GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. MUCH OF THE NORTH ISLAND ENJOYED ANOTHER DAY OF SUNSHINE AS OUR RESIDENT RIDGE KEPT THE PRESSURE ON. BUT CHANGE IS IN THE AIR, WITH WET WEATHER PUSHING ON FROM THE SOUTH. THE RAIN-MAKER GETS A MOVE ON TOMORROW, WATERING GARDENS IN THE NORTH BY THURSDAY. RIGHT NOW, IT'S 6 O'CLOCK. DUE TO THE LIVE NATURE OF 1 NEWS, WE APOLOGISE FOR THE LACK OF CAPTIONS FOR SOME ITEMS. A THREE-HORSE RACE. ENGLISH, COLLINS AND COLEMAN WILL BATTLE IT OUT TO BECOME PRIME MINISTER, BUT WHO'S YET TO PUT THEIR HAND UP? AS JOHN KEY GETS SET TO STAND DOWN, THERE'S BRASH TALK FROM THE MAN HE REPLACED AS NATIONAL PARTY LEADER. HE'S BEEN POPULAR. HE'S KEPT THE COUNTRY STABLE, BUT HE HASN'T DEALT WITH THE LONG-TERM CHALLENGES. KIA ORA, GOOD EVENING. IT'S GAME ON. THERE WILL BE A CONTEST TO TAKE OVER FROM JOHN KEY AS LEADER OF THE COUNTRY AND THE NATIONAL PARTY. DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BILL ENGLISH, WHO MR KEY'S ENDORSED, HEALTH MINISTER JONATHAN COLEMAN AND POLICE MINISTER JUDITH COLLINS HAVE CONFIRMED THEY'RE IN THE RACE FOR THE TOP JOB. JUSTICE MINISTER AMY ADAMS AND TRANSPORT MINISTER SIMON BRIDGES THIS AFTERNOON RULED THEMSELVES OUT. ANOTHER POSSIBLE CONTENDER, BUT YET TO PUT HER HAND UP ` SOCIAL HOUSING MINISTER PAULA BENNETT. NATIONAL MP'S HELD DISCUSSIONS THIS MORNING. THE VERY FEW WILLING TO TALK OPENLY BACKED FAVOURITE BILL ENGLISH. RIGHT ACROSS DEVELOPMENTS, POLITICAL EDITOR CORIN DANN, WHO JOINS US NOW. ANOTHER ABSORBING DAY IN POLITICS, WITH ONE BIG MESSAGE ` It hasn't all gone to plan with John Key. Caucus has spoken. They want to see a contest and an alternative version before they make up their mind. THERE WILL BE MORE TWISTS AND TURNS. AS JOHN KEY'S PREFERRED PRIME MINISTER, BILL ENGLISH MIGHT HAVE EXPECTED A "CLEAR PATH TO THE TOP JOB TODAY. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING NEW TO SAY. BUT WHAT WAS SOON CLEAR WAS THAT NATIONAL'S MPS WEREN'T GIFTING HIM THE REINS. HAVING A CONTEST AND GETTING A SENSE OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AND THEIR VISION WILL BE HEALTHY FOR HIS CAUCUS. AND BY LATE IN THE DAY, HE HAD TWO CONFIRMED CHALLENGERS. ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT I'VE GOT UP AND ADDRESSED CAUCUS TODAY, INDICATING THAT I'M THROWING MY HAT IN THE RING. I WILL BE PUTTING MY NAME FORWARD. BUT BILL ENGLISH INSISTS HE'S UP FOR THAT CHALLENGE. YES, I DO WANT THE JOB, I'VE BEEN IN POSITION OF STRONGLY SUPPORTING JOHN KEY, AND I FOUND MYSELF IN THE UNEXPECTED POSITON WHERE THERE IS OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD NATIONAL PARTY AND LEAD THE COUNTRY, AND I'M VERY KEEN TO DO THAT. AND HE DOES HAVE PLENTY OF SUPPORT. FROM NIKKI KAYE, UNDERGOING CANCER TREATMENT IS BACK BRIEFLY FROM SICK LEAVE TO LEND HER SUPPORT. I DO I UNDERSTAND THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER HAS PUT HIS NAME IN THE HAT AND I WILL BE SUPPORTING HIM. OTHER SENIOR MINISTERS ALSO BACKING TEAM ENGLISH. IN THINK BILL ENGLISH WILL BE A FANTASTIC LEADER OF THE NATIONAL PARTY. I THINK HE HAS THE SKILLS, THE EXPERIENCE, THE SUPPORT OF THE CAUCUS. 14 YEARS AGO AS PARTY LEADER, BILL ENGLISH LEAD NATIONAL TO ITS WORST-EVER DEFEAT. BUT HE SAYS HE'S NOW OLDER AND WISER, AND HIS LIFE HAS CHANGED. I WAS 39 YEARS OLD WITH SIX CHILDREN UNDER 13. IF NOTHING ELSE, I HAVE THE ABILITY FOCUS ON THE JOB MUCH MORE NOW. SOME POLICIES COULD CHANGE UNDER PRIME MINISTER ENGLISH, LIKE SUPERANNUATION. JOHN KEY PROMISED TO RESIGN RATHER THAN LIFT THE PENSION AGE. THERE'S ALWAYS OPTIONS TO CHANGE SUPER, BUT WE HAVEN'T CONSIDERED THEM. BUT TAX CUTS WILL STILL BE ON THE CARDS NEXT YEAR. AND MR ENGLISH GETS TO MAKE THE CASE FOR TAX CUTS AGAIN ON THURSDAY, WHEN TREASURY UPDATES US ON THE GOVERNMENT'S FINANCES. SO HE WON'T GET A CLEAR RUN, DESPITE JOHN KEY'S ENDORSEMENT. IS THAT A BAD SIGN FOR BILL ENGLISH'S CHANCES, CORIN? Not necessarily. I think He is still the clear front-runner. I think he is quietly confident he can beat these two candidates in Collins and Coleman. Judith Collins is sharp with the media and will put up a heck of a fight. BUT HAS SOME BAGGAGE THAT SHE'S ONLY REALLY JUST SHAKEN. Coleman represents a fresh change ` a generational change for national. I'm sure he will push that hard over the coming days. THANKS, CORIN. WITH THREE CONFIRMED CONTENDERS, THERE'S STILL A LOT OF UNKNOWNS. JUST WHERE EACH NATIONAL MP STANDS IS EXPECTED TO BECOME CLEARER AHEAD OF MONDAY'S VOTE. POLITICAL REPORTER ANDREA VANCE TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES AND THOSE STILL WEIGHING UP THEIR OPTIONS. THE OLD GUARD IS OUT, AND THE GLOVES ARE OFF. HEALTH MINISTER JONATHAN COLEMAN WAS FIRST OUT OF THE BLOCKS WITH A CLEAR CHALLENGE TO BILL ENGLISH... I FEEL IT NEEDS GENERATIONAL CHANGE. IT'S GOING TO NEED NEW THINKING IN POLICY AREAS. AND A CLEAR INCENTIVE TO THOSE WHO MIGHT CONSIDER BACKING HIM. IT'S GOING TO NEED SOME NEW PERSONNEL, SO COMBINING THE BEST OF THE CURRENT LINE-UP WITH THOSE WHO ARE COMING THROUGH THE CAUCUS. SO, WHO IS JONATHAN COLEMAN? BEFORE TAKING ON THE HEALTH PORTFOLIO, HE WAS DEFENCE MINISTER. I HAVE BEEN IN POLITICS FOR AROUND A DECADE NOW, BUT I WASN'T A PROFESSIONAL POLITICIAN. I HAVE A DEEP BACKGROUND AS A MEDICAL DOCTOR. AT 50, HE'S GENERATION X TO BABY BOOMER BILL ENGLISH I BELIEVE I'VE GOT THE ENERGY. I'VE GOT THE RELATIVE YOUTH ON MY SIDE, AND I AM ABSOLUTELY FOCUSED ON WINNING THIS LEADERSHIP. SO... TWO WHITE, MIDDLE-AGED MEN. BUT THEY'VE GOT SOME STRONG COMPETITION. ENTER JUDITH 'CRUSHER' COLLINS. SHE SAYS SHE'S THE ONE TO FIGHT A TOUGH ELECTION CAMPAIGN NEXT YEAR IT WILL BE REALLY TOUGH. I KNOW IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE WHO CAN MAKE DECISIONS, THINK ON THEIR FEET, MAKE HARD CALLS AND CONNECT AND RECONNECT TO NZERS. JUST TWO YEARS AGO SHE WAS FORCED TO RESIGN OVER THE DIRTY POLITICS SCANDAL. I THINK I HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY EXONERATED, AND I AM HAPPY TO MOVE ON FROM IT. TRANSPORT MINISTER SIMON BRIDGES HAS PARKED HIS LEADERSHIP AMBITIONS, I'm certainly not going for the leadership. AND JUSTICE MINSTER AMY ADAMS IS OUT I AM NOT INTENDING TO PUT MY NAME FORWARD AS LEADER AT THE MOMENT. BUT SOMEONE WHO IS KEEPING HER OPTIONS OPEN ` IT'S SOMETHING TO TALK TO MY CAUCUS COLLEAGUES ABOUT. ALSO BEING TALKED OVER IS THE DEPUTY'S JOB TO BE DECIDED BY CAUCUS AFTER MONDAY'S CRUNCH VOTE. AND WHILE THEY WAIT TO FIND OUT WHO THAT IS, NATIONAL'S POLITICAL OPPONENTS ARE RE-ASSESSING THEIR CHANCES NOW BRAND KEY IS RETIRING. POLITICAL REPORTER KATIE BRADFORD HAS MORE. ANDREW LITTLE CAN'T HELP SMILING. I'M A HAPPY GUY. I'M OPTIMISTIC BY NATURE. BUT HE INSISTS HE'S NOT REVELLING IN JOHN KEY'S IMMINENT DEPARTURE. I TAKE NO PLEASURE IN THAT WHATEVER. JUST AN UNSIGHTLY THING. WE'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO GET THROUGH AS A NATION. MR KEY'S RESIGNATION CLEARLY THROWS NEW LIGHT ON NEXT YEAR'S ELECTION, GIVEN LABOUR AND THE GREENS NO LONGER HAVE TO FIGHT 'BRAND KEY.' CHEERS IT CHANGES THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE, ABSOLUTELY, BUT WE STILL NEED TO FIGHT HARD FOR THE ELECTION NEXT YEAR. WE STILL NEED TO fight hard to change the government. YOU KNOW, A LOT HASN'T CHANGED BUT OUR PREPARATION FOR NEXT YEAR. I'VE BEEN PREPARING FOR SOME TIME NOW AND PLANNING ON THE BASIS THAT JOHN KEY WOULD BE THE PRIME MINISTER WHO I WOULD BE UP AGAINST SO NOW THERE'LL BE A NEW FACE THERE. YEAH IT WILL BE DIFFERENT. I CAN'T DENY THAT. IN LATEST POLLING, EVEN LABOUR AND THE GREENS TOGETHER CAN'T MATCH THE POWER OF NATIONAL UNDER JOHN KEY. BUT HIS DEPARTURE IS UNLIKELY TO CHANGE POTENTIAL COALITION ARRANGEMENTS. THE MAORI PARTY SUPPORTS BILL ENGLISH AS THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER. HE'S BEEN A CONSISTENT SUPPORT OF THE MAORI PARTY. IT MAY BE WISHFUL THINKING, BUT THEIR OPPONENTS THINK NATIONAL'S LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE WILL GET MESSY. THEY WILL HAVE THEIR SCRAPS, THEIR FIGHTS. IN THE END, WHAT IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK IS THE TOP HAS BEEN RIPPED OFF TENSIONS THAT HAVE BEEN SIMMERING AWAY THERE FOR SOME CONSIDERABLE TIME. THEY'VE ALL GOT NO CONFIDENCE IN THE OTHER PERSON. LIKE THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, OPPOSITION PARTIES WILL JUST HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT WEEK TO SEE WHO WILL BE NZ'S 39TH PRIME MINISTER. KATIE BRADFORD, 1 NEWS. THE INITIAL REACTION TO MR KEY'S DEPARTURE OVER, THERE'S NOW WIDER DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF HIS EIGHT YEARS IN POWER. AS REBECCA WRIGHT FOUND, THERE ARE VARYING OPINIONS ABOUT WHAT IT'S MEANT FOR THE COUNTRY. WELCOME TO KUMEU. A SEMI-RURAL PART OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S ELECTORATE, WHERE MUCH LIKE HIM, THEY'RE PRETTY RELAXED ABOUT THINGS. GOOD ON HIM. HE'S BEEN THERE LONG ENOUGH. TALENTED. HE'S A FAMILY MAN. SOUTH OF AUCKLAND, WE FOUND DON BRASH IN HIS GUMBOOTS AND HIGHLY CRITICAL OF THE PRIME MINISTERS RECORD. I'VE BEEN GIVING HIM A 5/10. HE HASN'T DEALT WITH THE LONG-TERM CHALLENGES. ISSUES LIKE RAISING THE AGE OF SUPERANNUATION AND MANAGING THE HOUSING CRISIS. I ASKED MY NATIONAL PARTY FRIENDS, NAME ONE THING THAT HE'S DONE THAT HELEN CLARK WOULD NOT HAVE DONE. LIKE HELEN CLARK, JOHN KEY WILL SERVE OUT THREE TERMS. HER FORMER RIGHT HAND-MAN MIKE WILLIAMS SAYS IT'S A LONG TIME IN THE TOP JOB. A THIRD TERM IS REALLY TOUGH, AND YOU'RE EXHAUSTED. HE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE THE PRIME MINISTER DO MORE ABOUT CHILD POVERTY. I HAD HIGH HOPES WHEN HE TOOK THE HAND OF THAT LITTLE GIRL IN MCGEHAN CLOSE THAT WE WERE GONNA DO SOMETHING REALLY GOOD ABOUT POVERTY, PARTICULARLY ABOUT CHILD POVERTY. VERY LITTLE HAS HAPPENED IN THAT DIRECTION. SO HOW'S HE MADE A MARK ON OUR POLITICAL LANDSCAPE? COMMENTATOR RYAN MALONE SAYS IT'S FOR BEING TRUSTWORTHY. IF YOU GO BACK TO THE '80S AND '90S, WE DIDN'T TRUST OUR POLITICAL LEADERSHIP, AND I THINK BETWEEN HIM AND HELEN CLARK, THEY HAVE BUILT THE TRUST FACTOR BACK. HE'S ALSO BEING HAILED AS THE MASTER OF A DISASTER. HE WAS WONDERFUL IN THE CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKES. AGAIN WITH KAIKOURA. THREE TIMES IN THE FIRST WEEK. HE WAS BRILLIANT AT THAT. AND PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR JOHN KEY, AN INSTAGRAM TRIBUTE FROM SON MAX SAYING... REBECCA WRIGHT, 1 NEWS. AND THE PRIME MINISTER'S IMPENDING RESIGNATION HASN'T STOPPED PIKE RIVER FAMILIES HOLDING THE GOVERNMENT TO A COMMITMENT THEY SAY JOHN KEY MADE AFTER THE DISASTER. FAMILY SPOKESPERSON BERNIE MONK TOLD TVNZ'S SEVEN SHARP THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER SHOULD CARRY JOHN KEY'S PROMISE TO DO EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER TO GET THE 29 MEN OUT OF THE MINE. WE NEED TO KEEP THE PRESSURE ON TO MAKE SURE THAT WHOEVER TAKES OVER THAT THESE OBLIGATIONS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAVE PUT FORWARD TO US ARE UPHELD. MINING EXPERTS HAVE TOLD FAMILIES THE MINE'S DRIFT IS SAFE TO RE-ENTER, WHILE SOLID ENERGY HAS NO PLANS TO STOP SEALING IT. THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF FAILING TO KEEP STAFF AT ITS ASHBURTON WORK AND INCOME OFFICE SAFE. Two people died in the 2014 shooting. The department was convicted for not taking more steps to protect workers from violent customers. If it could have been, a 16,000 penalty would have been incurred. A WELL-KNOWN WALL OF SHIPPING CONTAINERS PROTECTING THE MAIN ROAD INTO CHRISTCHURCH'S SEASIDE SUBURB OF SUMNER IS BEING REMOVED. THE 60 CONTAINERS HAVE PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN KEEPING ROAD USERS SAFE. THEY'RE USED IN SEVERAL SITES AROUND THE HILLSIDE SUBURBS. CONTRACTORS MOVED 50,000M3 METERS OF DEBRIS FROM BENEATH THE 75M CLIFF FACE TO BUILD A PERMANENT PROTECTIVE BARRIER. SEEING THE VISUAL ASPECT OF THE CONTAINERS NOW GONE IS A REAL STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR THE RECOVERY WITH FOR EVERYONE ELSE INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT. THE REMAINING CONTAINERS AT PEACOCKS GALLOP AND AROUND THE CORNER AT DEANS HEAD WILL BE REMOVED BY MONDAY WITH WORK AT THE SITES DUE TO FINISH BY CHRISTMAS. AND WHILE THOSE CONTAINERS COME DOWN IN SUMNER, CREWS WORKING TO RESTORE STATE HIGHWAY 1 FOLLOWING THE KAIKOURA EARTHQUAKE ARE PUTTING CONTAINERS UP. AS SAM CLARKE REPORTS, AUTHORITIES ARE HOPING THE FIRST VEHICLES MAY BE ON THE ROAD TO CHRISTCHURCH IN ABOUT 10 DAYS' TIME. IT'S THE MAIN ROAD WHICH CONNECTS KAIKOURA TO SUPPLIES, BUSINESS AND TOURISM, AND IT IS BADLY BROKEN. THE SCALE AND COMPLEXITY OF THE SLIPS ARE UNPRECEDENTED IN NZ, AND THE TASK AHEAD OF US IS HUGE. BUT WHILE THE NORTHERN STRETCH OF STATE HIGHWAY 1 IS EXPECTED TO BE UNSTABLE FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS, PROGRESS TO CLEAR THE SOUTHERN ROUTE BETWEEN KAIKOURA AND CHRISTCHURCH IS MOVING FASTER THAN EXPECTED. THE TRANSPORT AGENCY HOPE TO RESTORE CONTROLLED, SINGLE-LANE ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES BY MID-DECEMBER. THEY'VE TAKEN THE LEAD FROM CHRISTCHURCH'S CONTAINER WALL, USING THE SAME TECHNIQUE TO SHORE UP SOME OF THE WORST SLIPS. WHILE THEY'RE PROGRESSING WELL, ACCESS WILL BE A STAGED PROCESS. I JUST THINK WE HAVE TO SEE HOW IT GOES. I THINK IT WILL FIRSTLY BE EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MID-DECEMBER. AROUND 200,000M3 OF EARTH FELL ON THIS ROAD AFTER THE QUAKE. THAT'S ENOUGH TO FILL AROUND 80 OLYMPIC SWIMMING POOLS. CONTRACTORS HAVE CLEARED HALF THE SLIPS, BUT IT'S STILL A LONG TIME BEFORE THE ROAD IS READY FOR REGULAR USE. WHILE REGULAR 'CONTROLLED' USE OF THE INLAND ROUTE MEANS THE AREA'S NO LONGER ISOLATED, ANY OPENING OF THE COASTAL ROAD BETWEEN CHRISTCHURCH AND KAIKOURA WILL BE WELCOMED BY KAIKOURA AND TOWNS ALONG THE ROUTE. SAM CLARKE, 1 NEWS. HOPES FOR A TRUCE IN A BESIEGED CITY ARE DASHED. TWO SUPERPOWERS DEFEAT A UN MOVE TO STOP THE FIGHTING IN ALEPPO AS SYRIAN REBELS STAGE WHAT COULD BE THEIR LAST STAND IN SIX YEARS OF WAR. THE DEATH TOLL RISES IN A CALIFORNIA WAREHOUSE FIRE. NOW AUTHORITIES SAY THEY ARE CONSIDERING LAYING CRIMINAL CHARGES. AND THE BLACKCAPS ARE HOPING TO BOUNCE BACK AS THE SECOND ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL GETS UNDERWAY IN CANBERRA. Your reward points can be a passport to travel, but when you try to use them, you may find they don't all go the distance. For example, the same number of membership rewards points from American Express that will get you to a ball game in LA... ..may only gets you part way with other cards. Just part of the altogether more rewarding service we deliver daily. American Express. RUSSIA AND CHINA HAVE VETOED A RESOLUTION FROM THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL CALLING FOR A CEASEFIRE IN THE EMBATTLED SYRIAN CITY OF ALEPPO. THE DRAFT RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED JOINTLY BY NZ, EGYPT AND SPAIN. THE ABC'S ALEX MARQUARDT REPORTS FROM INSIDE ALEPPO. GUNFIRE TONIGHT NO BREAK IN THE FIGHTING GRIPPING BESIEGED EASTERN ALEPPO. RUSSIA AND CHINA TODAY BLOCKED A UN RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A WEEK-LONG CEASEFIRE. BOOM! SYRIAN FORCES, BACKED BY RUSSIA AND IRAN, HAVE ALREADY TAKEN BACK TWO-THIRDS OF THE REBEL-CONTROLLED AREA IN THE PAST THREE WEEKS. AND TODAY WE MADE OUR WAY INTO SYRIA'S LARGEST CITY. THIS IS WHAT GREETS YOU AS SOON AS YOU ENTER ALEPPO ` THIS SCENE OF INCREDIBLE DEVASTATION, PLUMES OF THICK SMOKE AND THE SOUND OF HEAVY FIGHTING. YOU CAN HEAR... DISTANT GUNFIRE ...THAT SMALL-ARMS FIRE, THE LOUD BOOMS. THIS IS JUST A FEW HUNDRED YARDS AWAY. DRONE FOOTAGE REVEALS JUST WHAT'S BECOME OF ALEPPO, NOW THE EPICENTRE OF THE SYRIAN CRISIS. IMAGES LIKE THIS ONE HAVE DRAWN GLOBAL ATTENTION. OMRAN DAQNEESH (5), DAZED, MOMENTS AFTER HIS HOME WAS BOMBED. 30,000 HAVE NOW FLED THE AREA WHERE THE REBELS ARE STAGING THEIR LAST STAND, GATHERING IN REFUGEE CENTRES,... CROWD CLAMOURS ...HANDS REACHING OUT FOR FOOD. BUT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CIVILIANS REMAIN IN THE HEART OF THE FIERCEST FIGHTING. YOU CAN HEAR THE RELENTLESS SOUNDS OF THIS BATTLE RAGING NOT TOO FAR AWAY. THIS WAR HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ALMOST SIX YEARS, AND THIS FIGHT IN ALEPPO COULD SEAL AN EVENTUAL VICTORY FOR THE ASSAD REGIME. IT'S THE SIXTH TIME IN FIVE YEARS THAT RUSSIA HAS USED ITS VETO POWER TO BLOCK A DRAFT RESOLUTION ON SYRIA. OFFICIALS PROBING A DEADLY WAREHOUSE FIRE IN CALIFORNIA ARE NOW INVESTIGATING WHETHER ANYONE COULD BE HELD CRIMINALLY LIABLE. AT LEAST 36 PEOPLE DIED IN THE FIRE IN THE OAKLAND BUILDING THAT WAS ALREADY UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION. THE ABC'S NEAL KARLINSKY HAS MORE. TONIGHT THE DEATH TOLL IS RISING. INVESTIGATORS ARE SEARCHING FOR THE CAUSE OF OAKLAND'S DEADLIEST FIRE IN HISTORY. THE FIRE WENT UP REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY QUICKLY. IT WAS 11.32 ON FRIDAY NIGHT WHEN THE CALL CAME IN. THE WAREHOUSE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES, PACKED WITH A LATE-NIGHT PARTY AT THIS CONVERTED ARTISTS' COLONY, KNOWN AS THE GHOST SHIP. SEEING, LIKE, EVERYTHING` LIKE, THIS ORANGE WALL OF FIRE, IT WAS` I DON'T KNOW. IT FELT LIKE SEEING A MONSTER. FIREFIGHTERS JUST A BLOCK AWAY, THERE WITHIN THREE MINUTES, WERE ALREADY TOO LATE. FIREFIGHTERS TELL ABC NEWS THEY BELIEVE IT STARTED ON THE FIRST FLOOR IN BACK, BUT THE BUILDING WAS A TINDER BOX ` ONLY TWO EXITS IN ALL 10,000 SQUARE FEET. PEOPLE WERE LIVING IN MOBILE HOMES INSIDE THE FIRST FLOOR. MOST OF THE VICTIMS WERE ON THE SECOND FLOOR FOR A CONCERT. TONIGHT THESE NEW IMAGES SHOW THE RICKETY STAIRCASE, MADE OF WOOD PALLETS, LEADING TO THE FRONT DOOR, LEAVING VIRTUALLY NO WAY OUT. YOU COULDN'T HAVE MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE ON THAT STAIRCASE BEFORE IT WOULD JUST FALL DOWN, AND IT WAS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS, BUT IT WAS DISGUSTING. OFFICIALS ARE NOW CONDUCTING A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AMIDST MOUNTING EVIDENCE THIS PLACE FELL THROUGH THE CRACKS. IT HAD A LONG HISTORY OF VIOLATIONS, INCLUDING PEOPLE LIVING THERE ILLEGALLY. THE CONTROVERSIAL ALLEGED FOUNDER OF THE SO-CALLED GHOST SHIP IS UNDER A MICROSCOPE, SPEAKING TO ABC STATION KGO. THEY WERE MY CHILDREN. THEY WERE MY FRIENDS. THEY WERE MY FAMILY. THEY WERE MY LOVES. THEY WERE MY FUTURE. WHAT ELSE DO I HAVE TO SAY? TONIGHT THE LONG LIST OF THOSE 36 LOST ` A HEARTBREAKING MONTAGE OF LIVES CUT SHORT. WE FOUND THIS WOMAN IN AGONY, WAITING TO HEAR ABOUT A LOVED ONE. PLEASE CAN YOU JUST CALL ANY OF US IF YOU'RE AROUND? SOMETHING HAPPENED, WE DON'T CARE. VOICE BREAKS: WE JUST WANNA KNOW IF YOU'RE ALIVE OR NOT. THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IS NOW LOOKING AT POSSIBLE CRIMINAL CHARGES HERE, RANGING FROM INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER ALL THE WAY UP TO HOMICIDE, DEPENDING ON WHAT THEY FIND IN WHAT IS TO BE A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION. AND THE YOUNGEST KNOWN VICTIM OF THE OAKLAND FIRE WAS JUST 17. A FIRE AT A LUXURY HOTEL IN PAKISTAN HAS KILLED 11 PEOPLE AND INJURED DOZENS MORE. THE BLAZE BROKE OUT IN THE GROUND FLOOR KITCHEN OF THE REGENT PLAZA HOTEL, TRAPPING GUESTS IN THE UPPER FLOORS OF THE 400-ROOM HOTEL. SO, WE STAYED THERE FOR PROBABLY AN HOUR AND TRIED TO MINIMISE SMOKE COMING INTO THE ROOM AND LAY DOWN VERY LOW AND JUST COVERED OURSELF WITH A BLANKET. RESCUERS SAID IT TOOK THREE HOURS TO CLEAR THE HOTEL AND SAY THERE WERE NO FOREIGN VICTIMS. JUST A DAY AFTER ANNOUNCING HIS RESIGNATION, ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER MATTEO RENZI HAS AGREED TO STAY ON FOR ANOTHER WEEK TO PASS NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET. HIS MOVE BUYS THE COUNTRY SOME STABILITY AS THE PRESIDENT MUST NOW DECIDE TO EITHER CHOOSE A NEW PM OR CALL EARLY ELECTIONS. THE BBC'S KATYA ADLER WITH THIS. MEN CHANT IN ITALIAN THE REACTION WAS INSTINCTIVE IF NOT ENTIRELY TUNEFUL. CHANTING CONTINUES AS SOON AS THEY KNEW THEY'D WON LAST NIGHT, VICTORIOUS 'NO' VOTERS DEMANDED THE RESIGNATION OF THEIR PRIME MINISTER, MATTEO RENZI. AND HE WAS LISTENING. THE FIRST ITALIAN PREMIER, HE CLAIMED, TO TAKE POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY. (SPEAKS IN ITALIAN) TRANSLATOR: I LOST, AND I SAID LOUD AND CLEAR, EVEN IF I HAVE A LUMP IN MY THROAT, I WASN'T ABLE TO WIN. LONG LIVE ITALY, AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF US. IT'S AN INELEGANT END TO A PREMIERSHIP THAT BEGAN WITH SUCH PROMISE AND SO MANY PROMISES. RENZI, THE SELF-STYLED REFORMER, PLEDGED TO CHANGE ITALY, ITS SLUGGISH ECONOMY AND CHAOTIC POLITICS OR CHANGE JOBS. HERE IN BELLA ROMA, ITALY'S BEATING POLITICAL HEART, IT'S VERY MUCH BUSINESS AS USUAL. AND THAT'S BECAUSE ITALIANS ARE USED TO CHANGING PRIME MINISTER. THEY'VE HAD 63 OF THEM SINCE THE END OF WWII. THAT'S FOUR TIMES AS MANY AS WE'VE HAD IN THE UK. SO ITALY IS USED TO MUDDLING THROUGH. BUT, OF COURSE, THIS COUNTRY DOESN'T EXIST IN A VACUUM. IT'S A KEY EU PLAYER AND THE THIRD-LARGEST ECONOMY IN THE EUROZONE. SO WHATEVER'S HAPPENING HERE HAS A BIG IMPACT ELSEWHERE TOO. IN ITALY, THE BELLA FIGURA, LOOKING GOOD ON THE OUTSIDE, IS PARAMOUNT. BUT SCRATCH THE BEAUTIFUL SURFACE, AND YOU'LL SEE PROBLEMS WEIGHING DOWN ITALIANS AND WORRYING THEIR EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURS. AND THE FRENCH PRIME MINISTER MANUEL VALLS HAS BECOME THE THIRD PM IN 24 HOURS TO RESIGN. THE SOCIALIST LEADER WILL LEAVE HIS POST NEXT WEEK TO CONCENTRATE ON STANDING IN NEXT YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. VALLS IS SEEN AS A DIVISIVE FIGURE ON THE LEFT, FORCING LABOUR REFORMS THROUGH PARLIAMENT AND SUPPORTING THE CONTROVERSIAL BURKINI BAN ON FRENCH BEACHES. JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE IS TO VISIT PEARL HARBOUR, BECOMING THE FIRST LEADER OF HIS COUNTRY TO GO TO THE US NAVAL BASE IN HAWAII. ABE MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK AND WILL JOIN PRESIDENT OBAMA AT THE MEMORIAL ON THE 27TH OF THIS MONTH. JAPANESE FORCES LAUNCHED A SURPRISE ATTACK ON THE BASE ON DECEMBER 7TH 1941, KILLING 2,300 US SERVICEMEN AND FORCING THE US INTO WWII. RENEE'S HERE NOW WITH THE DAY'S WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS, AND THE ODD AFTERNOON SHOWER FOR PARTS OF THE NORTH TODAY. YES MORE OF THOSE SUMMERY CONVECTIVE SHOWERS POPPING UP THIS AFTERNOON, ALSO SEA BREEZE CONVERGENCES TRIGGERED A FEW FALLS TOO. AND MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY WILL SEE SOME WET WEATHER TOMORROW AS A COMPLEX TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE PRECEDED BY A MOIST NORTHERLY FLOW APPROACHES THE WEST OF THE COUNTRY. THERE IS A HEAVY RAIN WARNING IN PLACE FOR WESTLAND AND THE RANGES OF BULLER. FOR WEATHER, SEE TVNZ.CO.NZ AND I'LL BE BACK AFTER SPORT WITH A WET WEDNESDAY FOR SOME. AND CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY FOR SOME IN CHRISTCHURCH. THE COOL WHEELS BRINGING MOBILITY TO YOUNG CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES. AND I'M HERE IN THE HEART OF AUCKLAND FOR THE ULITMATE SELFIE WITH A HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER. # It feels good # In my heart, in my soul when you're here right beside me # I don't ever want this day to end # Yeah # My love # There's a song in my soul when you are around me # You make it easier to sing # No-one can stop me when I taste the feeling. # LOOKING AT OUR TOP STORIES TONIGHT ` THE RACE TO BECOME THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER IS UNDERWAY. BILL ENGLISH HAS THE BACKING OF JOHN KEY, BUT TWO OTHERS ARE ALSO COMPETING FOR THE TOP JOB. CURRENT HEALTH MINISTER AND FORMER MINISTER OF DEFENCE JONATHAN COLEMAN HAS PUT HIS HAT IN THE RING. SO HAS JUDITH COLLINS, THE CURRENT MINISTER OF POLICE. A ROTORUA IWI IS THE FIRST TO BE ALLOWED TO SET ITS OWN FISHING BYLAWS UNDER ITS TREATY SETTLEMENT. TE ARAWA PLANS TO RESTRICT THE FISHING OF NATIVE SPECIES IN CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND LAKES TO ITS OWN IWI MEMBERS. MAORI AFFAIRS REPORTER YVONNE TAHANA WITH MORE. IT'S SLIM PICKINGS FOR SHELLFISH AT LAKE ROTOITI THESE LITTLE KAKAHI, A TYPE OF FRESHWATER MUSSEL, COULD SOON BE OFF THE MENU FOR HUNTER-GATHERERS AROUND CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND LAKES. THAT'S BECAUSE UNDER ITS TREATY SETTLEMENT, TE ARAWA LAKES TRUST CAN PROPOSE FISHING BYLAWS IN ITS REGION. AND IT WANTS ONLY IWI MEMBERS CATCHING A NUMBER OF TREASURED SPECIES INCLUDING WHITEBAIT, KAKAHI AND EELS. IT'S A STATEMENT, REALLY, THAT WE WANT TO CONSERVE THIS SPECIES. THE TRUST ALSO WANTS TO OUTLAW THE TAKE OF THE KOARO, A NATIVE FISH SPECIES WHOSE POPULATION HAS COLLAPSED ACROSS ALL OF THE LAKES. THE BYLAWS ARE A MIXTURE OF SCIENCE AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE. SO, FOR EXAMPLE KOURA ARE IN BERRY FROM PRETTY MUCH APRIL THROUGH TO SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, SO THAT'S WHEN YOU DON'T WANT TO HARVEST THEM, AND THE TRADITIONAL SEASON FOR COLLECTING KOURA WAS FROM NOVEMBER THROUGH TO MARCH. TROUT IS AN INTRODUCED FISH, SO WILL STILL BE FAIR GAME BUT THE TAONGA SPECIES ARE NOT SO POPULAR, AND AN IWI LEADER HOPES THE BYLAWS WILL INCREASE AWARENESS AMONG YOUNGER GENERATIONS OF TE ARAWA TRADITIONS TODAY, YOU'LL SEE THE FULL DISHES AND PLATES OF KOURA UNTOUCHED. PEOPLE` YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NO LONGER EATING IT, SIMPLY BECAUSE, I BELIEVE, THE SUPERMARKET HAS TAKEN THE PLACE OF OUR LAKES. HOWEVER, HE'S CONSCIOUS THERE'S A JOB TO BE DONE TO GET EVERYONE ON BOARD. WE DON'T RUSH INTO THESE THINGS WHICH GIVES PEOPLE THE IMPRESSION WE DON'T WANT YOU TO BE NEAR OUR LAKES; WE DON'T WANT YOU TOUCHING ANYTHING IN OUR LAKES. FISH AND GAME WONT COMMENT YET ON THE BYLAWS, WHICH GO OUT TO THE PUBLIC EARLY NEXT YEAR. YVONNE TAHANA, 1 NEWS. CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY FOR SEVERAL DISABLED CHILDREN IN CHRISTCHURCH TODAY AS THEY TOOK DELIVERY OF THEIR VERY FIRST SET OF MOTORISED WHEELS. AMONG THE LUCKY RECIPIENTS, THE 100TH CHILD TO RECEIVE A CAR COURTESY OF THE CHARITY 'GO BABY GO'. HEALTH REPORTER LORELEI MASON WAS THERE. COOL! (LAUGHS) AT FIRST, FLYNN DUNCAN (2) FOUND IT ALL A BIT OVERWHELMING. SEE THE HORN? HORN TOOTS GETTING YOUR FIRST SET OF WHEELS AT 2-AND-A-HALF CAN HAVE THAT EFFECT ON A YOUNG MAN. BUT OTHERS, LIKE MAIA HARRIS, NEEDED NO PERSUADING. NOR DID BYSON, OR HIS NEW CHUMS ALEXANDER AND ELLA, AMONG THE SIX DISABLED CHILDREN WHO RECEIVED BRAND NEW MOTORISED CARS AT CHRISTCHURCH BMW THIS MORNING COURTESY OF THE CHARITY 'GO BABY GO'. THIS IS THE MOST AMAZING THING THAT BYSON HAS RECEIVED. STARTED IN THE US, GO BABY GO'S BEEN HERE TWO YEARS NOW, PROVIDING DOZENS OF DISABLED CHILDREN WITH THE ABILITY TO SELF-MOBILISE, MANY FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND DEVELOP INDEPENDENCE. THE CAR IS NOT A DISABILITY AID. IT'S A MEANS OF A DISABLED CHILD BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE FULLY WITH THEIR FAMILY. AMONG THE CORPORATE DONORS ARE TWO CHRISTCHURCH ROTARY CLUBS WHO FUNDRAISED FOR TODAY'S CARS. THEY'RE CHALLENGING ALL SOUTH ISLAND ROTARIES TO FOLLOW THEIR LEAD. LITTLE MAIA HARRIS TODAY BECAME THE 100TH CHILD TO RECEIVE A CAR. ITS GONNA MEAN THE WORLD TO HER TO BE ABLE TO INTERACT MORE AND... IT'S HUGE. THEY'RE ALL IMPORTED FROM CHINA THEN PAINSTAKINGLY MODIFIED IN VOLUNTEER GEOFF BENTHAM'S WEST-AUCKLAND GARAGE TO SUIT THE NEEDS OF EACH CHILD'S DISABILITY. WE HAVE BLOW-UP TYRES. WE HAVE THE LEATHER SEAT INSTEAD OF THE PLASTIC SEAT. WE HAVE THE FULL INSTRUMENT ELECTRONICS. FLYNN'S SOON GOT THE HANG OF IT, AND HE'S NOW OFF. HE'S ABSOLUTELY LOVING IT, AND WE'RE NOT GONNA GET HIM OUT. THERE'S ONLY ONE NEAR PILE-UP... ...AS THE GIRLS PUT THEIR FOOT DOWN. ALL IN ALL, A GREAT DAY'S MOTORING. LORELEI MASON, 1 NEWS. ANDREW'S HERE WITH SPORT, AND THE SECOND ONE-DAYER IS UNDERWAY. Australia are batting first. All I need to say. THE LATEST FROM CANBERRA AS THE AUSSIES START TO GET INTO THEIR STRIDE. OUR OLD NEMESIS DAVID WARNER SHOWING SOME OMINOUS SIGNS. PLUS, DEPARTING PHOENIX COACH ERNIE MERRICK FRONTS AND PUTS HIS FOOT IN IT. AND ON THE VERGE OF A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY. WHAT HAPPENS IF I STOP? I MEAN, THAT WOULD BE HORRIBLE. BOXING GURU BOB ARUM WANTS TO HELP KIWIS, AND WE GO LIVE TO A SPECIAL GET TOGETHER FOR JOSEPH PARKER. You might only drive short distances to work each day. You might not drive your car to work at all. You might park securely at work. Or these days, everybody travels to you. Maybe you only do school runs. Or you work from home, so drive mostly on the weekend. At Youi, we get that everyone's not the same, so we tailor your insurance premium to how you use or don't use your car. Call: Or go to youi.co.nz today. TO THE SECOND GAME OF THE CHAPPELL-HADLEE ONE-DAY SERIES, AND THE AUSTRALIANS ARE ON TOP EARLY IN CANBERRA. THE BLACKCAPS DECIDED TO BOWL FIRST, WHICH HAS BACKFIRED. JOHN MCKENZIE REPORTS. TRADITIONALLY THE TEAM THAT WINS THE TOSS IN CANBERRA CHOOSES TO BAT FIRST. KANE WILLIAMSON FINALLY WON A TOSS AND THOUGHT HE'D BOWL INSTEAD. AND STRAIGHT AWAY IT LOOKED LIKE A PRETTY GOOD DECISION. OUT! OH, NO. JUST WIDE. A SECOND SLIP. HE'S GOT A HAND ON THAT TUB. DAVID WARNER WAS GIVEN A LIFELINE ON JUST ONE RUN AND THEN QUICKLY MADE THE MOST OF IT. OH, BANG! TAKE THAT! HIS PARTNER WOULD SOON JOIN IN. THAT'S THROUGH. THAT'LL BE FOUR. OH, AND OVER THE TOP. BEAUTIFULLY HIT BY AARON FINCH. THE PAIR SHOWED WHY THE TEAM TO BAT FIRST IN CANBERRA HAS WON THE PREVIOUS SIX CONTESTS. SUN'S STARTING TO COME OUT, AND KANE WILLIAMSON'S STARTING TO THINK, 'SHOULD I HAVE BATTED FIRST?' WARNER AND FINCH WOULD QUICKLY TAKE THE OPENING PARTNERSHIP WELL PAST 50. OH, GREAT PLACEMENT. THE BLACKCAPS WITH NO CHOICE BUT TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN SPINNER MITCHELL SANTNER. OUT! OH, GOT HIM! GOT HIM! AARON FINCH WOULD GO FOR 19,... ...BEHIND THE LEGS. ...BRINGING GAME ONE'S HERO TO THE WICKET. HE'D QUICKLY FIND HIS FEET WITH A BOUNDARY. OH, THAT'S NOT BAD, IS IT? THAT IS CARRYING ON. WHILE WARNER CONTINUED TO PILE ON THE RUNS. HE'S BEATEN THE FIELDERS DOWN THERE, AND THAT'LL BE 50 FOR DAVID WARNER. WARNER LOOKING IN GOOD NICK AND MOVING TOWARDS ANOTHER MILESTONE AS AUSTRALIA LOOK SET TO RECORD ANOTHER MAMMOTH TOTAL. JOHN MCKENZIE, 1 NEWS. LET'S GET AN UPDATE ON THE SCORE. JIMMY NEESHAM'S JUST BEEN BROUGHT INTO THE ATTACK FOR THE BLACKCAPS, BUT THAT'S NOT STOPPED SMITH OR WARNER'S PROGRESS. WARNER JUST HIT HIS 10TH ODI CENTURY MOMENTS AGO. HE'S BEEN DESCRIBED AS THE DOYEN OF BOXING PROMOTERS. ABOUT TO TURN 85, AMERICAN BOB ARUM HAS ARRIVED HERE FOR THIS WEEKEND'S TITLE FIGHT BETWEEN JOSEPH PARKER AND THE BOXER HE PROMOTES, ANDY RUIZ. NOW ARUM HAS SIGNED ON FOR A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIS COMPANY, 'TOP RANK', AND NZ. IF THERE WAS EVER A CURRENT-DAY GODFATHER OF BOXING, BOB ARUM COULD WEAR THE TITLE. HERE HE IS TODAY IN AUCKLAND WITH ANDY RUIZ. I'M DELIGHTED TO BE HERE ` REALLY DELIGHTED TO BE HERE. UNFORTUNATELY I'M NOT A MAN OF A FEW WORDS. THE HARVARD-EDUCATED TAX LAWYER AND FORMER BACK-UP SINGER FROM BROOKLYN LOVES TALKING ` 14 MINUTES IN ONE BURST TODAY. BUT HE HAS A TON OF MATERIAL, PROMOTING SOME OF THE GREATEST NAMES IN THE HISTORY OF THE SPORT, FROM ALI IN THE 1960S TO THE THRILLA IN MANILA IN 1975 THROUGH TO MODERN-DAY GREATS LIKE DE LA HOYA AND PACQUIAO. ARUM'S NET WORTH IS ESTIMATED TO BE AROUND $300 MILLION. HE MIGHT NOT BE WILLING TO LAY ANY OF THAT ON THE LINE THIS WEEKEND, THOUGH, WITH THE BOOKIES. HAVING BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS 50-PLUS YEARS, I DON'T EXPECT ANYBODY TO WIN A FIGHT, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT'S AS CLOSE ON PAPER AS THIS ONE IS. TODAY ARUM PUT PEN TO PAPER WITH DUCO EVENTS TO WORK WITH NOT ONLY JOSEPH PARKER, BUT OTHER BOXERS IN THE FUTURE. I DON'T THINK WE'D DO A DEAL LIKE THIS WITH ANY OTHER PROMOTER. YOU'D WORRY THEY HAD AN AGENDA OR THEY'RE TRYING TO SLANT THINGS THEIR WAY OR WHATEVER. WE NEVER FELT LIKE THAT WITH BOB. IF PARKER BEATS ANDY RUIZ THIS WEEKEND, ARUM BELIEVES HE CAN STILL BOX HERE, WITH TIMES ADJUSTED FOR THE UK AND US MARKETS. PERHAPS HAVE PARKER FIGHT IN THE UNITED STATES BUT THEN COME BACK AND FIGHT HERE AND MAYBE FIGHT IN CHINA. IT APPEARS THE IDEAS MAN HAS PLENTY LEFT, EXPLORING NEW GROUND, LIKE IN NZ. WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING? W` I CAN'T` WHAT HAPPENS IF I STOP? BOB ARUM TURNS 85 ON THURSDAY. A MAN MUCH YOUNGER, BUT WITH A LOT MORE PRESSURE ON HIS SHOULDERS OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS IS JOSEPH PARKER. TONIGHT HE MAKES ONE OF HIS LAST PUBLIC OUTINGS BEFORE FIGHT NIGHT ON SATURDAY. LET'S GO LIVE TO QUEEN STREET IN AUCKLAND AND STEPHEN STUART. Thank you. From Bob with 50 years in the business, can you believe Joseph has had four. You have the common touch and connect with people. Has it always been the way? I think that is the way I was brought up. I love to socialise as a young boy. It is great to see the supporters come through here. They all want burgers but they also want to meet us. My old high school has a special place in my heart. 4 days out from the biggest night of your career? There are still training and commitments. We need to make. Taking time out to see everyone in the everyone. And relaxes me. 500 tickets still to go. Was a sell-out? I think that will sell-out. 2$ whoppers if I win/ what a good deal. A big crowd behind us so we should let you get back to work. THANKS, STEPHEN. STEPHEN STUART, LIVE FROM QUEEN SREET IN AUCKALND. NO SELFIES FROM BREAKERS BASKETBALL STAR COREY WEBSTER TODAY AS HE APPEARED IN COURT ON AN ASSAULT CHARGE. THE 28-YEAR-OLD LOOKED VERY CASUAL AS HE ARRIVED AT THE ALBANY COURTHOUSE, BUT HE WASN'T TALKING ABOUT A TAKAPUNA BAR-ROOM INCIDENT ON HIS BIRTHDAY A WEEK AGO. WEBSTER WASN'T ASKED TO PLEAD TODAY, WITH THE CASE DELAYED FOR A FORTNIGHT. HE WAS REMANDED ON BAIL BUT WILL BE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL OFFSHORE FOR BREAKERS GAMES. THE POINT GUARD TOP-SCORED FOR THE BOTTOM-OF-THE-TABLE TEAM ON HIS RETURN FROM A ONE-MATCH SUSPENSION LAST SUNDAY. ERNIE MERRICK ADMITS HE'S STILL NOT 100% SURE HE'S MADE THE RIGHT DECISION TO WALK AWAY FROM THE WELLINGTON PHOENIX BUT ADMITS THE CLUB DOES NEED A FRESH APPROACH. MERRICK ADMITTING TODAY HE TRIED TO RESIGN LAST MONTH AFTER THE TEAM'S 6-1 DRUBBING BY MELBOURNE VICTORY, BUT WAS CONVINCED TO GIVE IT ANOTHER CRACK. I SAID TO ROB, 'LOOK, I WILL GIVE IT ANOTHER THREE OR FOUR WEEKS 'AND SEE IF WE CAN TURN IT AROUND.' BUT IT HAS NOT REALLY TURNED AROUND, SO I STOOD BY THE DECISION TO STEP DOWN THEN. MERRICK TOLD THE PLAYERS SHORTLY AFTER SUNDAY'S DEFEAT TO ADELAIDE, FORCING THE PLAYERS TO IMMEDIATELY LOOK IN THE MIRROR. ERNIE AND THE STAFF LEFT THE ROOM, AND HE STOOD UP AND SAID, 'YOU KNOW, 'THIS IS ON US.' AND HOW'S THIS FOR ONE FINAL SLIP-UP? MERRICK REVEALING HE AND JOHN KEY WEREN'T THE ONLY PEOPLE TO STEP DOWN FROM THEIR RESPECTED POSITIONS YESTERDAY. I GOT A TEXT FROM COLIN BATCH, WHO IS THE BLACK STICKS NATIONAL COACH. A FRIEND OF MINE, AND HE RESIGNED AS WELL, AND HE IS TAKING OVER THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM, I BELIEVE. MAYBE I HAVE SPOKEN OUT OF TURN. LAUGHTER MAYBE HE HASN'T RESIGNED YET. WELL, BREAKING NEWS. BATCH HAD ONLY JUST SIGNED A FOUR-YEAR EXTENSION AS BLACK STICKS MEN'S COACH. A BIG NIGHT ON THE RED CARPET FOR KIWI DRIVERS AT THE SUPERCARS AWARDS CEREMONY IN SYDNEY. SCOTT MCLAUGHLIN'S THIRD PLACE FINISH IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP RECOGNISED WITH THE BARRY SHEENE MEDAL FOR BEST AND FAIREST DRIVER. DELTA GOODREM IN CHARGE OF THE ENTERTAINMENT WITH A BIT OF JOHNNIE FARNHAM. # YOU'RE THE VOICE. TRY AND UNDERSTAND IT. # SHANE VAN GISBERGEN PRESENTED AGAIN WITH THE CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY, ALSO NAMED DRIVERS' DRIVER, ALTHOUGH HE WASN'T GETTING ANY PLAUDITS FROM FORMER WOULD-BE TEAM BOSS BETTY KLIMENKO. SHE'S LABELLED VAN GISBERGEN A SEXIST, SAYING HE BACKED OUT OF A DEAL TO DRIVE FOR HER EREBUS TEAM IN 2013 BECAUSE SHE'S A WOMAN. VAN GISBERGEN DENIES THE CLAIM, SAYING HE JUST DIDN'T BELIEVE IN THE TEAM SET-UP. cricket ` 183/1 the Seven Sharp team is ready to go with the weta workshop. ALSO COMING UP, THEY'VE REACHED A STALEMATE. IT'S NOT DANGEROUS AT ALL. IT CANNOT BE DONE SAFELY. SO CAN THE PIKE RIVER FAMILIES CHANGE NICK SMITH'S MIND? AND WE HAD TO TELL CHRIS A FEW WHITE LIES, BUT THE RESULT WAS WORTH IT. WHAT A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS PRESENT. THANK YOU SO MUCH, GUYS. AWESOME. PLUS, AT A MERE 15 YEARS OF AGE, ANNA HERE IS BEATING 20-SOMETHINGS IN THE BAGPIPER GAME. HIT IT, ANNA! (PLAYS 'SCOTLAND THE BRAVE') COMING UP AT 7! HELLO AGAIN. MAINLY FINE OVER THE NORTH ISLAND TODAY. JUST SOME SHOWERS HERE AND THERE, WHILE FRONTAL ACTIVITY DELIVERED WET WEATHER TO PARTS OF THE SOUTH ISLAND. HERE'S WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE FROM THE SAT CAM. A RIDGE KEEPS THE NORTH ISLAND CLEAR, BUT A CLOUD BAND ASSOCIATED WITH A FRONT COVERS LARGE PARTS OF THE SOUTH ISLAND. THERE'S MORE CLOUD OUT OVER THE TASMAN SEA, MARKING AN APPROACHING LOW AND EMBEDDED FRONTS. SO THE RIDGE OVER THE NORTH ISLAND PULLS AWAY TO THE EAST TOMORROW. MEANWHILE, A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM AND SEVERAL ASSOCIATED FRONTAL FEATURES MOVES OVER THE SOUTH ISLAND TONIGHT AND TOMORROW, THEN OVER THE NORTH ISLAND ON THURSDAY. A BRIEF RIDGE FOLLOWS. HOWEVER, ANOTHER BROAD TROUGH AND FRONTS MOVE ON TO THE SOUTH ISLAND DURING FRIDAY. FOR WEATHER, SEE TVNZ.CO.NZ SO, A TROUGH MOVES SLOWLY NORTHWARDS AND WEAKENS OVER CENTRAL NZ ON THURSDAY. RAIN OR SHOWERS EASING OVER THE COUNTRY AND CLEARING MUCH OF THE SOUTH ISLAND. A NORTHERLY FLOW STRENGTHENS ACROSS NZ ON FRIDAY, AND JUST ISOLATED SHOWERS IN THE NORTH AND EAST. ALSO THE ODD FALL FOR THE NORTH AND WEST OF THE SOUTH ISLAND. THEN A FRONT CROSSES EASTWARDS OVER THE COUNTRY ON SATURDAY FOLLOWED BY SOUTHWESTERLIES. SO, IT'S LOOKING LIKE A WET AND WINDY END TO THE WORKING WEEK. HAVE A GREAT NIGHT. Maybe not for cricket lovers. Australia 1 for 200