Due to the live nature of Tonight, we apologise for the lack of captions for some items. Tonight ` seven years in the making. We go live to London just hours ahead of the opening of the Olympic Games. A call to turn part of this building into an earthquake memorial. And find out who won that semi-final clash of the titans in Hamilton. We are just hours away now from the opening of an event that's been seven years in the making ` the 2012 London Olympics. There have been well-publicised gaffes in the build-up, but is London ready now to shine on the world stage? Joining us now from London is Simon Dallow. Simon. RENEE, IT'S BEEN YEARS IN THE PLANNING, AND NOW IT IS FINALLY HERE. JUST A FEW HOURS NOW UNTIL THE OPENING CEREMONY ` THE DANNY BOYLE-PRODUCED EXTRAVAGANZA TO KICK OFF THE GAMES OF THE 28TH MODERN OLYMPIAD. AND, YES, LONDON IS READY. MASSIVE BUZZ, HUGE ANTICIPATION, BUT AFTER A FEW DAYS OF A MINI-HEATWAVE, THE WEATHER'S BROKEN, AND WE ARE LOOKING AT LIGHT SHOWERS POTENTIALLY RAINING OF THE PARADE. THE NZ TEAM WILL BE LED IN BY FLAG BEARER NICK WILLIS - SILVER MEDALLIST AT BEIJING, AND IN TOP FORM AFTER BREAKING HIS OWN NZ 1500-METRE RECORD JUST A FEW DAYS AGO ` A RACE, OF COURSE, WHICH NZ HAS SUCH A PROUD HERITAGE IN. HE RUNS NEXT WEEK, BUT TOMORROW, PLENTY OF KIWIS IN ACTION. A HOST OF KIWI ATHLETES, AMONG THEM THE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S ROWING PAIRS ` BOTH WORLD CHAMPIONS; MARK TODD LEADS THE EQUESTRIAN TEAM IN THE DRESSAGE ROUND OF THE THREE-DAY EVENT; THE SWIMMERS HIT THE POOL; AND, COMPETING FOR MEDALS, THE MEN'S ROAD CYCLING TEAM OF GREG HENDERSON AND JACK BAUER. THEY'LL FINISH RIDING THROUGH THE HISTORIC STREETS OF CENTRAL LONDON ` THE FINISH LINE'S ON THE MALL, IN SIGHT OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE. IT SHOULD BE VISUALLY SPECTACULAR. BUT THAT'S ALL SATURDAY HERE IN THE UK. TOMORROW MORNING, NZERS WAKE TO WATCH THE MUCH-HYPED OPENING CEREMONY, WITH ORGANISERS HOPING THE FIRST BIG TEST OF THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM HERE WILL PASS WITH FLYING COLOURS. ORGANISERS BITING THEIR NAILS Thanks, Simon Dallow, in London. To other news now ` a comedian who sexually assaulted his daughter has been sentenced to home detention. It follows outrage at a judge's earlier decision to discharge him without conviction. The court heard most in the entertainment industry know who this man is, but his identity can still never be made public. It's not to protect him, but rather his young daughter he's admitted to indecently assaulting. And today Judge Mark Perkins took away his clean slate, convicting him of the crime and re-sentencing him to eight months of home detention. Are you surprised by the sentence today? > I can't even say that. Have you spoken to your client? Can you say how he's doing? > I can't say anything, my dear. The comedian was discharged without conviction by Judge Philippa Cunningham last year,... No one should be victimised. ...but it prompted public fury after she said he was a talented NZer who made people laugh. The Crown sought a judicial review. The judge has sent a message today that even a one-off sexual assault on a young child is a very serious matter. And while the crime carries a maximum of 10 years' jail, law experts say it's the conviction that counts. Even if the person does not get sent inside or a jail sentence, a conviction can mean a tremendous difference in terms of their visas, applying for international travel, international work. That can really have an impact on their career. The Court has heard the man has shown a lot of remorse and been horrified by his actions, but the judge says the gravity of this offending is still at the high end. The man now shares joint custody of his children ` including the victim ` and will be allowed to work while serving his time. Donna-Marie Lever, ONE News. The company demolishing one of Christchurch's tallest buildings wants part of it turned into an earthquake memorial. The 109-year-old balcony of the Clarendon tower has a famous past, but as Mike Thorpe reports, its future could be far more significant. The historic Clarendon has seen better days ` 1964, for instance. # Can't buy me love. # Four likely lads from Liverpool teasing fanatical Cantabrians from the famous balcony. Now those pulling down the tower want the historic facade to stay as a tribute to Christchurch's troubles. It'll be deglazed so that people can actually walk through the facade. It'll be retained with some of the perimeter frame of the 1980s building. But it will be there that people can walk through and a park behind it or a memorial of some sort to the Canterbury earthquakes. We don't need to knock it down. Like its famous guests, the Clarendon has its fanatics... I look out of my window every day, and I see it. And I like the look of it. It makes me feel good about our past. ...and critics. The building owner isn't showing any enthusiasm for putting any money up to save it, unfortunately. Without the owner's support, the Clarendon facade might well be a bridge too far for a memorial site, but that doesn't mean the devastating events of February 22nd won't be memorialised. Lots of people have got ideas about where that memorial should go, and I think that's something which we'll start talking about next week when the blueprint comes out. That long-awaited central city blueprint will detail Christchurch's plans for the future and a pledge to honour its past. # She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah. # Mike Thorpe, ONE News. NZ Bus has rejected calls to axe late-night buses between Lower Hutt and Wainuiomata because of safety concerns. It follows a robbery where a bus driver collapsed and died. Renee Graham has the story. 9.30 at night in Lower Hutt, and there's plenty of people catching the numbers 160 and 170 to Wainuiomata. It's the same route that saw a bus driver threatened with a knife last month, and in April a bus driver collapsed and died after chasing a youth who'd stolen his cash box. Recent publicity about the bus service and concerns has raised a bit of anxiety within the community. The Mayor says the late service is crucial for commuters and shoppers. He took the number 170 to reassure residents they have nothing to fear. It is an essential service, and it is a safe service. NZ Bus has now ruled out axing the late-night run. It's not a viable option. It's an option which was considered among many before we had a look at the actual level of incidences. That number, according to the company, is six over an 18-month period, although there are claims many occurrences go unreported. The perspective element is that in that 18 months we're looking at 75,000 trips. The night ONE News rode the bus with the Mayor, two Maori wardens were on board, part of their regular patrol. Just to maintain that the kids are not playing up, no drinking on our buses, like that, you know? No fights. NZ Bus has been boosting its security measures ` installing better lighting at the Wainuiomata bus depot and providing drivers with buddies for those who want support. Local commuters ONE News spoke to say their community's no worse than any other for crime and violence. Renee Graham, ONE News. A former president of the Wellington Deerstalker Association has pleaded guilty to killing another hunter. Christopher Dummer (54) admitted firing the shot that caused the death of Cam McDonald in the Wairarapa at Easter. The court heard that Dummer didn't identify his target, mistaking Mr McDonald's orange beanie for a deer's red pelt. He'll be sentenced next month. Compensation for soldiers exposed to an insecticide in Malaya during the 1950s will be considered by the government. Hundreds of NZers served during the 12-year conflict there. The chemical dibutylphthalate was used to disinfect soldiers' uniforms. Now a new study has found a link between DBP and birth defects in their children's sexual organs. Well, you know, very disappointed. But what we're more concerned about is if the... the grandchildren and any great grandchildren and down the generations. Veterans' Affairs says it is very interested in seeing the study and will conduct a thorough review before deciding on the next step. A week after the Denver movie theatre shootings, Barrack Obama's come out fighting on gun control. He says something must be done to keep assault weapons off the streets. But there aren't any plans to push for tougher laws in election year. The ABC's Jane Cowan reports. ALL SING In Aurora, the mourning's begun. The first funerals have been held ` for Gordon Cowden (51), whose teenage daughters made it out of the theatre, but not him; He was yelling after them, 'I love you. I love you both.' and Micayla Medek (23), who'd been juggling university with a job at a sandwich shop. In the charged aftermath of the shooting, Barack Obama's made his strongest comments yet on gun control. AK-47s belong in the hands of soldiers, not in the hands of criminals. APPLAUSE A ban on assault weapons existed under Bill Clinton, but expired in 2004. A coalition of police chiefs have now banded together to call for its revival, as well as for tighter restrictions on high-capacity magazines and better background checks on those applying for gun licenses. America, we are not doing enough to keep guns out of the wrong hands. We're long past the point of saying 'enough is enough'. Adding to the distress, there are reports James Holmes sent a notebook to a psychiatrist, foreshadowing his plans for the massacre, complete with a diagram of stick figures wielding weapons and mowing down other stick figures in a hail of bullets. Amid the grief, there's been a mixture of remarkable forgiveness... He's just a lost soul right now, and... and I pray the lord can find his way into his heart and change him. ...and a growing need for justice. I'm so thankful that he did not kill himself or be killed. I want him alive. The one voice that's been largely absent is the gun lobbies. The National Rifle Association's expressed condolences to those affected by the Colorado shooting, but otherwise has been lying low. 25 years after it was first commissioned, the NZ navy supply ship The HMNZS Endeavour is having its busiest year. The tanker's helping refuel vessels taking part in the RIMPAC military exercises off Hawaii. US correspondent Jack Tame went on manoeuvres. Breakfast time on the North Pacific, and HMNZS Endeavour is being hunted by hungry ships. It's like coming to mother to get food. Out at sea, the only way we could join the Endeavour was by rope from a US military helicopter. The ship has what sounds like the most mundane of RIMPAC roles ` refuelling warships. From my point of view, it's the most glamorous role you can have. But while the captain's undoubtedly biased, pumping fuel between moving ships is a risky and complicated job. Crashing through waves 12 knots, the NZ frigate Te Kaha is the first to shimmy up. Once the NZ ships are side by side, the Endeavour crew fire a projectile across the 40m gap. Knowing that any failure to match the ships' movement and speed could spell disaster, the crews attach the hoses, and Endeavour starts pumping fuel. These lines here pump it out at 300,000-400,000 litres an hour on average, and the belly of the ship holds more than 6 million litres in total. In this international exercise, Endeavour's not filling only NZ ships. A South Korean ship needs fuel too. If you can imagine two large fuel tankers going down the Southern Motorway at 50km/h, with a fuel hose between them, passing gas while dodging traffic, you'll probably get a small appreciation of just what it's like. Pumping during a precise piece of maritime manoeuvring, the NZ Defence Force has resumed close formation with its American-led allies. Jack Tame, ONE News, Honolulu, Hawaii. Just ahead ` has a snow drought on the southern slopes put a damper on the ski season? And a Sydney mother takes her new baby on a day trip upriver. TYRES SQUEAL MOURNFUL STRING MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES In a crash, whatever your speed, the car stops, but everything inside keeps moving. It's the same inside your body. MOURNFUL STRING MUSIC CONTINUES SNAP! Even with the best protection, you're still vulnerable. STEAM HISSES 1 Ski bosses are putting on brave faces as unseasonably warm weather continues to hit our southern slopes. It's a month since snow fell on Coronet Peak, while the Remarkables have had a barren fortnight. Max Bania checked out the slopes. They come from all over to enjoy our slopes. This is a glorious summer day back in Scotland. But for many, the dream snow holiday is being watered down. Haven't seen a drop. This is our fifth day on the snow. Yeah, I did hear a fair bit that there wasn't enough snow. As the snow drought continues, NZ Ski says business on Queenstown slopes is comparable to previous years, and it denies suggestions negative feedback on social-media sites is keeping visitors away. Uh, when people are negative, generally we don't have to get involved in that. Um, the other users, uh, generally voice their comment and voice their opinions. There's still plenty of good snow on the main trails. It's just the, um, the more extreme, hard-core skiers looking for fresh powder, I guess. A multimillion-dollar proposal for a new chairlift at the Remarkables should provide just that as ski bosses bank on technology to get them through the tough times. At this time of year, it wouldn't be unusual to see snow all the way down to the valley floor. But take a look at Coronet Peak behind me. You can see, even 1700m up, how patchy that snow is. Then, if you come around to the right, to the ski field, all that snow you see there is created by 218 snow machines. Without snowmaking, we wouldn't be having a winter right now. Conditions are set to improve next week, but a forecast Monday dump will come too late for some. Max Bania, ONE News. Our capital city has a new welcome sign after a public vote rejected a Wellywood suggestion. The Wellington 'blown away' sign was put up today, but there are still many who don't like it. I think it will grow on them, you know. I think as they drive along, and they can see the hill that we've got here, and the sign looks fantastic. The $80,000 sign sits on a hill near Wellington Airport. There are calls for landowners in Australia to help keep the koala safe. The much-loved animal was recently listed as a vulnerable species in New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT. The ABC's Conor Duffy has more. Look. He's coming to say hello. An emblem under threat, but one that can still pull a crowd and catch an eye. It winked at me! Excellent. These koalas have plenty to eat, but outside of the zoo, habitat decline means the animals are struggling to fend for themselves. It's alarming to note that some koala populations have declined by 75% in... in their population numbers. The federal government has teamed up with landowners to announce a new approach ` signing land covenant deals so protection begins in the backyard. Greg Beresford has volunteered his place, near the New South Wales-Queensland border. Oh, it's just a passion with me. I mean, it's wonderful. I mean, there's a selfish aspect to it ` it's just so wonderful having wildlife on your doorstep. Selfish or not, it's much-needed help. Government on its own won't be able to land this. This needs the contribution of private land-holders. So much koala habitat... You know, there's a fair bit in national parks, but there's a lot of it on private land. Today's just the first step in the increase in koala protection. In states where the animal's been listed as vulnerable, governments are working with the commonwealth to come up with a new plan to protect koalas well into the future. That won't start until 2014, and landowners are being urged to find koalas a home before it begins. Channel Nine's Peter Harvey reports. This is a rare sight, and it's one to treasure. Far from the ocean, Southern right whales ` mother and child ` swimming slowly along the lower reaches of the Hawkesbury River. The experts say we'll see a lot more of them in years to come. They're creatures of habit, and our waterways will become a home away from home. This calf was born here. He's going to` He or she will need to come back here. Today's unusual journey ` inland from Palm Beach, up the Hawkesbury to Brooklyn ` is about as far from the ocean as whales can safely get. The experts from national parks can't get enough of them. To see a Southern right in the Hawkesbury River with a calf ` that's the most exceptional thing. Rangers will now be on the lookout every year, waiting for this pair to return. The only worry ` that boats will get too close. So you need to be at least 300m off it. We're off now, then. Thanks. But they're safe now in waters that hopefully will see many a mother-and-child reunion in the years to come. Just ahead ` will it be the Crusaders or the Chiefs who'll challenge for the Super 15 crown? Back to the Olympics now and another day of disappointment for our footballers ` this time, the men. The under-23 side had nine senior All Whites in the side, but it was a rookie who was cruelly exposed by Belarus. Here's Stephen Stuart. While skipper Ryan Nelsen could joke before the match, it was all new for second-string goalkeeper Michael O'Keefe. Nelsen quickly had his young teammates threatening, but a packed Belarusian defence was organised. Michael McGlinchey, another of the old heads, was also composed. But chances simply weren't converted. Ian Hogg was ambitious and not allowed that latitude again, as the Belarusian bully boys got off lightly. The resulting free kick was one of several opportunities Chris Wood wasted, while veteran Shane Smeltz was put in his place. From long range, Marco Rojas almost broke the deadlock. Wood was wide. And then, with half-time approaching, a turnover gave Belarus a rare chance. They only needed one, as the corner sailed over O'Keefe's head and Dmitry Baga calmly headed past Hogg. Rugged defending snuffed out any comeback. Ironically, O'Keefe (21), from the American university system, was the star of the show in the second spell, but will be remembered for one blunder. Belarus won their Group C opener 1-0. Stephen Stuart, ONE News. The Chiefs are off to their second Super Rugby final after a dramatic 20-17 win against the Crusaders in Hamilton tonight. A contentious first try from Sona Taumalolo gave the home team an advantage, and they were able to build on that through Liam Messam and a successful penalty from Aaron Cruden. Things got messy just before half-time, distracting the Chiefs just long enough for the Crusaders to score through Crotty. The Crusaders! And Ryan Crotty goes through and scores right on half-time. But a missed penalty at the last minute cost the Canterbury side the game. And the Chiefs are going to the final! The Chiefs will host the final if the Sharks can beat the Stormers in Sunday's South Africa semi-final. Now to the weather. Our friendly high is gradually drifting away to the east form tomorrow, allowing a tangle of features in the Tasman to push closer and become more organised. The north-easterly flow over the country picks up as the isobars start to scrunch up. The north-easterly flow over the country picks up as the isobars start to scrunch up. For weather, see onenews.co.nz That's it from us here on Tonight. Thanks for watching. Goodnight. Captions by Glenna Casalme and Richard Edmunds. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Copyright TVNZ Access Services 2012