Ben Strang

New Zealand and Pacific Islands Correspondent for @AFP | Sports commentator | Cricketer. LFC, GSW and 49ers tragic. Prefer dogs to humans. I think for myself.

[AFP News Agency @AFP]

Climate funds invested in fossil fuels.

A trust fund set up to help Tuvalu, a South Pacific nation gravely threatened by climate change, has invested in coal mining, gas exploration and the world's largest crude oil refinery, AFP investigation reveals

https://t.co/y5LVhWdm3t

[Kirsty Needham @KirstyLNeedham]

Sydney (AFP) – The Solomon Islands on Friday elected as its new prime minister Matthew Wale, who has been a critic of the South Pacific nation's closeness to China and pledged to bring change.
https://t.co/DifRcyrDUA

[Ben Strang @BenJStrang]

I spoke to retiring @White_Ferns legend Sophie Devine ahead of the T20 World Cup next month.

Never got to don the whites, but she'd love to see NZ back playing Test cricket in the coming years.

"For me it's probably the ultimate form of the game." @AFP

https://t.co/soKfwHx2s8

[Ben Strang @BenJStrang]

.@AFP has been told there is one New Zealander on the MV Hondius, on which three passengers have died, likely with hantavirus.

[AFP News Agency @AFP]

🏉 🇳🇿 All Blacks legend Richie McCaw said the city of Christchurch finally had "one of the last pieces of the puzzle" in its post-quake reconstruction as new stadium Te Kaha hosted its first rugby match.
➡️ https://t.co/1HCTjkBXQi

[Ben Strang @BenJStrang]

Delighted to see the Crusaders found a home for their retired cavalry https://t.co/mkXJuqdoBj

[Ben Strang @BenJStrang]

I had a really honest and considered conversation with the great man Sir Michael Jones last month, prior to the Moana Pasifika news coming out.

He says rugby is losing the battle for "hearts and minds" to league, particularly among Pasifika.

@AFP

https://t.co/dYY3DrGvvi

[Ben Strang @BenJStrang]

Sat down with Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr yday.

Spoke about the fuel crisis, climate change, and China.

"China's been very outspoken that we need to denounce Taiwan. We've said ‘we have no enemies, but nobody tells us who our friends are'." @AFP

https://t.co/B2rJBifwz0

[Ben Strang @BenJStrang]

Had a line in this saying many fans "had hurt feelings" after missing out on tickets, but the Guardian tweaked it to "felt disappointed". Foux du Fafa...

https://t.co/zYHuJ88RCj

[Ben Strang @BenJStrang]

Winston Peters has told the United States it should send fuel tankers to the Pacific in response to "significant negative economic impacts" the Middle East war was causing in the region. The US is said to be taking the request very seriously. @AFP

https://t.co/M2RuWxT1hg

[Ben Strang @BenJStrang]

Tonga’s deeply indebted to China. It’s hindered the rebuild following the massive eruption in ‘22.

I asked PM Lord Fakafanua about that niggling debt - “We could use that money for other things.”

As strong a statement as you might get from him.

@AFP

https://t.co/AImmlAZKyT

[Ben Strang @BenJStrang]

Melie Kerr just smashed an innings for the gods.

[Ben Strang @BenJStrang]

Tim Payne playing like prime Cafu in the opening 20 minutes.

[Ben Strang @BenJStrang]

Same old story for the All Whites. Look thoroughly decent until they get into the final third. Jesse Randall bringing some creativity and dribbling, but the final third passing has been poor again.

[Kirsty Needham @KirstyLNeedham]

Some personal news: I am excited to be joining global news agency AFP next week as a correspondent covering Australia and the Pacific. So much happening in the world right now- AFP journalists are there on the ground reporting.

[Ben Strang @BenJStrang]

@Penny_kins @JamesMeagerMP @cjsbishop @Kieran_McAnulty @NZParliament @MaxBentleyTowle @mark_geenty @J_Blades_ @LukeRMalpass @AdamPearse13 That's a good shout actually. What would we say about allegations of media bias?

[Ben Strang @BenJStrang]

Huge game this weekend. Rumour has it @JamesMeagerMP has roped in some tidy ring-ins. We'll have to be on top of our game...

Sunday, 1.30pm, Basin Reserve

@cjsbishop @Kieran_McAnulty @NZParliament

[Ben Strang @BenJStrang]

New achievement unlocked: Managed to drive through the Mt Vic tunnel without hearing one car horn. Bliss.

[Ben Strang @BenJStrang]

Perfect start to a new rugby season. A scrum within 30 seconds.

[AFP News Agency @AFP]

🇳🇿 Landslides plough into a home and a campsite in rain-swept northern New Zealand, killing at least two people and leaving others missing under tonnes of mud.
➡️ https://t.co/duQ3MyqEHI