A New Zealand diplomat in the Solomon Islands has been stabbed to death.

The deputy high commissioner, Bridget Nichols, died from a single wound, apparently inflicted by a serrated knife.

The New Zealand Foreign Minister, Phil Goff, said the victim had apparently disturbed a burglary at her residence in the capital, Honiara.

Mr Goff said he had been told that two people were being questioned.

Ten key civil groups in the Solomons held an unprecedented meeting last week to call on the government to deal with what they said was a growing wave of violence and lawlessness in the Pacific state.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service