "Export control regimes have struggled to keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies." New Zealand was signed up to four export control regimes. "New Zealand monitors the export control p...

By Georgie Hewson of the ABC James Van Der Beek revealed he has colorectal cancer, also known as bowel cancer. Photo: FRAZER HARRISON Actor James Van Der Beek, known best for his role in Dawson's Creek, has announced he has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. In a statement provided to US media outlet People magazine, the 47-year-old said he had been "privately dealing with this diagnosis". "And I have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family," he said."There's a reason for optimism and I'm feeling good." Despite his diagnosis, Van Der Beek told People Magazine he had been working in film and television as he "navigates his care". Van Der Beek has six children with his wife Kimberly and documents his family life regularly on social media. In Decem...

Mark Zahra riding Without a Fight wins the Lexus Melbourne Cup during Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 07, 2023. Photo: Quinn Rooney There will be three New Zealand trained horses lining up in the 164th running of the Melbourne Cup, but most interest again will be on the northern raiders. The three New Zealand horses are all at long odds. 2023 New Zealand derby winner Sharp 'N' Smart was the best priced at $84 after the field of 24 runners was confirmed, while Positivity and Trust In You were among the longest odds of more and $112. Early favourites Buckaroo from Great Britain has drawn gate 21, while French entry Vauban, who disappointed as favourite last year, will jump from barrier 11. Sixteen of the 24-strong field were bred in the northern hemisphere. The 164t...