IT'S MIDDAY, TUESDAY 6TH DECEMBER. THE COUNTRY MAY BE REELING FROM THE NEWS OF A FRESH PRIME MINISTER, BUT IS THE MAN TIPPED FOR THE POST READY? AND IF NOT BILL ENGLISH, WE'LL LOOK AT WHICH MPS ARE PUTTING THEIR HANDS UP TO BE THE COUNTRY'S NEXT LEADER. AND JOHN KEY HIMSELF EXPLAINING JUST WHY NOW IS THE RIGHT TIME TO GO, WITH THE BACKING OF HIS FIERCEST SUPPORTER. IT'S GONE TO INFINITY AND BEYOND. IT'S GONE TO INFINITY AND BEYOND! NOW THIS SPACE CAPSULE WILL TAKE PRIDE OF PLACE IN A LONDON MUSEUM. DUE TO THE LIVE NATURE OF MIDDAY, WE APOLOGISE FOR THE LACK OF CAPTIONS FOR SOME ITEMS. AHIAHI MARIE. GOOD AFTERNOON. THE TASK OF REPLACING JOHN KEY WHEN HE STEPS DOWN AS PRIME MINISTER NEXT WEEK IS NOW UNDERWAY. AT LEAST ONE MINISTER'S CONFIRMED HE'S INTERESTED IN THE TOP JOB. HEALTH MINISTER JONATHAN COLEMAN'S SAYS HE'S GAUGING HOW KEEN OTHER NATIONAL MPS ARE FOR A LEADERSHIP CONTEST. POLITICAL REPORTER KATIE BRADFORD'S AT PARLIAMENT. KATIE, WHAT'S THE LATEST? With this resignation that came as a shock, I have now spent the caucus morning differently. They've been in there for a couple of hours now. John key emerged half an hour ago to say it was time for him to leave the meeting. There were a few jokes at his expense. The Mps are discussing who they want as a leader and how they will work that out. HEADING INTO PARLIAMENT THIS MORNING JUDITH COLLINS WAS PLAYING IT COY. I'M JUST GOING TO GO AND DROP MY BAGS OFF AND THEN GO TO CAUCUS. THANK YOU. HAVE YOU BEEN RINGING ROUND PEOPLE, ASKING FOR SUPPORT AT ALL? I'M SO SORRY. I'M JUST GOING TO CAUCUS AT THE MOMENT. THANK YOU. MS COLLINS IS REFUSING TO SAY WHETHER SHE'LL PUT HER HAT IN THE RING TO BE THE COUNTRY'S NEXT PRIME MINISTER. YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY. HOWEVER, AT LEAST TWO OTHER MINISTERS ARE OPEN ABOUT BACKING TEAM ENGLISH. BILL ENGLISH WILL BE A FANTASTIC LEADER OF THE NATIONAL PARTY BILL ENGLISH WILL BE A FANTASTIC LEADER OF THE NATIONAL PARTY AND ALSO PRIME MINISTER. I THINK HE HAS THE SKILLS, THE EXPERIENCE, THE SUPPORT OF THE CAUCUS, AND HE'S GOING TO BE A GREAT LEADER IF HE GETS IT. BACKBENCH MPS, THOUGH, WERE REFUSING TO SAY WHO THEY SUPPORT. I'M NOT GOING TO COMMENT ON THAT. WE'VE NEVER BEEN IN THIS SITUATION BEFORE, SO WOULD RATHER JUST WE'VE NEVER BEEN IN THIS SITUATION BEFORE, SO WOULD RATHER JUST ALLOW THE PROCESS TO TAKE PLACE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. UH, THAT'S AN INTERNAL PROCESS. YOU DON'T KNOW WHO OR WHAT COMES OUT OF THE WOODWORK UNTIL NEXT WEEK. YOU DON'T KNOW WHO OR WHAT COMES OUT OF THE WOODWORK UNTIL NEXT WEEK. I DON'T KNOW. LET'S JUST WAIT AND SEE HOW IT UNFOLDS. NATIONAL MPs HAVE SPENT THEIR MORNING LOCKED IN A CAUCUS MEETING, WHERE THEY'LL FAREWELL JOHN KEY BUT ALSO BEGIN DISCUSSIONS ON JUST WHO THEIR NEW LEADER WILL BE. FOR MANY OF THESE MPs, IT'S THE FIRST TIME IN THEIR PARLIAMENTARY CAREER THEY'VE EVEN HAD TO CONSIDER A NEW LEADER. NONE OF THEM, EXCEPT BILL ENGLISH, KNEW JOHN KEY WAS RESIGNING. I THEN THOUGHT, 'HOLD ON, AM I DREAMING THIS? IS THIS REAL?' I HAD TO STOP HIM AND SAY, 'HOLD ON, WHAT HAVE YOU JUST SAID?' AND NOW THE LEADERSHIP BATTLE HEATS UP. AND, KATIE, YOU'VE HAD A CHANCE TO CANVAS OTHER MINISTERS GOING INTO THIS MORNING'S CAUCUS. WHAT WERE THEY SAYING? I think at this stage, everyone is really trying to gauge other Mps reactions and see who is going to stand. We have heard to Mps openly back Bill English. Aside from that, other contenders are staying mum except for Jonathan. I'VE BEEN TAKING SOME SOUNDINGS, NOT DOING NUMBERS, BUT SEEING WHAT THE APPETITE OF THE CAUCUS FOR A CONTEST IS. SO YOU ARE INTERESTED? UH, YES, I AM INTERESTED, BUT I'VE GOT REALLY NOTHING MORE TO SAY AT THIS STAGE. I'VE GOT TO TALK TO MY CAUCUS COLLEAGUES FIRST. MY VIEW IS THAT IT'S A CAUCUS DECISION, AND WE'LL DISCUSS IT IN THERE, AND I'M NOT GOING TO PLAY THAT OUT IN THE MEDIA. SO YOU'RE NOT SAYING EITHER WAY? YOU'RE NOT RULING IT OUT? I'M JUST SAYING I'M NOT GOING TO DISCUSS IT IN THE MEDIA. I'LL HAVE MY DISCUSSIONS IN CAUCUS. I THINK WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY IS A BIG SHOCK TO US ALL. OBVIOUSLY, JOHN KEY'S GOT MASSIVE SHOES THAT WILL NEED TO BE FILLED. THAT SAID, THE TRUTH IS THE NATIONAL PARTY'S MUCH BIGGER THAN ANY ONE PERSON, INCLUDING JOHN KEY. AND WE'VE GOT A GREAT DEPTH OF TALENT, AND WHAT'S IMPORTANT NOW IS WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD PROCESS AROUND CHOOSING THESE POSITIONS AND THAT WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT INSIDE THE CAUCUS ROOM, RATHER THAN IN THE MEDIA. Simon Bridges talks about process. What is the process? That is what they are trying to work out the caucus meeting right now. They have until next Monday to decide on the leader. Unless of course we get a surprise leadership announcement. I don't think that will happen. They are discussing amongst themselves working out who will stand and who they will back. Bill English Mike, that's leader putting their hands up. The big concern is they don't want to look like Labour. They want stability. There will be a lot of phone calls and talking and they will meet on Monday. On just the other side of politics, Andrew Little could not keep the grin off his face today. He is very happy. AND JOHN KEY TOOK THE CHANCE THIS MORNING TO REITERATE THAT FAMILY IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS FOR HIS RESIGNATION. I WORRIED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE WAY SOMETIMES THEY WERE GETTING BEATEN UP IN THE PAPERS, PARTICULARLY AROUND SOCIAL MEDIA ` NOT BECAUSE OCCASIONALLY THEY DID DO SOMETHING WHERE THEY MIGHT'VE DESERVED IT ` BUT ONLY BECAUSE NORMAL KIDS WOULDN'T GET THAT, TO BE BLUNT. AND AS A PARENT, YOU REALLY WORRY ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN, AND YOU WORRY ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY ARE YOUNG AND THEY'RE VULNERABLE. THIS POST ON HIS SON'S SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS ILLUSTRATING THAT CONCERN. MAX'S MESSAGE CALLING HIS FATHER HIS 'HERO' ATTRACTED DOZENS OF ABUSIVE COMMENTS. MEANWHILE, THE FAMILIES OF THE PIKE RIVER VICTIMS ARE PLEADING WITH MR KEY TO STOP THE PLANNED SEALING OF THE MINE BEFORE HE HANDS OVER POWER. IN A JOINT STATEMENT, THE FAMILIES OF THE 29 MEN WHO DIED IN THE 2010 DISASTER SAY MR KEY CAN 'EITHER DO THE RIGHT THING OR FOREVER BE THE PRIME MINISTER 'WHO TURNED HIS BACK'. THE MINE IS SET TO BE PERMANENTLY SEALED BY FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR. OVERSEAS, JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE'S ANNOUNCED HE'LL VISIT PEARL HARBOUR LATER THIS MONTH. HE'LL BE THE FIRST JAPANESE LEADER TO VISIT THE NAVAL BASE IN HAWAII, WHERE ALMOST 250,000 AMERICANS WERE KILLED IN A JAPANESE ATTACK 75 YEARS AGO. IN MAY, US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA WAS THE FIRST AMERICAN LEADER TO VISIT HIROSHIMA, WHERE US FORCES DROPPED A NUCLEAR BOMB DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR. OFFICIALS HAVE OPENED A CRIMINAL INQUIRY INTO A FIRE THAT KILLED AT LEAST 36 PEOPLE AT A WAREHOUSE PARTY IN CALIFORNIA. MANY MORE ARE STILL MISSING AND FEARED DEAD. IT'S BEEN REVEALED THE BUILDING WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION EVEN BEFORE THE BLAZE BECAUSE IT WAS CONSIDERED UNSAFE. THE ABC'S LAUREN LYSTER REPORTS. THIS MORNING, FIREFIGHTERS WERE TRYING TO PUSH FORWARD WITH THEIR GRIM SEARCH AND RECOVERY MISSION AFTER SAFETY CONCERNS IN THIS CHARRED WAREHOUSE BROUGHT THEIR WORK TO A STANDSTILL OVERNIGHT. THE UNFORTUNATE REALITY OF THE SOMBRE MONDAY MORNING IS THAT WE ARE THE UNFORTUNATE REALITY OF THE SOMBRE MONDAY MORNING IS THAT WE ARE ANTICIPATING ADDITIONAL BODIES BEING RECOVERED WITHIN THE STRUCTURE. THE DEATH TOLL IS GROWING, ALONG WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT IF THE DEVASTATING FIRE DURING AN ELECTRONIC MUSIC CONCERT AT THIS WELL-KNOWN ARTISTS' COLLECTIVE COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. AS FAR AS PREVENTABLE, ABSOLUTELY. LOCAL OFFICIALS CLAIM THE WAREHOUSE WAS WELL KNOWN FOR A SLEW OF VIOLATIONS AND COMPLAINTS, THAT IT WASN'T ZONED FOR PEOPLE TO BE LIVING THERE, WHICH OFFICIALS SAID THEY WERE BUT NOTHING WAS DONE. AND THEN THAT DEADLY FIRE BREAKING OUT FRIDAY NIGHT. LIKE, SEEING, LIKE, EVERYTHING, LIKE THIS ORANGE WALL OF FIRE. I DON'T KNOW. IT FELT LIKE SEEING A MONSTER. THE MAN WHO IS NOW COMING UNDER FIRE FOR ALLEGEDLY FOUNDING THE ARTISTS' COLONY SPOKE OUT EXCLUSIVELY TO ABC AFFILIATE KGO. THEY'RE MY FAMILY; THEY'RE MY LOVES; THEY'RE MY FUTURE. THEY'RE MY FAMILY; THEY'RE MY LOVES; THEY'RE MY FUTURE. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. AND NOW... CAN YOU JUST CALL ANY OF US IF YOU ARE AROUND? ...MANY DESPERATE FAMILIES ARE WAITING FOR ANSWERS, STILL HOPING TO HEAR ANYTHING FROM THEIR MISSING LOVED ONES. WE JUST WANNA KNOW IF YOU'RE ALIVE OR NOT! ITALY'S OUTGOING PRIME MINISTER HAS MET WITH THE COUNTRY'S PRESIDENT FOLLOWING A HEAVY DEFEAT IN A CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM YESTERDAY. MATTEO RENZI RESIGNED AFTER THE VOTE, CAUSING FEARS OF FURTHER INSTABILITY FOR THE COUNTRY'S TROUBLED ECONOMY. PRESIDENT SERGIO MATTARELLA MUST EITHER APPOINT A NEW PM OR TRIGGER ELECTIONS. FINANCIAL MARKETS HAVE STABILISED AFTER INITIAL FALLS FOLLOWING RENZI'S DEFEAT. FRENCH PRIME MINISTER MANUEL VALLS HAS ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY FOR NEXT YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. THE SOCIALIST (54), WHO HAS BEEN IN OFFICE SINCE 2014, WILL STEP ASIDE FROM HIS CURRENT ROLE TO FOCUS ON HIS CAMPAIGN. VALLS WILL FACE OTHER CONTENDERS IN THE SOCIALIST PRIMARY NEXT MONTH. HE'LL RUN TO REPLACE CURRENT PRESIDENT FRANCOIS HOLLANDE, WHO ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK HE WOULD NOT STAND FOR RE-ELECTION IN 2017. PROTESTERS HAVE DEMONSTRATED AS A COURT DEBATES WHETHER THE UK GOVERNMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO LEAVE EUROPE WITHOUT PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL. BRITAIN'S SUPREME COURT'S TODAY BEGAN HEARING A LANDMARK CASE THAT WILL DECIDE WHO HAS THE POWER TO TRIGGER BREXIT. BBC'S MARK EASTON REPORTS. GUARDIANS OF OUR CONSTITUTION OR ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE? WE'VE HAD ENOUGH OF BEING TOLD WHAT WE CAN THINK, WHAT WE CAN DO, WHAT WE CAN SAY. THE 11 MOST SENIOR JUDGES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM SOLEMNLY TOOK THEIR PLACES IN THE SUPREME COURT THIS MORNING TO CONSIDER A CASE ALL AGREE IS OF PROFOUND CONSTITUTIONAL IMPORTANCE AND WHICH HAS INSPIRED STRONG FEELINGS. OUTSIDE REMAINERS AND BREXITEERS ARGUED OVER WHETHER THE JUDGES WERE TRULY IMPARTIAL. THE POLICY CONTRACT HAD TO BE IMPLEMENTED, AND THAT WAS TO LEAVE OR TO STAY. INSIDE, LORD NEUBERGER SAID BOTH SIDES IN THE CASE ACCEPTED THE COURT WERE CONCERNED ONLY WITH THE LAW. THIS APPEAL IS CONCERNED WITH LEGAL ISSUES, AND AS JUDGES OUR DUTY IS TO CONSIDER THOSE ISSUES IMPARTIALLY AND TO DECIDE THE CASE ACCORDING TO THE LAW. THAT IS WHAT WE WILL DO. THE CASE HINGES ON WHO HAS THE FINAL SAY ON INVOKING ARTICLE 50, THE UK'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION TO LEAVE THE EUROPEAN UNION. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, JEREMY WRIGHT, ARGUED THE REFERENDUM MEANS POWER NOW RESTS WITH THE PRIME MINISTER. THE REFERENDUM WAS CONDUCTED, WE SAY, IN THE UNIVERSAL EXPECTATION, THE REFERENDUM WAS CONDUCTED, WE SAY, IN THE UNIVERSAL EXPECTATION, INCLUDING IN PARLIAMENT, THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD IMPLEMENT IT RESULTS. SET OUT IN WESTMINSTER TODAY IS THE POWER TRIANGLE THAT DEFINES THIS NATION'S GOVERNANCE ` LAWMAKERS IN THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT; GOVERNMENT MINISTERS, LED BY THE PRIME MINISTER IN 10 DOWNING STREET, AND THE JUDGES IN THE SUPREME COURT. CROWD CHANT WITH PASSIONS RUNNING HIGH, TODAY ALL THREE BRANCHES OF THE UK GOVERNMENT ` JUDICIARY, EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATURE ` FIND THEMSELVES UNDER INTENSE SCRUTINY. We return to our top story. We have Minister Jonathan Coleman he has expressed his interest in the role of Prime Minister. Everyone and caucus has a vote, but I have done some sounding. I can work with a range of people and it's not a matter of selecting someone who can run at the moment, but 6 days is quite a long time. A lot of things can happen and there's a range of people I can work with. I sense of need for a change. You'll have to talk to other parties there, but all I can say is I've put up an address in caucus today. What role will Bill English play in that kind of government? It is too early to say. Let's to see how the cards fall. through this process It is far too premature. He has confirmed he is touring his hat in the ring and hopefully getting those within 6 days. CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY FOR SEVERAL DISABLED CHILDREN IN CHRISTCHURCH THIS MORNING, AS THEY TOOK DELIVERY OF THEIR VERY OWN MOTORISED BMW CARS, COURTESY OF THE CHARITY GO BABY GO. WITH MOTORISED WHEELCHAIRS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM AGE 8, THE CHILDREN, LIKE 2-YEAR-OLD MAIA HARRIS, RELISHED THEIR FIRST EVER OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE BY THEMSELVES INDEPENDENTLY. IT'S GONNA MEAN THE WORLD TO HER, TO BE ABLE TO INTERACT MORE, AND... IT'S HUGE. YEAH, JUST THE FREEDOM SHE'S GONNA GET AS WELL, YOU KNOW? HOW MUCH SHE FIGURES IT OUT, BECAUSE I MEAN, BECAUSE OF HER VARIOUS DIFFERENT CONDITIONS, AND WHAT HAVE YOU ` SHE DOESN'T WALK, SHE DOESN'T TALK ` AND ONCE SHE FIGURES IT OUT, SHE'LL BE AWAY, YOU KNOW? MAIA WAS THE 100TH CHILD TO RECEIVE A 'GO BABY GO' CAR, WITH THE CHARITY AIMING TO GIVE AWAY A FURTHER 75 CARS IN JANUARY. STILL TO COME ON MIDDAY ` IT WAS A MISSION THAT MILLIONS FOLLOWED IN AWE. THE SPACECRAFT THAT JOURNEYED TO AND FROM SPACE IS TO GO ON DISPLAY AT LONDON'S SCIENCE MUSEUM. PLUS ` WILL THE BLACKCAPS LOOK TO CHANCE STRATEGY AHEAD OF THE SECOND ODI? WE'RE LIVE TO CANBERRA FOR THE LATEST. Hello, Mr Teasell. Come on through. Let's do the hearing test. Alright. (BEEP!) WOMAN: Hi, baba. It's your daughter. (LAUGHS) You're my best friend. You know that. Yes. You told me recently how isolated a lack of hearing makes you feel. Mmm. And that's not fair. I want you to be able to recognise my voice when I call. (SOFTLY) Yes. Something as little as a free hearing check can make a big difference. THE CAPSULE THAT TOOK BRITISH ASTRONAUT TIM PEAKE THOUSANDS OF KILOMETRES INTO SPACE WILL GO ON DISPLAY AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM IN LONDON. AND IT'S IN GOOD COMPANY, SET TO JOIN OTHER FAMOUS PIECES OF SPACE HISTORY. THE BBC'S PALLAB GHOUSH REPORTS. AND LIFT-OFF. IT WAS A MISSION THAT MILLIONS FOLLOWED. IT'S REALLY COOL SEEING THE UNION JACK GO OUTSIDE. IT THRILLED THE NATION. AND THEN HE RETURNED HOME. JUST THE SMELLS OF EARTH ARE SO STRONG. NOW THE CAPSULE THAT BROUGHT HIM SAFELY BACK TO EARTH HAS BEEN BOUGHT BY THE SCIENCE MUSEUM. YOU DO BECOME VERY ATTACHED TO YOUR SPACECRAFT, BECAUSE IT DEFINITELY DOES SAVE YOUR LIFE, AND I'M ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED THAT MY SOYUZ SPACECRAFT, THE TMA-19M, IS GOING TO BE RETURNING HERE TO THE UK AND MAY SERVE, HOPEFULLY, AS INSPIRATION FOR OUR NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS. TIM'S SOYUZ WILL SOON BE JOINING THIS AMERICAN APOLLO CAPSULE. THERE'S NOTHING LIKE REAL SPACECRAFT THAT HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN IN ORBIT TO INSPIRE PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY CHILDREN. MANY OF WHOM WILL WANT TO FOLLOW IN TIM'S FOOTSTEPS INTO SPACE. IT'S GOING TO DIG INTO ANY BITS OF SOFT FLESH THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE. HELEN SHARMAN IS BRITAIN'S FIRST ASTRONAUT. HER SPACESUIT IS ONE OF THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS AT THE MUSEUM. HE SWEATED INSIDE THAT SUIT. HE LOOKED OUTSIDE OF THAT WINDOW, AND HE SAW WHAT IT WAS LIKE RE-ENTERING THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE. IT REALLY PROVIDES US WITH, I THINK THAT LINK TO OUR OWN ASTRONAUTS. TIM'S MISSION AND THE SIGHTS HE'S SHOWN US ARE NOW AT AN END, BUT THE INSPIRATION THEY CREATED WILL CONTINUE FOR YEARS TO COME. TO SPORT, AND BREAKERS BASKETBALL STAR COREY WEBSTER HAS APPEARED IN COURT TODAY ON AN ASSAULT CHARGE. A VERY CASUAL LOOKING WEBSTER APPEARED AT THE ALBANY COURTHOUSE, WHERE THE HEARING OF THE CASE ARISING FROM A BAR ROOM INCIDENT A WEEK AGO, WAS DELAYED A FORTNIGHT. THE 28-YEAR-OLD HAS BEEN REMANDED ON BAIL, BUT IS ALLOWED TO TRAVEL FOR BREAKERS MATCHES. THE BOTTOM OF THE TABLE CLUB IS IN ACTION AGAIN ON THURSDAY. THE BLACKCAPS GO INTO TODAY'S SECOND ODI IN CANBERRA NEEDING A HUGE TURNAROUND IF THEY'RE TO RETAIN THE CHAPPELL HADLEE TROPHY. NZERS WERE CLEARLY OUT OF SORTS WITH THEIR 68-RUN LOSS TO THE AUSSIES ON SUNDAY. FOR THE LATEST, LET'S CROSS LIVE TO CRICKET REPORTER KIMBERLY DOWNS IN CANBERRA. Welcome to not so sunny Canberra. While it has been raining a bit this morning, it has cleared now. This cloud will hang around, but it will not interfere. It might be a relief for the guys on the field. The task of the Blackcaps is pretty simple. We have to win in order to keep the series alive. It is no mean feat. When you look at the areas they need to improve on, it is batting, fielding and bowling. A couple of drops that they will want to clean up. It is quite simple. You cannot leave Guptill to do it all on his own it takes significance when you look at the history. It is a high-scoring ground traditionally. It connects back to a lot of high-scoring runs. THE PHOENIX PLAYERS REMAINED TIGHT-LIPPED WHEN THEY ARRIVED BACK IN WELLINGTON THIS MORNING AMID THE SUDDEN SHOCK RESIGNATION OF HEAD COACH ERNIE MERRICK. PLAYERS REFUSED TO MAKE ANY COMMENT AS THEY MADE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE AIRPORT AFTER RETURNING FROM AUSTRALIA, WHERE A LOSS TO ADELAIDE UNITED SAW THEM SLUMP TO THE BOTTOM OF THE A-LEAGUE LADDER. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF MERRICK HIMSELF AFTER HE WAS USHERED OUT OF A SIDE DOOR TO AVOID THE WAITING MEDIA. BUT THE PHOENIX COACH HAS SPOKEN AT PRESS CONFERENCE ONLY MOMENTS AGO. THE TEAM IS NOT WHERE THEY SHOULD BE. WE'VE GOT A REALLY GOOD SQUAD. WE'VE GOT GOOD STAFF, AND WE'RE NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE LEAGUE. WE'VE PLAYED EIGHT GAMES ` LOST SIX, WON TWO. AND I'VE GOT TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT. FORMER PHOENIX STRIKER CHRIS GREENACRE HAS TAKEN OVER AS INTERIM COACH, WITH MERRICK ADAMANT THE SIDE CAN STILL MAKE THE A LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS. Right now let's return to our top story. Bill English is speaking outside parliament. You cannot take these things for granted. Just because I'm deputy leader doesn't mean the caucus will choose me as a leader. They probably seen me performing up close over the years. There in a very good position to make their own decision. I haven't really thought about that. That's getting I had of ourselves. Who will be your deputy? I haven't made a decision about that. There is a process. They can nominate themselves at any time. As far as I know, Jonathan only. What about Judith Collins? You need to ask her. I'll be focusing on building support that will lead to a unified caucus. Do you expect to run on one ticket? That is said to be seen. There are others in the caucus who had john key as their leader for 10 years. They want the opportunity to really consider the alternatives. That is deputy prime ministerBill English. We heard Jonathan Coleman is also throwing his hat in the ring. STILL TO COME ON MIDDAY ` I'LL BE BACK WITH THE AFTERNOON WEATHER, YOUR WEATHER'S NEXT, BUT FIRST LET'S LOOK AT OUR TOP STORY. HEALTH MINISTER JONATHAN COLEMAN AND BILL ENGLISH HAVE CONFIRMED THEY'RE THROWING THEIR HATS IN THE RING TO BE JOHN KEY'S SUCCESSOR AS PRIME MINISTER. NOW TO THE WEATHER. A FEW SHOWERS IN THE SOUTH, AS THE NORTH ISLAND BASKS IN THE RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE. FOR WEATHER, SEE TVNZ.CO.NZ THANKS FOR JOINING US. THE 1 NEWS HOUR WILL BE HERE AT 6. GOOD AFTERNOON. CAPTIONS BY GLENNA CASALME AND ANTONY VLUG CAPTIONS WERE MADE POSSIBLE WITH FUNDING FROM NZ ON AIR.