Neu: 2002-02-09 Contents of this issue:
1. Propping Up the Elite? 2. Cricket, Now Sevens 3. Domestic Violence 4. Crowded Course ======================================================================== February 9th, 2002 1. Propping Up the Elite?: A New Zealand cabinet minister claimed the Kingdom of Tonga is endemically corrupt, according to a Radio Australia report. Associate Foreign Minister Matt Robson was quoted as saying New Zealand will not withdraw its aid to Tonga. But Radio Australia reported he said it's clear the policies of the New Zealand government have not advanced the interests of the Tongan people. Instead, he said, it appears the New Zealand aid is entrenching the privileged elite, Radio Australia quoted him as saying. His comments follow New Zealand media reports about the business interests of some members of the Tongan royal family. Meanwhile, the Tongan Government has denied King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV has $US350 million in overseas bank accounts. It said its investigations showed a letter about this is almost certainly not genuine. ( PINA Nius Online). 2. Cricket, Now Sevens: New Zealand's grip on the IRB World Sevens rugby crown loosened slightly and a coveted "home" win again proved elusive as South Africa swept to victory in the Wellington International tournament. Niue missed a berth in this year's Wellington sevens but were first pick as a replacement side in the event of a withdrawal. South Africa, badly out of sorts against France in their opening pool match were eventually a class above, downing Australia, New Zealand and Samoa en route to claiming their first ever tournament win in the IRB Series. South Africa won a nerve-tingling final 17-14, despite being reduced to six men for the last three minutes. With six tournaments remaining New Zealand lead with 80 points, South Africa is next on 72 while Samoa improved to third on 56. In a repeat of their final pool match last night, won by South Africa 35-12, Samoa, like New Zealand before them had no answer to the pacey Bok approach. Samoa beat surprise packet England 36-5 in the other Cup semi. The fifth stop on the series effectively threw the form book out the window with Fiji and last weekend's winners Australia leaving Wellington empty-handed. Fiji slumped remarkably on the final day, crashing to England 19-14 in the quarters and then Argentina, 21-12, in the Plate semi. New Zealand looked on course earlier yesterday, scoring at almost a try a minute to demolish Wales 78-0 in the quarter finals, the highest scoreline of the tournament. Samoa found their road to the semis harder, needing a late try from Ponali Tapelu to squeeze past Argentina 14-7. Meanwhile, Argentina won the Plate final with a 52-12 crushing of a tired Wales. France took the Bowl final, defeating Canada 26-5 and the Cook Islands claimed the Shield final with a 38-14 victory over Papua New Guinea. The next leg of the series is in Beijing, China, on March 16-17. Leading points (after five of 11 rounds): New Zealand 80, South Africa 72, Samoa 56, Fiji 46, Argentina 46, Australia 40. 3. Domestic Violence: Three Niuean police officers will participate in a series of seminars in New Zealand on domestic violence. The seminars are being held at Rotorua,Wanganui and Wellington. The officers are expected to conduct workshops o the island when they return home.Moves to prevent domestic violence around the Pacific region have been stepped up in a bid to reduce a mounting problem in many societies. 4. Crowded Course: Forty- two teams of four players are taking part in the NZ High Commission Waitiangi Day Niue golf tournament. The organisers increased the number of teams this year by six because of the unprecedented interest. The teams will play an ambrose competition on the nine hole course at Fonuakula. NZ High Commissioner to Niue, John Bryan, said the tournament was started in the late 1980's by the then High Commissioner Kurt Meyer who is now the NZ High Commissioner to the Cook Islands. Mr Bryan said it was a fun tournament designed to bring the community together. But he warned of the dangers of injury from golf balls and has asked the golfers to take extra care this year because of the increased numbers of players.Winning teams get cash and NZ wine prizes. __END__
