HELLO. A COUPLE OF WEAK FRONTS HAVE SLID ACROSS THE COUNTRY TODAY. THEY'RE SLOWLY WORKING THEIR WAY IN. NOT A BAD-LOOKING DAY IN SOME PLACES. STILL SOME SUNSHINE, BUT THINGS ARE GOING TO CHANGE AS WE HEAD THROUGH TONIGHT AND TOMORROW. MORE ACTIVE FRONT COMING IN, STRONG TO SEVERE GALES, HEAVY RAIN AND EVEN SNOW DOWN TO 800M IN THE FAR SOUTH. A BIT OF EVERYTHING THAT'LL REMIND YOU OF SPRING. ALL THE DETAILS COMING UP. RIGHT NOW, I'S 6 O'CLOCK. A BIG FOREST FIRE FORCES EVACUATIONS. IT'S SO FIERCE, FIREFIGHTERS ARE MOVED AWAY TO STAY SAFE. A MELTDOWN OF HUMANITY. HORRIFIC REPORTS OF ATROCITIES IN ALEPPO AS A CEASEFIRE'S REACHED IN THE RAVAGED CITY FIVE AFTER SYRIA'S CIVIL WAR BEGAN. AND A CONTROVERSIAL COUPLE. DONALD TRUMP MEETS RAPPER KANYE WEST. WHAT DID THEY TALK ABOUT? KIA ORA, GOOD EVENING. BUT WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH BIG BUSH FIRE NORTH OF AUCKLAND THAT'S NOT YET CONTAINED BUT CAME UNDER CONTROL JUST MINUTES AGO. MORE THAN 70 FIREFIGHTERS AND THREE HELICOPTERS ARE BATTLING THE BLAZE IN MATAKANA, ABOUT AN HOUR'S DRIVE FROM AUCKLAND'S CBD. STRONG WINDS ARE HAMPERING EFFORTS. ONE NEWS REPORTER HELEN CASTLES IS THERE AND JOINS US NOW LIVE. WHAT'S THE LATEST, HELEN? WE'VE BEEN MOVED BACK FROM FIRE FOR SAFETY EMERGENCY SERVICES SET UP A CONTROL CENTRE THERE'S A THICK BLACK SMOKE COVERING THE VALLEY FIRE CREWS HAVE JUST ENTERED THE FOREST IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS BEFORE WE SPOKE TO THEM EARLIER IT'S SWELLING QUITE A WAY AROUND THIS AREA, AND WE'RE IN A VALLEY WHICH IS MAKING IT SWELL A LOT MORE THAN WHAT IT WOULD NORMALLY BE. IT'S USUALLY JUST ONE DIRECTION BUT SHE'S ALL OVER THE PLACE. YEAH, IT'S SPREAD IN ALL DIRECTIONS AT THE MOMENT, AS OPPOSED TO ONE DIRECTION. BUT AS I SAID, THE HELICOPTERS HAVE GOT IT PRETTY MUCH CONTAINED NOW, AND WE'RE GONNA START SENDING IN GROUND CREWS VERY SHORTLY. THE FIRE STARTED AT 1 THIS AFTERNOON THERE'S UNCONFIRMED REPORTS IT WAS CAUSED BY A BEEKEEPER FOUR HOMES HAVE BEEN EVACUATED THE FIRE CREWS HAVE GOT IT UNDER CONTROL. IT'S NOT CONTAINED. THANKS HELEN AND WE'LL GO BACK LIVE TO HELEN FOR ANY UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE NEWS HOUR. A CEASEFIRE'S BEEN REACHED IN THE VICIOUS BATTLE FOR SYRIAN CITY OF ALEPPO AS HORRIFIC REPORTS OF ATROCITIES EMERGE. THE DEAL BETWEEN THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT AND REBELS INCLUDES THE SAFE EVACUATION OF COMBATANTS AND CIVILIANS. CONTROL OF WHAT WAS ONCE SYRIA'S MOST POPULOUS CITY IS THE BIGGEST PRIZE FOR PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD IN A CIVIL WAR THAT'S KILLED 400,000 PEOPLE AND DISPLACED AN ESTIMATED 11 MILLION, HELPING SPARK EUROPE'S MIGRANT CRISIS. LET'S LOOK AT THIS ANCIENT CITY AND HOW IT BECAME A CRITICAL BATTLEGROUND. IT'S BEEN DIVIDED ROUGHLY IN TWO, THE GOVERNMENT CONTROLLING THE WEST IN THERE, AND REBEL GROUPS, INCLUDING ISIS, HOLDING THE EAST FOR MUCH OF THE PAST FOUR YEARS. BUT THAT PICTURE CHANGED QUICKLY IN THE PAST MONTH, AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, AS GOVERNMENT TROOPS, WITH THE HELP OF IRAN AND RUSSIAN AIRSTRIKES TOOK CONTROL OF REBEL-HELD AREAS. A WARNING THIS REPORT FROM THE BBC'S QUENTIN SOMMERVILLE CONTAINS SOME DISTURBING IMAGES. THIS WILL BE REMEMBERED AS A CRUSHING VICTORY. AFTER FOUR YEARS OF FIGHTING, THESE MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN CAN RESIST NO MORE. THE REBELLION AGAINST PRESIDENT ASSAD IN ALEPPO IS OVER. THE FINAL PUSH, SOME THREE WEEKS OF IT, BROKE THE EAST. MEN SPEAK IN ARABIC EVEN THE CITY'S RESCUE SQUADS, THE BRITISH-BACKED WHITE HELMETS, HAVE GIVEN UP. THEY TOO WILL BE EVACUATED FROM ALEPPO. ONE RESCUER TELLS US, 'YESTERDAY WE HEARD SOUNDS OF CHILDREN 'UNDER RUBBLE, CRYING AND CALLING FOR HELP, 'BUT WE COULDN'T HELP THEM BECAUSE THE REGIME FORCES HAD ADVANCED 'AND THE BOMBARDMENT WAS INTENSE.' GUNFIRE THE SYRIAN ARMY HAD HELP HERE. RUSSIAN WAR PLANES AND FOREIGN SHIA FIGHTERS BROUGHT SIEGE AND COLLAPSE. THEY'VE BEEN ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES, SHOOTING WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE STREETS. TRANSLATOR: THESE REPORTS ARE TOTALLY BASELESS AND UNTRUE. THE SYRIAN ARAB ARMY WOULD NEVER DO SUCH THINGS. IN REALITY, THE ARMY IS HELPING TO SECURE THE EVACUATION OF CIVILIANS. THE ARMY IS ALSO HELPING TO SECURE THE DEPARTURE OF ANY FIGHTERS WHO SURRENDER. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO TARNISH THE IMAGE OF THE SYRIAN ARMY AFTER ITS VICTORY. MAN SHOUTS IN ARABIC IT'S BEEN THREE WEEKS OF HELL. AND FOR MOST OF IT, BASIL, AN ACTIVIST, HAS GUIDED US THROUGH, DAY AND NIGHT. HERE HE CLIMBS OUT OF THE RUBBLE AFTER HIS HOME WAS HIT BY A PARACHUTE BOMB. LATER, HE WATCHED THEM FALL IN OTHER NEIGHBOURHOODS. BUT AS NEWS OF THE TRUCE BROKE, WE WERE AGAIN ABLE TO REACH HIM DEEP INSIDE EASTERN ALEPPO JUST BEFORE HE LEFT THE CITY. (SPEAKS ARABIC) TRANSLATOR: IT'S QUIET HERE. PEOPLE ARE ON THE STREETS, AND NOTHING CAN DESCRIBE HOW HAPPY THE PEOPLE ARE. CEASEFIRE FOLLOWED BY EVACUATION FROM THE DESTROYED CITY. IT MADE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUFFERED A LOT, IT MADE THEM HAPPY. THE VICTORY HERE IS PRESIDENT ASSAD'S. ALEPPO IS HIS NOW. BUT HE DIDN'T DO IT ALONE. HE NEEDED RUSSIAN AND IRANIAN HELP. FINALLY TONIGHT, THE CITY IS QUIET. BUT BEYOND HERE, MUCH OF SYRIA REMAINS DIVIDED AND STILL VERY FAR FROM PEACE. ALEPPO WAS SYRIA'S FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CENTRE, BUT FOUR YEARS OF FIGHTING HAS SEEN MUCH OF IT REDUCED TO RUBBLE. THE BBC'S JEREMY BOWEN LOOKS AT THE HISTORY OF THE CONFLICT AND WHY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HASN'T DONE MORE. SYRIAN STATE TV HAS FOLLOWED THE ADVANCE OF GOVERNMENT TROOPS AND THEIR MILITIA ALLIES INTO WHAT WAS REBEL-HELD EASTERN ALEPPO. THE REPORTER, LIKE THE SYRIAN AUTHORITIES, AIMED HIS ANGER AT EVERY TRACE OF CONTROL BY WHAT THEY CALL TERRORISTS. RUBBLE CLATTERS FOR THE REGIME, THIS IS BIGGEST SINGLE VICTORY OF THE WAR, BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THE WAR IS OVER. INSTEAD, IT'S CHANGING SHAPE AND HAS MUCH MORE KILLING LEFT IN IT. NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THE INTERVENTION OF THE SYRIAN STATE'S ALLIES ` RUSSIAN, IRAN AND HEZBOLLAH, THE LEBANESE SHIA MILITIA. THIS IS A VICTORY FOR A COALITION THAT OPPOSES THE WEST AND ITS REGIONAL ALLIES. IN SERBIA, THE RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER WAS CONTEMPTUOUS OF AMERICAN COMPLAINTS. HE SAID, 'WE'RE TIRED OF HEARING THIS WHINING 'FROM OUR AMERICAN COLLEAGUES IN THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.' THE ACRIMONY CONTINUED IN NEW YORK AT THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL. ARE YOU TRULY INCAPABLE OF SHAME? IS THERE LITERALLY NOTHING THAT CAN SHAME YOU? IS THERE NO ACTIVE OF BARBARISM AGAINST CIVILIANS, NO EXECUTION OF A CHILD THAT GETS UNDER YOUR SKIN, THAT JUST CREEPS YOU OUT A LITTLE BIT? WESTERN INACTION LEFT A VACUUM, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RUSSIA THAT IT TOOK. ITS INTERVENTION IN ALEPPO WAS DECISIVE. EVEN LAST YEAR, REBELS IN ALEPPO WERE WELL SUPPLIED AND WERE TRYING TO ENCIRCLE THE REGIME-HELD SIDE OF THE CITY. NOW, THAT'S ALL CHANGED. THE REBEL SIDE COLLAPSED, WEAKENED BY INFIGHTING THAT LEFT JIHADIST GROUPS DOMINANT. THE SUFFERING OF THE PEOPLE OF ALEPPO IS EVEN MORE INTENSE. REBELS IN THE CITY HAVE BEEN DEFEATED, AND SO HAVE THE COUNTRIES BACKING THEM, INCLUDING THE US, SAUDI ARABIA AND TURKEY. SYRIA'S WAR CONTINUES. BUT AMERICA'S STANCE ON SYRIA IS SET TO CHANGE. INCOMING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S ARGUED THE U.S SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN THE REBEL CAMPAIGN TO OVERTHROW BASHAR AL-ASSAD. MR TRUMP TODAY MET RAPPER KANYE WEST AS HE CONTROVERSIALLY NAMED AN OIL EXECUTIVE WITH CLOSE TIES TO RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT TO CARRY OUT HIS FOREIGN POLICIES. HERE'S ABC'S TOM LLAMAS. TODAY, JUST HOURS AFTER ANNOUNCING HIS PICK FOR SECRETARY OF STATE, THE PRESIDENT-ELECT EMERGED FROM TRUMP TOWER ELEVATORS NOT WITH HIS TOP DIPLOMAT BUT WITH RAPPER KANYE WEST. THE TWO MET UPSTAIRS, POSED FOR PHOTOS OBTAINED BY TMZ, AND AFTERWARDS, WALKED OVER TO REPORTERS. JUST FRIENDS. JUST FRIENDS, AND HE'S A GOOD MAN. < HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN` VERY WELL. LONG TIME. WE'VE BEEN FRIENDS FOR A LONG TIME. LIFE. BUT THE HEADLINES EVERYWHERE ELSE ` REX TILLERSON, THE EXXON MOBILE CEO TRUMP TAPPED FOR SECRETARY OF STATE, TOUTING HIS... AMONG THEM, RUSSIA, NOW ACCUSED BY AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE CIA, OF DEPLOYING HACKERS TO DISRUPT THE ELECTION, THOUGH TRUMP HIMSELF STILL DOESN'T BELIEVE IT. TILLERSON HAS A LONG HISTORY WITH RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN. HE'S SEEN HERE AT A CHAMPAGNE TOAST. I'VE KNOWN HIM SINCE 1999. I HAVE A VERY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. PUTIN AWARDED TILLERSON WITH ONE OF RUSSIA'S HIGHEST HONOURS FOR FOREIGNERS. AND TODAY, THE WHITE HOUSE BROKE FROM CORDIAL TRANSITION WITH THIS DIRECT SHOT AT TRUMP. THROUGHOUT HIS CAMPAIGN, THE PRESIDENT-ELECT INDICATED HIS INTENT, IF ELECTED PRESIDENT, TO PURSUE WARMER RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA. SO WHAT BETTER WAY TO DO THAT THAN TO CHOSE SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN AWARDED THE ORDER OF FRIENDSHIP BY VLADIMIR PUTIN TO BE YOUR SECRETARY OF STATE? IF CONFIRMED, TILLERSON WILL BE THE FIRST SECRETARY OF STATE TO HAVE NEVER SERVED IN GOVERNMENT OR IN THE MILITARY. HIS ENTIRE CAREER, 40 YEARS AT EXXON, AND THE COMPANY COULD MAKE BILLIONS IF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION LIFTS SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA. BACK AT TRUMP TOWER, THE PRESIDENT-ELECT REFUSED TO DISCUSS ANY OF IT. THE OUTSPOKEN WEST TIGHT-LIPPED AS WELL. I JUST WANNA TAKE A PICTURE RIGHT NOW. AND AS THEY SAID THEIR GOODBYES... WEST LATER TWEETING... TRUMP HAS CHOSEN A CLIMATE CHANGE DENIER AND FORMER TEXAS GOVERNOR RICK PERRY TO BECOME HIS SECRETARY OF ENERGY. ANOTHER GOVERNMENT MINISTER'S QUITTING. CRAIG FOSS IS THE LATEST TO ANNOUNCE HE'LL LEAVE POLITICS AT THE NEXT ELECTION. THE VETERAN'S AFFAIRS MINISTER SAYS THAT AFTER 11 YEARS IN POLITICS, HE'S DECIDED NOW IS THE RIGHT TIME TO GO. HIS DECISION COMES AHEAD OF NEW PRIME MINISTER BILL ENGLISH ANNOUNCING A CABINET RESHUFFLE ON SUNDAY. I'VE HAD A CHAT WITH BILL AND MORE REFLECTION ON WHAT ELSE WAS GOING ON ABOUT MY LIFE AND WHAT I WANT TO DO, AND DECIDING, NO, ON BALANCE, I'M KEEN JUST TO MOVE OUT OF POLITICS AND MOVE BACK HOME. LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTER SAM LOTU-LIGA ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY HE'S STEPPING DOWN TOO. WHILE THEY'RE LEAVING, JACINDA ARDERN WANTS IN AS THE LABOUR PARTY'S CANDIDATE FOR MOUNT ALBERT NEXT YEAR. MS ARDERN'S CONFIRMED SHE'S SEEKING THE NOMINATION TO REPLACE DAVID SHEARER WHO'S LEAVING TO RUN THE UNITED NATION'S PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN SOUTH SUDAN NEXT YEAR. MS ARDERN'S A LABOUR LIST MP AND SPOKESPERSON ON JUSTICE, CHILDREN, ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE. A BY-ELECTION'S EXPECTED IN MOUNT ALBERT, GIVEN PRIME MINISTER BILL ENGLISH IS RULING OUT AN EARLY ELECTION. IT'S TAKEN 30 YEARS, BUT MEN CONVICTED OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS COULD GET THE RIGHT TO APPLY FOR A PARDON NEXT YEAR. 1 NEWS CAN CONFIRM THAT CABINET WILL CONSIDER A PLAN TO CLEAR CONVICTIONS THE 1986 LAW CHANGE THAT MEANT HOMOSEXUALITY WAS NO LONGER ILLEGAL. POLITICAL REPORTER ANDREA VANCE HAS THE DETAILS. 30 YEARS AFTER HOMOSEXUAL LAW REFORM, THERE'S STILL A THORN IN THE SIDE OF THE GAY COMMUNITY. CAMPAIGNERS LIKE DES AND JOHN WANT HISTORICAL CONVICTIONS FOR CONSENSUAL SEX BETWEEN MEN REVERSED. IT SEEMS TO ME QUITE IMMORAL AND UNJUST FOR THAT CRIMINAL RECORD TO BE RETAINED. IT HAS EFFECTED THEIR LIFE FOR A LONG TIME, AND THERE SHOULD BE AT LEAST AN APOLOGY FROM THE GOVERNMENT. AND FINALLY, THE GOVERNMENT'S LISTENING. 1 NEWS HAS LEARNED JUSTICE MINISTER AMY ADAMS HAS ASKED OFFICIALS TO WORK ON A SOLUTION. THE 1961 CRIMES ACT OUTLAWED MALE SEX, WHETHER IT WAS CONSENSUAL OR NOT. WE DO NOT WANT HOMOSEXUALITY LEGALISED. YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE HOMOSEXUALS. DON'T LOOK TOO LONG; YOU MIGHT CATCH AIDS. THE FIGHT TO CHANGE THAT MET FIERCE RESISTANCE. AND ALTHOUGH REFORM WON, CONVICTIONS WERE NEVER ERASED. JUSTICE MINISTRY FIGURES SHOW THAT BETWEEN 1980 AND 1986 THERE WERE NEARLY 900 CONVICTIONS. LAST YEAR, CAMPAIGNERS TOOK A PETITION TO PARLIAMENT. PARDONING MEN WHO WERE CONVICTED OF HOMOSEXUALITY IS A GREAT STEP TOWARDS IMPROVING THE JUSTICE IN OUR SOCIETY. BUT THERE WON'T BE A BLANKET PARDON. MEN OR THEIR FAMILIES WILL HAVE TO APPLY FOR ONE. THAT'S BECAUSE SOME CONVICTIONS WERE FOR SEX WITH A MINOR, WHICH IS STILL A CRIME. I BELIEVE MANY OF THE PUBLIC WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS HAPPEN, AND IT SHOULD HAPPEN. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, AS A MATTER OF NATURAL JUSTICE, PEOPLE SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS SHADOW OVER THEM FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. IN A STATEMENT TO 1 NEWS, AMY ADAMS SAYS IT WAS A... JUST PUT YOURSELF IN THE SHOES OF THE PERSON WHO HAS BEEN PROSECUTED AND PERSECUTED, AND JUST THINK ABOUT IT, AND MAYBE YOU'LL OPEN UP YOUR MIND. AND THE GOVERNMENT IS PROMISING TO DO JUST THAT. ANDREA VANCE, 1 NEWS. THE DRIVER OF A STOLEN CAR WHO POINTED A GUN AT POLICE IN ONEHUNGA EARLY THIS MORNING IS STILL ON THE RUN TONIGHT. POLICE WERE CHASING 25-YEAR-OLD HAYDEN RIZVI WHEN HE ABANDONED THE CAR AND RAN OFF. WHEN AN OFFICER FOLLOWED, RIZVI STOPPED AND AIMED A GUN AT HIM. HE'S COME TO THE POLICE'S ATTENTION BEFORE. IT'S NOT TRADITIONALLY BEEN WITH ANYTHING WITH A FIREARM, SO WE'RE NOT QUITE SURE THE CIRCUMSTANCES TO WHY HE HAD A FIREARM THIS TIME. BUT TO POINT A FIREARM AT A POLICE MEMBER IS OBVIOUSLY QUITE CONCERNING. IT'S A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF OFFENDING. POLICE SAY RIZVI IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NOT BE APPROACHED. BUNNY WALTERS, A FIXTURE ON NZ TELEVISION FOR TWO DECADES, HAS DIED IN WAIKATO AFTER A SHORT ILLNESS. THE 63 YEAR OLD CAME TO FAME IN THE EARLY '70S AND HAD A NUMBER OF LOCAL HITS. MAORI AFFAIRS REPORTER YVONNE TAHANA WITH MORE. THE SECOND PLACE IS BY BUNNY WALTERS. THE SONG THAT LAUNCHED THE YOUNG SINGER'S CAREER IN 1969 ` # SHE BE CRYIN', CRYIN', CRYIN'... # THE TEARS NOW, FOR A MAN WHO BECAME A REGULAR ON THE '70S MUSIC SHOW 'HAPPEN INN', SHARING THE SPOTLIGHT WITH SINGER SUZANNE LYNCH. THERE WAS ONLY ONE CHANNEL, AND IF YOU TURNED IT ON, THERE WE WERE. FOR US MAORI WE WERE JUST SO PROUD, COS THERE WERE NO MAORI ON TV, AND HERE WAS THIS MAORI SINGER, ONE OF THE GREAT AND MOST POPULAR SINGERS IN THE COUNTRY, BUNNY WALTERS TOOK INSPIRATION FROM THIS SONG BRANDY, A SWAGGERING TOM-JONES LIKE HIT AND IT HAD WOMEN TREATING HIM IN MUCH THE SAME MANNER. CLOTHES WERE RIPPED OFF. IT REALLY WAS THE HYSTERIA OF BACK IN THOSE DAYS. TOM SHARPLIN, ANOTHER ROCK 'N' ROLL CROONER, MET HIM AS A TEENAGER HE LOVED THE JOB, I DON'T THINK HE WOULD'VE BEEN GOOD AT ANYTHING ELSE. HE WAS BORN TO GIVE JOY. THERE WERE STRUGGLES WITH ALCOHOL, WHICH HE WAS OPEN ABOUT. MY MARRIAGE WAS ON THE ROCKS. I WAS DRINKING AT THIS PLACE, DRINKING ALMOST A WHOLE BOTTLE OF WHISKEY TO MYSELF. HE WAS A VERY SHY GUY WHO DIDN'T REALLY LOVE THE FAME. BUT HE TURNED HIS LIFE AROUND CONNECTING WITH CHRISTIANITY AND HEADING TO CANADA TO HELP IN REHABILITATION PROGRAMS WITH PRISONERS. HE COULD SING THE PAINT OFF THE WALL, BUNNY COULD. HE COULD. YVONNE TAHANA, 1 NEWS. STILL TO COME, ITS BEEN MORE THAN $1B IN THE MAKING. NOW AS THE COUNTRY'S MOST EXPENSIVE ROADING PROJECT APPROACHES COMPLETION, WE GET A VIEW INSIDE THE TWIN MOTORWAY TUNNELS. AND THE BIG COUNTING EXERCISE THAT'S HELPING TO SAVE SOME ENDANGERED PENGUINS WHO ARE NOT NECESSARILY SO KEEN TO BE FOUND. AND BLAZING NEW GROUND IN A FAR AWAY GALAXY. HOW A STAR WARS SPIN OFF IS PRESENTING A NEW FACE FOR HEROISM AND DIVERSITY IN A MOVIE BLOCKBUSTER. THE COUNTRY'S MOST EXPENSIVE ROADING PROJECT, A MOTORWAY UNDER AUCKLAND, IS GETTING THE FINAL TOUCHES AHEAD OF ITS OPENING IN AUTUMN. THE $1.4B DOLLAR WATERVIEW TUNNELS HAVE TAKEN MORE THAN FOUR YEARS TO BUILD AND WILL SOON COMPLETE A LONG AWAITED LINK IN THE ROADING NETWORK. WILL HINE WENT TO SEE HOW THEY'RE SHAPING UP THIS WAS HOW IT LOOKED UNDERGROUND DURING A VISIT MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO. TODAY, WITH A BIT OF PAINT AND TARMAC, IT'S A DIFFERENT PLACE. A ROAD ALMOST READY TO USE. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT FEELS LIKE A TUNNEL AND NOT A CONSTRUCTION SITE. IT FEELS LIKE A MOTORWAY TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, WILL. IT FEELS LIKE THAT LINK BETWEEN THE WEST OF AUCKLAND AND THE SOUTH OF AUCKLAND, THE LINK BETWEEN THE CITY CENTRE AND THE AIRPORT. LINK IS THE JUST THE RIGHT WORD, WITH THE WATERVIEW TUNNEL SYSTEM DESIGNED TO CONNECT STATE HIGHWAYS 16 AND 20. ONCE FINISHED, THE ROUTE WILL PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE TO STATE HIGHWAY ONE. TUNNEL BORING MACHINE ALICE DID THE BRUNT OF THE WORK. BUT HAS BEEN ABLY ASSISTED BY MORE THAN 10,000 WORKERS. IN TERMS OF ACTUAL MAN HOURS WORKED ON THE PROJECT, IT'S WELL OVER 10 MILLION. NOW WORK GOES ON FINISHING OFF BOTH OF THE THREE LANE TUNNELS, AS WELL AS THE ROADING CONNECTIONS OUTSIDE. THERE'S QUITE A LOT OUTSIDE THE TUNNELS. THERE'S ANOTHER TWO AND A �K OF MOTORWAY AND OF COURSE THESE MASSIVE RAMPS WE'RE STANDING ON THAT HAVE TO BE FINISHED AND COMMISSIONED AND OPENED AS WELL. THE TWO AND A HALF KM LONG TUNNELS ARE ALSO BEING PREPPED AND TESTED FOR EMERGENCIES LIKE CAR CRASHES. AS FOR WHAT HAPPENS IN THE CASE OF A FIRE, WELL, THIS HAPPENS ` SPRINKLERS FLOOD THE TUNNEL WITH WATER. IT'S CALLED A DELUGE SYSTEM. THE TUNNELS WILL OPEN IN APRIL, BUT AS WITH OTHER BIG PROJECTS, THE PUBLIC WILL GET THE CHANCE TO POUND THE PAVEMENT FIRST. WE'LL LET PEOPLE WANDER THROUGH OVER A COUPLE OF DAYS, HAVE A LOOK AT THE QUALITY OF FINISH, LOOK AT THE EQUIPMENT IN IT AND THEN WE'LL OPEN IT FOR VEHICLES, HOPEFULLY FOR THE NEXT 100 PLUS YEARS. ALL WE NEED NOW IS A BIT OF WHITE PAINT ON THE ROAD, A FEW WHITE LINES AND WE'RE THERE. FINALLY DAYLIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. WILL HINE, 1 NEWS. IT'S THE BIGGEST MAINLAND PENGUIN COLONY IN AUSTRALASIA, SO THE JOB OF COUNTING ITS INHABITANTS WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A BIG TASK. THE ENDANGERED WHITE-FLIPPERED PENGUIN ALSO CHOOSES TO LIVE IN SOME CHALLENGING TERRAIN, AS LISA DAVIES DISCOVERED. A BIG PENGUIN COUNT-UP. HOW HARD COULD IT REALLY BE? OH YEAH, HERE'S ONE IN HERE. I CAN SEE ITS BOTTOM. IT'S FACING AWAY FROM US. CARRYING OUT THE SURVEY WAS ACTUALLY VERY STEEP,... NO, THERE'S NOTHING IN THAT ONE. ...VERY HOT.... I SAW ONE. I THINK IT IS JUST DOWN HERE. AND VERY, VERY, VERY HARD. IMAGINE A LITTLE PENGUIN HAVING TO HOP UP HERE TO FEED ITS CHICK ON A REGULAR BASIS. YEAH, THEY'RE IMPRESSIVE. AND THESE LITTLE WHITE-FLIPPERED PENGUINS AREN'T ALWAYS HAPPY TO BE FOUND. OW. (LAUGHS) THERE'S A CHICK IN THERE. WHAT JUST HAPPENED? HE JUST BIT ME, SO YEAH, THERE'S DEFINITELY ONE IN THERE. LAUGHTER WHAT WE'VE NOTICED SO FAR IS THAT PENGUINS SEEM TO BE ATTRACTED TO GORSE, MATAGOURI, AND LIKE THIS GUY. ANYTHING VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCESS. BUT THEY'RE ALL PART OF A GROWING PENGUIN POPULATION. IN 2000 THERE WERE ONLY 700 PAIRS. WE HAVE ONLY 2000 NOW, SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AFTER THEM. THE LAND OWNERS HERE HAVE HAD A HUGE PART TO PLAY, ERADICATING PREDATORS. IT'S SICKENING JUST SEEING FLIPPERS AND FEET AND SKELETONS ON THE HILLSIDE, A CAT'S EATEN THEM, OR STOATS AND FERRETS. PRETTY GHASTLY. THEY DON'T SEE THAT HERE AT FLEA BAY ANY MORE. AND EVEN PROVIDE MAN-MADE BURROWS TO ENCOURAGE BREEDING. IF THEY'RE DOING WELL, THEY'VE GOT TO SMELL, OK. SO, IT'S A GOOD SIGN. (LAUGHS) IT IS. ALL OF THESE ACTIVE BURROWS ARE A VERY GOOD SIGN TOO. WE'RE QUITE EXCITED ABOUT THIS COUNT. WE MIGHT BE AT THE POINT WHERE WE DOUBLE THE POPULATION IN JUST 16 YEARS. THESE PENGUINS MIGHT BE SMALL, BUT... THEY'RE TENACIOUS. THEY'D HAVE GOT EXTINCT IF THEY WEREN'T. (LAUGHS) AND NOBODY WANTS THAT TO HAPPEN. LISA DAVIES, 1 NEWS. THE FIRST SPIN OFF FROM THE HUGELY SUCCESSFUL STAR WARS FRANCHISE ROGUE ONE HIT THEATRES FROM MIDNIGHT. IT HAS A WOMAN IN THE STARRING ROLE AND FEATURES NONE OF THE FAMILIAR CHARACTERS OF THE ORIGINAL MOVIES, BUT IT'S STILL ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED CHRISTMAS BLOCKBUSTERS. THE BBC'S LIZO MZIMBA REPORTS. APPLAUSE, CHEERING FANS HERE ONLY EXPECTED TO SEE STARS LIKE FELICITY JONES ON SCREEN THIS EVENING, BUT THE CAST AND CREW MADE A SURPRISE APPEARANCE IN PERSON. WE HAVE A MISSION FOR YOU. A MAJOR WEAPON'S TEST IS IMMINENT. THIS SPIN-OFF SET JUST BEFORE THE EVENTS OF 1977'S ORIGINAL STAR WARS FILM FEATURES A NEW COLLECTION OF CHARACTERS ` NOTABLY A LEAD WHO IS FEMALE. WE'RE GOING TO JEDHA. THAT'S A WAR ZONE. AN IMPORTANT SIGNAL TO A HOLLYWOOD INCREASINGLY CONCERNED WITH GENDER. OH, IT'S ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. IT'S VITAL THAT WE THESE KIND OF PARTS FOR WOMEN AND AS SOON AS I HEARD ABOUT THE PART I JUST JUMPED AT THE CHANCE. I'D BEEN LOOKING FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. SO WHEN I READ THE SCRIPT IT WAS A BIT OF A NO BRAINER. STAR WARS PERHAPS MEANS MORE TO FILM FANS THAN ANY OTHER FRANCHISE AND A MOVIE LIKE THIS REPRESENTS A STEP INTO THE UNKNOWN FOR THE FILMMAKERS. EXPLOSION AS WELL AS ITS FEMALE CENTRAL CHARACTER, ITS DIVERSE CAST IS ANOTHER AREA WHERE PRODUCERS HOPE ROGUE ONE WILL RESONATE WITH AUDIENCES. THE TIME TO FIGHT IS NOW! WELL, IT'S FANTASTIC TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THE LEAD WITH SOMETHING LIKE STAR WARS AND BE ABLE TO CAST WITH THIS DEGREE OF DIVERSITY. I'D LOVE TO SEE THIS HAPPEN IN A LOT MORE MOVIES AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO. IF GENDER AND DIVERSITY TO HELP IT ON ITS WAY TO BOX OFFICE SUCCESS, IT COULD PERHAPS HELP HOLLYWOOD CHANGE EVEN MORE RAPIDLY, ALL THANKS TO EVENTS IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY. AND YOU MIGHT RECOGNISE FELICITY JONES FROM HER OSCAR NOMINATED WORK IN THE 2014 MOVIE "THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING." WEATHER TIME NOW. DAN IS HERE AND WINDS OF CHANGE IN THE WEATHER TODAY AND A LOT MORE TO COME, DAN? IT IS AMAZING WHAT WINDS CAN DO COOLER SOUTH WESTERLIES YESTERDAY BITS OF CLOUD. WESTERLY WINDS DID A NUMBER ON TEMPS. FOR WEATHER, SEE TVNZ.CO.NZ SUMMERS GOING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN SHOULD HAVE BETTER WEATHER FOR WEEKEND. STILL TO COME, A PARK PLANNED FOR AUCKLAND IS FINALLY A HUGE STEP CLOSER AFTER 80 YEARS. YES, THE TRANSFORMATION OF A FORMER RUBBISH DUMP, INTO A COMMUNITY JEWEL IS UNDERWAY AT LONG LAST. DO YOU RECKON WE MIGHT SEE A REAL KIWI? NAH, NOT LIKELY, MATE. THEY'RE CREATURES OF THE NIGHT, MOSTLY. A SAFETY MESSAGE GETS A REGIONAL UPDATE IN THE LATEST AIR NEW ZEALAND INFLIGHT VIDEO. WHICH IS NOW SAID TO BE UNDER CONTROL BUT NOT YET CONTAINED. AFTER FOUR YEARS OF FIGHTING, A CEASEFIRE'S BEEN REACHED IN THE BLOODY BATTLE FOR THE SYRIAN CITY OF ALEPPO AS HORRIFIC REPORTS OF ATROCITIES EMERGE. THE DEAL BETWEEN THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT AND REBELS INCLUDES THE SAFE EVACUATION OF COMBATANTS AND CIVILIANS. IT'S A BEQUEST THAT'S BEEN LEFT UNFULFILLED FOR EIGHTY YEARS. 54HA OF BARE LAND, SURROUNDED BY DENSELY-POPULATED EAST TAMAKI. I THINK IT'S A REAL SECRET FOR A LOT OF AUCKLANDERS THAT THIS ACTUALLY EXISTS. IT'S LIKE AN ISLAND. IT'S LIKE AN OASIS IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL. IT'S BEEN A LONG ROAD TO THE FINAL MOUND OF SOIL. BUT THE SITE ON THE CORNER OF SMALES AND HARRIS ROADS IS NOW READY FOR A MAJOR FACELIFT. IN 1932, SARAH JANE LUSHINGTON GIFTED THE SITE TO AUCKLAND TO BE USED AS A PUBLIC PARK. BUT IT WAS LEASED AS A QUARRY... THE GREEN MOUNT TIP IS THE LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY. ...AND HAS ONLY RECENTLY BEEN RESTORED AFTER THE LANDFILL WAS CLOSED IN 2005. WE'VE CERTAINLY BROUGHT IN PROBABLY � MILLION TONNES FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS. SO YOU DO THE MATHS AND THAT'S MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF TONNES. IT MAY LOOK FAIRLY INDUSTRIAL NOW, BUT IN A COUPLE OF YEARS' TIME THIS QUARRY TURNED LANDFILL WILL BECOME A PARK, MORE THAN 80 YEARS AFTER IT WAS GIFTED TO THE CITY OF AUCKLAND MRS LUSHINGTON'S GREAT, GREAT, GREAT NEPHEW SAYS IT'S ABOUT TIME THE FAMILY VISION WAS REALISED. I THINK IT'S MORE OF RECENT TIMES WHEN IT COULD HAVE BEEN MOVED FORWARD A LOT QUICKER THAN IT HAS BEEN. NOW THAT IT'S MOVING FORWARD, BELIEVE YOU ME, WE ARE VERY HAPPY INDEED TO SEE SOMETHING HAPPENING AT LONG LAST. THE HOWICK LOCAL BOARD HOPES TO TRANSFORM THE SITE INTO A NATIVE FOREST PARK, WITH A CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND, WALKING AND CYCLING TRACKS AND AN OFF-LEASH DOG AREA. A PLACE FOR MRS LUSHINGTON'S DISTANT RELATIVES AND HER CITY TO ENJOY AS IT WAS INTENDED. CHRIS CHANG, 1 NEWS. THERE'S THE USUAL MIX OF AIRLINE STAFF AND LOCAL STARS, BUT THIS TIME IT'S ACTIVELY PROMOTING A REGION OF THE COUNTRY TO ITS PASSENGERS. SAM KELWAY HAS MORE. KIA ORA. WELCOME TO THE BAY OF ISLANDS. THE LATEST IN-FLIGHT SAFETY MESSAGE FROM AIR NZ. IT'S MORE THAN FOUR MINUTES LONG, INCLUDES MANY WELL KNOWN KIWIS... GOING MY WAY? I AM NOW. HERE YOU GO. ...AND SHOWCASES BAY OF ISLAND'S BEAUTY. BUT SOME QUESTION WHETHER IT SENDS THE RIGHT MESSAGE. I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT THEY ALLUDE PEOPLE'S ATTENTION TO THE SAFETY PLACARD THAT'S AVAILABLE IN THE SEAT POCKET, BUT THEN THE QUESTION IS HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL ACTUALLY TAKE A LOOK AT THAT IF THEY DIDN'T GET THE MEANING OF THE ACTUAL VIDEO IN THE FIRST PLACE? NO PLANES APPEAR IN THE VIDEO. HOWEVER THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY GAVE IT THE GREEN LIGHT, SAYING, ALTHOUGH AT TIMES QUITE CREATIVE, THE AIRLINE'S SAFETY MESSAGES CONSISTENTLY MEET CAA'S CRITERIA. FOR THOSE THAT ARE HIGHLY UNFAMILIAR AND PERHAPS THOSE THAT ARE SPEAKING A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE, SOME OF THE HUMOUR MAY GET LOST IN TRANSLATION. HEY, JAYDEN, WE'RE HEADING OUT TO SEE THE SIGHTS. I CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO TELL. IT MAKES THEM SEEM LESS LIKE BIG BUSINESS ` MORE, LIKE, YEAH, CUSTOMER-FOCUSED. IN ALL OTHER AIRPORTS WE KNOW, IT'S SO BORING AND NOBODY LISTENS, BUT THIS IS SO GREAT. EVEN THOUGH AIR NZ PULLED OF FLYING TO PARTS OF NORTHLAND THIS YEAR, BAY OF ISLANDS MARKETING GROUP HAS SPONSORED THE VIDEO. THEY SAY IT'S A HUGE OPPORTUNITY, AND THEY LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING KIWI AND INTERNATIONAL VISITORS TO THE REGION. THEY WOULDN'T SAY HOW MUCH CASH THEY STUMPED UP BUT DID SAY IT WAS THEIR BIGGEST INVESTMENT. SAM KELWAY, 1 NEWS RUGBY BOSSES ARE DOING THEIR BIT TO KEEP EXPERIENCED PLAYERS AT HOME. RUGBY BOSSES ARE DOING THEIR BIT TO KEEP EXPERIENCED PLAYERS AT HOME. SO HOW ATTRACTIVE IS THE NEW MONEY ON OFFER FOR THE MORE MATURE PLAYERS? ABBY WILSON WITH THE NUMBERS NEXT. TO THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM, WE GO IN SEARCH OF THE NEXT SAILING SUPERSTAR IN TORBAY AT THE YOUTH WORLD CHAMPS. HOW COOL WOULD THIS BE? PLAYING IN THE SAME TOURNAMENT AS YOUR COACH. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE WILDCARDS FOR THIS KIWI PAIR. AND A STORY OF HOPE AND THE GIFT OF ONE'S TIME. A FOOTBALLING GIANT MAKES A BOY (6) FROM AFGHANISTAN'S DREAM COME TRUE. KIA ORA, WELCOME BACK TO SPORT. THE LURE OF BIG MONEY CONTRACTS OVERSEAS CONTINUE TO ROB US OF SOME OF OUR BRIGHTEST RUGBY TALENT, BUT NZ RUGBY HAS MADE IT'S BIGGEST PLAY TO DATE TO KEEP EXPERIENCE AT HOME. IN IT'S LATEST COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT, SPECIAL BONUS PAYMENTS ARE BEING INTRODUCED FOR EXPERIENCED PLAYERS WHO KEEP PLAYING AT THE PROVINCIAL LEVEL. ABBY WILSON REPORTS. AT JUST 33, CORY JANE IS A VETERAN OF NZ RUGBY. BUT ALL THAT EXPERIENCE HAS MOST RECENTLY BEEN BENEFITTING A JAPANESE CLUB. WHILE NZ RUGBY ADMITS THE MONEY HERE WILL NEVER COMPARE, IT'S TRYING TO AT LEAST MAKE STAYING MORE ATTRACTIVE. THERE'S AN EXTRA $50M OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS GOING INTO INVESTING IN PLAYERS RETENTION AND THEIR EDUCATION AND THEIR WELFARE, AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF THAT IS BEING MADE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE EXPERIENCED SUPER RUGBY PLAYERS. SUPER RUGBY SALARIES HAVE BEEN UPPED TO BETWEEN $75,000 AND $195,000 A SEASON. PROVINCES PAY BETWEEN $21,000 AND $55,000. ON TOP OF THAT, AN EXTRA $35,000 IS NOW ON OFFER TO PLAYERS WITH MORE THAN FIVE YEARS' EXPERIENCE, WHO COMMIT TO PLAYING AT PROVINCIAL LEVEL. $10M IS ALSO BEING INVESTED INTO A SAVINGS SCHEME ` POTENTIALLY ANOTHER $15,000 A YEAR FOR EVERY PLAYER. WE HAD A LOOK OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS AND SAY, OK, OF THE PLAYERS WHO'VE GONE BASED ON WHAT WE NOW HAVE IN PLACE, HAD THAT BEEN IN PLACE WOULD THAT HAVE CHANGED THEIR MIND? AND A NUMBER OF INSTANCES, IT WOULD HAVE. THE NEW COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT ALSO INCREASES INVESTMENT IN WELLBEING. FROM JANUARY, OUT-OF-COMPETITION ILLICIT DRUG TESTING WILL BE ROLLED OUT TO ALL NZ RUGBY EMPLOYEES. IF SOMEONE TESTS TWICE FOR METHAMPHETAMINES, THEN THAT PERSON'S GOT CHALLENGES, AND WE WANT TO HELP THEM IN THE FIRST INSTANCE. AFTER 18 MONTHS, WE'RE GOING TO KNOW A HELL OF A LOT MORE ABOUT CLASS-A DRUGS IN OUR GAME THAN WE DO NOW. FOLLOWING THE CHIEFS INCIDENT AND OTHERS THIS YEAR, NEW POLICIES COVER TEAM FUNCTIONS AND RESPECT AND INCLUSIVENESS. A LOT OF THE PROTOCOLS DESCRIBED HERE AND MENTIONED IN THE AGREEMENT, I DESCRIBE LIKE PARENTING 101 ` ESSENTIALLY HELPING OUR KIDS BE BETTER KIDS AND LOOKING AFTER THEM. LOOKING AFTER THE PLAYERS IN THE HOPE THAT THEY LOOK AFTER THE SPORT HERE, DESPITE OFFSHORE TEMPTATIONS. ABBY WILSON, 1 NEWS. TROUBLED BREAKERS STAR COREY WEBSTER HAS BEEN PUT ON INDEFINITE INJURY LEAVE BY THE CLUB, JUST A DAY OUT FROM THEIR GRAND FINAL REMATCH WITH THE PERTH WILDCATS AT VECTOR ARENA. THE CLUB INSISTS THE 28-YEAR-OLD'S TIME OUT OF THE GAME IS TO REHAB A NUMBER OF INJURIES AND NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ASSAULT CHARGE FOLLOWING AN EARLY MORNING INCIDENT AT AN AUCKLAND BAR LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AGO. WHILE HE OBVIOUSLY MIGHT NOT AGREE WITH THE DECISION, HE'S ACCEPTED IT, WHICH MEANS A LOT. IT SAYS A LOT ABOUT HIM, AND IT MEANS A LOT TO THE CLUB. THIS WAS A DECISION MADE BY ME AS HEAD COACH AND AT A BOARD LEVEL AS WELL. THE SECOND TO BOTTOM BREAKERS ARE CONSIDERING AN IMPORT AS HIS REPLACEMENT. WEBSTER IS SET TO REAPPEAR IN COURT ON DECEMBER 20. THE NEXT GENERATION OF SAILING SUPERSTARS SHOULD BE EMERGING IN AUCKLAND IN THE NEXT WEEK WITH THE YOUTH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BEING SAILED OFF TORBAY. AN EVENT THAT'S DELIVERED THE LIKES OF SIR RUSSELL COUTTS, CHRIS DICKSON AND DEAN BARKER. MARTIN TASKER REPORTS. A SEA OF BOATS WITH A SEA OF SAILORS ` 380 OF THEM, FROM MORE THAN 60 COUNTRIES ` IN AN EVENT SET UP WITH KIWI CAN-DO IN JUST SEVEN MONTHS AFTER THE ORIGINAL HOSTS IN OMAN PULLED OUT. IT WAS A HUGE ASK. PEOPLE HERE IN NZ REALLY UNDERSTAND OUR SPORT OF SAILING, AND THEY KNOW ALL THE LITTLE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL EVENT, AND THAT MAKES SAILORS AND THE COACHES WHO ARE WITH THE SAILORS HAPPY. THE KIWIS CERTAINLY ARE, ENJOYING THE RARE TREAT OF A WORLD CHAMPS ON THEIR DOORSTEP. IT MEANS EVERYTHING TO FINALLY BE ABLE TO SAIL ON OUR HOME WATERS. IT MEANS EVERYTHING. IT'S REALLY COOL TO BE IN A HOME VENUE. IT'S OBVIOUSLY REALLY AMAZING TO KNOW THE WATERS WE ARE SAILING IN. HOW MUCH OF AN ADVANTAGE DO YOU THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE? > UNFORTUNATELY NOT THAT MUCH, I DON'T THINK. THE WATERS OFF TORBAY ARE TYPICALLY VERY TRICKY. THE VISITING RIVALS RELISHING THE PROSPECT OF COMPETING HERE. OBVIOUSLY IF YOU LOOK AT THE OLYMPICS AND ALL THE HIGH-LEVEL SAILING, A LOT OF KIWI SAILORS DO REALLY GOOD, SO, YEAH, I THINK IT'S NICE TO CHECK OUT WHERE THEY TRAIN NORMALLY AND SAIL HERE, YEAH. I MEAN, JUST LOOK AT NZ. IT'S ALL ON THE WATER. EVERYONE SAILS, AND TO COME HERE AND BE FIGHTING THEM HERE IS REALLY SPECIAL. BUT THE KIWIS SHOULD HAVE A QUALIFIED EDGE. WE DON'T HAVE ANY JET LAG TO DEAL WITH WE. ARE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HAVE ILLNESS ISSUES AND THE GUYS SHOULD BE PRETTY COMFORTABLE OUT ON THE WATER. SUPPORTING THE CHAMPS IS AN ARMY OF 240 VOLUNTEERS DRAWN FROM SAILING CLUBS AROUND THE COUNTRY. EVERYONE IS TOUCHED BY IT AND HOPEFULLY A LOT LIKE THE AMERICA'S CUP. IT WILL INSPIRE A LOT OF PEOPLE, TO EITHER STAY IN THE SPORT OR GET INVOLVED IN THE SPORT TO SEE HOW EXCITING THIS IS. RACING STARTS ON FRIDAY. MARTIN TASKER, 1 NEWS. KIWI TENNIS NUMBER 1 MARINA ERAKOVIC HAS BEEN CONFIRMED FOR HER 12TH ASB CLASSIC TOURNAMENT, HANDED A WILDCARD FOR THE STAR-STUDDED WOMEN'S EVENT IN AUCKLAND EARLY IN THE NEW YEAR. THE 28 YEAR OLD IS FEELING FRESH AND RELAXED AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, IS INJURY-FREE. ERAKOVIC HAS A NEW COACH, BUT SAYS, SOUTH-AFRICAN-BORN KIWI WESLEY WHITEHOUSE WON'T BE MAKING TOO MANY CHANGES TO HER GAME. IT'S MORE ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIP. IT'S MORE ABOUT SORT OF KEEPING ME LEVEL-HEADED AND CALM FOR MY MATCHES AND THE BIG THING FOR ME IS ALSO IS THAT WE ARE BOTH IN NZ AND WE CAN WORK TOGETHER. WHITEHOUSE IS AN AUCKLAND FAVOURITE TOO, HAVING ENTERTAINED IN PAST TOURNAMENTS. THE-37-YEAR-OLD ALSO HOPING FOR A WILDCARD ENTRY INTO THE MEN'S DRAW. I HOPED SHE COACHED ME THAT WEEKEND IF I DID GET IT. THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO COME ON THE COURT, SO I DON'T KNOW. HOPEFULLY SHE'LL BE TAKING STATS. ERAKOVIC IS CURRENTLY RANKED 105 IN THE WORLD, GAINING AUTOMATIC QUALIFICATION INTO THE FIRST GRAND SLAM OF THE YEAR, THE AUSSIE OPEN. A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY HAS LIGHTENED THE MOOD, JUST A LITTLE BIT ANYWAY, AHEAD OF THE DAY-NIGHT TEST BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND PAKISTAN STARTING IN BRISBANE TOMORROW. AUSSIE BATSMAN USMAN KHAWAJA CONFUSED FOR ONE OF THE PAKISTAN PLAYERS BY A GABBA STAFF MEMBER. SHE CAME DOWN, AND SHE SAID, 'OH, DO YOU NEED THE LOCKER ROOMS OPEN?' AND I SAID YES PLEASE, AND SHE STARTED WALKING TO THE PAKISTANI CHANGING ROOMS. I WAS... LAUGHTER OH MY GOD, MAN. I WAS LIKE, 'NAH, I'M GOING THAT WAY, THANK YOU.' THE TEST PITS PAKISTAN COACH MICKEY ARTHUR UP AGAINST THE SIDE HE PREVIOUSLY COACHED. KHAWAJA REFLECTING ON THE 'HOMEWORKGATE' INCIDENT GOT HIM SUSPENDED AND ARTHUR SACKED. I'M NOT SPITEFUL OR REVENGEFUL IN THAT SORT OF RESPECT. UM, YOU KNOW, MICKEY IS A` A VERY GOOD GUY. A CLASH OF A DIFFERENT KIND IN A T20 PRACTISE MATCH ` MELBOURNE STARS PLAYERS ADAM ZAMPA AND TOM TRIFFITT COLLIDING. BELIEVE IT OR NOT THOUGH, ZAMPA HELD THE CATCH, BOTH PLAYERS ARE OK. ARSENAL HAVE MISSED THEIR CHANCE TO RETURN TO THE TOP OF THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE AFTER THEIR FIRST DEFEAT SINCE THE OPENING DAY OF THE SEASON. ALEXIS SANCHEZ AND A DOSE OF GOOD LUCK GOT THINGS OFF TO A GREAT START FOR THE LONDON SIDE, BUT THEY LET THEMSELVES DOWN DEFENSIVELY AT THE BACK AT THE END OF EACH HALF. CHEERING TESTING, CROSS. GUIDED IN. ONE BACK TEES UP THE OTHER. LITTLE HIGHER. HE GOT IT IN. ASHLEY WILLIAMS. FIRST GOAL FOR EVERTON. CHELSEA KEEP THEIR 3 POINT LEAD AT THE TOP AND WILL EXTEND THAT TO SIX IF THEY BEAT SUNDERLAND TOMORROW. FINALLY IN SPORT, REMEMBER THIS LITTLE FELLA, THE BOY PHOTOGRAPHED IN AFGHANISTAN WEARING HIS LIONEL MESSI ARGENTINA SHIRT MADE FROM A PLASTIC BAG. WELL, TODAY SIX-YEAR-OLD MURTAZA AHMAD GOT TO MEET THE FAMOUS NUMBER 10 FACE TO FACE WHEN MESSI'S CLUB SIDE BARCELONA PLAYED A FRIENDLY IN QATAR. THAT MASCOT'S GOING TO BE ON THE PITCH FOR THE FULL 90 MINUTES. WHAT A DAY HE'S HAVING. WAY HE'S GOING, HE'LL BE ALONGSIDE MESSI TO SCORE A HAT-TRICK. WELL, EVENTUALLY THE GAME HAD TO GET UNDERWAY BUT THAT WOULDN'T BE THE END OF THE EXCITEMENT FOR LITTLE MURTAZA, MESSI OBLIGING WITH A DECENT GOAL. THE GET TOGETHER SET UP BY THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR THE 2022 WORLD CUP, WHICH WILL BE HELD IN QATAR. He is so cute. Speaking of cute ` thank you, Simon. Doc Mayhew had a huge health care. He had a very good reason for coming on tonight. WHAT PRESIDENT ELECT TRUMP OWES THIS GUY, AND WE'VE GOT THE PROOF. COMING UP. PLUS IT MIGHT SOUND BASIC... SO THEY WOBBLE ALONG THIS WOBBLING TRAY AND THEY GO INTO THE SUCKY THING DOWN THE END THERE. ...BUT THESE KIWIS HAVE TURNED IT INTO SOMETHING QUITE BIG. AND THEY'RE SOME PRETTY DEEP QUESTIONS. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE? WHAT IS LOVE? BUT DOES GOOGLE REALLY HOLD THE ANSWERS? WE HAVE YOUR FIRST LOOK AT YOUR 2016 SEARCHES AT SEVEN. You might only drive short distances to work each day. You might park securely at work. You may not drive your car to work at all. At Youi, we tailor your insurance premium to how you use or don't use your car. It could save you lots. Call: Hello there. Even though summer has been struggling to get into the driver said, we have an active front coming and. You would think that summer has left the building, but hang in there. Better weather for the weekends. Look at the tropics ` getting active with a load to the north of Fiji. By Friday it will have a high chance of becoming the first cyclone of the season. Something to take note of that lump of colour. Our active front working in the South. That is some cold thundery weather that will come zooming into the far south of the country tomorrow. A good feed of moisture. Looking at now, look at the watches and warnings ` strong to severe gales moving up ` can you believe it? The Milford Road with snow. As the system comes through, there is the heavy rain. Strong to severe gales ahead of the main front. That line of blue becomes thinner. The lab gets thinner and had evening showers in Auckland. The far south dropping the snow level to 800m. Okay and the further north and east sscattered showers we can as it gets North. Improving after a gets after the Cook Strait. We're saying goodbye to that run down south. We bring on the next Trough. Those pickled showers are working with some thunder and maybe hail. FOR WEATHER, SEE TVNZ.CO.NZ the weather is busy. Still keeping fingers crossed for Christmas but mother nature is throwing spanners in the works. must try harder.