Oceania News

The National Government has been accused of "cronyism" over the handling of a donation from a wealthy businessman granted citizenship against official advice.

INGERS CROSSED: Tauhei dairy farmer Blair Jackson needs his paddocks saturated with water but too much rain too soon will be of little benefit.

Born and raised in Eugene, Julia Harvey got interested in marine biology as a second-grader at Spring Creek School.

Premier Jay Weatherill insists creating jobs is at the heart of what his Labor government is about, despite official figures showing South Australia's unemployment rate remains the worst of all the mainland states.

Australia announced plans Thursday for a fleet of giant high-tech unmanned drones to help patrol the nation's borders, monitoring energy infrastructure and attempts to enter the country illegally.

The Government said shares in Genesis Energy would be priced in a $1.35 to $1.65 range and would include a one for 15 loyalty bonus share offer for New Zealand investors.

From enamelled flies to typography to decorating the streets in lei, New Zealands most promising young designers and world-renowned jewellers will be making their mark in three major exhibitions in Germany.

Moments of Daniel Morcombe's young life were celebrated in this touching tribute, chosen by family to be shown at his funeral service.

TO lose 1kg a week, you need to burn an extra 5000kj a day. Forget the gym - here's 30 ways to get fitter without too much effort.

This country will have a new, more distinctive flag at some stage. The question is not if, but when.

The Greens want to build up to $200 million in cycle lanes and walkways around schools if they are in government, and funding would be redirected from "low-value" projects such as the Holiday Highway north of Auckland.

Three former heads of South Canterbury Finance "went beyond cavalier'' and contributed directly to the company's collapse, the Crown alleged on the opening day of what has been described as New Zealand's biggest ever fraud trial.

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill is under attack over a pamphlet circulated in a marginal seat, which targets the Liberal candidate Carolyn Habib, with the state opposition and federal government condemning the flyer as racist.

LEN Buckeridge left his fingerprints all over Perth but he also made a big impact on many people.

Australia has no plans to change its flag, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has said, adding there is little public appetite for removing the British Union Jack from the national symbol.

The Government has created a new online database of crime data to try to show New Zealanders that crime rates are not as bad as thought.

Lorde's first break came at 13, when she was signed by a record company talent scout.

To varying degrees all of them are rather tricky about who they might go into coalition with, what the configurations might be, and what policy tradeoffs and negotiations could be involved.

The wife of one of the passengers aboard the missing Malaysia Airlines jet says she is still clinging to the faint hope of a miracle.

Supported by the Government of Australia, the report provides comprehensive new analysis of hardship and vulnerability across the region.