he spent $60,000 to give himself a chance to beat prostate cancer. Sometimes you do something in life that just feels right. What is Central Otago's secret when it comes to Pinot? If you just do everything you can to make the best wine possible, then you end up with the results. And, she's 16 and conquering the world on bare feet. I've been doing it for a long, so I can't really remember, like... I never wanted to get left out in anything. Due to the live nature of Close Up, captions for some items may be incomplete. ONE News captions by Glenna Casalme and June Yeow. Close Up captions by Virginia Philp and Sam Bradford. How far would you travel,... how much money would you spend,... to give yourself a chance of life? Auckland man Derek Holland had to ask himself that when he became one of the 2500 NZ men who are diagnosed each year with prostate cancer. Derek decided on an alternative treatment to what's on offer here, coughed up $60,000, and headed to Korea to undergo a high-tech, controversial treatment called proton beam therapy. Lorelei Mason has the story. He looks like any other tourist wandering the streets of downtown Seoul, but Auckland's Derek Holland is actually in the midst of a seven-week long course of treatment for prostate cancer ` treatment no other NZer has received ` treatment most doctors here know little about. Very Star Wars-like I guess is the best way to describe it. Every weekday morning he heads here, Seoul's National Cancer Centre, taking the lift down underground to a bunker, where he gets changed and waits his turn How are you? to lie on a machine which cost the Korean government over $100m to install; a machine dispensing the latest in cancer cell-killing treatment, called proton beam therapy. Sometimes you do something in life that just feels right, and I have to say, I had no doubts once I chose to do this treatment. Derek was diagnosed four months ago. He was about to undergo radical prostate surgery followed by radiation therapy when a friend overseas encouraged him and wife Sally to investigate proton therapy. The couple went home and hit Google. We went to our GP's. They didn't know anything about it. Our urologist... They were extremely supportive, interested, but they couldn't offer what the proton treatment offers. So we went back into the knowledge bank of the computer and started ringing people throughout the world. I started checking it out, and the more I checked it out, the more excited I got. Excited because what he read touted proton therapy as a superior form of treatment which would lessen his chances of long-term problems later on ` problems which can affect between 10% and 30% of patients. Treating prostate cancer here in NZ, on machines like this, kills the cancer easily enough. The trouble is that despite wonderful technological advances in recent years, a proportion of men are still going to be left with nasty long-term side-effects, from bowel inflammation to diahrroea, incontinence, impotence, even infertility. But proton therapy supposedly avoids this, using high doses of sub-atomic proton particles which enter the body at a low energy level, and are controlled to increase dramatically just at the site of the cancerous tumour, leaving healthy tissue virtually untouched. That was enough to convince Derek. I'm still young enough and full of life to want to live a full life. So, you know, it's important to me, as well as being cured, just to have the quality of life. I think it's just a decision you make when you are fighting for your life ` well, what's the best way, what's the best tool? But such whizz-bang technology costs money. Each unit costs $100m+ to set up. Despite this, countries are now racing to build them. We built up this facility in 2007. Since that time, we have treated the cancer patients, over 1000 people so far. Derek and Sally made the decision to sell their Devonport home and head to Korea for treatment, treatment which is costing them $60,000 ` beyond the reach of many. Sure, it's a factor for a lot of men, but to me, if you can afford to do it, the cost of maybe having the rest of your life ` however long you've got ` but being able to enjoy your life, to the fulfilment of your life, was worth it. For us, we just naturally thought, 'I'd rather live in a box.' It doesn't matter. And it's the old story ` you've got nothing if you don't have your health. How do you feel? I feel really good. But is it money well spent? Although growing in popularity, the jury is still out on the benefits of proton therapy over conventional treatment. Some doctors here point to a lack of medical trial work,... This is an exciting new development in radiation oncology, but I don't think we've got enough evidence with randomised trials to show that proton therapy is better than the other forms of treatment for prostate cancer. ...and argue it may actually be more beneficial for other cancers than for prostate. I think in a few years' time we'll know the answer. But Derek's Korean doctor says comparative trial work is now underway. Most of the retrospective data in the comparing study proves that proton therapy is safer and gives less side-effects, particularly in childhood cancer. Proton will be the future way of treatment. The only side-effects I've had is, I get a little bit tired at certain times of the day. Three weeks into his seven-week treatment, Derek is feeling positive. The other options ` although I know they work, and every case is different ` this was the best course for me, and I hope it's the best course for other men if they decide to do it. He says any benefit will be worth every cent. JK did his bit and continues to do so to keep us aware of depression and the fact it can be treated. Now a group less well known but equally committed are doing their bit for the cause by riding from Bluff to Cape Reinga. Our record on dealing with mental health issues isn't great. Even the chief coroner has warned us we need to start talking about the consequences, especially suicide. Matt Chisholm joined the Ride Out Of The Blue. I just went from that bend directly in to this and thought that I was gonna slide along the road for about 10m. Did think I was gonna die and then landed like this. (CHUCKLES) I just came over and found her lying in a ditch. (LAUGHS) ROCK MUSIC If road cycling's supposed to be the toughest sport on the planet, this mission's even tougher. ASIAN ACCENT: Because we, uh, raise, uh, money. We, uh, raise awareness for people with this depressed feeling. These amateurs are riding 2500 K's from Bluff to Cape Reinga with an important message to deliver. Some would say you're mad? Well, I have got a screw loose but it's in my cleat, actually. Cycling is obviously pretty topical right now with Lance Armstrong. Is this a drug-free trip? (LAUGHS) Um,... I have really bad asthma, so I did take some Prednisone. Two and a half weeks on the saddle. How's the bum? How's the body? The bum and the body? Um, my butt's pretty good now in terms of moulded to the seat. Um, we've all been using a lot of creams. Keep away the, uh, saddle sores. Some have been worse than others. Guilty. LAUGHTER These actors, students, workers and retirees are using pedal power and humour to help tackle suicide ` normally a taboo subject ` one school or community group at a time. ASIAN ACCENT: Next day, it is a rainy day. Keep on riding. LAUGHTER ASIAN ACCENT: Next day, it is a hailing day. Keep on riding and crying. LAUGHTER So why is it so important to you? > Because what's worse`? What's worse than someone taking their life? Like, there's nothing worse. (SNIFFS) Before this ride, I was really wrestling with depression, and up in here, in my mind, all these lies go on. Lies like, 'I'm not OK.' The only way to deal with it is to talk and to allow people to share what's going on inside. It's a tricky one that people almost think if we do talk about it, it's dangerous as well, but actually not talking about it hasn't helped because it's not getting better. It isn't getting any better. NZ has one of the highest rates of suicide in the Western world ` a problem that's bigger than our road toll. We know there's 1.5 suicides a day, so we can think about that as a number, or we can think about that as three people every two days. We've always never talked about it. It's just kind of been one of those things. It's sort of a taboo topic, but we want to now know more about it cos we want to help. Our Chief Coroner, Judge Neil MacLean, also believes that sweeping suicide under the carpet isn't the answer. We don't` We don't want to know all the intricate details. But, for heavens sake, what is going on? ALL SING This team is slowly working it out and believe physical activity and communication is the key. There's' been countless times throughout this ride where I've just been so stoked on life, and it's something that I never thought Id ever feel again. Queenstown's Kimmi Percival lost her partner to suicide five years ago, leaving her very depressed. She's bounced back and now wants to help others. < How can friends and family help people who are depressed? Well, I think be educated and understand. Learn the signs and symptoms. What are they? Well, I found that withdrawal was a big sign. Withdrawing from friends and family. Withdrawing from activities. Eating and sleeping habits are completely irregular. Mood swings. Just, yeah, no desire to do anything, really. # You don't need to be afraid of my Lycra. Which isn't he case on this Ride Out of the Blue tour, where they're asking their audiences to do as they do and think of three good things that have come out of every day. # When I walked out here, don't think that I don't know that all of you were staring at our camel toe. # And they're also raising money for the Mental Health Foundation's Mindfulness in Schools Programme. It's having that moment or two moments or three moments to have sort of a discussion with ourselves. How do I feel about that? How can I choose to react? And it gives people options. POP MUSIC And as for the ride, it's probably not too different to living with the black dog. I was looking down the barrel of the Desert Road the other day, and I was, like, 'Ohhh.' I could see everyone ahead of me all in a big group taking it all together, and I was by myself. Then the next minute Richie, one of the guys in the team, stopped waited for me and took the whole road with me. I was just, like, 'Ohhh.' That was so great, such a relief. Just like fighting depression? Yeah. There's always someone there. Just gotta look for them. And so while you're helping others, this has got to be good for you too, right? We're really fit, man. You should feel my butt cheeks. (LAUGHS) Yeah. Butt cheeks, thighs, biceps. And details of the fundraising link and Facebook page for Ride Out Of The Blue are on our website: www.tvnz.co.nz/closeup Coming up ` what is it about Central Otago that gets it producing world-beating wine? And wet and wild ` You're pretty much standing on water, and it's, like, the best feeling ever. the path to glory for one talented family. You weren't supposed to be able to grow grapes in Central Otago. Fortunately for Pinot drinkers around the world, the budding winemakers down south were happy to ignore conventional wisdom. Now Central Otago's Pinot is considered some of the best in the world. Megan Martin drew the short straw, and was despatched to Bannockburn and the Gibbston Valley. These tiny shoots are an early promise of next year's Pinot Noir. This year's vintage is nearly ready, as the winemaker perfects his craft with autumn's harvest. What we've done is gone through and tasted all the individual barrels and decided what barrels we want to put together for the final blend. Central Otago is famous for its vineyards ` row upon uniform row cover the countryside. And that's mainly thanks to this man. These were all planted in 1983. I used to know every one by name, like the farmer knows his sheep, really. There were the easy ones, and the difficult ones, and the ones that you could never handle. Back then he was told that grapes would never grow here. So we planted a bit of everything, and very fortunately for us we planted Pinot as one of those experimental plants. So people probably thought you were a bit mad back in the early '80s? We were the crazies, right down here at the bottom of the wine world. Now who's laughing? Exactly! Pinot, infamously the most difficult grape to grow, flourished. It just took off. It liked being here. So I always say that Pinot chose us, we didn't choose Pinot. 20 years ago, Central Otago had about 20ha planted in grapevines. Nowadays, there's more than 1500ha planted in grapes, and nearly 80% of that is in Pinot Noir. Many of the Pinot vines are now into their teenage years. The wine they produce is coming into its own. Most grapes are considered not to make their great wines until they start to get to about 20 years old, when their roots are down much deeper. That's the exciting thing about Otago, our vines are averaging 8, 12 years old and we're already making the wines that we're making; so where's the future? Pioneering Central Otago winemaker Grant Taylor has just returned from London. There, his Valli 2010 Pinot Noir beat all others from around the world at the International Wine and Spirit Competition. It was from this piece of land we're standing on right here. And you can buy a bit of dirt, bare land, you can plant it because you think it's got potential, and then it does something like that. It's very satisfying. And Otago's success doesn't end there. There was five gold medals went to NZ at that competition, and all five were for Otago fruit. And that was an international competition. Over at Akarua vineyard in Bannockburn, Matt Connell is also celebrating. 70% of that is Pinot, so seven different clones of Pinot. His 2010 Pinot Noir just won class trophy and Best Red Wine of Show in the Five Nations Wine Challenge. It was a great thrill to be invited to enter, and they only choose the best seven examples of each variety from one country, and then they put those forward against four other countries, so you really are on an international stage. So why is this small region from our small country producing some of the best Pinot Noir in the world? Central Otago's climate ` we're cool, but we have these wonderful long dry autumns, so we just don't get the rot. It's a thin-skinned variety, so it does rot easily, but here we just don't have that moisture and humidity. Industry heads say Central Otago has the highest international profile, but is one of several NZ regions performing well with Pinot Noir. It's our second-most planted grape variety in NZ, it's our second-biggest export. We're selling just under $150m of Pinot a year around the world, and we're seeing that grow at about 10% per annum, so there's a lot of interest out there and it's doing very well for us. For most, it doesn't matter how many accolades Otago Pinots receive ` it's all about their taste. I think sometimes people take wine a bit too seriously. Like, I think wine's really about life and it's about individual taste preference. Once you get enamoured of it, it's wonderful. There are so many layers and subtleties there that people enjoy. After all,... It's really velvety. ...enjoyment is what it's all about. Just ahead ` the teenage water baby. The family that skis together, stays together. Groen is a name that bestrides the barefoot waterskiing world in NZ. The whole family's at it, almost making up the country's entire team. Now, after years of following in her brothers' footsteps, the youngest Groen, Georgia (16), is making her mark on the international circuit. Matt McLean is on the water with the Groens. FLO RIDA'S 'GOOD FEELING' # Ohhh, sometimes # I get a good feeling. # Yeah. When you're skiing along and you nail a trick or something, and you just, like, feel that accomplishment, and, it's, like, the best feeling ever. It looks effortless. You're skiing on your bare feet. You're pretty much standing on water. Twisting, turning, gliding. No one in the world under the age of 18 is better at it than Georgia Groen. And this, apparently, is her taking it easy. # I get a feeling that I never, never, never, never had before. # In the world of barefoot waterskiing, the name Groen means a lot. My brothers do it, my parents do it, my uncle does it, my cousin does it. Pretty much all the Groens do it. (CHUCKLES) If you know a Groen in NZ, they'll be barefoot waterskiers, probably. It probably helps that this family live at the lake, a lake their dad made ` the perfect place to breed champion barefooters. It's one of the only ones in NZ for barefooting. It gives me a lot more practice time than others, so I get that advantage. Show me your favourite trick. We actually met the Groens back in 2009. Georgia was 12 and told 20/20's Sonya Wilson that she had big dreams. It would be nice to be the best in the world. Even in the top three. I'd love to be in the top three. Skip to now and, still at high school, you're looking at the Junior World champion. I competed at the Worlds, and in the Open Division, I got third overall. And then in the Junior Division, I won tricks, jumps, slalom and overall. < So at the moment you're the World Junior Barefoot champion? Yeah. (CHUCKLES) < How amazing is that? It's awesome. Like, it's a feeling that no one else in the world can have. As Georgia told us, there are three events at the Worlds. You've got the slalom, tricks. and jumps. Slalom, you get 15 seconds there, 15 seconds back, to see how many times you can cross the wake forwards and backwards. And then tricks is you get two 15-second runs to do as many different tricks you can do. And probably the most highest points you can get from it. And then jumps, you get three jumps each, and it's just how far you can go. So good is Georgia at tricks that in the points department she's now surpassed her three older brothers. < Do you tell them that? Yeah, I remind them when they tell me that I'm not better than them. I say, 'Who's number one at tricks?' They still don't take it, but... MATT LAUGHS Her brothers, though, have all competed internationally as well. There's eldest brother, Ryan. It's good to just be social. You have a good time. You just get out there and ski. Next in line is Mitch (20). We've pretty much got to see the world doing this, doing what we love. And then there's Tyler, just 18 and already ranked 12th in the world. It's mainly just the competition between my brothers. Just keeping it close. < When we were talking to Georgia, she reckons she's the best. Oh, she would say that. She's, um` She's got us in tricks, I'll give her that. But, um, as an overall standard, we're all pretty similar, really. < That's a nice answer, but who is the best? Well, I am. > ALL LAUGH They all agree, though, that the competitiveness makes them strive for greatness. I couldn't let them say that they could do something that I can't do. I had to go out there and go do it. And being a bit of a competitor myself, when the boys suggested I give it a go,... Let's get you on the water, then. (CHUCKLES) ...I stupidly agreed. But first go, feet on the water, I manage to get up. Things are going great... until one moment of cockiness. Good first effort. Straight up. Just needs to bend his knees a little bit, and he'll be fine. Take two,... three... and four. But finally I managed to make it from one end of the lake to the other. Kind of chuffed with myself. How do you think I did out there? Oh yeah. Um, you were surprisingly quite natural, I thought. I mean, you got up there, and you did it. < Impressive? I was impressed, yes. < That's all I needed to know. (CHUCKLES) I think, though, I'll leave it to the Groens ` the family that's taking on the world on the water and winning. Next goal is to be the overall world champion, and I'm not gonna stop until I get it. Do you think you can do it? Yeah. If I am determined and motivated to do it, then I will. Big decision being made in the US tomorrow. Big decision being made in the US tomorrow. Tomorrow night on Close Up ` will Obama get another four years? We've come too far. Or is Romney on the road to victory? And now we're almost there. We'll have all the results and all the drama... I need your vote. Are you ready to go? ...live in the States with reaction, plus here at home. Close Up's election special, tomorrow night. We'll have all the reaction to the result tomorrow night. And that's NZ Close Up. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air.