Midday Report

China is trying to woo Pacific Island countries into signing a new multilateral deal that would have massive consequences for the region.

Foreign minister Wang Yi has been island-hopping, meeting with national leaders to talk bi-lateral agreements.

But China is casting its net even wider than that - trying to get some nations signed onto the draft China-Pacific Island Countries Common Development Vision.

Max Towle spoke to RNZ Pacific's Kelvin Anthony in Suva.

After being confronted with chants of 'Do Something' on a visit to a grieving city in Texas, the US president Joe Biden has vowed he will.

He's been in Uvalde to grieve with some of the families of the 19 children and two teachers killed in a mass shooting at a primary school last week.

President Biden wants to confront the incredibly wealthy and influential American gun lobby - but that may be easier said than done.

US correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Max Towle.

US President Joe Biden is confronted by grieving crowds in Texas. China ramps up its Pacific presence

Hapū in Kaikohe have come together to lead a hikoi through the town centre calling for peace amid rising gang violence.

Tensions between the Killer Bees and Tribesmen have spilled to the Far North.

In response to the spate of shootings there and in Auckland, a collective of hapū have placed a rāhui prohibiting gun violence in the town.

Te Tiahotanga makes up a number of the hapū around kaikohekohe.

RNZ reporter Nick Truebridge spoke to Māni Dunlop.

The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has secured a meeting with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington next week.

The meeting will be the pinnacle of her trip to the US, which is primarily a trade and tourism mission.

Former National MP and ambassador to the US Tim Groser said the trip had actually been unexpectedly timely.

News from the rural and farming sector.

The cull has continued in the White Ferns with two more players from the World Cup squad left off the New Zealand Cricket's national contract list. Barry Guy reports.

A brief update of movements in the financial sector.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Cook Islands prime minister Mark Brown will take part in scheduled talks with China's foreign minister Wang Yi this week.

China's foreign minister is currently touring the Pacific as Beijing seeks a region-wide deal with nearly a dozen nations.

The Cook Islands are a self-governing entity within, and part of, the realm of New Zealand. 

New Zealand's prime minister says the Pacific Islands Forum will be "critical" to confronting the latest developments in the region.

RNZ Pacific's Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor spoke to Māni Dunlop.