Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
Neil Sands

Creator

Neil Sands

Neil Sands is a journalist with AFP.

New Zealand has about 1.5-million privately owned firearms. (Reuters/Jorge Silva)

Tough New Zealand gun laws easily pass first hurdle

Lawmakers voted 119-1 in favour of the bill, which bans military-style semi-automatic rifles

Australian Open organisers said Serena Williams was among the entries for the opening Grand Slam of the year as she attempts to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24. (Reuters/Toby Melville)

Australian Open: History beckons as Serena Williams shoots for Slam history

Williams won her 23rd title, and seventh at Melbourne Park, while eight weeks pregnant two years ago

All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu dies aged 40

Considered by many to be the greatest of all time, Jonah Lomu died unexpectedly on Wednesday after a long battle with kidney disease.

With the World Cup around the corner

World Cup lesson from doccie about losing soccer team

A new film shows how an unlikely group, including football’s first transgender player, has reminded the world of the true value of football.

Gay couples wed as equality arrives in New Zealand

Same-sex couples say "I do" as New Zealand becomes the first Asia-Pacific country – and only the 14th in the world – to legalise gay marriage.

‘History means nothing against the Boks’

James Horwill says he’s taking no comfort from Australia’s recent success against South Africa ahead of their Rugby World Cup quarterfinal clash.

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Too much haka?

New Zealand’s famous war dance was in danger of losing its potency because it was being performed too often, says Peter de Villiers.

Bryan Habana and the form book

We’re taking no chances with the Boks, says Fiji

Fiji says they refuse to be intimidated by SA’s lineup for Saturday’s World Cup match, and the Boks’ list of injured player won’t make them complacent

NZ’s brothel business expects World Cup boom

Sex workers in New Zealand expect to be rushed off their feet as 95 000 fans arrive for the Rugby World Cup, with brothels doubling condom orders.

Fish farms spark green debate in New Zealand

The New Zealand government has announced the end of a 10-year moratorium on aquaculture on the South Island.

Christchurch quake condemns thousands of homes

New Zealand on Tuesday said the latest Christchurch earthquake had confirmed fears that thousands of homes in the city would have to be abandoned.

Pacific nations battle obesity epidemic

Huge cans of corned beef the size of paint tins replaced traditional fare such as fish and coconuts in Tonga, contributing to its obesity epidemic.

London trip fails to fill Crusaders’ coffers

While the Crusaders’ match at Twickenham on Sunday was an on-field success, the New Zealand club says it was not the financial lifeline it hoped for.

Fishermen presumed dead as Korean trawler sinks

Twenty-two fishermen were presumed dead after their South Korean trawler sank suddenly off Antarctica on Monday.

Accused Oceania chief to cooperate with Fifa probe

The Oceania Football Confederation will cooperate with a Fifa probe into allegations its president offered to sell his vote for the 2018 World Cup.

Filmmaker threatens to pull Hobbit from New Zealand

Filmmaker Peter Jackson threatened on Monday to move the production of <i>The Hobbit</i> from New Zealand over a dispute with an actors’ union.

New Zealand plays down World Cup quake concerns

New Zealand plays down World Cup quake concerns

New Zealand on Thursday marked one year out from the Rugby World Cup, with one of the host cities still reeling from a huge earthquake.

Energy giants sign off on huge Australian LNG project

Energy giants Chevron, Shell and ExxonMobil on Monday agreed to develop Australia’s massive Gorgon field.

Draw revives Australia’s Ashes hopes

Australia’s draw in the third Test has exposed weakness in England’s bowling attack and given Ricky Ponting’s men a chance of retaining the Ashes.

Race a factor in Australian attacks, says Indian envoy

India’s top diplomat in Australia on Friday rejected claims that racism was not a factor in a wave of savage attacks on students from the subcontinent