GOOD EVENING. PARTS OF THE COUNTRY HAVE TAKEN A REAL BEATING OVER THE LAST 24 HOURS. HEAVY SNOW FOR PARTS OF BOTH ISLANDS, WITH MORE TO COME. DAMAGING WINDS HAVE LASHED CENTRAL PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. THAT WIND, COMBINED WITH HEAVY RAIN AND HIGH SEAS, KEPT EMERGENCY SERVICES BUSY IN THE CAPITAL OVERNIGHT. PLENTY OF COVERAGE COMING UP. BUT 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. BATTERED BY HEAVY SEAS AND FIERCE WINDS ` A POWERFUL STORM CAUSES WIDESPREAD DAMAGE AND LEAVES TENS OF THOUSANDS WITHOUT POWER. SNOWED UNDER ` THE POLAR BLAST CONTINUES TO CAUSE MAJOR DISRUPTION IN THE SOUTH ISLAND AND NOW THE NORTH. A ROYAL RAPTURE ` IT'S UNBRIDLED JOY FOR THE QUEEN. WHAT'S ALL THE EXCITEMENT ABOUT? AND WHO'S THE KING? LEBRON JAMES PUTS ON THE HEAT TO GIVE MIAMI THE NBA CROWN ONCE AGAIN. KIA ORA. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE SPENDING A CHILLY NIGHT WITHOUT POWER IN WELLINGTON THIS EVENING. MANY HAVE BEEN MOPPING UP AFTER BEING BATTERED BY THE MOST POWERFUL STORM TO HIT THE CAPITAL IN DECADES. WIND SPEEDS REACHED 200KM/H AND HUGE SEAS, UP TO 15M HIGH, BIGGER THAN THOSE DURING THE WAHINE STORM 45 YEARS AGO, SMASHED INTO COASTAL AREAS CAUSING WIDESPREAD DAMAGE. REBECCA EDWARDS REPORTS ON THE DESTRUCTION AND DISRUPTION. CRUSHED BY THE FORCE OF THE SEA. THIS HISTORIC EASTBOURNE HOME USED TO BE WHERE WRITER KATHERINE MANSFIELD AND HER FAMILY SPENT THEIR SUMMER HOLIDAYS. THE HOUSE IS MORE THAN A 100 YEARS OLD AND HAS NEVER BEEN FLOODING BEFORE, AND IT WAS WAIST DEEP LAST NIGHT. SO IT WAS COMPLETELY INSANE. THIS HOUSE ALONG WITH SEVERAL NEIGHBOURING IT ARE CASUALTIES OF A STORM THAT'S LASHED THE CAPITAL OVER A PROLONGED PERIOD. GALE-FORCE WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN HAMMERED THE REGION OVERNIGHT, NEARLY 30,000 RESIDENTS WERE LEFT WITHOUT POWER. MANY OF THEM COULD BE WAITING DAYS TO BE RECONNECTED. IT'S MEANT A RETURN TO THE OLD FOR THESE HUTT VALLEY TEENS. THEIR SCHOOL ONE OF 58 FORCED TO CLOSE. WE'VE BEEN, LIKE, PLAYING BOARD GAMES OR, LIKE, DOING CARD GAMES. NOTHING TO DO WITH THE INTERNET, THOUGH, SO IT'S BEEN A BIT DIFFERENT. JUST AS WELL WE'VE GOT A FIRE AND I'VE BEEN DOING TOAST AND BOILING WATER ON THE BARBECUE. TRAVELLING WAS TREACHEROUS. CRUSHING WAVES HAVE DAMAGED TRAIN LINES, DISRUPTING COMMUTERS. MANY SERVICES HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY BUSES. FLIGHTS IN AND OUT OF THE CAPITAL WERE CANCELLED LAST NIGHT AND DIDN'T RESUME UNTIL MID-MORNING, DISRUPTING PASSENGERS' PLANS. NOW I'M JUST GOING TO MISS HER 90TH BIRTHDAY. TIRING, BORING AND REALLY REALLY ANNOYING. WITH THE HIGHEST WAVES MEASURING 15M, FERRY TRAVEL ACROSS THE COOK STRAIT WILL ALSO REMAIN OFF LIMITS UNTIL AT LEAST TOMORROW MORNING. THIS KAITAKI FERRY SPENT THE NIGHT ANCHORED IN THE MIDDLE OF WELLINGTON HARBOUR AFTER BEING TORN FROM ITS MOORINGS BY STRONG WINDS. THE STRONGEST GUSTS RECORDED IN WELLINGTON OVERNIGHT REACHED 200KM/H. NOW, JUST TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE, THAT'S NEARLY THREE TIMES THE STRENGTH OF WHAT METSERVICE DEEMS GALE-FORCE WINDS. AND WHILE THE STORMY WEATHER IN THE REGION IS NOW EASING OFF, THERE'S STILL THE MASSIVE CLEAN-UP TASK TO COME. REBECCA EDWARDS, ONE NEWS. AS RESIDENTS ASSESS THE DAMAGE, INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE RECEIVING HUNDREDS OF CLAIMS FROM PEOPLE WHOSE HOMES WERE BADLY HIT. AND WORKERS ARE RACING TO GET THE POWER BACK ON. DANIEL FAITAUA REPORTS. LINEMEN WORKING IN BETWEEN GUSTS TO RESTORE ELECTRICITY TO 22,000 HOMES STILL WITHOUT POWER. WE'VE GOT A NUMBER OF CREWS COMING AROUND FROM THE TOP OF THE NORTH ISLAND. THEY'RE GOING TO BE WORKING PROBABLY THROUGH TO EARLY EVENING. 8000 RESIDENTS ARE BACK ON THE GRID. TO CLEAR UP THIS SORT OF MESS, WE'RE LOOKING AT LEAST TO TWO TO UP TO THREE DAYS TO GET EVERYBODY'S POWER BACK ON AND EVEN THEN SOME OF THE REMOTE AREAS, THAT POWER WILL REMAIN OFF FOR QUITE SOME TIME. IT WAS BEYOND ANYONE'S CONTROL. THE DEBRIS A VISIBLE SIGN OF THE STORM'S BRUTE FORCE. MY FENCE STANDS ABOUT YAY HIGH, AND I NOTICED THAT AT LEAST HALF OF IT WAS PULLED AWAY FROM THE POSTS. AN HOUR LATER, AFTER SORTING OUT THE GARAGE, IT HAD TOPPLED RIGHT OVER. THERE WON'T BE A CAR IN LEEANE HITA'S GARAGE FOR SOME TIME. THESE PANELS HAD GONE AND MY GARAGE DOOR WAS FLAPPING IN THE WIND, AND IT'S A ROLLER DOOR, AND THEY'RE NOT SMALL. ALONG THE SOUTHERN COAST, RESIDENTS PREPARED FOR THE STORM BY BOARDING UP THEIR WINDOWS, BUT THEIR BACKYARDS WERE WASHED AWAY. EARLY MORNING ` JUST BANG. YOU HEAR A BIG THUDDER AND THEN ALL THE SPLASH COME OVER AND HAVE A LOOK OUTSIDE, AND THE WALL'S GONE. A SEAWALL MADE OF REINFORCED CONCRETE IS NOW JUST RUBBLE. IT'S PRETTY MUCH FLOODED OUT DOWNSTAIRS ABOUT HALF A METRE UP. INSURANCE COMPANIES HAVE TOLD ONE NEWS THEY'RE FIELDING HUNDREDS OF CALLS FROM RESIDENTS IN WELLINGTON MAKING CLAIMS FOR WIND AND WAVE DAMAGE. DANIEL FAITAUA, ONE NEWS. THE ICY BLAST HAS MOVED NORTH, BLANKETING MUCH OF THE CENTRAL PLATEAU IN THICK SNOW. IN THE PAST HOUR THE DESERT ROAD, THE MAIN ROUTE THROUGH THE NORTH ISLAND, CLOSED AGAIN. REPORTER SARAH BATLEY'S BEEN IN THE THICK OF IT AND JOINS US NOW LIVE FROM WAIOURU. CONTRACTORS GOT IT OPEN A BIT THIS AFTERNOON. ICE IS BECOMING A PROBLEM, SO IT'S CLOSED AGAIN NOW. ALMOST AS QUICKLY AS THE SNOW'S PUSHED OFF THE ROADS IT'S FALLING AGAIN. OUR CAMERA WAS ALLOWED ON THE DESERT ROAD FOR A SHORT TIME THIS AFTERNOON AS CONTRACTORS WORKED TO GET IT CLEARED. FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON OR THE YEAR, WE DON'T USUALLY GET TWO SNOWFALLS LIKE WE'VE HAD. HEAVY SNOW UP TO 0.5M DEEP IN PLACES AGAIN CAUGHT SOME MOTORISTS OUT. IT IS FREEZING. NOT REALLY EASY TO SLEEP IN A CAR WITH NO BLANKETS. OTHER MOTORISTS TRIED TO GET NORTH USING OTHER ROADS AROUND THE MOUNTAIN BUT WERE STOPPED IN THEIR TRACKS. THE REGO PLATE IS FROZEN FREIGHT, BUT IN THIS CASE I THINK THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS ARE GETTING FROZEN SITTING HERE THIS LONG. BUT FOR SOME HARDY SCHOOL PUPILS, IT WAS BUSINESS AS USUAL. NATIONAL PARK PRIMARY IS THE HIGHEST SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY, BUT AMAZINGLY STAYED OPEN TODAY FOR THOSE WHO WERE ABLE TO GET TO SCHOOL SAFELY. THEY ARE VERY HARDY HERE, AND, ACTUALLY, THEY LOVE THE SNOW. BEFORE I OPENED THE DOORS THIS MORNING THREE OF THEM WERE OUTSIDE MAKING SNOWMEN. WITH THE SNOW SET TO STICK AROUND FOR A FEW DAYS, AUTHORITIES ARE URGING MOTORISTS TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL, ESPECIALLY OVERNIGHT. YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO HIT THE ICE, ESPECIALLY THROUGH THIS AREA. AT NEARBY WHAKAPAPA SKI FIELD, STAFF WADED TO WORK THROUGH 40CM OF FRESH SNOW. THE ADVICE TO OTHER TRAVELLERS IN THE REGION ` UNLESS YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO BE OUT, STAY AT HOME. SARAH, THIS HUGE DUMP OF SNOW MUST BE WELCOME FOR THE SKI FIELDS? YES, THE SNOW IS GREAT FOR THE SKI FIELDS. BOTH WHAKAPAPA AND TUROA HAVE HAD OVER 40CM OF NEW SNOW AND ARE DUE TO OPEN AS PLANNED NEXT WEEKEND. THE SNOW'S NOT SO GOOD FOR OTHER SPORTS, THOUGH, WITH SOME RUGBY AND NETBALL GAMES ACROSS THE REGION CANCELLED FOR TOMORROW. THANKS, SARAH BATLEY, LIVE FROM WAIOURU. THE SNOW'S STILL CAUSING MAJOR HEADACHES ACROSS LARGE PARTS OF THE SOUTH ISLAND. ROAD CLOSURES AND POWER OUTAGES ARE STILL PLAGUING SOUTH CANTERBURY AND MCKENZIE COUNTRY. AND TEKAPO'S BEEN CUT OFF, WITH RESIDENTS FORCED TO WADE THROUGH CHEST-DEEP SNOW. DONNA-MARIE LEVER IS IN THE REGION. IT'S A WHITEWASH AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE. FARMLAND HERE IN BURKES PASS IS FROZEN UNDER BLANKETS OF SNOW, AND THERE'S MORE THAN 8000 SHEEP TO GET TO. WHEN WE GOT THE SNOW WARNING, WE MADE SURE WE HAD THEM ALL PRETTY CLOSE IN, SO WE` YOU KNOW, GETTING TO THEM AND FEEDING THEM. WHILE THIS ICY TERRAIN WAS EXPECTED, IT'S STILL SLIPPERY WORK KEEPING THE STOCK SAFE, AND THESE WEE DOTS ON THE HORIZON ARE HUNGRY. YOU TAKE NOTICE OF THE WEATHER FORECAST. I MEAN, THEY DO THEIR BEST. THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS ACCURATE. YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE GIVEN A WARNING, YOU HEED IT. THE WHITE STUFF HAS FALLEN THICK AND FAST IN TEKAPO, CLOSING ROADS BOTH IN AND OUT. LOCALS BATTLED CHEST-DEEP DRIFTS, FORCED TO CLEAR PATHS TO THEIR HOMES. A WINTER PLAYGROUND FOR TOURISTS, BUT A HAZARD FOR OTHERS. WHILE THE SNOW DOES CREATE SOME FAIRLY SPECTACULAR SCENERY, IT'S ALSO IN AREAS LIKE THIS THAT IT CAUSES BIG HEADACHES. MORE REMOTE COMMUNITIES FACE ANOTHER NIGHT WITHOUT POWER, AND, FOR MANY, THE ROADS IN THE REGION ARE STILL CLOSED. AND CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY TO REMAIN TREACHEROUS FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 24 HOURS. VEHICLE ARE UP THERE WITH SNOW PLOUGH AND GRADERS, TRYING TO CLEAR THE ROAD. THERE'S ALSO TREES THAT HAVE COME DOWN. LINESMAN ARE WORKING AS FAST AS POSSIBLE TO FIND THE FAULTS. WE DON'T SEE SNOW LIKE THIS THAT OFTEN, AND YESTERDAY'S SNOW WAS A REAL CLINGY SNOW, WHICH DID A LOT OF DAMAGE. FARMERS WILL BE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON SUPPLIES. WINTER FEED IS STARTING TO WILT, AND THERE'S STILL NO SIGN OF THE SNOW STOPPING JUST YET. DONNA-MARIE LEVER, ONE NEWS. IT'S ALSO DESPERATE TIMES FOR FARMERS FURTHER SOUTH IN CENTRAL OTAGO, WHERE SOME RESIDENTS ARE CALLING IT THE BIGGEST SNOWFALL IN DECADES. LACEY WILSON REPORTS FROM THERE. IT'S BUSINESS AS USUAL... NO MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAD A FLOOD AND A SNOW IN THE SAME YEAR, LET ALONE SAME WEEK. AND IT HASN'T BEEN EASY. AS YOU CAN SEE, IN THE KYEBURN DIGGINGS AREA, THEY'VE HAD ABOUT 600MM OF SNOW, AND FOR THE CRUTCHLEYS HERE, THAT'S MEANT THEY'VE HAD TO BRING IN A BULLDOZER TO FEED ISOLATED STOCK. THEY'LL BE COMFORTABLE IN THE SNOW AS LONG AS WE CAN GET TO THEM OVER THE NEXT WEE WHILE. NASEBY DIDN'T ESCAPE THE BIG SNOW FALL EITHER. OK WE'VE GOT AT LEAST 600ML THERE. WITH A NEAR-RECORD DUMPING. I'M COMING UP 75, LIVED HERE PRETTY NEAR ALL MY LIFE, AND THIS IS THE MOST SNOW I'VE SEEN IN ONE FALL EVER. BUT THE COMMUNITY'S STICKING TOGETHER. YOU JUST GLANCE AND HAVE A LOOK AT PEOPLE, SEE WHAT THEY'RE DOING. MAKE SURE THEY'RE OK. YEAH. BRING IN SOME WOOD IN FOR THEM, DIG OUT THEIR PATH IF THEY NEED IT. YOU DON'T ALWAYS GET THAT IN A BIG CITY, BUT IN A WEE TOWN LIKE THIS, IT'S GREAT. LEAD OUT. LET'S GO. LET'S GO. NOT EVERYONE MINDED THE WEATHER. IT'S IDEAL CONDITIONS NOW, BECAUSE IT'S SORT OF FROZEN OVERNIGHT, SO THE SNOW'S REALLY GOOD FOR THE DOGS COS IT'S QUITE NICE AND ICY. AND WITH THE METSERVICE FORECASTING A CHILLY MINUS-9 HERE TOMORROW NIGHT, THERE COULD BE PLENTY MORE DAYS LIKE THIS. LACEY WILSON, ONE NEWS. IT'LL BE A CHILLY NIGHT TOO IN CHRISTCHURCH, WHERE RESIDENTS WOKE UP TO SNOW. ALTHOUGH SHORT-LIVED, IT CAUSED DISRUPTION, CLOSING SOME SCHOOLS AND MAKING DRIVING HAZARDOUS. MIKE THORPE HAS MORE. 24 HOURS LATE, THE FORECAST 'SNOW DOWN TO SEA LEVEL' FINALLY ARRIVED. THE ICY BLAST BEGINNING WITH A FLURRY OF FLAKES AND DISRUPTIONS. I HAD TO GO TO SCHOOL, AND THEN IT SNOWED, SO I CAN'T GO TO SCHOOL. THE HILL SUBURBS BORE THE BRUNT, QUICKLY BLANKETED AND THEN CUT OFF. WORKERS UNABLE TO REACT IN TIME FOR EVERYONE. FOR THOSE WHO COULD VENTURE UPHILL, IT WAS FOLLOW THE LEADER. HIGHER GROUND A NECESSITY FOR THIS YOUNG FAMILY TOO. RAEANA ULUPANO AND HER FOUR CHILDREN, INCLUDING A 3-WEEK-OLD BABY, HAVE BEEN MOVED FROM THEIR CARAVAN IN THIS WATER-LOGGED LOCAL CAMPING GROUND TO A WARMER TEMPORARY HOME. THE FRONT OF OUR AWNING HAD COME DOWN BECAUSE OF THE WIND AND MAYBE THE SNOW FROM LAST NIGHT, SO I WAS REALLY GRATEFUL THAT ME AND THE KIDS WEREN'T IN THERE THEN. ROADS THROUGHOUT THE WIDER CANTERBURY REGION TOOK A BATTERING. THE MAIN ROAD WEST IS STILL OUT OF ACTION. DELAYS TOO FOR THOSE HEADING WEST VIA THE LEWIS PASS. JUST SITTING WAITING. WHILE RESIDENTS IN NEARBY HANMER WERE BUSY CLEANING UP AFTER YESTERDAY'S DUMPING. WORKS UP A SWEAT. BACK AT CHRISTCHURCH AIRPORT TRAVELLERS FACED DELAYS. YEAH, THERE WAS ICE ON THE RUNWAY IN DUNEDIN. NOW THAT I HEAR THAT WELLINGTON'S OPENED UP AND THE PLANES ARE FLYING IN... BIT NERVOUS. WELL, AS SOON AS THE SNOW FELL IN CHRISTCHURCH CITY, IT MORE OR LESS WASHED AWAY, BUT UP HIGHER HERE IN THE HILL SUBURBS, YOU'LL SEE IT'S STILL STICKING AROUND, AND IT COULD DO FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS YET. IN FACT, THEY'RE SCHEDULED FOR ANOTHER DUMPING. BUT PART ONE OF THE POLAR BLITZ, AT LEAST, WAS SHORT-LIVED. MIKE THORPE, ONE NEWS. AND YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WEATHER, INCLUDING WARNINGS AND ROAD CLOSURES, ON OUR WEBSITE, ONENEWS.CO.NZ, WHERE YOU CAN ALSO VIEW PHOTOS AND VIDEOS SENT IN BY PEOPLE IN THE AFFECTED AREAS. NEXT ON ONE NEWS ` THE PLAYFUL TRIPLETS WHO DIED IN A SHOPPING MALL FIRE. WE'VE REACTION FROM THEIR PARENTS TO THE PUNISHMENT OF TOP OFFICIALS. A PAINFUL EXPERIENCE FOR FANS AS THEY CLAMOUR TO GET A SHOT OF FOOTBALL'S FAMOUS FACE. BUT YOU CAN'T REIN IN THE QUEEN, ESPECIALLY WHEN SHE'S ON TO A WINNER. THE PARENTS OF NZ TRIPLETS KILLED IN A DOHA MALL FIRE HAVE WELCOMED THE JAIL TERMS HANDED DOWN TO FIVE PEOPLE FOUND GUILTY OF NEGLIGENCE. BUT THEY SAY OTHERS SHOULD ALSO STAND TRIAL AND AN INDEPENDENT REPORT INTO THE FIRE SHOULD BE RELEASED. NICOLE BREMNER REPORTS. THE SMOKE-FILLED SKY HERALDED ONE OF QATAR'S DARKEST DAYS. 19 DEAD, 13 OF THEM CHILDREN, IN AN INFERNO THAT ENGULFED DOHA'S POPULAR VILLAGIO MALL LAST MAY. FOR ALL OF US HERE OUTSIDE, WE KNOW THAT OUR FAMILY'S INSIDE. 13 MONTHS ON AND FIVE HIGH-RANKING OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF CHARGES INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE AND INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER. JANE AND MARTIN WEEKES' TRIPLETS DIED IN THE FIRE ` LILLIE, JACKSON AND WILLSHER WERE TRAPPED AT THE DAYCARE THEY ATTENDED INSIDE THE MALL. TO START TO SEE THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. ABSOLUTELY. A JUDGE HAS HANDED DOWN SIX-YEAR JAIL SENTENCES TO VILLAGIO MALL'S CHAIRMAN AND ITS MANAGER, A TRADE MINISTRY OFFICIAL, AND A QATARI AMBASSADOR AND HIS WIFE. THEY WERE ALSO ORDERED TO PAY COMPENSATION OF $71,000 FOR EACH VICTIM. JANE WEEKES IS HEAVILY PREGNANT, SO THE COUPLE COULDN'T BE IN COURT. WE HAD FRIENDS WHO WERE IN THE COURT ` LILLIE'S GODMOTHER WAS THERE; WILLSHER'S GODFATHER WAS THERE. BUT THEIR FIGHT FOR JUSTICE GOES ON. MARTIN WEEKES IS CALLING FOR THE RELEASE OF AN INDEPENDENT REPORT. WE STILL HAVEN'T SEEN THE REPORT INTO THE BUILDING. IT'S ONE THING FINDING PEOPLE GUILTY FOR THE DEATH OF LILLIE, JACKSON AND WILLSHER, BUT WE STILL, YOU KNOW` WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OTHER PEOPLE IN DOHA ARE SAFE. MAKING SURE NO ONE ELSE WILL HAVE TO LIVE THROUGH A HORROR LIKE THIS. NICOLE BREMNER, ONE NEWS. A FLAG FLYING IN DOHA IS NOW AT THE CENTRE OF A DIPLOMATIC ROW STALLING PEACE TALKS BETWEEN AMERICA AND THE TALIBAN. THE MILITANT ORGANISATION'S REMOVED A NAMEPLATE FROM ITS NEW QATARI HEADQUARTERS, PROCLAIMING ITSELF AS THE 'ISLAMIC EMIRATE OF AFGHANISTAN'. BUT THE FLAG'S STILL RAISED. THE AFGHAN GOVERNMENT'S ACCUSED AMERICA OF ACTING IN BAD FAITH BY LETTING IT HAPPEN. IT'S NOW BOYCOTTING THE PEACE TALKS IN QATAR, WHICH WERE AIMED AT BRINGING AN END TO A DECADE OF WAR IN AFGHANISTAN. A RESCUE MISSION'S UNDERWAY TO REACH MORE THAN 50,000 PEOPLE LEFT STRANDED BY DEADLY FLOODS IN INDIA. RAGING WATERS HAVE SWEPT AWAY BUILDINGS AND TRIGGERED LANDSLIDES. RESCUERS HAVE BUILT BRIDGES WITH ROPE TO GET PEOPLE ACROSS SWOLLEN RIVERS. AT LEAST 150 PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE FLOODING. THE BIGGEST PROTESTS IN BRAZIL IN TWO DECADES ARE INTENSIFYING DESPITE A BACKDOWN BY THE GOVERNMENT ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT. RIOT POLICE HAVE CLASHED WITH DEMONSTRATORS IN AT LEAST FIVE CITIES, INCLUDING THE CAPITAL, BRASILIA. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE CALLING FOR AN END TO GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION. THEY'VE BEEN UNDETERRED BY A REVERSAL OF PLANS TO INCREASE TRANSPORT FARES. PRESIDENT DILMA ROUSSEFF HAS CANCELLED A TRIP TO JAPAN NEXT WEEK BECAUSE OF THE GROWING UNREST. A LIGHT-HEARTED KICK-AROUND WITH DAVID BECKHAM IN CHINA HAS BEEN CANCELLED AFTER IT TURNED INTO A STAMPEDE. CROWD SCREAMS FOOTBALL'S FAMOUS FACE CREATED SUCH A CLAMOUR THAT AT LEAST SEVEN PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE CRUSH. 1000 FANS STORMED THE SHANGHAI VENUE WHERE THE RETIRED STAR WAS MEANT TO MEET UNIVERSITY PLAYERS. POLICE, SECURITY GUARDS AND STUDENTS WERE INJURED. BECKHAM HAS WISHED THEM A SPEEDY RECOVERY. NOW IF YOU LIKE A FLUTTER AT THE RACES, IT'S WORTH FOLLOWING THE FORTUNES OF ANOTHER BRIT. THE QUEEN, NO LESS, IS NOW THE FIRST REIGNING MONARCH IN 207 YEARS TO WIN ROYAL ASCOT'S COVETED GOLD CUP. THE BBC'S PATRICK GEAREY WITH THE ACTION. FEW PUNTERS ARRIVE AT ROYAL ASCOT QUITE LIKE THIS, BUT THEN QUEEN ELIZABETH ISN'T YOUR AVERAGE RACEGOER. APART FROM ANYTHING, HER MAJESTY OWNS THE FAVOURITE FOR THE GOLD CUP, ESTIMATE. THE 4-YEAR-OLD FILLY WAS WELL BACKED, BUT IN ANOTHER SENSE, THE ODDS WERE AGAINST THE ROYAL STEED. NO REIGNING MONARCH HAD WON THIS RACE SINCE IT STARTED. GEORGE III WAS ON THE THRONE BACK THEN. RACING PAYS NO HEED TO HISTORY, THOUGH. IT'S A QUESTION OF METICULOUS TIMING. JOCKEY RYAN MOORE GOT EVERYTHING SET. NOW FOR THE BIG FINISH. ESTIMATE HAS A NECK AHEAD... A ROYAL WIN FOR THE GOLD CUP! NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE OR HOW OLD YOU ARE, THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT BACKING A WINNER THAT MAKES YOU FORGET EVERYTHING ELSE. THE QUESTION FINISHED THE CELEBRATIONS WITH HER RACING ADVISER JOHN WARREN AND WENT TO MEET HER JOCKEY. BUT MR MOORE WON'T BE RACING AGAIN FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. HE'S BEEN BANNED FOR AN ACCIDENTAL DRIFT INTO ANOTHER HORSE, WHICH SHOWS YOU CAN GET ROYAL APPROVAL, BUT YOU CAN'T ESCAPE THE STEWARDS. THE QUEEN'S NOW BEEN A WINNER 22 TIMES AT ASCOT, THE FIRST JUST TWO WEEKS AFTER HER CORONATION IN 1953. THE NASTY WINTER STORM HAS BATTERED THE COUNTRY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, BUT THE WEATHER IS GRADUALLY IMPROVING NOW, KAREN? YES, THE LOW IS SLOWLY MOVING AWAY. STILL GOT STRONG WINDS, SLEET AND SNOW IN THE FORECAST, BUT NOT AS EXTREME AS IT HAS BEEN. WE'VE SEEN THE DAMAGE THE WIND HAS CAUSED IN THE CAPITAL. A GUST OF 202KM/H WAS RECORDED ON MT KAUKAU LAST NIGHT. THAT GUST IS WAY ABOVE HURRICANE STRENGTH. MORE SNOW AND HEAVY RAIN. SO LETS SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING OUT THERE RIGHT NOW. THE RAIN RADAR'S SHOWING SOME LUMPY SHOWER CLOUD AROUND THE CANTERBURY AREA, ALSO PUSHING ON TO SOUTHERN PARTS OF THE NORTH ISLAND. A FEW SHOWERS TRACKING OVER NORTHLAND AS WELL. FOR WEATHER, SEE ONENEWS.CO.NZ THE PLACE TO BE OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS WAS DEFINITELY THE WEST COAST OF THE SOUTH ISLAND. NO SNOW, RAIN OR THUNDERSTORMS THERE TODAY. WINDY BUT BEAUTIFUL BLUE SKIES OVERHEAD. THIS SHOT WAS TAKEN JUST SOUTH OF GREYMOUTH. I'LL BE BACK AFTER SPORT WITH YOUR WEEKEND FORECAST. AHEAD ON ONE NEWS ` FAMILIES MARCH TO DEMAND JUSTICE FOR MENTALLY ILL MEN WHO DIED IN JAIL. THE COUPLE WHO FLEECED THEIR OWN FAMILIES ` WE'VE REACTION FROM IN AND OUT OF COURT AS THEY'RE PUNISHED. AND TUNING UP FOR THE WINTER FESTIVAL. BUT HEAR WHY DAVE DOBBYN NEARLY DIDN'T MAKE IT. B THERE'S BEEN A DEMAND FOR JUSTICE FROM THE FAMILIES OF TWO NZERS WHO DIED IN JAIL IN SAMOA. BOTH HAD MENTAL ILLNESSES. FOLLOWING ONE NEWS' INQUIRIES, SAMOA'S PRIME MINISTER SAYS HE'LL INVESTIGATE ALLEGED HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE INSIDE THE PRISON. PACIFIC CORRESPONDENT BARBARA DREAVER WITH THIS UPDATE. # WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. # BUT HANS DALTON DIDN'T GET TO SEE IN THE NEW YEAR. HE DIED IN TAFA'IGATA PRISON LAST BOXING DAY. PUT BEHIND BARS BECAUSE HE SUFFERED FROM MENTAL ILLNESS, HE WAS BADLY BEATEN AND FOUND UPSIDE DOWN IN A PRISON CELL IN A DRUM OF WATER. WE HAVE WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL SUPPORT, BUT IT'S VERY PAINFUL. WHILE A FELLOW INMATE HAS SINCE BEEN CHARGED WITH HIS MURDER, POLICE ORIGINALLY TOLD HIS MOTHER HANS COMMITTED SUICIDE. PAE TUILAEPA WAS TOLD THE SAME THING ABOUT HIS BROTHER PERRY, WHO ALSO HAD A MENTAL ILLNESS AND DIED IN TAFA'IGATA PRISON IN 2011. HE HAD BRUISES ALL OVER HIS FACE. HE HAD CUTS AND STUFF, AND I JUST LOOKED AT MY DAD, AND SAID, 'MAN, THAT'S BULLSHIT. 'THERE'S NO WAY HE COMMITTED SUICIDE.' THE TWO CASES PROMPTED BOTH FAMILIES TO MARCH THROUGH AUCKLAND, DEMANDING JUSTICE. HANS DALTON'S MOTHER INTENDS TO SUE THE SAMOAN GOVERNMENT FOR FAILING TO PROTECT HER MENTALLY ILL SON. SHE'S HERE AT THE SAMOA CONSULATE TO PRESENT A STATEMENT. EMOTIONS WERE RUNNING HIGH AS THE CONSUL GENERAL SPOKE TO THE GROUP. THE PRISON OFFICERS THAT WERE ON DUTY DURING THAT DAY HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH BY THE POLICE TRIBUNAL. WHY WERE THEY ADAMANT THAT HANS COMMITTED SUICIDE? GET THESE ANSWERS FOR US. SAMOA'S PRIME MINISTER IS DEMANDING A FEW ANSWERS HIMSELF I HAVE ASKED FOR REPORTS TO COME TO ME. TWO GRIEVING NZ FAMILIES HOPE TO PREVENT MORE DEATHS. SAMOA, SHAME ON YOU. AND THEY'RE DETERMINED TO GET JUSTICE FOR THEIR LOVED ONES. BARBARA DREAVER, ONE NEWS. A COUPLE'S BEEN SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS AND FIVE MONTHS IN JAIL AFTER LEAVING FAMILY MEMBERS BANKRUPT. THE PAIR FROM HAMILTON CREATED A BILLIONAIRE FANTASY WORLD. PAUL HOBBS WITH THE DETAILS. OUTSIDE THE COURT, THERE WAS ONLY DEFIANCE... <BLEEP>. SHALL I SMACK YOU IN THE <BLEEP>ING FACE? ...FROM THE FAMILY OF THE TWO FRAUDSTERS. INSIDE THE COURT, PARAONE TAMIHANA AND ROSEANNE RANDELL SHOWED NO REMORSE ` EACH GUILTY OF 20 CHARGES OF FRAUD, PREYING PREDOMINANTLY ON FAMILY MEMBERS. IT'S THE WAY YOU WENT ABOUT IT. STRIPPING ALREADY CASH-STRAPPED LOVED ONES OF THEIR LIFE SAVINGS. IN MY VIEW, THIS IS A CASE OF ECONOMIC CRUELTY. ONE NEWS UNCOVERED THEIR SCAM THREE YEARS AGO. THE PAIR CREATED A FANTASY WORLD CENTRED ON A SUPPOSED MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT WITH DUBAI HOTEL GIANTS JUMEIRAH GROUP. ALL A FICTION. ALL FALSE. ALL A FABRICATION. THE COUPLE USED FAKE EMAILS AND LETTERS FROM THE LIKES OF RICH-LISTERS ERIC WATSON AND GRAEME HART TO CONVINCE RELATIVES AND OTHERS TO BUY INTO THEIR LAVISH BUSINESS DEALS. TO BE A VICTIM OF CRIME AND THE OFFENDER BE A FAMILY MEMBER, THAT'S JUST INDESCRIBABLE. ONE FAMILY MEMBER, JENNIS LAWRENCE, WAS LEFT JOBLESS AND BANKRUPT. SHE ENDED UP LIVING ON A GARAGE FLOOR WITH A HEATER AND A TELEVISION SET. AT THE TIME ONE NEWS BROKE THE STORY, JENNIS LAWRENCE WAS HERSELF CAUGHT UP IN THE COUPLE'S SCAM AND BY IMPLICATION INVOLVED IN IT. TODAY THE JUDGE SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT. SHE IS AN INNOCENT PERSON WHO HAS BEEN DRAWN INTO THIS, SUFFERED ALL THAT IGNOMINY BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU BETRAYED. THE PRICE OF THAT BETRAYAL IS ALMOST FOUR AND A HALF YEARS BEHIND BARS. PAUL HOBBS, ONE NEWS. IT'S BEEN REVEALED ` THE ACTOR WHO PLAYED MOB BOSS TONY SOPRANO WAS ON A FATHER-SON BONDING TRIP IN ITALY WHEN HE DIED. AND IT WAS JAMES GANDOLFINI'S 13-YEAR-OLD BOY, MICHAEL, WHO MADE THE EMERGENCY CALL AT THEIR ORME HOTEL. MEDICS SAY GANDOLFINI DIED ABOUT AN HOUR LATER OF A HEART ATTACK. FELLOW ACTORS PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SOPRANOS STAR. THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT JIM WAS THAT HE WAS PEOPLE PERSON FIRST AND THEN WORK. JAMES GANDOLFINI WAS DUE TO RECEIVE AN AWARD AT AN ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL, BUT ORGANISERS SAY THEY'LL CREATE A SPECIAL TRIBUTE INSTEAD. UPDATING THE BLAST OF FOUL WEATHER NOW. 22,000 HOMES ARE STILL WITHOUT POWER IN WELLINGTON TONIGHT AFTER A STORM THAT'S BEING COMPARED WITH THE WAHINE DISASTER. THE CAPITAL'S BEEN BATTERED BY WINDS REACHING 200KM/H. WAVES UP TO 15M HIGH WERE BIGGER THAN DURING THE WAHINE STORM 45 YEARS AGO. AND SNOW'S AGAIN FORCED THE CLOSURE OF THE DESERT ROAD, CUTTING OFF THE CRUCIAL LINK THROUGH THE CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND. THE ICY BLAST ALSO CAUSED DISRUPTION ACROSS LARGE PARTS OF THE SOUTH ISLAND, INCLUDING TEKAPO, WHERE RESIDENTS HAVE HAD TO WADE THROUGH CHEST-DEEP SNOW. THE WEATHER'S ALSO STALLED HUNDREDS OF TRAVELLERS TRYING TO GET TO QUEENSTOWN FOR ITS BIGGEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR. MAX BANIA IS AT THE OPENING OF THE ANNUAL WINTER FESTIVAL AND JOINS US NOW. MAX. THE OPENING CEREMONY IS WELL UNDERWAY. WE'RE EXPECTING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO LINE THE WATERFRONT. THERE ARE MANY WHO CAN'T BE HERE 45,000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED IN QUEENSTOWN FOR WINTERFEST MINUS THE UNLUCKY ONES WHOSE TRAVEL PLANS HAVE BEEN SCUPPERED BY THE WEATHER. JASON BATES WAS FLYING IN FROM CHRISTCHURCH, BUT FIVE MINUTES FROM LANDING THE PLANE HAD TO TURN BACK. ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATED. SO FIREWORKS TONIGHT AND A FEW BEERS, BUT I THINK THAT'S ALL OFF NOW, I RECKON. SOME INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS AND SMALLER ATR PLANES WERE UNABLE TO GET IN. WE'RE OPEN FOR BUSINESS. AND THE RUNWAY'S OPEN AND CLEAR, AND WE'RE JUST RESTRICTED BY VISIBILITY. THOSE WHO DID MAKE IT GOT A SNEAK PEEK OF TONIGHT'S HEADLINE ACT. THOUGH TWO OF DAVE DOBBYN'S CO-PERFORMERS VERY NEARLY FELL VICTIM TO THE WEATHER AS WELL. GOT STUCK IN LUMSDEN WHERE EVERYTHING CLOSED DOWN, SO PHONE CALLS RIGHT, LEFT AND CENTRE, AND THEN OUT GOES THE CHOPPER. YEAH, LED ZEPPELIN STYLE. (LAUGHS) THIS TIME LAST YEAR, QUEENSTOWN'S SKI FIELDS WERE BEGGING FOR SNOW. 12 MONTHS ON, THEY'VE GOT MORE THAN THEY NEED. SNOW'S AMAZING, MAX. WE'VE HAD AROUND 50CM CENTIMETRES ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN. SO MUCH SNOW THAT OUR AVALANCHE CREW ARE OUT THERE TAKING CARE OF IT. THE PATROL GUYS ARE SETTING OFF BOMBS AND DOING SOME CONTROL WORK. WHILE THE FOCUS OF THIS YEAR'S TRADITIONAL BUSINESS LUNCHEON WAS ATTRACTING MORE BUSINESS TRAVELLERS TO THE RESORT. INCLUDING A CONVENTION CENTRE WHICH WE ARE VERY HOPEFUL OF HAVING IN QUEENSTOWN. < DO YOU THINK THERE'S AN APPETITE FOR THE CONVENTION CENTRE? ABSOLUTELY. ABSOLUTELY. HIGH-VALUE CLIENTS COMING INTO TOWN. AND AS FOR TONIGHT'S OPENING CEREMONY, THE TRICK TO KEEPING WARM? IF YOU'RE MAKING HOT ENOUGH MUSIC, YOU'LL BE WARM ON THE INSIDE AND WARM ON THE OUTSIDE TOO. LET'S HOPE DAVE DOBBYN IS RIGHT. THE WIND CHILL IN QEENSTOWN IS MINUS-5 DEGREES. WE COULD BE IN FOR A BUMPER WEEK. MAX BANIA, THANK YOU. JENNY-MAY'S HERE NOW WITH SPORT, AND THE MIAMI HEAT BACK TO BACK NBA CHAMPIONS? WE HAVE ALL OF THE ACTION FROM THIS AFTERNOON'S NAIL-BITER. EVEN NBA FANS THE ALL BLACKS WERE FORCED TO LEAVE THEIR TV SETS TO HEAD OUT TO TRAINING AHEAD OF TOMORROW'S DEAD RUBBER AGAINST FRANCE. BUT IT'S ALL ON TOMORROW NIGHT AS THE LIONS LOOK FOR THEIR FIRST EVER WIN AGAINST THE WALLABIES IN BRISBANE. AND IS THERE ANYTHING MS DHONI CAN'T DO? THE INDIAN CRICKET CAPTAIN SWAPS THE GLOVES FOR THE BALL. KIA ORA. WELCOME BACK TO SPORT. LOVE THEM OR LOATHE THEM, THE MIAMI HEAT ARE NOW BACK-TO-BACK NBA CHAMPIONS. LEBRON JAMES LED THE HOME SIDE TO A 95-88 VICTORY IN A THRILLING GAME SEVEN OF THE BASKETBALL FINALS THIS AFTERNOON. KIMBERLEE DOWNS WATCHED THE ACTION. WHAT A FINISH. THE 2013 NBA CHAMPIONSHIP RESIDES ONCE AGAIN IN MIAMI. THE TITLE, THE TROPHY, THE GLORY. MIAMI'S BIG THREE CHAMPIONS AGAIN. THIS IS THE REACTION FROM THE BIGGEST OF THEM ALL. IM LEBRON JAMES FROM ACKRON, OHIO, FROM THE INNER CITY. I'M NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE HERE. REALLY THOUGH, THIS GAME WAS MADE FOR KING JAMES TO PROVE HE DESERVED HIS CROWN. TOOK A HARD, HIT PUT IT IN. THIS IS WHEN HE'S AT HIS BEST ` IN THE OPEN COURT. JAMES WILL TRY ANOTHER THREE. HOOKS IT IN! LOOK HOW FAR OFF THEY'RE PLAYING. HE'LL TRY IT AGAIN. IT'S GOOD! NOW A TWO-TIME FINALS MVP, JAMES CLAIMED 37 POINTS IN THE 'WINNER TAKES ALL' BATTLE. HIS CLUTCH JUMPER WITH 29 SECONDS LEFT GAVE MIAMI A CRUCIAL FOUR-POINT BUFFER. 8 WASN'T ALWAYS PRETTY, BUT FOR THE PUNTERS WHO PAID UP TO $38,000 FOR COURTSIDE SEATS, IT LIVED UP TO THE HYPE. OH, HE BANGS IT IN AT THE BUZZER! SAN ANTONIO ENSURED THEY WERE ALWAYS IN WITH A CHANCE. A GORGEOUS MOVE FROM KAWHI LEONARD. EVENTUALLY, THOUGH, WITH THE SECONDS TICKING AWAY, THE SPURS WERE WORN DOWN. IT TOOK EVERYTHING WE HAD AS A TEAM. YOU KNOW, CREDIT TO THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS. THEY'RE A UNBELIEVABLE TEAM. THIS IS THE HARDEST SERIES WE EVER HAD TO PLAY. DYWANE WADE'S 23 POINTS WERE ALSO CRUCIAL. IN FACT, OF THE BIG THREE, ONLY CHRIS BOSH FAILED TO SHOW UP ` ZERO, YES, ZERO, POINTS. YOU HAVE TO WONDER IF HE CARES. WHEN IT COMES TO THE CRITICS, LEBRON JAMES CERTAINLY DOESN'T. EVERY NIGHT,I WALK INTO THE LOCKER ROOM, I SEE A NUMBER SIX WITH JAMES ON THE BACK. IM BLESSED. SO WHAT EVERYBODY SAY ABOUT ME OFF THE COURT DON'T MATTER. I AIN'T GOT NO WORDS. AS THEY SAY, ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER ANYWAY. KIMBERLEE DOWNS, ONE NEWS. THE TIMING OF TODAY'S NBA GAME LEFT SOME ALL BLACKS FEELING FRUSTRATED IN NEW PLYMOUTH THIS AFTERNOON. THEY HAD TO BAIL PART WAY THROUGH TO HEAD OFF FOR THEIR CAPTAIN'S RUN. YEAH, THERE'S A FEW, YOU KNOW, CROSSROADS OUT THERE IN THE TEAM, SO WE'VE GOT IT RECORDED, SO WE'LL GO BACK AND WATCH THE SECOND HALF WHEN WE GET HOME. HOPE THEY ENJOYED IT. NOW BACK TO THE CAPTAIN'S RUN, AND THANKS FOR COMING, BUT DON'T EXPECT MERCY ` THE ALL BLACKS' CAPTAIN IS IN NO MOOD TO ALLOW THE FRENCH A CONSOLATION WIN TOMORROW NIGHT. A SERIES WIN NOT ENOUGH; A WHITEWASH THE ONLY OPTION FOR KIERAN READ'S MEN. MARK HATHAWAY REPORTS. A TARANAKI WELCOME UNDER A BRIGHT BLUE SKY FOR THE FRENCH. ONLY ARRIVING TODAY, THEY DON'T HAVE LONG TO GET COMFORTABLE, AND THE ALL BLACKS AREN'T PLANNING ON MAKING LIFE EASY FOR THEM TOMORROW NIGHT. HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR YOU, AND HOW DESPERATE ARE YOU FOR IT TO BE 3-0? OH, MATE, CERTAINLY, THE ONLY OUTCOME THAT WE'RE AFTER IS 3-0. READ'S FIRST SERIES IN CHARGE HAS GONE WELL SO FAR. THE CAPTAINCY IS JUST ANOTHER THING TO GET RIGHT. EVERY TEST WE GO INTO, YOU WANNA COME OUT ON TOP, SO IT'S NOT GONNA MATTER IF I WAS CAPTAIN OR NOT. READ'S FRENCH COUNTERPART DOESN'T SEEM CONFIDENT OF AVOIDING A WHITEWASH. MAYBE PHYSICALLY, WE ARE NOT AS STRONG AS WE WERE AT THE` NO, THREE` THREE WEEKS AGO. WITH EIGHT CHANGES TO THEIR STARTING LINE-UP AND INJURIES IN KEY POSITIONS, IT'D BE EASY TO THINK THE FRENCH HAVE ONE FOOT ON THE PLANE, BUT LES BLEU, AS WE KNOW, ARE FULL OF SURPRISES. YARROW STADIUM'S PROBABLY THE WARMEST PLACE IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW. THE SELL-OUT CROWD WILL BE HOPING THE WEATHER HOLDS, ALLOWING FOR RUNNING RUGBY. MARK HATHAWAY, ONE NEWS. A WINTERY BRISBANE BITE WILL HAVE THE LIONS FEELING RIGHT AT HOME AHEAD OF THE FIRST TEST AGAINST THE WALLABIES. AUSTRALIA CORRESPONDENT STEVE MARSHALL IS THERE. BENEATH A BLEAK BRISBANE SKY, THE WALLABIES TESTED THE SUNCORP SURFACE WITH A GAME OF TOUCH. IT'LL TAKE A LOT MORE THAN THE RAIN TO DAMPEN THE MOOD IN THE QUEENSLAND CAPITAL. WALLABIES SKIPPER JAMES HORWILL PUTTING INTO PERSPECTIVE WHERE PLAYING THE LIONS RANKS. A WORLD CUP, I THINK, IS THE PINNACLE OF OUR GAME, BECAUSE YOU ARE COMING UP AGAINST THE BEST IN THE WORLD, BUT THIS WOULD HAVE TO BE ALMOST A CLOSE SECOND, I THINK. THE LIONS WERE A CLOSE SECOND IN 2001 DESPITE WINNING THE OPENING TEST HERE IN FRONT OF A SEA OF RED SHIRTS. THE WALLABIES HAVE NEVER BEATEN THE LIONS HERE IN BRISBANE, BUT WITH EIGHT WELSH PLAYERS IN THE STARTING 15, THEY CERTAINLY FANCY THEIR CHANCES TOMORROW NIGHT. THE WALLABIES HAVE ENJOYED A RECENT SUCCESSION OF VICTORIES OVER WALES. OH, I THINK WE'RE GONNA WIN. BUT... LAUGHTER BUT I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE FAVOURITES OR NOT. ACTUALLY, THE LIONS ARE FAVOURITES FOR THE OPENING CLASH DESPITE ROBBIE DEANS HAVING THE TACTICAL EDGE OVER WARREN GATLAND IN THE BATTLE OF THE KIWI COACHES. NOT THAT THE CANTABRIAN ACKNOWLEDGES THE SUBPLOT THIS SERIES OFFERS. I HAVEN'T EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT IT, TO BE HONEST. IT'S THE WALLABIES VERSUS THE LIONS. RUNNING RUGBY IS THE KEY FOR GATLAND (49) TO DRAW FIRST BLOOD AGAINST A MAN FOUR YEARS HIS SENIOR. WE'VE COME HERE TO SHOW THE AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC THAT WE CAN PLAY RUGBY. WE THINK WE HAVE PLAYED SOME GREAT RUGBY SO FAR, AND THAT'LL BE OUR AIM. THE CVS OF BOTH COACHES ARE ABOUT TO BE SHAPED BY THE EVENTS OVER THE NEXT THREE TESTS. STEVE MARSHALL, ONE NEWS THE BLACKS STICKS HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO OVERCOME THEIR OLYMPIC DEMONS, THE BLACKS STICKS HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO OVERCOME THEIR OLYMPIC DEMONS, BEATEN 5-2 BY THE NETHERLANDS IN THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE WOMEN'S WORLD HOCKEY LEAGUE IN ROTTERDAM. NZ'S HOPES OF EXACTING REVENGE AFTER THEIR AGONISING SEMI-FINAL LOSS IN LONDON LAST YEAR UNRAVELLED IN THE FIRST 16 MINUTES. BALL ACROSS. TAPPED IN. OH! AND THE FOLLOW-UP IS MISSED. IT WAS A GOOD SAVE BY RUSSELL. BUT THE SECOND ATTEMPT IS IN. PLENTY OF SPACE. IT'S THREE ON ONE HERE. HOLLAND. CAN THEY GET A THIRD? THEY MUST DO. BEAUTIFUL GOAL! THE NETHERLANDS EVENTUALLY WON 5-2. NZ WILL FACE KOREA IN THE PLAYOFF FOR THIRD TOMORROW NIGHT. THEY'RE STILL HOPING FOR A WIN TO GUARANTEE THEIR QUALIFICATION FOR NEXT YEAR'S WORLD CUP. AFTER THE FRUSTRATION OF LOSING A PENALTY SHOOT-OUT TO AUSTRALIA, THE FOOTBALL FERNS HAVE REBOUNDED TO PUSH JAPAN TO A 1-1 DRAW IN TOSU. THE WORLD CHAMPIONS STRUCK FIRST IN THE 20TH MINUTE, BUT WHEN THEIR CAPTAIN, AYA MIYAMA, LOST THE BALL AND HER COMPOSURE, THEY WERE REDUCED TO 10 PLAYERS FOR THE SECOND-HALF. THE NZ SIDE TOOK ADVANTAGE, PEPPERING THE HOME SIDE'S GOAL. WITH TIME RUNNING OUT, THEY SNATCHED A LATE EQUALISER THROUGH SUBSTITUTE MIDFIELDER ANNALIE LONGO. ALL WHITES MIDFIELDER MICHAEL MCGLINCHEY HAS BEEN VOTED ON TO THE A-LEAGUE ALL STARS TEAM TO FACE MANCHESTER UNITED IN SYDNEY NEXT MONTH. THE 26-YEAR-OLD HAD AN OUTSTANDING SEASON WITH THE CHAMPION CENTRAL COAST MARINERS SIDE. OUR CHAMPION ROWERS HAVE RETURNED TO ETON DORNEY, THE SCENE OF THEIR OLYMPIC TRIUMPHS LAST YEAR. AND AS EUROPE CORRESPONDENT GARTH BRAY REPORTS, THE INTIMIDATING MEN'S PAIR MAY HAVE TO SEARCH HARDER TO FIND SERIOUS COMPETITION IN LONDON. YOU'RE LOOKING AT TWO OUTSTANDING ATHLETES. THEY COMPARE WITH THE BEST... HAMISH BOND AND ERIC MURRAY SHOWED THE OLYMPIC CROWDS HERE AT ETON DORNEY THEY MEANT BUSINESS FROM RACE ONE. NEARLY A YEAR ON, THE RINGS ARE GONE; THE FAMOUS 'DORNEY ROAR' MAY BE QUIETER. WATER'S WATER, AND IT STILL FEELS THE SAME OUT THERE. I GUESS WE'RE JUST TRYING TO SEE WHO IS ABOUT, WHO'S TAKING IT SERIOUS AND WHO'S OBVIOUSLY DEVELOPING A CREW. THEIR NEW COACH EXPECTS THEY'LL BE LIGHTLY RACED AGAINST A SMALL FIELD AND GO DIRECT FROM THEIR HEAT INTO THE FINALS ON SUNDAY NIGHT PART OF THE PLAN THIS WEEKEND IS TO MAKE SURE WE'VE GOT OUR NOSE WELL AND TRULY IN FRONT, SO, AGAIN, TO` NOT TO SCARE PEOPLE OFF, BUT TO LET THEM KNOW THIS IS A TOUGH EVENT TO COME INTO IF YOU WANT TO PLAY AGAINST THE KIWIS. DONALDSON SAYS THE PAIR EXPECT TO DO THAT DESPITE PULLING BACK A PUNISHING TRAINING REGIME TO ABOUT 80% OF THE EFFORT IT TOOK TO WIN OLYMPIC GOLD. THE GOLDEN BOYS OF NZ ROWING LOOK AS FORMIDABLE AS EVER, BUT IN THE WOMEN'S TEAM THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES, AND THEY'LL HAVE PLENTY TO PROVE HERE, AS THEY DID A YEAR AGO AT THE OLYMPICS. SCULLER EMMA TWIGG WILL RACE THE NEXT FOUR WEEKENDS AROUND EUROPE, WHILE REBECCA SCOWN AND NEW PARTNER KAYLA PRATT ARE CHASING A FAVOURED BRITISH PAIR. THE STANDARD, I DON'T THINK, FOR THEM HAS DROPPED OFF FROM LAST YEAR, AND THEY DEFINITELY ARE THE ONES TO BEAT. YEAH, I THINK OUR TARGET IS JUST TO SORT OF BE THERE OR THEREABOUTS IN THE TOP TWO AND JUST SORT OF GET A GAUGE OF WHERE WE ARE AT. CONFIDENCE FROM A FIRST-TIMER AT THE ELITE LEVEL THAT WILL BE TESTED OVER THE NEXT THREE DAYS. GARTH BRAY, ONE NEWS, ETON DORNEY. INDIA'S THROUGH TO THE FINAL OF CRICKET'S CHAMPION'S TROPHY AFTER CRUSHING SRI LANKA IN CARDIFF. SRI LANKA'S CAUSE WAS NOT HELPED BY TILLAKARATNE DILSHAN BEING FORCED TO RETIRE HURT AND KUMAR SANGAKKARA GOING CHEAPLY. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, INDIAN SKIPPER MS DHONI THEN DITCHED HIS KEEPER'S GLOVES TO HAVE A BOWL. OH! CLOSE IN-SWING. IS HE GONNA GIVE HIM? IS THE CAPTAIN`? YES! WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?! MAHELA JAYAWARDENE WANTS IT REVIEWED. HE MIGHT THINK HE'S GOT AN INSIDE EDGE. GOOD SEAM POSITION. HE'S GOT A BIG INSIDE EDGE. SO NO WICKET FOR DHONI, BUT HE DID FINISH WITH AN IMPRESSIVE 0/17 OFF HIS FOUR OVERS, HELPING RESTRICT SRI LANKA TO 181. INDIA MADE LIGHT WORK OF THE TARGET, WITH SHIKHAR DHAWAN CONTINUING HIS IMPRESSIVE FORM WITH 68. VIRAT KOHLI ALSO CHIPPED IN WITH AN UNBEATEN 58 TO WIN WITH 15 OVERS TO SPARE. THEY'LL PLAY ENGLAND IN SUNDAY'S FINAL. RECORD-BREAKING JAMAICAN NETBALL GIANT JAHNIELLE FOWLER HAS SIGNED FOR TWO MORE YEARS WITH THE SOUTHERN STEEL, AND SPEAKING OF GIANTS OF THE GAME ` HAPPY BIRTHDAY, IRENE VAN DYK. AFTER THE BREAK, KAREN SAYS THERE'S MORE HEAVY SNOW FOR SOME PLACES TONIGHT AND TOMORROW. CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN EASING TODAY, BUT WE STILL HAVE A WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW. BUSY DAY FOR THESE GUYS AT PORTERS SKI AREA. LOTS OF SNOW TO SHIFT. THANKS TO GUY NURSE FOR THE PHOTO. MORE HEAVY SNOW TONIGHT FOR THE CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND PLATEAU AND INTO TOMORROW IN MARLBOROUGH AND CANTERBURY. THESE ARE THE ROADS AND PASSES AFFECTED. ALSO WITH CLEARING SKIES AND PLUMMETING TEMPERATURES OVER INLAND PARTS OF THE SOUTH ISLAND TONIGHT, BE VERY CAREFUL TO WATCH FOR BLACK ICE ON MANY ROADS. WATCH IN PLACE FOR HEAVY SNOW OVERNIGHT IN OTAGO. BIG NASTY LOW SITTING JUST EAST OF THE NORTH ISLAND. BRIGHT SNOW AND RAIN-BEARING CLOUD PUSHING ON TO EASTERN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. SHOWER CLOUD ROTATING IN A CYCLONIC OR CLOCKWISE DIRECTION AROUND THE LOW TRACKING OVER THE TASMAN AND ACROSS NORTHERN DISTRICTS. DOWN HERE WE HAVE ANOTHER FRONT PUSHING UP OUT OF THE SOUTHERN OCEAN. THE LOW CONTINUES TO PULL AWAY TO THE EAST TOMORROW DRAGGING THE FRONT AND THE TROUGHS WITH IT. THE HIGH SQUEEZES IN OVER THE SOUTH ISLAND BEFORE GIVING WAY AS THESE FRONTS MUSCLE IN. FINE AGAIN IN WESTLAND AND FIORDLAND. JUST A SCATTERING OF MORNING SHOWERS FURTHER NORTH. RAIN OR SHOWERS IN THE EAST FALLING AS SNOW ABOVE 200M IN THE SOUTH AND 400M IN THE NORTH. BECOMING QUITE ICY ON INLAND RAODS AFTER DARK. THE COLD SOUTHERLY EASING. MAINLY FINE ABOUT THE BAY OF PLENTY. SOME RAIN OR SHOWERS FOR MOST OTHER PLACES. THE RAIN IN THE EAST AND SOUTH FALLING AS SNOW ABOVE 700M. STRONG COLD SOUTH-WESTERLY WINDS. GALE AT FIRST ABOUT WELLINGTON AND THE NORTH-EASTERN COASTLINE. FOR WEATHER, SEE ONENEWS.CO.NZ THAT'S YOUR FORECAST UP TO DATE ON THE SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. AND THAT'S ONE NEWS FOR FRIDAY. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.