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☆ Why New Zealand spent a small fortune to kill one stoat
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Dhruv Tikekar | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Introduced predators kill about 25 million native birds in New Zealand annually, with about 4,000 native species threatened or at risk of extinction, according to the DOC. Under the program, the government plans to eradicate rats, possums (a marsupial native to the Americas), weasels, ferrets — and the pesky stoat. Chalky Island and the neighboring Passage Islands have been predator-free since 1999 following the first ever stoat eradication campaign, according to the DOC. And for Fleming, the recent stoat incursion only underscores the importance of the Predator Free 2050 plan. “If we eradicate stoats from Aotearoa (New Zealand) completely we remove the costs of incursions, and our wildlife can thrive alongside us,” he said.

Persons: Rebecca Teele, ”, Aaron Fleming, Liu Yang, RNZ, —, pesky, Carolyn M, King, hitlist, Stephan Morris, stoats, stoats ”, Fleming Organizations: CNN, country’s Department of Conservation, New, Zealand, New Zealand Taxpayers ’ Union, Southern, New Zealand, University of Waikato Locations: New Zealand, Fiordland, Eurasia, North America, “, New, Americas, Aotearoa

☆ Now you can visit a real-life ‘Hobbit Hole’ in New Zealand
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Tolkien’s imagination – and therefore sadly off limits to tourists – the Hobbiton Movie Set provides a pretty good substitute. The Hobbit sets – mostly facades built into landscaped hillsides – have operated as a tourist attraction in some capacity since 2002, but until recently most of the Hobbit Holes have been out of bounds to visitors. The Hobbiton Movie Set formed the backdrop to the "Lord of the Rings" movies and the subsequent Hobbit trilogy and is now a tourist attraction. Shaun JeffersNow, two fully decorated Hobbit Holes have opened to the public for the first time. Shaun JeffersExploring the Hobbit Holes is now included as part of the Hobbiton tour experience.

Persons: J.R.R, Peter Jackson, –, Shaun Jeffers, Hobbiton, “, it’s, ”, crouch, Doom, Conor McNish, Lane, Aragorn, Gandalf, King Théoden, Rohan, ’ ”, ” CNN’s Thomas Page Organizations: CNN, Getty, CNN Travel, Mount, Sunday Locations: New Zealand, Matamata, Waikato, “, Auckland, Hobbiton, LOTR, Zealand, South, Ngauruhoe, Ruapehu, London

☆ Clinical Sweden top Group G after 2-0 win over Argentina
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Blomqvist met Sofia Jakobsson's cross with a fantastic header in the 66th minute to put the third-ranked Swedes firmly on course to advance as Group G winners, with Rubensson sealing the win with a superbly taken spot kick. They show that year after year," added Blonqvist, saying Sweden were not favourites for the tie. "We have, in my opinion, good self-confidence and we will go in wanting to win that game, but we won't underestimate the USA." They remain without a win in their four World Cup appearances and finished bottom of the group, with South Africa advancing as runners-up after beating Italy 3-2 in the other group game in Wellington. Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad, Additional reporting by Philip O'Connor in Stockholm Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Rebecka Blomqvist, David Rowland HAMILTON, Rebecka Blomqvist's, Elin Rubensson's, Blomqvist, Sofia Jakobsson's, Peter Gerhardsson, Amanda Ilestedt, Magdalena Eriksson, Olivia Schough's, Gabriela Chavez, Florencia Bonsegundo, Jennifer Falk, Hritika Sharma, Philip O'Connor, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Waikato, REUTERS, Italy, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Argentina, Sweden, Hamilton , New Zealand, David Rowland HAMILTON , New Zealand, United, Melbourne, South Africa, Wellington, Hyderabad, Stockholm

☆ Sweden relishing World Cup showdown with holders U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Group G - Argentina v Sweden - Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand - August 2, 2023 Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson before the match REUTERS/David RowlandHAMILTON, New Zealand, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Sweden will be refreshed and ready for Sunday's tantalising tie against holders United States in the Women's World Cup last 16, coach Peter Gerhardsson said after his second-string side reached the knockouts with a clinical win over Argentina. Sweden and the U.S. will meet for the sixth World Cup in succession and the seventh time overall when they battle for a quarter-final spot in Sydney. "I rewatched that match recently and I don't think that's one of our best matches," Gerhardsson said. Gerhardsson led Sweden to a third-placed finish at the 2019 World Cup. "If you're going to go all the way, you're going to have to play this kind of opposition sooner or later," he said.

Persons: Peter Gerhardsson, David Rowland HAMILTON, Rebecka Blomqvist's, Elin Rubensson's, Fridolina Rolfo, Gerhardsson, Hritika Sharma, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Waikato, REUTERS, United, Argentina, Sweden, Portugal, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Argentina, Sweden, Hamilton , New Zealand, David Rowland HAMILTON , New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, U.S, Sydney, Hyderabad

☆ Sweden to play US in last 16 after beating Argentina while South Africa makes history
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —A meeting between Sweden and the US in the first knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup was confirmed on Wednesday as the Scandinavian side beat Argentina 2-0. Banyana Banyana’s 3-2 win at the Wellington Regional Stadium marked the African nation’s first win ever at a Women’s World Cup having qualified twice. South Africa makes historyOver in Hamilton, Banyana Banyana had to come from behind after Arianna Caruso put Italy ahead through a penalty early on. Benedetta Orsi is consoled by her teammate Lucia Di Guglielmo after scoring an own goal against South Africa. Catherine Ivill/Getty ImagesThe second half saw something of an onslaught from South Africa, who continually regained the ball high up the pitch and got numbers forward en masse.

Persons: Sofia Jakobssen, Rebecka Blomqvist, Argentina’s, Elin Rubensson, Banyana Banyana, Arianna Caruso, Robyn Moodaly, Benedetta Orsi, goalkeepr Francesca Durante, Durante, Orsi, Lucia Di Guglielmo, Catherine Ivill, Hildah Magaia, Banyana, Cristiana Girelli’s, Caruso, Gireilli, Thembi Kgatlana, Desiree Ellis, Valentina Giacinti, Kgatlana, Ellis ’, FIFA’s Organizations: CNN, Argentina, Wellington, Cup, South American, Waikato, Sofia, FIFA, US, Tokyo, National Team, South, Portugal Locations: Sweden, Italy, South Africa, Hamilton, New Zealand, Africa, Netherlands, England, Australia, Argentina

☆ Encarnacao shines as Portugal beat Vietnam 2-0 for first World Cup win
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Portugal coach Francisco Neto made seven changes to the team that lost 1-0 to the Netherlands in their Group E opener and the decision paid off as first-half goals from Encarnacao and Francisca Nazareth earned them a first ever World Cup win. In stark contrast to their struggling display against the Netherlands, Portugal dazzled under the floodlights in Hamilton and Neto was delighted with the victory even though the scoreline did not reflect their dominance. "This is very important and it means a lot for all the players," said the Portugal coach, who has been in charge since 2014. "In the first half, I was not satisfied with the team," Vietnam coach Mai Duc Chung said. "They are 11 ranks higher than us and they come from Europe so, yes, they are much better than us ...

Persons: Jessica Silva, David Rowland HAMILTON, Telma Encarnacao, Francisco Neto, Francisca Nazareth, Neto, Encarnacao, Lucia Alves, Tran Thi Kim Thanh, Kim Thanh, Kim Thanh's, Nguyen Thi, Thuy, Patricia Morais, Mai Duc Chung, Hritika Sharma, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, REUTERS, Vietnam, Waikato, Encarnacao, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Portugal, Vietnam, Waikato, Hamilton , New Zealand, David Rowland HAMILTON , New Zealand, Netherlands, U.S, Auckland, Dunedin, Hamilton, United States, Nazareth, Europe, Hyderabad

☆ All about the three points for former champions Japan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 21 (Reuters) - Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda said it was vital for the Nadeshiko to win their opening match against Zambia in Hamilton on Saturday if they are to make their mark at the Women's World Cup. Champions at the 2011 World Cup and runners-up four years later, Japan exited in the round of 16 at the last edition of the showpiece of women's football. So we have to be very careful, but dynamic, and we're going to get those points," Ikeda told reporters at Waikato Stadium on Friday. Debutants Zambia may be ranked 77th in the world to Japan's 11th but they proved their quality by beating twice world champions Germany in a friendly earlier this month. After the disappointment of Japan being knocked out of their home Olympics in the quarter-finals in 2021, the hard-working right back moved to England with West Ham United.

Persons: Futoshi Ikeda, Ikeda, Risa Shimizu, Nick Mulvenney, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Zambia, Waikato, Germany, West Ham United, Olympics, Costa Rica, FIFA, NHK, Thomson Locations: Japan, Hamilton, Zambia, France, England, Costa, Spain, Sydney

☆ Savea ties Super Rugby try-scoring record but Drua stun Canes
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

May 6 (Reuters) - Julian Savea crossed twice to equal Israel Folau's Super Rugby record of 60 tries but it was not enough to stop the Fijian Drua adding the Wellington Hurricanes to their list of victims in Suva on Saturday. A noisy crowd at HFC Bank Stadium erupted in delight as replacement back Kemu Valetini kicked two penalties in the last five minutes to give the Drua a 27-24 win, a fourth victory in their second season in Super Rugby Pacific. "The Drua came out to play and they played the whole 80 and put us under a lot of pressure ... Flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi then gave the Hurricanes a 24-14 lead with a converted try under the posts but the Drua would not lie down. Savea, who was playing in his 150th Super Rugby match in his final season with the Hurricanes, was still appreciative of having matched former Wallabies fullback Folau's tally.

☆ DMac ignites another All Blacks flyhalf debate
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

May 3 (Reuters) - New Zealand could be gearing up for another heated flyhalf debate heading into the World Cup with Damian McKenzie staking a strong claim to the All Blacks number 10 shirt with his form for the high-flying Waikato Chiefs. Three-times World Player of the Year Dan Carter, when fit, killed the debate for the best part of a decade until he retired after New Zealand won their third World Cup in 2015. The return of McKenzie from Japan at the start of the Super Rugby Pacific season, however, threatens to send the debate into overdrive. "He's shown a lot of maturity in his decision making," All Blacks coach Ian Foster told Stuff media recently. "I think he would say that he's still not the finished product, but I think he's had a major impact on the competition.

☆ Super Rugby finally rolls into the post-COVID era
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

SYDNEY, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Finally freed of the COVID travel restrictions that sounded the death knell to the intercontinental edition and fragmented and disrupted the rump competition, Super Rugby returns in its full new normality on Friday. The second season of Super Rugby Pacific will be played with a host of law variations aimed at making the game more attractive to fans but one aspect of the competition is highly unlikely to change -- New Zealand supremacy. The Canterbury Crusaders dominated Super Rugby in the years pre-pandemic and have proved just as hard to beat with or without fans in the stadiums, through lockdowns, biosecurity protocols and in competition hubs. Despite optimistic noises coming from across the Tasman Sea in Australia, the biggest challenge to the Crusaders is likely to come from the North Island of New Zealand. The forgiving and sometimes derided playoff system that offers knockout rugby to eight of the 12 teams will give hope to all but the most hapless outfits.

☆ Three spots up for grabs in Women's World Cup playoffs
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 16 (Reuters) - Portugal and Chile start with a slight advantage as 10 teams battle it out for the remaining three berths at this year's Women's World Cup in the final qualifying playoffs over the next week in New Zealand. "We know that Cameroon and Thailand have both been to the last two Women's World Cups and that it won't be easy," she told FIFA.com. Portugal simply have to be at the World Cup." The winners will meet in Hamilton next Thursday in a game that will decide the final qualifier for the ninth Women's World Cup. New Zealand are using the tournament as a test event for their co-hosting of the first World Cup in the southern hemisphere, which starts on July 20.

Jan 19 (Reuters) - New Zealand's ruling Labour Party is looking for a new leader after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's shock resignation on Thursday. A Labour Party vote for a new leader will take place on Sunday; the party leader will be prime minister until the next general election. He was senior adviser to two education ministers and served in the office of former Prime Minister Helen Clark. KIRI ALLANNew Zealand’s Minister of Justice, Kiri Allan, 39, would become the country's first prime minister of Maori descent, as well as the country’s first openly gay leader if elected. MICHAEL WOODMichael Wood, 42, has swiftly scaled Labour party ranks since joining parliament in 2016 after a landslide by-election victory.

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