GOOD EVENING. LOTS OF LOW CLOUD AND FOG FOR BOTH ISLANDS AGAIN HANGING AROUND INTO THE AFTERNOON IN SOME SHELTERED AREAS. SHOWERS FOR WESTERN PARTS OF THE SOUTH ISLAND AND SOUTH-WEST OF THE NORTH ISLAND. MILFORD SOUND'S HAD OVER 30MM IN THE LAST 24 HOURS. ONE LOW IS MOVING AWAY FROM US, BUT THERE'S ANOTHER ONE PUSHING INTO THE TASMAN, AND IT'S ALREADY STRETCHING ITS FRONTS OUR WAY. I'LL HAVE THE FORECAST FOR YOUR PLACE SHORTLY. RIGHT NOW, IT'S 6 O'CLOCK. DUE TO THE LIVE NATURE OF ONE NEWS WE APOLOGISE FOR THE LACK OF CAPTIONS FOR SOME ITEMS. GUN BATTLE IN AFGHANISTAN. DRAMATIC VIDEO IS RELEASED OF THE FIREFIGHT IN WHICH TWO NZERS WERE KILLED. NEW PICTURES OF THE POLICE RAID ON KIM DOTCOM'S MANSION WHERE'S THE MONEY? HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS MISSING AS A FINANCIAL ADVISOR'S CHARGED WITH RUNNING A PONZI SCHEME. WAITING FOR BETTER NEWS. AN UPDATE ON NELSON MANDELA'S HEALTH GIVES FRESH HOPE TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA. AND AN AMAZING PICTURE OF PERSEVERANCE ` THE WHEELCHAIR-BOUND WOMAN WHO'S TAKEN THE PLUNGE TO FULFIL HER DREAM. KIA ORA. GOOD EVENING. THE DEFENCE FORCE HAS RELEASED RARE FOOTAGE OF KIWI SOLDIERS IN A FATAL GUN BATTLE WITH AFGHAN INSURGENTS TO TRY AND ILLUSTRATE THE CONFUSION OF THE FIREFIGHT IN WHICH TWO KIWI SOLDIERS WERE KILLED AND TWO OTHERS WOUNDED BY FRIENDLY FIRE. POLITICAL REPORTER HAS MORE FROM TODAY'S COURT OF INQUIRY FINDINGS. WHAT YOU ARE SEEING AND HEARING IS NZ REGULAR TROOPS DIRECTLY IN THE FIRING LINE IN THE BIGGEST FIREFIGHT THEY'VE FACED SINCE VIETNAM. MAN SHOUTS: I JUST NEED YOU TO SCAN THAT AREA TO YOUR FRONT! SOMEWHERE UP THERE, ON THE RIDGE, IS THE ENEMY. BEWARE! THERE ARE NDS UP THERE! THIS IS THE BATTLE OF BAGHAK, AND THROUGH THE DUST, THE FLASHES FROM INSURGENT GUN BARRELS. WHAT THE HELMET-CAM FOOTAGE DOESN'T CAPTURE IS THE HEROICS OF LANCE-CORPORAL RORY MALONE (26), WHO DRAGGED HIS COMMANDING OFFICER TO SAFETY BEFORE BEING KILLED. THE OC, IN ALL LIKELIHOOD, WOULD HAVE DIED. AS WAS LANCE-CORPORAL PRALLI DURRER, ALSO 26. HE IS SHOT IN THE CHEST. HE'S SAVED BY HIS RBAV, HIS BODY ARMOUR. SO IT HITS HIM FULL ON THE BODY ARMOUR. HE DROPS BACK DOWN, BUT HE IS NOT INJURED. HE GETS BACK UP TO REJOIN THE FIGHT. BUT A SECOND SHOT DELIVERS A FATAL WOUND, AND HE DIES ON THE HELICOPTER FLIGHT TO HOSPITAL. THEY DID EVERYTHING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE ` THE MEDICAL STAFF THAT WAS THERE. THEY DID A GREAT JOB. THE FIREFIGHT LASTED JUST 12 MINUTES. FOUR OTHER NZ SOLDIERS WERE WOUNDED AS THE KIWIS TRIED TO ASSIST LOCAL GOVERNMENT FORCES. SHOTS RING AS ONE NEWS REVEALED IN APRIL, TWO SUFFERED THEIR WOUNDS AS A RESULT OF FRIENDLY FIRE. ON FOOT, IN THIS STEEP TERRAIN MARKED BY YELLOW SMOKE, THEIR CONFUSED COMRADES SHOT CANNON ROUNDS AT THEM ` SHOTS RING A MISTAKE THE COURT OF INQUIRY CALLS 'AVOIDABLE'. THEY WERE VERY LUCKY. WE WERE VERY LUCKY. DEFENCE CHIEFS ARE BACKING THE DECISION OF THE COMMANDING OFFICER, FORMER SAS TROOPER MAJOR CRAIG WILSON, TO ALLOW TROOPS TO PATROL ON FOOT. BUT THIS INQUIRY REVEALS ONE SOLDIER CLAIMS THAT DECISION RESULTED IN A SECOND FRIENDLY FIRE INCIDENT. HIS CLAIMS HAVE BEEN REFUTED, AND THE CHIEF OF ARMY CONCEDES HE'S QUIT AS A RESULT. HE IS STRUGGLING TO COME TO TERMS WITH SOME OF THE INCIDENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED UP THERE. DESPITE THE FRIENDLY FIRE AND THE COURT OF INQUIRY, THE ARMY WANTS TO RECOGNISE THE ACTS OF BRAVERY IN THE BATTLE OF BAGHAK, AND LANCE-CORPORAL MALONE COULD YET RECEIVE A POSTHUMOUS VICTORIA CROSS. MICHAEL PARKIN, ONE NEWS. MICHAEL, RELEASING THIS VIDEO IS A VERY UNUSUAL MOVE FOR OUR MILITARY. WHAT'S BEHIND IT? THE DEFENCE FORCE IS TRYING TO JUSTIFY THE FRIENDLY FIRE, WHICH WAS AVOIDABLE. I'VE SEEN THIS TERRAIN, AND YOU SEE HOW AN AMBUSH COULD BE POSSIBLE. THANKS. MICHAEL PARKIN IN WELLINGTON. THE COURT OF INQUIRY ALSO FOUND THREE OTHER SOLDIERS, INCLUDING NZ'S FIRST FEMALE COMBAT FATALITY, WERE KILLED INSTANTLY BY A ROADSIDE BOMB TWO WEEKS LATER. CORPORAL LUKE TAMATEA, LANCE CORPORAL JACINDA BAKER AND PRIVATE RICHARD HARRIS DIED WHEN THE HUMVEE THEY WERE TRAVELLING IN TRIGGERED A MASSIVE EXPLOSION. THE LAST VEHICLE IN THE CONVOY WAS DESTROYED BY A VERY LARGE PRESSURE-PLATE IED ` IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE THAT HAD UP TO 50 POUNDS OF HOMEMADE EXPLOSIVES. IT IS ASSESSED TO HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF DESTROYING ONE OF OUR LAVS, SO IT WOULDN'T HAVE MADE ANY DIFFERENCE WHAT VEHICLE THEY WERE IN. THE INQUIRY CRITICISED THE FAILURE OF NZ AND AMERICAN FORCES TO NOTICE A LIVE HAND GRENADE ON ONE OF THE BODIES BEFORE IT WAS SENT HOME. IT SPARKED THE EVACUATION OF CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED THERE. HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE MISSING, AND NOW FINANCIAL ADVISOR DAVID ROSS HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH RUNNING THE COUNTRY'S BIGGEST EVER PONZI SCHEME. 1200 INVESTORS LOST $450M WHEN HIS WELLINGTON COMPANIES COLLAPSED LAST YEAR. INITIAL INQUIRIES SHOWED ONLY $10M WORTH OF ASSETS HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN FOUND. THE BOSS OF ROSS ASSET MANAGEMENT FUND FACES YEARS IN JAIL IF CONVICTED. GEORGINA BALL'S BEEN FOLLOWING THE CASE. WHEN INVESTOR BRUCE TICHBON SOLD HIS HOME, HE PUT THE ENTIRE PROCEEDS IN ROSS ASSET MANAGEMENT. HE WAS JUST ONE OF THE INVESTORS WHO LOST IT ALL WHEN THE FIRM COLLAPSED LAST YEAR. I'VE BEEN CONSCIOUS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN SUICIDAL, PEOPLE WHO ARE SEVERELY DEPRESSED. NOW THAT THE INVESTMENT GROUP'S DIRECTOR, DAVID ROSS, HAS BEEN CHARGED. INVESTIGATORS CLAIM HE WAS RUNNING NZ'S LARGEST EVER PONZI SCHEME. WE'VE HAD SOME FEEDBACK ALREADY FROM INVESTORS THAT THIS IS A POSITIVE THING. PEOPLE HAVE WAITED A LONG TIME FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THE FIVE FRAUD-RELATED CHARGES INVOLVING FALSE ACCOUNTING AND THEFT WERE LAID AT THE WELLINGTON DISTRICT COURT TODAY AFTER AN EIGHT-MONTH INVESTIGATION. EACH CHARGE CARRIES A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF BETWEEN SEVEN AND 10 YEARS IN JAIL. IN A PONZI SCHEME, MONEY THAT'S MEANT TO BE INVESTED ON BEHALF OF NEW CLIENTS IS INSTEAD USED BY THE FRAUDSTER FOR PERSONAL GAIN OR TO PAY OUT OTHER INVESTORS WHO WANT TO WITHDRAW FUNDS. INVESTIGATORS ALLEGE DAVID ROSS COVERED UP HIS SCHEME BY CREATING FALSE INVESTMENTS AND RETURNS, EVEN MAKING UP A FAKE SHAREBROKER CALLED BEVIS MARKS. INVESTORS SAY DAVID ROSS SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS A FINANCIAL ADVISOR BY THE FINANCIAL MARKETS AUTHORITY. THE FMA GAVE HIM THE AUTHORITY TO OPERATE IN THE MARKETPLACE. THAT'S WHAT TRIGGERED IT, AND I THOUGHT WE WERE SAFE. CHANGES TO TOUGHEN THE RULES FOR GETTING CERTIFICATION ARE UNDERWAY, BUT INVESTORS SAY IT'S TOO LATE FOR THEM, WITH ONLY A FRACTION OF THE MONEY FOUND SO FAR. THEY SAY MORE SHOULD BE DONE TO FIND THE MISSING MILLIONS. THE COURTS HAVE NOW` AND THE LIQUIDATOR HAVE GOT TO WORK WITH DAVID ROSS TO GET INFORMATION FROM HIM. DAVID ROSS IS DUE IN COURT IN JULY. UNTIL THEN, HE REMAINS ON BAIL IN HIS MILLION-DOLLAR-PLUS HOME ON A COURT ORDERED ALLOWANCE OF $1000 A WEEK. GEORGINA BALL, ONE NEWS. AT WHAT HE'S CALLING A 'MEDIA MISSILE' FROM THE GOVERNMENT. BOB PARKER'S ADAMANT HIS COUNCIL CAN MEET DEMANDS TO SPEED UP THE BUILDING CONSENT PROCESS. THE COUNCIL HAS A FORTNIGHT TO PROVE IT CAN OR RISK LOSING THE POWER TO ISSUE THEM. DONNA-MARIE LEVER HAS THE LATEST. MARK MCGUINNESS IS FINALLY OPEN FOR BUSINESS, BUT MONTHS AFTER HE HAD HOPED. BUILDING CONSENT TOOK THE CITY COUNCIL 89 LONG DAYS TO APPROVE ` NOT THE 20 IT SHOULD HAVE. THEIR PROCESS IS SO FLAWED. CERTAINLY THEY'VE GOT A LARGE VOLUME GOING THROUGH. WE UNDERSTAND THAT. WE ALL KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN CHRISTCHURCH. BUT THEY'VE HAD TWO AND A BIT YEARS TO GET READY FOR THIS. AND IT'S AN EXPENSIVE SETBACK AFTER HIS BAR WAS RED-STICKERED AND LEFT UNINHABITABLE FROM THE QUAKE. WELL, IF WE FACTOR IN LOST REVENUE, WE'RE PROBABLY IN THE VICINITY OF $420,000 TO $450,000. THERE'S A BACKLOG OF 1700 CONSENTS. THIS LETTER LAST MONTH GIVES THE COUNCIL A 16-DAY ULTIMATUM TO FIX THE PROBLEMS OR FACE LOSING ITS POWER TO ISSUE CONSENTS. IT JUST CAN'T GO ON LIKE THIS. WE'VE GOT THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL HOUSES THAT NEED TO BE BUILT IN CANTERBURY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THEIR INSURANCE SETTLEMENTS THAT WANT TO MOVE FORWARD, AND WE HAVE TO SUPPORT THEM. BUT MAYOR BOB PARKER SAYS HE'S BEEN BLINDSIDED BY THE MINISTER, AND THE COUNCIL HAS ALREADY SPENT MONTHS FIXING MOST THE GLITCHES. IF THE MINISTER HAD SIMPLY MADE A PHONE CALL TO ME INSTEAD OF FIRING A MEDIA MISSILE AT THIS COUNCIL, THEN HE COULD HAVE HAD THOSE ANSWERS. BUT IT'S NOT JUST THE TIME FRAME THAT'S COME UNDER FIRE. OTHER PROCESSES HAVE BEEN FOUND TO HAVE FAILED TOO WHEN THE ASSESSMENT WAS CARRIED OUT LAST SEPTEMBER. EVEN STAFF ATTITUDES AND MORALE HAS BEEN QUESTIONED. AND REVOKING CONSENT POWER MAY NOT BE AN EASY FIX. I'M REALLY WORRIED THAT WE TAKE IT AWAY FROM THE COUNCIL AND WE HAVE TO RE-ESTABLISH PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS AND PERSONNEL AND WE GO THROUGH A WHOLE ESTABLISHMENT PHASE, WHICH WOULD BE VERY UNFORTUNATE. AROUND 40 NEW BUILDING CONSENT APPLICATIONS ARRIVE AT COUNCIL DAILY, BUT IANZ IS ADAMANT ACCREDITATION WILL BE WITHDRAWN IF THE COUNCIL FAILS TO MET THE DEADLINE. DONNA-MARIE LEVER, ONE NEWS. THE BIFFO BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL COUNCILS OCCURS QUITE OFTEN THESE DAYS. WE LOOK AT THE GROWING DIVIDE, AND THE REASONS BEHIND IT, LATER IN THE NEWS HOUR. THE HEALTH OF FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA IS SAID TO BE IMPROVING. THIS HAS LIFTED HOPES THAT THE MAN KNOWN AS THE FATHER OF FREE SOUTH AFRICA WILL RECOVER FROM A RECURRING LUNG INFECTION. WE'LL CROSS LIVE TO LISA OWEN IN JOHANNESBURG FOR THE LATEST SHORTLY. FIRST, PAUL HOBBS REPORTS. FOR DAYS, NELSON MANDELA'S STATE OF HEALTH HAS BEEN KEPT LARGELY SECRET WITHIN THESE HOSPITAL WALLS. WIDESPREAD SPECULATION THAT THE DAILY VISITS BY FAMILY MEMBERS WERE EFFECTIVELY TO SAY GOODBYE. BUT TODAY, ENCOURAGING NEWS ON THE MAN AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS MADIBA. I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT MADIBA IS RESPONDING BETTER TO TREATMENT FROM THIS MORNING. THE NEWS WAS LAPPED UP BY A COUNTRY THAT'S BEEN HOLDING ITS BREATH. WE ARE VERY HAPPY THAT HE IS RESPONDING GOOD TO TREATMENT. THAT IS A GOOD THING FOR THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE. IT'S TOO EARLY FOR HIM TO DIE. AND RELIEF TOO IN QUNU, THE VILLAGE WHERE THE FORMER FREEDOM FIGHTER GREW UP. TRANSLATOR: I HOPE THAT GOD WILL GIVE HIM MORE YEARS ` MAYBE TILL HE GETS TO 100. NELSON MANDELA IS REVERED HERE. HIS STRUGGLE TO BRING ABOUT A MULTI-RACIAL DEMOCRACY HAS BROUGHT ELECTRICITY, ROADING, SCHOOLS AND JOBS TO THIS TINY RURAL COMMUNITY. LOCALS HEAR FEAR THE WORST IF HE DIES. TRANSLATOR: WE ARE SCARED IF HE WERE TO DIE, WE RISK GOING BACK TO THE DARK DAYS OF APARTHEID. SO WE ARE HAPPY TO HEAR THAT HE IS DOING WELL. MR MANDELA'S GRANDSON SAYS THE FAMILY'S BEEN DEEPLY TOUCHED BY THE OUTPOURING OF PRAYERS AND MESSAGES OF GOODWILL FROM AROUND THE WORLD. MY GRANDFATHER, HE IS THE FATHER OF THE NATION. HE IS EMBRACED BY THE ENTIRE GLOBAL COMMUNITY, SO WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED. CHILDREN SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM FOR A NATIONAL HERO. AND WHILE MR MANDELA'S DAYS STILL APPEAR NUMBERED, THE LOVE LIVES ON. PAUL HOBBS, ONE NEWS. ONE NEWS REPORTER LISA OWEN IS IN JOHANNESBURG AND JOINS US NOW. ARE OFFICIALS TRYING TO EASE CONCERNS ABOUT NELSON MANDELA'S CONDITION? SPECULATION IN SOME AREAS THAT AUTHORITIES WERE MINIMISING MANDELA'S CONDITION. JACOB ZUMA SAYS HE'S HAPPY WITH MANDELA'S CARE. MANDELA DAY WILL BE GOING AHEAD NEXT MONTH. ELECTIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA NEXT YEAR, AND BUDGET DAY IS LOOMING. WHAT ELSE DID PRESIDENT ZUMA SAY? ZUMA REMINDED PEOPLE IT'S 49 YEARS SINCE MANDELA WAS SENT TO PRISON. HE SAID THE SOUTH AFRICAN ECONOMY HAS GROWN 89% SINCE APARTHEID ENDED. A NOD TO THE LEGACY OF MANDELA. THE MAN WHO HELPED THE KILLER OF CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOLGIRL JADE BAYLISS HIDE EVIDENCE BROKE DOWN IN TEARS TODAY AFTER AVOIDING JAIL. JOLON SWEENEY WAS SENTENCED TO 200 HOURS' COMMUNITY SERVICE. EXCUSE ME. TEARS ON THE COURT STEPS FROM THE FLATMATE OF MURDERER JEREMY MCLAUGHLIN. IT WAS HARD DEALING WITH IT. JOLON SWEENEY HELPED THE KILLER HIDE ITEMS STOLEN FROM 13-YEAR-OLD MURDER VICTIM JADE BAYLISS' HOUSE. THAT YOU WERE IGNORANT OF THE KILLING OF JADE BAYLISS AT THE TIME YOU RENDERED ASSISTANCE. WHEN HE DID FIND OUT, HE TOLD POLICE EVERYTHING HE KNEW. HE'S A MURDERING PIECE OF <BLEEP> WHO HAS NOT JUST KILLED ONE CHILD, HE'S KILLED TWO. AND AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, HE DESERVES TO BE IN JAIL FOR THE REST OF TIME. HE CLAIMS MCLAUGHLIN BOASTED ABOUT HIS MANSLAUGHTER CONVICTION FOR BASHING PHILLIP VIDOT (14) WITH A CRICKET BAT IN AUSTRALIA, AND SAYS THE DETAILS OF JADE'S DEATH, WHO HE KNEW, STILL DISTURB HIM GREATLY. IT'S A SELFISH, NASTY WAY TO KILL A PERSON, TO STRANGLE THEM FROM BEHIND WITH SOMETHING AND SHOVE A SOCK DOWN THEIR THROAT. OH MY GOD. WHAT SORT OF PERSON DOES THAT?' DESPITE COMING CLEAN TO POLICE, SWEENEY DIDN'T PLEAD GUILTY TO ACCESSORY TO BURGLARY AND ARSON CHARGES UNTIL LATE IN THE MURDER TRIAL, WHEN THE CROWN DROPPED A CHARGE OF OBSTRUCTING THE COURSE OF JUSTICE. IN SENTENCING HIM TO 200 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE, THE JUDGE SAID HE BELIEVED HE WAS AFRAID OF MCLAUGHLIN. I DO ACCEPT THAT YOU WERE FEARFUL OF HIM. MCLAUGHLIN WILL BE SENTENCED IN AUGUST. LISA DAVIES, ONE NEWS. PRISONERS WILL PITCH IN TO HELP REBUILD CHRISTCHURCH. THAT STORY'S NEXT ON ONE NEWS. MILLION-DOLLAR HOMES ARE BEING DESTROYED IN AMERICA. YOU'LL HEAR FROM FAMILIES FLEEING THE FLAMES. SERVING UP TREATS ` THE PART OF SYRIA WHERE YOU'D HARDLY KNOW THERE'S A WAR ON. AND, YES, THIS COULD SOON BE A WAY TO GET AROUND IF YOU'RE SICK OF BATTLING TRAFFIC JAMS. TINKLING MUSIC Have you ever noticed how your smartphone will often underline things in texts and emails, like this? Well, it's a link, and it's really useful. If I tap it, I can either use or store the information. Here, I'll show you. A friend has texted me this number, and my smartphone has automatically recognised it as a phone number and linked it. Because it's linked, when I tap it, I get a range of options, like calling Smithy directly or saving him to my contacts, or I can send him a text message. So gone are the days when I would have had to write it down or been chanting it out loud to remember it while I dialled. Now, all smartphones work differently, but the principle is the same. You'll need to experiment to find out what yours will do, so try it out next time you see one on your smartphone, and you can find out more at techinasec.co.nz Yeah, Smithy, mate. How are you? It's Matt. Matt` Matt Gibb. No, Matt. Matt Gibb. THE NEWEST BUILDERS HELPING RESHAPE CHRISTCHURCH WILL BE PRISONERS. A CONSTRUCTION YARD'S BEING SET UP AT ROLLESTON JAIL. BUT AS LACEY WILSON EXPLAINS, SOME SAY IT'S TAKING VALUABLE WORK AWAY FROM THE INDUSTRY. DIGGING UP NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRISONERS. GEE, THIS IS GOING TO TAKE A BIT, ISN'T IT? ROLLESTON PRISON'S ABOUT TO GET TWO NEW CONSTRUCTION YARDS WHERE INMATES WILL REFURBISH QUAKE-DAMAGED HOMES FOR HOUSING NZ. IT ADDS, OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, A FURTHER 150 PROPERTIES TO OUR BUILDINGS THAT OTHERWISE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE ENDED UP BEING DEMOLISHED. IN JUST A FEW MONTHS, THERE'LL BE 60 HOUSES WILL BE ON THIS SITE, WITH UP TO 60 PRISONERS WORKING ON THEM, AS WELL AS OFFENDERS SERVING COMMUNITY SENTENCES. TAKING OUT THE OLD KITCHENS, THE OLD LININGS, RECONSTRUCTING THEM INTO MODERN TWO-, THREE-BEDROOM HOMES. WHILE USING PRISON LABOUR MAY BE CHEAP, SETTING UP IS COSTING NEARLY $4M. BUT CORRECTIONS SAYS IT'S WORTH IT. WE WANTED TO USE THAT OPPORTUNITY SO THE PRISONERS HAD EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES PRE AND POST RELEASE. WE KNOW THAT IF THEY'VE BEEN ON THE RELEASE TO WORK, THEY'VE GOT ABOUT A 16% BETTER CHANCE OF THEM NOT REOFFENDING. IT'S A SCHEME THAT'S ALREADY BEEN TRIED AT SPRING HILL IN THE NORTH ISLAND, BUT SOME WORRY IT'S TAKING WORK AWAY FROM TRADIES WHO NEED IT. IT'S STILL QUITE DIFFICULT FOR CONTRACTORS HERE, SO WE CERTAINLY WOULDN'T WANT PRISONERS TAKING OVER THE WORK THAT WE COULD BE DOING. 150 HOUSES OVER FIVE YEARS BEING REBUILT IS NOT A HUGE PERCENTAGE OF THE WORK THAT'S REQUIRED. THE FIRST HOME'S EXPECTED TO BE MOVED BACK TO THE POST-QUAKE CITY BY THE END OF THE YEAR. LACEY WILSON, ONE NEWS. PROTESTERS ARE REFUSING TO BUDGE DESPITE A PEACE OFFERING FROM TURKEY'S PRIME MINISTER. THE DEMONSTRATORS ARE OCCUPYING GEZI PARK AND TAKSIM SQUARE IN ISTANBUL. IN RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN'S FIRST MAJOR CONCESSION IN THE TWO-WEEK DISPUTE, HE SAYS HE'LL CONSIDER A REFERENDUM ON PLANS TO REDEVELOP GEZI PARK. ACTIVISTS SAY THEY WON'T MOVE OUT OF MAKESHIFT TENTS. THEY ALSO WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO PUNISH THOSE WHO ORDERED A VIOLENT POLICE CRACKDOWN. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE IN THE LINE OF FIRE FROM STORMS BREWING IN AMERICA. METEOROLOGISTS SAY ONE IN FIVE RESIDENTS IN MID-EAST STATES WILL BE AFFECTED, INCLUDING BIG CITIES CHICAGO, CLEVELAND AND INDIANAPOLIS. FAMILIES ARE ALREADY ON THE RUN IN THE WEST OF THE COUNTRY, WHERE WILDFIRES ARE RIPPING THROUGH THE STATE OF COLORADO. THIS FROM ABC'S CLAYTON SANDELL. COLORADO IS ERUPTING IN FLAME. HOT, DRY WINDS ARE FANNING SEVEN BIG FIRES ` THE WORST BLOWING UP AND FORCING EVACUATIONS OVER 50 SQUARE MILES. SHOUTING WALLS OF FLAME FROM THE BLACK FOREST FIRE NEAR COLORADO SPRINGS ARE TAKING OUT MILLION-DOLLAR HOMES. EVERY HOUSE ON THIS STREET GONE. AT THIS POINT I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF WE HAVE CROSSED OVER 80 HOMES AND APPROACHING 100. 7000 PEOPLE ORDERED TO LEAVE HAD LITTLE WARNING. WOMAN: I'M JUST COMPLETELY TERRIFIED RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT. STALKED BY GIANT FLAMES AND OMINOUS SMOKE. ONE OF MY WORST FEARS IS THAT PEOPLE TOOK THEIR CHANCES AND IT MAY HAVE COST THEM THEIR LIFE. LYNN BROWN HAD JUST 90 FRANTIC MINUTES TO DECIDE WHAT SHE COULD TAKE. PEOPLE WERE GRABBING PHOTOS OFF THE WALLS, PHOTO ALBUMS. WHETHER THE HOUSE IS STILL STANDING, I DUNNO. EVERYONE SEEMS TO THINK THAT IT'S GONE. LATE TODAY SHE LEARNT HER FAMILY'S HOME FOR 18 YEARS BURNT TO THE GROUND. THE MINUTE YOU LEAVE YOU REALISE THERE'S A LOT THAT YOU FORGOT. ANOTHER BLAZE THREATENED THE FAMOUS ROYAL GORGE BRIDGE, AND FORCED STATE PRISON OFFICIALS TO MOVE 900 INMATES OUT OF THE FIRE'S PATH. THESE FIRES ARE AGGRAVATED BOTH BY WINDS AND BY COLORADO'S DROUGHT. DRY BRUSH LIKE THIS GETS TURNED INTO SUPERFUEL. THE FIRES ARE BAD FOR PEOPLE, BUT ALSO WILDLIFE. THIS BABY DEER WAS RESCUED BY A FIREFIGHTER ` ONE SMALL ACT AMID OVERWHELMING DESTRUCTION. THE MAN ACCUSED OF KEEPING THREE WOMEN CAPTIVE IN HIS CLEVELAND HOME IN AMERICA FOR NEARLY A DECADE HAS DENIED MORE THAN 300 CHARGES. ARIEL CASTRO'S LAWYER HAS HINTED THE 52-YEAR-OLD WANTS TO AVOID A TRIAL WITH A PLEA AGREEMENT, IF THE DEATH PENALTY'S RULED OUT. TWO OF THE CHARGES ARE FOR AGGRAVATED MURDER. ONE OF THE WOMEN SAYS SHE WAS STARVED WHILE PREGNANT AND REPEATEDLY PUNCHED IN THE STOMACH UNTIL SHE MISCARRIED. CASTRO ALSO FACES 139 COUNTS OF RAPE AND 177 OF KIDNAPPING. WE'VE THE HUMAN FACES NOW OF A CITY SPLIT BY CONFLICT. IN PARTS OF THE SYRIAN CAPITAL OF DAMASCUS, YOU'LL FIND DESERTED, SHATTERED BUILDINGS. IN OTHER AREAS, LIFE'S ALMOST NORMAL. THE BBC'S LYSE DOUCET REPORTS. IN PARTS OF DAMASCUS, IT'S EASY TO FORGET THERE IS A WAR. MAYBE THAT'S WHY BAKDASH ICE CREAM IS SO PACKED. WHEN SO MUCH HAS BEEN DESTROYED, IN SOME NEIGHBOURHOODS, OTHER SUMMER RITUALS GO ON AS WELL ` RELIEF THAT ONE MORE EXAM IS OUT OF THE WAY FOR THESE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. IN SYRIA, NEARLY ONE IN FIVE SCHOOLS IS NOW SHUT. THESE TEENAGERS ARE FORTUNATE TO LIVE IN A SAFE, GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED AREA. YOU DON'T HAVE ANY WORRIES? NO WORRIES? ALL SPEAK IN LOCAL LANGUAGE THEY ANSWER IN UNISON, 'NO, NONE AT ALL.' BUT JUST TWO STREETS AWAY, JOBAR, LIKE MANY NEIGHBOURHOODS, IS A BATTLEFIELD. GOVERNMENT TROOPS WITH OVERWHELMING FIRE POWER TRY TO PUSH BACK ARMED REBELS. NEARLY EVERYONE WHO LIVED HERE HAS LEFT. ALL SING: # IF YOU'RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT, CLAP YOUR HANDS. # THE LUCKY ONES FOUND SHELTER AND EVEN A SPECIAL PLACE FOR CHILDREN, FUNDED BY THE UN TO TRY TO BRING BACK SOME CHILDHOOD JOY. BUT THIS GIRL (13) STILL WEARS HER SADNESS. BUT THIS GIRL (13) STILL WEARS HER SADNESS. HER WHOLE FLED JOBAR A FEW MONTHS AGO. IN PARTS OF DAMASCUS LIKE THIS WHERE IT'S PEACEFUL ENOUGH TO STILL PLAY, BUT IN PARTS, THE WAR IS EVER PRESENT. NOW THAT SHE AND HER FRIENDS HAVE COLOURED IN THESE APPLES, THEY'RE GONNA BE ASKED TO WRITE WHAT THEY'D LIKE TO DO WHEN THEY'RE OLDER. THE LAST TIME THEY DID THIS EXERCISE HERE, THREE CHILDREN WROTE, 'WE JUST WANT TO GROW UP.' RANIYAH WANTS EVERY DETAIL TO BE JUST PERFECT. SHE'S MADE HER WISH. SHE'S WRITTEN, 'I WANT TO GO BACK TO MY HOME.' AND BRITAIN'S FOREIGN SECRETARY HAS CALLED ON ITS ALLIES TO BE 'PREPARED TO DO MORE' TO EASE SYRIA'S HUMANITARIAN CRISIS. WEATHER TIME NOW. MORE FOG AND LOW CLOUD THIS MORNING. YEAH, ITS BEEN A REOCCURRING THEME OF WEATHER FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS. GOT A MOIST AIR MASS OVER US. NOT MUCH WIND, AND THE COOLING AT NIGHT IS THE PERFECT RECIPE FOR FOG FORMATION. FOR WEATHER, SEE ONENEWS.CO.NZ FOR WEATHER, SEE ONENEWS.CO.NZ THIS COLOURFUL WEE CHAP IS A SILVEREYE, QUITE AT HOME IN AN EASTBOURNE GARDEN THIS AFTERNOON. I'LL BE BACK WITH YOUR FRIDAY FORECAST AND A LOOK AHEAD TO THE WEEKEND AFTER SPORT. AHEAD ON ONE NEWS ` WHY THE NEXT TWO MONTHS COULD BE THE KEY TO BUYING YOUR FIRST HOME. WILL HE BE SENT HOME IN DISGRACE? THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKETER CAUGHT UP IN A PUNCH-UP. AND THE FREEDOM TO FLOAT ` MEET THE DISABLED WOMAN WHO'S PUT HER OWN WHEELS IN MOTION. . IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO BUY YOUR FIRST HOME, DON'T HOLD OFF MUCH LONGER. A WARNING TONIGHT THAT FROM AUGUST, FIRST-HOME BUYERS COULD FIND IT A LOT HARDER TO GET ON THE PROPERTY LADDER. THE RESERVE BANK GOVERNOR LEFT THE BENCH MARK INTEREST RATE AT 2.5% TODAY. POLITICAL EDITOR CORIN DANN HAS MORE. THE AUCKLAND HOUSING MARKET IS ON FIRE. 628... UP 14% IN THE YEAR TO APRIL, THE RESERVE BANK GOVERNOR'S WORRIED IT COULD LEAD TO A BUBBLE THAT BURSTS. WE'RE NOT ANTICIPATING THAT HOUSE PRICES WILL START FALLING ANY TIME SOON. IF NOT FALL, HOW DO YOU SLOW THEM DOWN? WHEELER DOESN'T WANT TO RISK STIFLING THE ECONOMY BY HIKING INTEREST RATES, SO HE'S TURNING TO NEW RULES OR SO-CALLED 'SPEED LIMITS', FOR OUR BIG BANKS. THESE WILL PUT RESTRICTIONS ON THE PROPORTION OF LOW-DEPOSIT MORTGAGES THEY CAN OFFER. THE AUCKLAND MARKET IS EXPERIENCING VERY RAPID HOUSE PRICE APPRECIATION. WITH THE MEDIAN HOUSE PRICES IN AUCKLAND WELL OVER $500,000, MANY FIRST HOME BUYERS CAN'T RAISE A 20% DEPOSIT AND RELY ON 90% OR 95% MORTGAGES. BANK ECONOMISTS SAY THE NEW RULES WILL MAKE IT TOUGH FOR FIRST HOME BUYERS. I THINK WHAT WE WILL SEE IS THE RATE OF HOME OWNERSHIP DECLINE AND THE NUMBER OF INVESTORS IN THE MARKET WILL PICK UP. MR WHEELER HAS TRIED TO TAILOR THE RULES TO HELP FIRST-HOME BUYERS BUT CAN'T TOTALLY PROTECT THEM. FIRST HOME BUYERS ARE ABOUT 30%, OR ONE THIRD, OF THE MORTGAGE MARKET IN TERMS OF MORTGAGE DEMAND. SO THAT WOULD BE A BIG` CARVING THAT OUT WOULD BE A BIG EXEMPTION, IF YOU LIKE. THE PRIME MINISTER KNOWS THAT MESSING WITH FIRST-HOME BUYERS CARRIES POLITICAL RISKS, AND THAT'S WHY HE'S BEEN DISCUSSING THE ISSUE WITH THE GOVERNOR, INCLUDING LAST NIGHT. WE WILL BE ABLE TO NAVIGATE A WAY WHERE FIRST-HOME BUYERS STAY IN THE GAME. THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS A MUCH BIGGER SUITE OF POLICIES, LIKE A CAPITAL GAINS TAX. WHILE SOME FIRST HOME BUYERS WON'T LIKE THE RULES, ECONOMISTS POINT OUT THEY WILL BE USEFUL IN ENSURING PEOPLE DON'T TAKE ON BIG LOANS THEY CAN'T HANDLE. CORIN DANN, ONE NEWS. NOW TO A WOMAN WHO'S TAKEN HER DISABILITY TO NEW DEPTHS. THE PICTURES TELL A STUNNING STORY, AS ABC'S JOHN DONVAN EXPLAINS. JUST WATCH FOR A MOMENT. IT REALLY IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. EXCEPT, LOOK CLOSE HERE, BEHIND THE WHEELS, A DOUBLE SET OF PROPELLERS. AND SO SHE GOES, WEIGHTLESS, AND EVERY NOW AND THEN COMES UP FOR AIR. MEET SUE AUSTIN, ON DRY LAND, GIVING A TED TALK THAT HAS BEEN DOWNLOADED BY OVER 500,000 PEOPLE. IT'S WONDERFUL TO BE HERE TO TALK ABOUT MY JOURNEY. 16 YEARS AGO, SHE BEGAN EXPERIENCING NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEMS AFTER CONTRACTING CYTOMEGALOVIRUS ` A COMMON INFECTION ` AND EVENTUALLY LOST NEARLY ALL HER MOBILITY. FOR YEARS, IT BOTHERED HER TO BE PERCEIVED AS LIMITED, CONFINED. IT WAS AS IF THEY COULDN'T SEE ME ANY MORE; AS IF AN INVISIBILITY CLOAK HAD DESCENDED. AND SO SHE WENT INTO THE SEA SO THAT WE WOULD SEE THE DEVICE SHE RIDES IN A WHOLE NEW WAY. I LITERALLY HAVE THE FREEDOM TO MOVE IN 360 DEGREES OF SPACE AND IN AN ECSTATIC EXPERIENCE OF JOY AND FREEDOM. THE TECHNOLOGY ` IT TOOK A LITTLE DOING. I STARTED TALKING TO ENGINEERS, AND THEY SAID, 'NO, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO ABLE TO DO IT,' WHICH IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT ANYONE COULD'VE SAID TO ME. WITH THE HELP OF FELLOW DIVERS, SUE INVENTED A WATER CHAIR WITH PROPULSION THRUSTERS, CUSTOM FINS AND AN AIR TANK, AND THEN SHE TOOK THE PLUNGE FOR A RIDE THAT NO ONE HAS EVER TAKEN BEFORE. IT'S LITERALLY PUSHED ME THROUGH INTO A NEW WAY OF BEING, INTO NEW DIMENSIONS AND INTO A NEW LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS. IT'S NOT THE ONLY MODIFIED CHAIR SUE'S CREATED. SHE ALSO HAS ONE SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO HOLD HER PAINTING TOOLS. TONIGHT'S LEADING STORIES ON ONE NEWS ` THE DEFENCE FORCE HAS TAKEN THE RARE STEP OF RELEASING VIDEO FOOTAGE OF A FATAL GUNFIGHT WITH AFGHAN INSURGENTS. LANCE CORPORALS PRALLI DURRER AND RORY MALONE WERE KILLED IN THE CONFRONTATION. THE MILITARY WANTED TO SHOW THE CONFUSION OF THE BATTLE WHERE FOUR OTHERS WERE WOUNDED. CHRISTCHURCH MAYOR BOB PARKER HAS HIT BACK AT WHAT HE'S CALLING A 'MEDIA MISSILE' FROM THE GOVERNMENT. HIS COUNCIL'S GOT A FORTNIGHT TO PROVE IT CAN SPEED UP BUILDING CONSENTS. HE'S ADAMANT IT WILL. MR PARKER'S BATTLE WITH GERRY BROWNLEE ISN'T THE ONLY ONE BETWEEN A MAYOR AND MINISTER. AUCKLAND'S ALSO BEEN AT LOGGERHEADS ON ITS FUTURE DIRECTION. SO IS THE GOVERNMENT BEING TOO CONTROLLING? NICOLE BREMNER INVESTIGATES. SOME DAYS, THEY'RE THE BEST OF POLITICAL BUDDIES OTHER TIMES, WELL, THEY JUST DON'T GET ALONG. I APOLOGISE PERSONALLY TO BOB PARKER. I THINK THAT WAS INAPPROPRIATE. 16 MONTHS ON, GERRY BROWNLEE'S UPSET THE CHRISTCHURCH MAYOR AGAIN. THE PROSPECT OF CHRISTCHURCH LOSING ITS ACCREDITATION IS ALARMING. AND IT IS A CRISIS, AND WE DO HAVE TO FIX IT. WE'RE CAPABLE OF SORTING ALL THESE THINGS OUT SO WE DON'T NEED TO BE FIRING MISSILES AT EACH OTHER LIKE THIS. IT'S A SIMILAR STORY FURTHER NORTH WHERE AUCKLAND WANTS WELLINGTON TO BACK OFF A BIT OVER IT'S FUTURE PLANS. WE HAVE THE RIGHT FRAMEWORK TO HAVE A GREAT DISCUSSION WITH GOVERNMENT, BUT WE NEED THE PASTE TO GET THOSE RULES IN PLACE. AND THEY'RE NOT LETTING YOU GET ON WITH IT? SO THAT IS WHERE` THAT'S THE NUB. THE COUNCIL HAS SAID, 'THIS IS SORT OF WHERE WE'RE GOING. 'WE'VE GOT SOME MORE DETAIL TO DO,' AND THE GOVERNMENT IS SAYING, 'HEY, WE NEED TO SEE THAT DETAIL BECAUSE WE NEED TO BE SATISFIED.' IT'S TENSION WE'RE LIKELY TO SEE MORE OF AS GOVERNMENT CHANGES TO LOCAL BODY RULES BED IN. IT'S A SORT OF A SETTLING IN PERIOD WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO GET USED TO THESE NEW STRUCTURES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WHERE WE'VE GOT LOCAL GOVERNMENT PERHAPS HAVING A LITTLE BIT MORE POWER THAN IT ONCE MIGHT OF HAD. AND THAT MEANS MORE DISCUSSION'S NEEDED ABOUT WHO DOES WHAT. SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE THE NATIONAL INTERESTS WILL OVERRIDE THE REGIONAL OR LOCAL INTERESTS ESPECIALLY IN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS. THAT'S SEEN THE PRIME MINISTER STANDING BY HIS MAN IN THE LATEST WAR OF WORDS. I THINK THERE'D BE A LOT OF CANTABRIANS WHO'D SAY 'GOOD ON YOU. GERRY.' HE'S PUSHING THE PROCESS, AND HE'S PUSHING IT HARD. BUT OBSERVERS SAY SOFTER TONES FROM THE GOVERNMENT WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO GETTING LOCAL COUNCILS BACK ON SIDE. NICOLE BREMNER, ONE NEWS. ANDREW'S HERE WITH SPORT, AND THERE'S BEEN AN INJURY SCARE FOR THE ALL BLACKS. BRODIE RETALLICK FORCED OUT OF TRAINING LATE THIS AFTERNOON. WE ALSO HEAR NEXT FROM STEVE HANSEN ON HIS DECISION TO RETAIN THE SAME 15, BARRING ANY NEW INJURIES. PLUS `IT'S ALL ON AT THE CHAMPIONS' TROPHY. THE PUNCH UP, AND THE BLACKCAPS' SEMI-FINAL CHANCES. AND WE'RE LIVE AT JOSEPH PARKER'S BIG NIGHT IN THE BOXING RING. FIRST UP TONIGHT, TO THE ALL BLACKS AND THEIR STARTING 15 FOR THE SECOND RUGBY TEST AGAINST FRANCE IN CHRISTCHURCH. STEVE HANSEN NAMED AN UNCHANGED SIDE THIS MORNING, BUT IT COULD MEAN SAM WHITELOCK MAKES AN EARLY RETURN FROM INJURY ` HE DID TRAIN FOR A PART OF TODAY ` OR A RESHUFFLE ON THE ALREADY ADJUSTED RESERVES BENCH OR A RESHUFFLE ON THE ALREADY ADJUSTED RESERVES BENCH WHERE JEREMY THRUSH COULD BE ELEVATED TO A FIRST TEST START. DESPITE THE LATEST INJURY, THE FOCUS OF THE PLAYING 15 IS THE BACK THREE, WHO EACH HAVE THEIR OWN ISSUES TO MULL OVER. HERE'S BLAIR NORTON. WITH JUST TWO TOUCHES OF THE BALL, RENE RANGER WAS ONE OF THE MAIN TALKING POINTS OF LAST WEEKEND'S FIRST TEST. NOW IT'S BEING REPORTED HE WILL LEAVE FOR MONTPELLIER AT THE END OF THE INTERNATIONAL SEASON. WE'VE ALSO SAID RIGHT FROM DAY ONE THAT IF SOMEONE'S PLAYING WELL ENOUGH AND IS HERE FOR MORE THAN JUST THE ONE CAMPAIGN, WE WOULD CONSIDER THEM. IT'S UNDERSTOOD RANGER, WHO'LL ONCE AGAIN BE INJECTED FROM THE BENCH, HAS BEEN UNABLE TO PRODUCE THE 300,000 EUROS TO BUY A RELEASE FROM HIS CONTRACT AT MONTPELLIER. HIS AGENT IS CURRENTLY IN FRANCE. THAT DECISION MIGHT NOT BE HIS. SO YOU WANT TO PAY HIM $300,000 TO STAY? THAT WOULD BE GOOD. SO YOU WANT TO PAY HIM 300,000 TO STAY? THAT WOULD BE GOOD. RANGER IS SIGNED TO NORTHLAND FOR THE ITM CUP, BUT THEY ARE RESIGNED TO LOSING HIM TO THE ALL BLACKS AND THEN OVERSEAS. NO SHIFT FOR ISRAEL DAGG. THE STRUGGLING FULLBACK NAMED TO START AGAIN THIS WEEK, DESPITE INTENSE PRESSURE FROM HIGHLANDERS FLYER BEN SMITH. IF YOU GO THROUGH THE GAME, HIS CORE JOB WAS DONE VERY VERY WELL. THE MAGIC BITS WILL COME WHEN THE MOMENT FOR HIM TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT IS AVAILABLE, AND THE FRENCH DIDN'T GIVE HIM ANY. IF DAGG'S UNDER PRESSURE TO PERFORM, HOW ABOUT WHAT JULIAN SAVEA FACES? HANSEN ACKNOWLEDGES THE HULKING WING HAS PLENTY ON HIS PLATE, FACING ANOTHER COURT APPEARANCE NEXT MONTH ON AN ASSAULT CHARGE RELATING TO HIS PARTNER. IF IT WAS ME, YEAH, IT WOULD BE SOMEWHERE IN MY MIND. BUT WHAT WE NEED JULIAN TO BE ABLE DO IS TAKE THAT HAT OFF AND PUT HIS RUGBY ONE ON WHEN IT'S TIME TO PLAY RUGBY. I GUESS IT'S JUST MAKING SURE HE'S FEELING COMFORTABLE AND HAPPY, AND WHENEVER HE WANTS TO TALK TO US ABOUT IT, WE'RE THERE TO LISTEN. IT'S THE LOCKING STOCKS WHICH MIGHT NEED HELP AGAIN AS BRODIE RETALLICK'S HAMSTRING ISSUES ALL OF A SUDDEN BECOME A CHALLENGE BEFORE SATURDAY. BLAIR NORTON, ONE NEWS. STAR AUSTRALIAN BATSMAN DAVID WARNER COULD BE SENT HOME IN DISGRACE FROM THE CHAMPIONS TROPHY CRICKET TOURNAMENT IN ENGLAND. HE DIDN'T PLAY AGAINST THE BLACK CAPS LAST NIGHT AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A BIZARRE PUNCH-UP WITH AN ENGLISH PLAYER. DAVID WARNER WAS LIMITED TO 12TH MAN DRINKS DUTIES LAST NIGHT ` QUITE APT AFTER A DUST-UP IN A BIRMINGHAM BAR. THE AUSSIES ARE TRYING TO LET THIS ONE GO THROUGH TO THE KEEPER. FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, DISAPPOINTING, BUT A VERY MINOR INCIDENT, AND THAT'S IT. IT'S BEEN DEALT WITH IN-HOUSE. AND THAT'S IT, MATE. FAR FROM BEING A MATE, OUT DRINKING DAVID WARNER THREW A PUNCH AT ENGLAND PLAYER JOE ROOT (22) IN THE EARLY HOURS OF LAST SUNDAY MORNING. APPARENTLY HE ONLY JUST NICKED THE GUY HE WAS TRYING TO HIT AS WELL. SO HE REALLY IS OUT OF FORM. THE EXPLOSIVE OPENING BATSMAN HAD TO BE RESTRAINED IN THE PUB BY A TEAMMATE. WARNER HAS SINCE APOLOGISED. AFTER, OBVIOUSLY, INVESTIGATING ON OUR SIDE, WE REALISED WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING ` WE DON'T BELIEVE WE'VE DONE ANYTHING WRONG. WARNER AND THE AUSSIES CAN'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT. HE WAS FINED LAST MONTH AFTER A TWITTER RANT AGAINST AUSTRALIAN JOURNALISTS. PLAYERS WERE SENT HOME FROM INDIA THREE MONTHS AGO, AND THE ABSENCE OF THE INJURED MICHAEL CLARKE'S STRONG LEADERSHIP IS ALL SNOWBALLING, WITH THE ASHES SERIES AROUND THE CORNER. THE WHOLE NETWORK OF THE TEAM, THE STRUCTURE, MANAGEMENT, CAPTAIN ` YOU KNOW, THE SUPPORTERS ` YOU ALL KIND OF GET TARNISHED WITH ONE BRUSH. IT'S NOT THE FIRST STOUSH BETWEEN AN AUSSIE AND A POM, AND CERTAINLY WON'T BE THE LAST. I THOUGHT HE TOOK IT ON THE CHIN, AND HIS ATTITUDE AROUND THE GROUP TODAY WAS OUTSTANDING. NO PUN INTENDED. SORRY ABOUT THAT. WARNER IS ON A SORRY SLIDE ` SCORES OF 0, 0, AND 9 IN ENGLAND. HIS ONCE-BRIGHT STAR IS FADING FAST. WARNER'S ABSENCE WAS ANOTHER POTENTIAL DISTRACTION FOR THE AUSTRALIANS AGAINST NZ LAST NIGHT. EARLY ON, IT LOOKED LIKE BEING THE CASE, BUT THE BLACKCAPS DIDN'T MAKE THE MOST OF THE START, WITH AUSTRALIA'S CAPTAIN GEORGE BAILEY AND ADAM VOGES STEADYING THE SHIP, MITCHELL MCCLENAGHAN PICKING UP 4 WICKETS. MAN: OH HIGH IN THE AIR THIS TIME. SHOULD BE THE KEEPER'S. HE TAKES IT COMFORTABLY. THERE AGAIN, FULL-TOSS BALL, TRYING TO PLAY ON THE LEFT SIDE, GETTING THE LEADING EDGE. AUSTRALIA SETTING A TARGET OF 244. IN REPLY, THE BLACKCAPS LOST BOTH OPENERS EARLY. IN THE AIR AND OUT. JACK COMFORTABLE. HIGH IN THE MIDDLE OF A GOOD SPELL, AND THAT'S ANOTHER WICKET FOR HIM. KANE WILLIAMSON AND ROSS TAYLOR PROVIDING A CALMING INFLUENCE BEFORE RAIN FINISHED PLAY IN THE 15TH OVER. SO THE POINTS SHARED. THE BLACKCAPS' NEXT MATCH IS AGAINST ENGLAND ON SUNDAY NIGHT. THEY'RE STILL LIKELY TO NEED A WIN TO MAKE THE SEMI-FINALS. STILL IN BIRMINGHAM, WHERE OUR TOP TENNIS PLAYER MARINA ERAKOVIC HAS CLAIMED ANOTHER BIG WIN. THE WORLD NO 71 HAS KNOCKED OVER SECOND SEED EKATARINA MAKAROVA IN THREE SETS IN THE SECOND ROUND OF A WTA GRASSCOURT TOURNAMENT. ERAKOVIC WILL FACE FORMER FRENCH OPEN CHAMPION FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE IN THE THIRD ROUND. THE US GOLF OPEN STARTS LATER TONIGHT, BUT THE YEAR'S SECOND MAJOR IS BEING OVERSHADOWED BY TIGER WOODS AND SERGIO GARCIA'S ONGOING ISSUES AND WET WEATHER. THE BIG QUESTION ` WILL THE MERION COURSE NEAR PHILADELPHIA BE OK TO PLAY ON? ABBY SCOTT REPORTS. IT'S BEEN 32 YEARS SINCE MERION GOLF CLUB LAST HOSTED A US OPEN, AND NOW MOTHER NATURE IS THREATENING TO UPSTAGE ITS COMEBACK. BUT THERE COULD BE SOME REALLY HIGH WINDS WITH IT, POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WINDS, AND EVEN SOME HAIL. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE WORST CASE SCENARIO. THE COURSE ` THE SHORTEST FOR ANY MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP IN NEARLY A DECADE ` IS STILL DRYING OUT FROM A DRENCHING EARLIER IN THE WEEK. ONE OF THE FEW HAPPY WITH THE SOFTER CONDITIONS IS RORY MCILROY, WHO WON THE TOURNAMENT AND HIS FIRST MAJOR IN 2011 ON A SOAKED CONGRESSIONAL COURSE. HE THEN MISSED THE CUT LAST YEAR. I CAME OFF THE BACK OF THREE MISSED CUTS IN A ROW, AND I WASN'T PLAYING VERY WELL. THIS YEAR I FEEL LIKE MY GAME IS IN GOOD SHAPE MCILROY'S IN AN AFTERNOON POWER GROUP WITH TIGER WOODS AND MASTERS CHAMPION ADAM SCOTT. IT'S NOT VERY OFTEN WE GET ONE, TWO, THREE ONE GROUP AND FOUR, FIVE AND SIX IN ANOTHER. NORMALLY YOU DON'T HAVE THAT TYPE OF PAIRINGS VERY OFTEN, AND WHEN THEY DO, IT'S THAT MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE FOR US AS PLAYERS. NO COMMENT WHETHER HE'LL ENJOY PLAYING ALONGSIDE FORMER CADDY STEVE WILLIAMS FOR THE FIRST TIME AT A MAJOR SINCE THEY WON 13 OF THEM. AND WHILE THEY'VE SHAKEN HANDS, IT HARDLY LOOKS LIKE THEY'VE MADE UP. WOODS PROBABLY GLAD SPANIARD SERGIO GARCIA IS AT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE DRAW, WITH A MORNING TEE TIME. EARLY STARTS ALSO FOR PHIL MICKELSON AND KIWI MICHAEL CAMPBELL ` PERHAPS SOME OF THE ONLY ONES WHO'LL GET TO FINISH BEFORE THE STORM ROLLS IN. ABBY SCOTT, ONE NEWS. PROMISING YOUNG HEAVYWEIGHT BOXER JOSEPH PARKER STEPS INTO THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT TONIGHT WHEN HE FIGHTS COLOURFUL SOUTH AFRICAN FRANCOIS BOTHA. PARKER NEEDS A CONVINCING WIN TO ENHANCE HIS RECORD AND HIS FUTURE OPPORTUNITES. LET'S GO LIVE NOW TO TRUSTS STADIUM IN WEST AUCKLAND, AND JOE PORTER. WE'RE AT TRUST ARENA JOSEPH PARKER'S TRAINER JOINS US HE'S INEXPERIENCED. IT'S A REAL RISK WELL, HE PUTS BEHIND HIM MISSING OUTON THE OLYMPICS HE'S THENEXT BIG STAR IN BOXING HE'S ONLY GOT THREE FIGHTS THAT'S A BAD MOVE. WHAT DO YOU SAY? NO, IT'S NOT RIGGED. DUCO'S BIG GAMBLE A YOUNG PROSPECT AND A MAIN EVEN, HUGE PRESSURE BUT JOSEPH PARKER IS A DRIVEN MAN I EXPECT A COMMANDINGP ERFORMANCE HE IS FOR REAL A LOT ON THE LINE FOR JOSEPH PARKER TONIGHT IF HE LOSES, HIS CARERR IS GONE THANKS, JOE. JOE PORTER LIVE FROM THE TRUSTS STADIUM IN AUCKLAND. FOOTBALL HEAVYWEIGHT LIONEL MESSI IS USED TO BEATING THE BEST DEFENCES IN THE WORLD BUT HE'S STRUGGLING TO EVADE SPANISH TAX AUTHORITIES. THE BARCELONA STRIKER AND HIS FATHER HAVE TURNED TO FACEBOOK TO ANGRILY DENY FILING FRAUDULENT TAX RETURNS FOR FOUR YEARS. THE FIGURE INVOLVED, A MERE $6.7M. MIND YOU, THE ARGENTINE SUPERSTAR COULD PROBABLY AFFORD TO PAY A FINE AS HIS SALARY AND ENDORSEMENTS RUN TO MORE THAN $50M A YEAR. THANKS, ANDREW. NEXT ON ONE NEWS, KAREN SAYS IT'LL BE ANOTHER MUCKY START FOR MANY PLACES. AND THE MACHINE GIVING NEW MEANING TO GETTING ON YOUR BIKE. HELLO AGAIN. A FOGGY START IN MANY PLACES. THAT FOG SET TO RETURN AGAIN TONIGHT. BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE OVER GOLDEN BAY THIS MORNING. THANKS, TREVOR BROWN. A NICE SPIRAL OF CLOUD OUT TO THE EAST OF US. THAT'S THE DEPARTING LOW WITH ALL ITS BANDS OF SHOWERS AND FRONTAL CLOUD. THIS AREA OF CLOUD EAST OF THE SOUTH ISLAND ASSOCIATED WITH AN UPPER LEVEL TROUGH FED SOME RAIN INTO OAMARU TODAY. HIGH PRESSURE TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH OF US. NOW WE'RE WATCHING THIS NEXT LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING INTO THE TASMAN. ALREADY STRETCHING OUT THIS FRONT ONTO THE NORTH ISLAND. AREAS OF MORNING FOG AND LOW CLOUD OVER THE SOUTH ISLAND. SOME OF THAT FOG MAY HANG AROUND INTO THE AFTERNOON IN SHELTERED PLACES, BUT APART FROM THE MURKY START IT'LL BE MOSTLY FINE AND SUNNY WITH NOT MUCH WIND. RAIN FOR AUCKLAND, NORTHERN WAIKATO AND THE COROMANDEL PENINSULA WITH ISOLATED HEAVY FALLS. A FEW MORNING COASTAL SHOWERS IN THE EAST. MOSTLY FINE EVERYWHERE ELSE AFTER LOW CLOUD OR FOG CLEARS. BUT THE FOG IS SET TO REAPPEAR AT NIGHT. FOR WEATHER, SEE ONENEWS.CO.NZ THAT'S ALL FROM ME. JIM WILL BE BACK WITH YOU FROM TOMORROW. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. NOW IF YOU'VE BEEN STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON THE WAY HOME TONIGHT, HERE'S SOMETHING THAT COULD GIVE YOU A LIFT. 30 YEARS AFTER ET'S FAMOUS FLYING BIKE, INVENTORS IN CZECH REPUBLIC HAVE COME UP WITH A REAL ONE. IT HAS SIX ENGINES WITH TWO BATTERY-POWERED PROPELLERS AND WEIGHS 95KG. IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO CARRY A REAL RIDER ONCE MORE POWERFUL BATTERIES ARE DEVELOPED. AND THAT'S ONE NEWS THIS THURSDAY.