Many New Zealanders will be making arrangements for overseas' travel for the approaching Christmas holiday season.

Travel Insurance protection needs to be near the top of your list of things to organise before you leave the country on your Christmas holidays.

London, Dec 2 NZPA - Having suffered a setback on the dual nationality plan in Dublin, New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) boss Steve Tew hopes he's claimed a victory for three-test inbound series in the June window.

Christmas is traditionally the time of year when Pacific communities across New Zealand send more money back home to their families and friends in the Pacific Islands.

Preparations for the implementation of the Cairns Compact on Strengthening Development Coordination in the Pacific are progressing well.

Wellington, Nov 10 NZPA - The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) will investigate a joint hosting of the 2014 women's World Cup with Samoa.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has expressed an interest in putting New Zealand forward to host the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup but has also indicated that it will discuss joint hosting opportunities with Samoa prior to deciding whether or not to lodge a bid.

By Mark Geenty of NZPA

Tokyo, Oct 29 NZPA - John Kirwan can only dream of his Japan rugby side playing before a full house at the National Stadium.

Associate Finance Minister Steven Joyce will attend the Pacific Forum Economic Ministers' Meeting from 26-28 October in Rarotonga.

The Samoa tsunami incident, that cost the lives of a number of New Zealanders and disrupted holiday plans of many other New Zealanders, has highlighted concerns where too many New Zealanders are not insuring themselves before they travel overseas.

A revolutionary management system has seen stunning results posted in the first New Zealand hospital ward to trial it.

Called 'Releasing Time to Care - the Productive Ward', the system's key is to let staff design how their ward works.