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An early morning sports update.

A Fire and Emergency report has revealed major flaws in the way firefighters are trained including a claim an old-school military style approach called "beasting" is used to belittle trainees. In response FENZ is launching a reset. Phil Pennington reports.

Catch up with the latest headlines from around the world with RNZ's Alice Wilkins.

Birds nesting in tractor engines cause an estimated $1.2 million in tractor fire claims each year, according to rural insurer FMG. A group of Year 13 students at St Hilda's College in Dunedin are working to tackle the problem, developing a green strobe-light device designed to sit under a tractor bonnet and deter nesting birds. The invention is already receiving positive feedback from farmers, and 18-year-old student Alia Ryan spoke to John Campbell about the project.

Former Pacific leaders challenge the Forum's decision to make Israel a partner. A Wellington charity offers a way home for a Sri Lankan woman stranded in the Cook Islands. Hundreds unite to celebrate Niuean language and culture. Pride on the line as top Pacific teams battle for semifinal spots at the rugby league world cup.

The chairman of the Pacific Elders Voice says the argument that religious affinity with Israel justifies the Pacific Islands Forum's partnership with Israel doesn't stack up.

A charitable trust in Wellington has offered to escort the Sri Lankan woman currently stranded in the Cook Islands through New Zealand and home.

More than 300 Niueans took to the stage in Auckland on Saturday in a performing arts showcase to keep their culture alive.

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport.

Everything is on the line in the final weekend of the group phase of the Rugby League World Cup, with six Pacific teams in the running for semi-final berths across the men's and women's competitions.