DUE TO THE LIVE NATURE OF MIDDAY WE APOLOGISE FOR THE LACK OF CAPTIONS FOR SOME ITEMS. THE PRESSURE STAYS ON KATE WILKINSON AS THE FALLOUT CONTINUES OVER THE PIKE RIVER MINE DISASTER. THE US PRESIDENTIAL RIVALS MAKE A FINAL SPRINT ACROSS SWING STATES AS THE ELECTION GOES DOWN TO THE WIRE. AND A BETTING SCANDAL ENGULFS A TOP MELBOURNE CUP JOCKEY. AN EMOTIONAL KATE WILKINSON CAME UNDER PRESSURE AT PARLIAMENT TODAY OVER THE PIKE RIVER MINING DISASTER. THE FORMER MINISTER OF LABOUR, WHO STEPPED DOWN YESTERDAY OVER A DAMNING REPORT BY THE ROYAL COMMISSION, WAS RELUCTANT TO COMMENT THIS MORNING. KATE WILKINSON MAINTAINS SHE CAN STAY ON AS THE MINISTER FOR FOOD SAFETY AND CONSERVATION DESPITE LOSING HER LABOUR PORTFOLIO. I'VE MADE MY COMMENTS. AT THE END OF THE DAY, 29 MEN DIED UNDER MY WATCH. < WHY DID YOU THINK IT WAS NECESSARY? < WHY DID YOU FEEL IT WAS APPROPRIATE? BECAUSE I VALUE MY INTEGRITY, AND I THOUGHT IT WAS THE RIGHT AND HONOURABLE THING TO DO. AND I REALLY DON'T WANT TO SAY ANY MORE? < WAS IT YOUR DECISION? YES, ABSOLUTELY IT WAS MY DECISION. WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG? DO YOU THINK YOU'VE BEEN MADE A SCAPEGOAT AND OTHER PEOPLE SHOULD LOSE THEIR JOBS? NO, I DON'T. NO. I MADE A PERSONAL DECISION, THANKS. THAT'S ALL I WANT TO SAY. THE HEAD OF THE MINISTRY OF BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND EMPLOYMENT HAS APOLOGISED FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S ROLE IN THE PIKE RIVER MINE TRAGEDY. THE MINISTRY HELD A SPECIAL MEDIA BRIEFING THIS MORNING. ONE NEWS REPORTER JAMES RANSLEY JOINS US NOW LIVE FROM WELLINGTON WITH MORE DETAILS. JAMES. THE MINISTRY'S CHIEF EXEC SAYS THE REPORT TELLS A GRIM STORY ON THE DEPARTMENT THE REPORT SAID THE DEPT DIDN'T DO ENOUGH TO MEET LEGAL RESPONSIBILITES. HAS PROMISED A MAJOR CHANGE IF THERE IS A NEED TO TAKE FURTHER STEPS IN RELATION TO ANY STAFF MEMBERS, THEN THAT WILL BE AN EMPLOYMENT MATTER WHICH WE WILL WORK THROUGH. STAFF WILL BE TREATED FAIRLY, BUT I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO FULLY CONSIDER ALL ASPECTS OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION'S FINDINGS. POSSIBLE INVESTIGATION INTO INDIVIDUAL STAFF MEMBERS NO EASY TASK SOME NO LONGER WORK AT MINISTYR POSSIBLITY OF MINISTRY BEING SUED THANKS, JAMES RANSLEY, LIVE FROM WELLINGTON. MEANWHILE, THE FORMER DIRECTORS OF PIKE RIVER COAL ARE DEFENDING THEIR MANAGEMENT OF THE MINE, FOLLOWING THE ROYAL COMMISSION'S CRITICAL REPORT. IN A STATEMENT, THEY DISAGREE THE BOARD ACTED INAPPROPRIATELY TO PROTECT THE WORKERS' SAFETY. KRISTIN HALL REPORTS. THE LAWYERS FOR FORMER CEO PETER WHITTALL AND THREE DIRECTORS SAY THERE'S BEEN MUCH COMMENT WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT AFTER THE DISASTER. BUT THEY SAY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR AND THE UNION KNEW ABOUT SOME OF THE PROBLEMS HIGHLIGHTED BY THE ROYAL COMMISSION AND DIDN'T RAISE THEM AT THE TIME. MEANWHILE, THE UNION SAYS IT ALL COMES BACK TO DEREGULATION OF THE INDUSTRY IN THE '90S. IT'S VERY HARD TO FIGHT AGAINST AN ABSOLUTE FLOW OF DEREGULATION ZEAL. BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS LEARNT A LESSON SURELY, AND OTHER PARTS OF SOCIETY HAVE SEEN WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU EMBRACE THIS DEREGULATED ENVIRONMENT. THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY CALLED FOR A NEW HEALTH AND SAFETY AGENCY. THAT'S THE ONLY ONE OF 16 RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WILL HAVE TO STUDY FURTHER. THE WORKERS SHOULD BE PART OF THE GOVERNANCE OF THAT ENTITY, AND IT SHOULD REPORT TO THE HIGHEST` TO PARLIAMENT ON A REGULAR BASIS. AN INTERNATIONAL MINING EXPERT SAYS HE'S HAPPY WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS. BUT WHAT WILL BE HARDER TO FIX IS THE BLACK MARK ON NZ'S IMAGE IN THE INDUSTRY. I THINK PARLIAMENTARIANS ARE AWARE WE'RE NOW BEING WATCHED CLOSELY BY THE REST OF THE DEVELOPED WORLD. GREYMOUTH FAMILIES ARE CONTINUING DISCUSSION THIS WEEK WITH EXPERTS TO WORK ON A NEW PLAN TO RECOVER THE MINERS' BODIES. KRISTIN HALL, ONE NEWS. THE CORONIAL INQUEST INTO THE CTV BUILDING COLLAPSE HAS HEARD THAT FIREFIGHTERS SENT TO THE SITE IN THE HOURS AFTER THE CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE WENT ILL-PREPARED. THE INQUEST IS FOCUSING ON VICTIMS WHO SURVIVED THE INITIAL COLLAPSE, BUT DIED BEFORE THEY COULD BE RESCUED. ONE NEWS REPORTER MIKE THORPE JOINS US NOW LIVE FROM CHRISTCHURCH. WE'VE HEARD FROM SQUAD LEADER WHO WASN'T ON DUTY AT TIME OF QUAKE BUT ARRIVED AT 4 THAT AFTERNOON AND WAS TOLD TO HEAD TO CTV TO SEE WHAT HE COULD DO HE WAS COMPLETELY UNPREPARED WHEN WE LEFT THE USAR BASE AT WOOLSTON, WE REALLY HAD NO IDEA WHAT WE WOULD NEED, SO WE JUST BROUGHT HAND TOOLS WITH US. WE REALLY NEEDED A LIFTING DEVICE, A CAMERA, AND THE LISTENING GEAR. WHEN I REQUESTED THOSE OVER THE PHONE FROM RICHARD TOLIN, WHO WAS IN CHARGE OF THE BASE OF OPERATIONS, I WAS TOLD THEY WERE ALL AT THE PGC BUILDING. I MADE NO FURTHER REQUESTS FOR EQUIPMENT AS THE WHOLE CITY WAS IN TURMOIL, AND I FIGURED IT WOULD BE POINTLESS. ONE OF THOSE UNABLE TO BE RESCUED WHOSE HUSBAND WORKED WITH HIM ON THE DAY SHOWED NO ANIMOSITY WHATSOEVER HE THANKED HIM. THANKS, MIKE THORPE, LIVE FROM CHRISTCHURCH. THE TWO CANDIDATES IN THE US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ARE MAKING A DESPERATE LAST EFFORT TODAY FOR VOTES. THE LATEST POLLS SUGGEST A DEAD HEAT TOMORROW, SO BARACK OBAMA AND MITT ROMNEY ARE FOCUSING ON PIVOTAL STATES THEY HOPE WILL HAND THEM THE KEYS TO THE WHITE HOUSE. THE BBC'S STEVE KINGSTON REPORTS. # IN A LAND OF HOPE AND DREAMS. # BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN ADDING STAR POWER AND BLUE COLLAR APPEAL TODAY TO A PRESIDENT WHO BELIEVES HE CAN SEAL VICTORY IN THE MIDWEST. WIN OR LOSE, THIS IS THE LAST DAY BARACK OBAMA WILL EVER CAMPAIGN. HE PROMISED TO HEAL A DIVIDED NATION. WE'RE NOT DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS FIRST. WE'RE AMERICANS FIRST. AS LONG AS I'M PRESIDENT, I'LL WORK WITH ANYBODY OF ANY PARTY TO MOVE THIS COUNTRY FORWARD. CROWD CHANTS: ONE MORE DAY, ONE MORE DAY. 'ONE MORE DAY' WAS THE CHANT AS MITT ROMNEY TOOK TO THE STAGE IN VIRGINIA. HE TOO IS PRESENTING HIMSELF AS A CONSENSUS BUILDER. YOU HOPE THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA WOULD LIVE UP TO HIS PROMISE TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND TO SOLVE PROBLEMS. HE HASN'T. I WILL. CROWD CHEERS ALMOST 30 MILLION AMERICANS HAVE ALREADY MADE THEIR CHOICE, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF EARLY VOTING RULES. BUT IN FLORIDA, SCENE OF THE HOTLY DISPUTED ELECTION 12 YEARS AGO, THERE WERE CHAOTIC SCENES OVER THE WEEKEND. ALL CHANT: LET PEOPLE VOTE. 'LET PEOPLE VOTE,' THEY SHOUTED AS THE QUEUE BARELY MOVED AND PARTY LAWYERS ARGUED OVER HOW LONG THE POLLS COULD STAY OPEN. WITH THE NATIONAL POLLS DEADLOCKED, IT MAY ALL COME DOWN TO TURNOUT. AND SO A GROUND WAR IS RAGING AS VOLUNTEERS SCRAMBLE TO GET CORE SUPPORTERS TO THE POLLS. BY TOMORROW NIGHT, ONLY ONE OF THESE EXHAUSTED MEN WILL BE STANDING. THEN THE REAL WORK BEGINS. COASTAL COMMUNITIES ON AMERICA'S EAST COAST ARE FACING A NEW THREAT. A FRESH STORM IS BREWING. STRONG WINDS ARE PREDICTED TO HIT TOMORROW, WITH CONCERNS THAT SHORELINES ALREADY DAMAGED BY SUPERSTORM SANDY MAY BE FLOODED AGAIN. THE BBC'S ALISTAIR LEITHEAD IS IN NEW YORK. BLANKETS, JACKETS. A WEEK AFTER THE STORM, PEOPLE ARE COLD, DOING WHATEVER THEY CAN TO FIND HEAT WHILE THEY WAIT FOR THE POWER TO COME BACK ON. SANDWICHES. WE'VE GOT CHIPS, CANDY. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS ARE STILL WITHOUT ELECTRICITY, LIVING IN DARKNESS. AT THE RED HOOK HOUSING ESTATE IN BROOKLYN, THERE'S ANGER. THE LIGHTS MIGHT BE BACK ON IN MUCH OF MANHATTAN, BUT HERE THEY'RE BEGINNING ANOTHER WEEK IN THE DARK. IT'S NOT GETTING BETTER HERE, BECAUSE WE'RE FORGOTTEN. I UNDERSTAND THERE'S BEEN WORSE DISASTER THAT HAS HAPPENED, BUT I THINK WE SHOULD ALL BE TREATED EQUALLY. IN NEW JERSEY, THERE ARE STILL MANY, MANY HOUSES STILL UNINHABITABLE. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE UNABLE TO RETURN HOME. THE PROBLEM IS FINDING THEM SHELTER. WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF EMPTY HOUSING IN THIS CITY, SO IT'S REALLY A PROBLEM TO FIND HOUSING. WE ARE NOT GONNA LET ANYBODY GO SLEEPING IN THE STREETS AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO LET ANYBODY GO WITHOUT BLANKETS, FOOD AND WATER. THE HANDOUTS ARE HELPING. THERE'S BEEN A MAJOR PUSH TO GET HELP TO ALL THOSE WHO NEED IT. AND GETTING HOLD OF FUEL IS STILL A PROBLEM. IT'S HARD TO PUMP WITHOUT POWER. THE FLOODWATER IS STILL BEING DRAINED OUT, BUT THERE'S NO POWER, ALL THE HEATING IS DOWN, AND THE TEMPERATURES HAVE PLUMMETED. AND WHAT'S MORE, THERE'S ANOTHER STORM ON THE HORIZON. CHILDREN ARE RETURNING TO SCHOOL IN NEW YORK CITY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE SUPERSTORM SANDY. PARENTS AND STUDENTS WHO'VE BEEN COOPED UP FOR A WEEK WERE KEEN TO GET BACK TO NORMAL. BUT THERE ARE STILL CONCERNS ABOUT WHETHER HEATING AND PLUMBING AT DAMAGED SCHOOLS IS WORKING WELL ENOUGH. AND WITH PETROL SCARCE AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT CRIPPLED, IT WON'T BE EASY FOR MANY TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TO GET TO SCHOOL. TWO CAR BOMB ATTACKS HAVE ROCKED SYRIA. A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED, DOZENS INJURED. THE FIRST ATTACK WAS IN THE CENTRAL PROVINCE OF HAMA. THE SECOND BLAST WAS IN THE CAPITAL, DAMASCUS. THE VIOLENCE CAME AS THE MAIN OPPOSITION ANNOUNCED IT'S BROADENED ITS MEMBERSHIP. IT'S TRYING TO DEFLECT CRITICISM THAT ITS COALITION IN EXILE DOESN'T REPRESENT PEOPLE IN SYRIA. AIR NZ WILL SHED 70 LONDON-BASED JOBS NEXT YEAR AFTER AXING ITS HONG KONG TO LONDON SERVICE IN MARCH. CHIEF EXECUTIVE ROB FYFE SAYS A REVIEW FOUND THE ROUTE WOULDN'T MAKE A PROFIT IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. PASSENGERS WITH TICKETS TO FLY FROM HONG KONG TO LONDON AFTER MARCH THE 4TH WILL BE REBOOKED, MOSTLY WITH CATHAY PACIFIC. TECHNOLOGY COMPANY RAKON IS DITCHING DOZENS OF JOBS IN NZ. IT'S MOVING MORE OF ITS MANUFACTURING TO CHINA AND INDIA TO CUT COSTS. RAKON MAKES CRYSTAL COMPONENTS USED IN SMART PHONES AND GPS DEVICES. IT SAYS THE MOVE WILL SAVE UP TO $10M A YEAR. RAKON'S AUCKLAND FACILITY WILL FOCUS MORE ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, BUT UP TO 60 OF ITS 430 NZ STAFF WILL LOSE THEIR JOBS. A CLOUD OF CONTROVERSY HAS DESCENDED ON THIS YEAR'S MELBOURNE CUP RACE. THE JOCKEY WHO'S RIDING THE FRENCH FAVOURITE, 'AMERICIAN' DAMIEN OLIVER, HAS NOW REPORTEDLY ADMITTED MAKING AN ILLEGAL BET ON A RIVAL HORSE TWO YEARS AGO. OUR AUSTRALIA CORRESPONDENT STEVE MARSHALL JOINS US NOW LIVE FROM MELBOURNE. DAMIAN OLIVER WILL BE WELL KNOWN IN NZ RACING CIRCLES FOR WINNING IN 1995 HE ADMITTED TO PLACING AN ILLEGAL BET IN 2010 BETTING ON A RIVAL HORSE IS ONE OF THE GRAVEST THINGS YOU CAN DO AS A JOCKEY FACES SUSPENSION OR FINES RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY HE HASN'T BEEN SUSPENDED TODAY MUCH HAS BEEN MADE ABOUT THE LACK OF COMPETITIVE RUNNERS FROM AUSTRALIA AND NZ. WHICH ARE OUR BEST CHANCES? THERE ARE FOUR NZ BRED HORSES IN THE BIG RACE THE BEST IS MA LUCKY DAY ITS JOCKEY HAS ONE TWICE BEFORE IN THE EARLY '80S AND KEEP EYE ON JAMES MCDONALD FROM CAMBRIDGE NOT AN OUTSIDER. THANKS STEVE MARSHALL, LIVE FROM MELBOURNE. THE MELBOURNE CUP IS ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST IMPORTANT HORSE RACES. THERE'LL BE MORE THAN 100,000 AT THE COURSE, WITH MILLIONS MORE WATCHING IT ON TV. BUT IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS ON THE TRACK. FOR MANY MORE, THE REAL COMPETITION IS ON THE SIDELINES IN A BRUTAL BATTLE OF WHO WEARS IT BETTER. SELENA HAWKINS EXPLAINS. HE'S COMING IN HARD, RED CADEAUX. IT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST RACES ON THE INTERNATIONAL CALENDAR, BUT FOR SOME, THE RACE IS JUST A SIDESHOW. < WHAT ARE THE TOP HORSES TO LOOKS OUT FOR AT MELBOURNE CUP? (LAUGHS) OH, GOSH. I HAVE NO ANSWER FOR THAT. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE RACE ISN'T ABOUT THE HORSES; THEY'RE SIMPLY JUST A BACKDROP. IT'S MORE ABOUT THE FILLIES IN FROCKS, AND IF YOU'RE WANTING TO COMPETE FOR THE TOP PRIZE, BE SURE TO WEAR A BIG HAT, BRIGHT, BOLD COLOURS AND A GOOD PAIR OF HEELS. THOUSANDS OF FASHIONISTAS FROM AROUND THE WORLD WILL FLOCK TO FLEMINGTON FOR THE 50TH 'FASHIONS IN THE FIELD' COMPETITION, AND GETTING THERE IS NO SIMPLE TASK. IT TAKES COMMITMENT. IT'S NOT JUST A TURN UP ON THE DAY KIND OF THING AND JUST BE LIKE, 'OH, I'LL ENTER FASHION IN THE FIELDS.' IT'S A LOT OF RESEARCH AND PUTTING IDEAS TOGETHER AND SHOPPING ` A LOT OF SHOPPING. I'VE BEEN ENTERING THESE FOR YEARS, AND YOU GET TO KNOW THERE'S A GROUP OF YOU YOU SEE AT THE SAME COMPETITIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY. AND THESE LADIES ` THEY TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. IF YOU'RE ENTERING THE COMPETITION, IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE ON-TREND, AND THIS YEAR IS APPARENTLY ALL ABOUT COLOUR. THE WHOLE NEON AND ORANGES ` THAT, SORT OF` CITRUS COLOURS ARE REALLY BIG, BUT ALSO THE BERRIES. BUT ALL THIS COMES AT A COST. IT IS QUITE RIDICULOUS, THE MONEY THAT GOES INTO FASHION FOR THE FOUR-DAY MELBOURNE CUP CARNIVAL. MC: WE HAVE A WINNER. BUT THE REWARD'S A DRAWCARD ` THE WINNING PRIZE TOPS MORE THAN $100,000. SELENA HAWKINS, ONE NEWS. THE MELBOURNE CUP IS ON THE SAME DAY AS A RECORD LOTTERY DRAW. SO TODAY IS SET TO BE THE BIGGEST DAY OF BETTING IN AUSTRALIA. THE LOTTERY HAS A PRIZE OF NZ$126M, AND EVERY SECOND AUSTRALIAN ADULT IS THOUGHT TO HAVE BOUGHT A TICKET. ANYONE WANTING TO GUARANTEE THEMSELVES THE PRIZE WOULD HAVE TO SPEND MORE THAN $50M TO COVER THEMSELVES FOR EVERY POSSIBLE COMBINATION. BUT ONE MATHEMATICIAN SAYS THAT WOULD BE MONEY WELL SPENT, BECAUSE THE BIG PRIZE IS SO BIG. STILL TO COME ON MIDDAY ` THE SHAREMARKET AND BUSINESS NEWS. THEN IN SPORT, WELLINGTON NIXED BY ONE OF THEIR OWN. 1 WITH ME NOW IS BADEN CARTER FROM CRAIGS INVESTMENT PARTNERS. AN UPDATE ON FISHER AND PAYKEL APPLIANCES THIS ITEM WILL BE CAPTIONED LIVE. FOR MORE, GO TO ONENEWS.CO.NZ AND CLICK ON 'BUSINESS'. THEY ACCEPTED THE TAKEOVER AT 80% LEVEL NEED TO GET TO 90% OFFER CLOSES THIS EVENING UNLESS EXTENDED THERE MAY BE ANOTHER ANNOUNCEMENT LATER ABOUT ACCEPTANCES RECEIVED TODAY MINORITY SHAREHOLDERS NEED TO BE WARY RAKON ARE HOPING SOME NEW MOVES WILL IMPROVE PERFORMANCE OVERSEAS? COST COMPETITIVE OVER THERE TO THE DETRIMENT OF WORKFORCE HERE SHARE PRICES ACTING ACCORDINGLY AND A COUPLE OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS COULD IMPACT MARKETS OVERSEAS ` THE US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, AND IN AUSTRALIA, THE RESERVE BANK WITH AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON INTEREST RATES? DUE TO ANNOUNCE WHETHER THEY WILL EASE MONETARY POLICY FURTHER PROBABLY NOT TODAY GIVEN DISTRACTIONS OF MELBOURNE CUP, ETC. WINNER OF LOTTERY COULD FIX IT ALL! THANK YOU, BADEN CARTER FROM CRAIGS INVESTMENT PARTNERS. IT'S THE THIRD RICHEST HORSE RACE IN THE WORLD, BUT NZ'S INFLUENCE ON THE MELBOURNE CUP APPEARS TO BE DIMINISHING. WHILE TODAY'S FIELD INCLUDES FOUR NZ-BRED HORSES, FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW NO NZ TRAINED HORSES HAVE MADE THE GRADE. EX-PAT TRAINER MIKE MARONEY IS PUTTING THE DEMISE DOWN TO MEGA-RICH EUROPEAN OWNERS AND POOR CHOICES FROM K BREEDERS. PEOPLE ARE NOW GOING OVER TO EUROPE TO BUY THE STAYERS AND NZ HAVE REALLY LOST THEIR OPPORTUNITY. THEY'VE SORT OF GONE DOWN THE WRONG PATH, IN MY OPINION, BREEDING WISE, SO THEY'RE STARTING TO PAY THE PRICE. NOT SINCE SHEILA LAXON'S ETHEREAL HAS A NZ-BRED, TRAINED AND OWNED HORSE WON THE GREAT RACE. TO FOOTBALL, AND THE WELLINGTON PHOENIX LOST TO THE MELBOURNE VICTORY IN MELBOURNE LAST NIGHT. THE HOME SIDE SLOTTED AN EASY GOAL IN THE 23RD MINUTE THEN WENT ON TO SCORE ANOTHER SHORTLY BEFORE HALF-TIME. THINGS LOOKED EVEN GRIMMER FOR WELLINGTON WHEN FORMER PHOENIX PLAYER MARCO ROJAS MADE IT 3-0 WITH HIS SECOND GOAL. HE'S GOT ROJAHS. ROJAHS! THE PHOENIX MADE A LATE CHARGE IN THE 81ST MINUTE WHEN JEREMY BROCKIE FINALLY PUT PHOENIX ON THE BOARD. HE SCORED ANOTHER JUST MINUTES LATER, BUT IT WAS ALL TOO LATE. FINAL SCORE, MELBOURNE 3, WELLINGTON 2. STILL TO COME ON MIDDAY ` A FIERCE FIRE SENDS GYM USERS SCRAMBLING FOR COVER. AND YOUR AFTERNOON WEATHER DETAILS. THOSE HAVING AN EARLY-MORNING WORKOUT AT A CENTRAL DUNEDIN GYM HAD A LUCKY ESCAPE THIS MORNING. THAT'S AFTER A NEIGHBOURING BUILDING WENT UP IN FLAMES. THE FIRE CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. MAX BANIA REPORTS. IT TOOK JUST MINUTES FOR THIS CENTRAL DUNEDIN DESIGN AND PRINTING BUSINESS TO BE GUTTED BY FIRE WHEN I CAME OUT, THERE WAS BIG ORANGE FLAMES ABOUT 20FT IN THE AIR AND SMOKE EVERYWHERE, AND MY BIGGEST FEAR WAS THAT OUR BUILDING WAS JUST GONNA CATCH, COS WE SHARE THE SAME WALL, AND JUST EXPLOSIONS GOING THROUGH MY HEAD. BUT WORKERS AT AN ADJACENT GYM KEPT CALM, USHERING EARLY-MORNING EXERCISERS TO SAFETY. THERE MUST'VE BEEN ABOUT 30 PEOPLE IN THE GYM, SO I JUST GOT EVERYONE OUT AND TURNED AS MUCH OF THE POWER OFF AS WE COULD AND GOT OUT OF THERE. WE COULD SEE UPON LEAVING THE STATION THERE WAS HEAVY SMOKE BLOWING ACROSS THE CITY. WE ARRIVED TO FIND THE BUILDING WELL ON FIRE, SO FIRE COMING OUT FROM THE ROOF, THE BACK WINDOWS, ON THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING. FIREFIGHTERS FROM EIGHT FIRE TRUCKS BATTLED THE BLAZE WHICH CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE COLOURTRONICS STORE, BUT NO ONE IN EITHER BUILDING WAS HURT. THE DOUBLE-BRICKED FIREWALL HAS PROTECTED THE OTHER BUILDING, AND WE PUT AN AERIAL LADDER UP JUST TO PROVIDE COVERAGE ACROSS TO STOP FIRE SPREAD, SO WE'RE VERY VERY LUCKY. CREWS ARE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. I WAS PETRIFIED. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE IN MY LIFE. AND THOUGH THE GYM HAS REOPENED, SOME HAVE ALREADY HAD MORE OF A WORKOUT THAN THEY BARGAINED FOR. MAX BANIA, ONE NEWS. NOW TO THE WEATHER. A HUGE HIGH OVER THE SOUTH ISLAND MOVES IN OVER THE NORTH ISLAND, DELIVERING LOTS OF FINE WEATHER. FOR WEATHER, SEE ONENEWS.CO.NZ NO MAJOR INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED AFTER THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE CELEBRATED GUY FAWKES LAST NIGHT. WHILE MANY PEOPLE HAD THEIR USUAL BACKYARD FIREWORKS, A LOT CHOSE TO GATHER FOR PUBLIC DISPLAYS. IN WELLINGTON, THOUSANDS FLOCKED TO THE HARBOUR TO WATCH 3.5 TONS OF EXPLOSIVES LIGHT UP THE SKY. THANKS FOR JOINING US. OUR NEXT NEWS IS AT 4.30, AND THE ONE NEWS HOUR WILL BE HERE AT 6. GOOD AFTERNOON. CAPTIONS BY DESNEY SHAW AND LAUREN STRAIN. CAPTIONS WERE MADE POSSIBLE WITH FUNDING FROM NZ ON AIR.