HELLO. AN ACTIVE FRONT'S BROUGHT A MIX OF EVERYTHING TODAY FROM TEMPERATURES AS HIGH AS 28 DEGREES TO THE EAST OF THE COUNTRY. A STRONG ACTIVE FRONT WITH HEAVY RAIN, SEVERE GALES, THUNDER. IT ALL CLEARS AWAY TONIGHT. A QUIETER-LOOKING DAY WITH HIGH PRESSURE COMING IN FOR TOMORROW. ALL THE DETAILS COMING UP. RIGHT NOW, IT'S 6 O'CLOCK. THE QUAKE-RAVAGED HIGHWAY ALONG THE KAIKOURA COAST WILL BE REPAIRED. BUT AT WHAT COST, AND HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE? STILL AN EXPLOSIVE SITUATION. UNCERTAINTY FOR RESIDENTS DESPERATE TO FLEE ALEPPO AS CONFUSION SURROUNDS A CEASEFIRE DEAL. A WORLD FIRST FOR A MOTHER AND BABY AS A YOUNG GIRL'S FROZEN OVARIES ARE USED TO MAKE HER FERTILE MORE THAN 15 YEARS LATER. KIA ORA. GOOD EVENING. THE QUAKE-DAMAGED MAIN HIGHWAY THROUGH THE SOUTH ISLAND WILL BE REBUILT AT A GREAT COST THE GOVERNMENT CONFIRMED TODAY. MASSIVE SLIPS ARE BLOCKING PARTS OF STATE HIGHWAY ONE AND THERE'S EXTENSIVE ROAD DAMAGE AFTER THE KAIKOURA QUAKE. HERE'S THE CURRENT ESTIMATED COST ` BETWEEN $1.4B AND $2B. AND 12 MONTHS IS THE TIME FRAME THE GOVERNMENT'S GIVEN FOR PARTIAL ACCESS TO BE RESTORED TO THE COASTAL ROUTE. ALSO TO BE REPAIRED, THE MANGLED RAIL LINE. AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, RUNNING NORTH AND SOUTH OF KAIKOURA. A VITAL SUPPLY LINE TO CHRISTCHURCH AND OTHER PLACES FURTHER SOUTH. POLITICAL REPORTER ANDREA VANCE HAS BEEN IN KAIKOURA, WHERE SOME RESIDENTS VENTED THEIR FRUSTRATIONS. WE HAVE SAT DOWN THERE FOR THREE WEEKS AND NOTHING HAS BLOODY WELL HAPPENED AND IT'S SHOCKING. IT IS THE ABSOLUTE PITS, GERRY. FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE IT'S NOT EASY. SORRY YOU ARE FRUSTRATED BUT I'M PISSED OFF THAT YOU TOOK THAT ATTITUDE QUITE FRANKLY. I JUST SWORE ON TV. I THINK YOU'LL FIND EVERYONE HERE THINKS LIKE I DO. AND ON HIS FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT AS PRIME MINISTER, BILL ENGLISH WAS HOPING TO REASSURE LOCALS. THIS IS A COMMUNITY WHICH COULD EASILY FEEL ON ITS OWN, SO I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT IT WAS THE FIRST THING I DID AS PRIME MINISTER. THE NEW PM'S VISIT'S ALSO BROUGHT CONFIRMATION KAIKOURA'S STATE HIGHWAY ONE LINK WILL RE-OPEN WITHIN A YEAR, BOTH TO THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH. GOVERNMENT WILL MEET THE $2B COST. THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO SPEND $5M DREDGING KAIKOURA HARBOUR TO GET TOURISM OPERATORS MOVING AGAIN. BUT WHILE SOME LOCALS ARE HAPPY... GREAT NEWS FOR KAIKOURA! THAT ISOLATION FACTOR IS A REAL CHALLENGE, SO IT'S GOOD TO HEAR IT. OTHERS SAY ROADING ISSUES HAVE BEEN BADLY HANDLED AND THEY'RE DEMANDING AN INQUIRY. I FEEL QUITE A FEW OTHERS FEEL THAT KAIKOURA WAS STRANGLED A LITTLE BIT UNNECESSARILY. THINGS CERTAINLY AREN'T MOVING FAST ENOUGH AT ISOLATED KEKERANGU - NORTH OF KAIKOURA MR ENGLISH CHOPPERED INTO A LOCAL CAFE WHERE HE MET WITH FURIOUS LOCALS WHO WANTED ANSWERS ON WHY CONTRACTORS WEREN'T INVOLVED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE EXCEPT PATCH UPS AND I RECKON IT'S PISS POOR AND IF THAT'S WHAT OUR GOVT FEELS ABOUT US AND HOW THEY THEY DEAL AND A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN THIS AREA. NZTA HAVE NOT BEEN SITING ON THEIR BACKSIDE DOING NOTHING, AND QUITE FRANKLY I RESENT YOUR COMMENTS DEEPLY. MR ENGLISH TRIED TO KEEP THINGS UPBEAT. THIS IS A FANTASTIC PLACE. IT'S GOT GREAT REAL GROWTH POTENTIAL. SO IT'S BEEN IMPORTANT FOR THE NEW PRIME MINISTER TO BE HERE. IT WILL BE EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO SEE IF HIS PLANS AND PROMISES CARRY THROUGH. ANDREA VANCE, 1 NEWS. BOTH THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY AND KIWIRAIL ARE WELCOMING THE DECISION. AS POLITICAL EDITOR CORIN DANN REPORTS, THE HUGE REPAIR PLAN IS SEEN AS THE SAFEST, MOST COST EFFECTIVE OPTION. FIXING KIWIRAIL'S MANGLED NETWORK NORTH OF KAIKOURA WON'T BE EASY. WE DON'T QUITE KNOW THE FULL EXTENT AND HOW LONG THIS IS GOING TO TAKE. IT'S A SIGNIFICANT JOB. THERE'S A LOT OF COMPLEXITY. SO THE STATE-OWNED RAIL OPERATOR IS DELIGHTED THE GOVERNMENT'S AGREED TO HELP FUND THE REPAIR WORK. IT'S A BIG SIGNAL OF SUPPORT, NOT ONLY FOR OUR PEOPLE, BUT ALSO THAT RAIL IS IMPORTANT FOR NEW ZEALAND. RELIEF TOO FOR THE COUNTRY'S TRUCKIES NOW THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S ALSO COMMITTED TO STUMPING UP THE CASH TO RE-OPEN KAIKOURA'S COASTAL HIGHWAY. IT CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH. SINCE THE QUAKE CLOSED STATE HIGHWAY 1, TRUCKS HAVE HAD TO USE THE LONGER AND WINDIER LEWIS PASS ROUTE FROM CHRISTCHURCH TO PICTON. DRIVERS CAN'T GO FROM PICTON TO CHRISTCHURCH AND BACK TO PICTON, SO COMPANIES HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE ROUTE FOR THEMSELVES WITH REGARDS TO HAVING SWAP OVER TRUCK DRIVERS. THAT COSTS THEM MORE MONEY, OBVIOUSLY, AND IT'S A LOT SLOWER AS THE ROADS ARE A LOT MORE DANGEROUS. FOR LOCAL IWI AND TOURIST OPERATOR NGAI TAHU, THE TRANSPORT COMMITMENTS ARE A LIFESAVER. THE ROADS AND RAIL IS WHAT WE NEED TO BRING THE TOURISTS IN. BUT IT'S NOT JUST ROADING AND RAIL THAT NEED REPAIRS. THE GOVERNMENT'S $5M TO DREDGE KAIKOURA'S HARBOUR'S ALSO VITAL. THE QUAKE PUSHED UP THE SEABED, LEAVING BOAT CHARTERS JUST TWO HOURS A DAY TO GET OUT AND BACK AT HIGH TIDE. OUR BIGGEST FEAR OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS WAS HOW ARE WE GOING TO PAY FOR IT. SO FOR CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO COME FORWARD IS HUGE FOR US. IT TAKES A LOT OF PRESSURE OFF. SO WITH THE WORRY OF WHO'S FOOTING THE BILL OUT OF THE WAY, THE FOCUS CAN NOW GO ON TRYING TO GET THE MOUNTAIN OF FIX UP WORK DONE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. CORIN DANN, 1 NEWS. THE PRIME MINISTER COULD BE NAMING A NEW FOREIGN MINISTER IN HIS CABINET RESHUFFLE ON SUNDAY. THE CURRENT MINISTER, MURRAY MCCULLY HAS ANNOUNCED HE'S LEAVING POLITICS AT THE NEXT ELECTION. 1 NEWS ASKED HIS BOSS IF MR MCCULLY WAS LEAVING BEFORE HE WAS PUSHED. MURRAY'S HAD, AS HE SAID HIMSELF, HAD A FANTASTIC RUN REPRESENTING NZ 8 YEARS SO FAR, AND THROUGH THE SECURITY COUNCIL WHICH HAS DEALT WITH SOME REALLY DIFFICULT GLOBAL ISSUES. I'M NOT SURPRISED THAT HE'S DECIDED THAT HE'S GONNA MOVE ON IN THE NEXT ELECTION. MR MCCULLY'S CURRENTLY IN NEW YORK. HE SAYS HE'LL CONTRIBUTE IN WHATEVER WAY BILL ENGLISH WANTS FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS. MR MCCULLY'S BEEN IN PARLIAMENT ALMOST THIRTY YEARS. INSURANCE COMPANY YOUI HAS BEEN FINED MORE THAN $300,000 FOR MISLEADING CUSTOMERS. THE SOUTH AFRICAN-OWNED INSURER WAS TAKEN TO COURT AFTER CUSTOMERS WERE CHARGED FOR POLICIES THEY DIDN'T WANT AND WHICH THEY HAD DIFFICULTY CANCELLING. WILL HINE REPORTS. YOU MIGHT KNOW YOUI FROM THEIR FREQUENT ADS, IMPLORING KIWIS TO RING UP FOR A QUOTE. YOUI. WE GET YOU. BUT WHEN JOURNALIST DIANA CLEMENT DID JUST THAT FOR A STORY AND GAVE HER BANK DETAILS, SHE ENDED UP BEING BILLED FOR A POLICY SHE HADN'T AGREED TO. I SUDDENLY FOUND THAT $592 HAD BEEN TAKEN OUT OF MY ACCOUNT WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. I EMAILED THEM AND WAS IGNORED. NONE OF MY EMAILS WERE EVER DEALT WITH. SIMILAR DECEPTION UNCOVERED BY A COMMERCE COMMISSION INVESTIGATION. IN THESE INSTANCES HERE, THEY WERE ACTIVELY MISLEADING PEOPLE AS TO WHAT THEY ACTUALLY DOING, WHETHER THEY WERE SETTING UP A QUOTE OR A POLICY, OR WHAT OBLIGATIONS THE CUSTOMER ACTUALLY HAD. YOUI IS DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED THAT CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCED THAT AND EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTIES IN CANCELLING POLICIES AND OBTAINING REFUNDS, AND YOUI ACCEPTS THAT THOSE THINGS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. 15 REPRESENTATIVE CHARGES WERE LAID, WITH THE ACTUAL OFFENDING HARD TO QUANTIFY. IT SIMPLY CAN'T BE SAID HOW MANY TIMES THIS OCCURRED IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME YOUI HAS BEEN IN TROUBLE. JUST TWO MONTHS AGO IT WAS FINED $100,000 FOR MISCONDUCT, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY POSSIBLE, BY THE INSURANCE COUNCIL. AND TODAY WAS STUNG FOR ANOTHER $320,000. WILL HINE, 1 NEWS. CONVICTED DOUBLE MURDERER SCOTT WATSON FACES AT LEAST ANOTHER FOUR YEARS BEHIND BARS AFTER HIS PAROLE WAS DENIED. PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORTS FOUND WATSON STILL HAD A VERY HIGH RISK OF VIOLENT RECIDIVISM. HE KILLED OLIVIA HOPE AND BEN SMART IN THE MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS ON NEW YEARS DAY 1998. THE PAROLE BOARD SAYS HE HAS TO DO ALOT MORE WORK BEFORE HE NO LONGER POSES A RISK TO THE COMMUNITY. THE 45-YEAR-OLD WAS JAILED FOR A MINIMUM 17 YEARS IN 1999. THE PAROLE DECISION WON'T BE REVIEWED UNTIL 2020. THERE'S A FRESH GLIMMER OF HOPE AMID THE HORROR FOR THOSE TRAPPED IN THE SYRIAN CITY OF ALEPPO. A CEASEFIRE BETWEEN GOVERNMENT FORCES AND REBELS BROKE DOWN JUST HOURS AFTER IT STARTED. BUT THERE'S WORD OF A NEW DEAL TO ALLOW THE EVACUATION OF CIVILIANS. THE BBC'S LYSE DOUCET REPORTS. A RARE QUIET... EXPLOSION ECHOES ...BECAME ANOTHER DAY OF WAR, SHATTERING A CEASEFIRE ONLY HOURS AFTER IT STARTED... AND A CRUSHING A BIT OF HOPE THAT THE AGONY OF ALEPPO WAS OVER. BOOM! ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE STILL TRAPPED IN WHAT'S LEFT OF THEIR HOMES IN THE EAST OF THE CITY. AIRPLANE ZOOMS, EXPLOSION BOOMS EXPLOSION ECHOES IMAGINE WHAT IT'S LIKE FOR CHILDREN WITHOUT PARENTS. TODAY 47 ORPHANS SENT A MESSAGE TO THE WORLD. TRANSLATOR: PLEASE LET US EVACUATE ALEPPO. WE CAN'T GO OUTSIDE BECAUSE OF THE AIR STRIKES AND THE SHELLING. WE ARE AFRAID. BEFORE FIRST LIGHT, THE BUSES, THE AMBULANCES DID MOVE IN, READY TO BRING OUT THE ILL AND THE INJURED, THE CHILDREN, THE FIGHTERS. BUT THE FIRST AMBULANCE WAS TURNED BACK BY A PRO-GOVERNMENT MILITIA. AND THE BUSES WAITED FOR HOURS. MORE THAN 100,000 PEOPLE ESCAPED THIS HELLISH CORNER IN RECENT WEEKS, FLEEING UNDER FIRE. A BRUTISH EXISTENCE. A VICTORY JUST TO SURVIVE. MANY DID NOT. THE UN IS NOW RAISING CONCERN ABOUT ALLEGED MASSACRE OF CIVILIANS. A GRAVE ACCUSATION DISMISSED TODAY BY PRESIDENT ASSAD. STATE TV SHOWS WHAT THEY SAY IS THE EVIDENCE OF A WEAPON'S FACTORY CAPTURED DURING THE ARMY'S OFFENSIVE. THE ROCKETS REBELS HAVE BEEN FIRING INTO WEST ALEPPO. IT'S WHY IT'S BEEN SO HARD TO REACH A DEAL TO LET THE FIGHTERS GO. SO THE FIGHT GOES ON, BUT THERE ARE REPORTS THAT A NEW DEAL IS DONE. THAT REBELS WILL LEAVE. THAT EVACUATION OF CIVILIANS WILL AT LAST HAPPEN. THERE ARE REPORTS THAT CONDITIONS IMPOSED BY IRAN, A SYRIAN GOVERNMENT ALLY, PROVED THE STUMBLING BLOCK TO THE PLANNED EVACUATION. IN A MAJOR MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH, DOCTORS HAVE USED THE FROZEN OVARIAN CELLS FROM A GIRL WHO HAD NOT YET REACHED PUBERTY TO MAKE HER FERTILE AGAIN MORE THAN 15 YEARS LATER. IT'S BELIEVED SHE'S THE FIRST WOMAN IN THE WORLD TO HAVE A BABY AFTER HAVING AN OVARY FROZEN SO EARLY IN LIFE. THE BBC'S MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT FERGUS WALSH EXPLAINS. EVERY BABY IS SPECIAL, BUT THIS LITTLE BOY REALLY IS ASTONISHING, BECAUSE HE IS THE RESULT OF FROZEN OVARIAN TISSUE TAKEN FROM HIS MUM WHEN SHE WAS JUST 9. AGAINST THE ODDS, MOAZA HAS BECOME A MOTHER. IT'S A MIRACLE THAT I HAVE MY BABY NOW, BECAUSE IT WAS SO LONG, GENERALLY THAT WE ARE WAITING FOR THIS NICE RESULT. AS A CHILD, MOAZA, WHO'S FROM DUBAI, HAD A SERIOUS BLOOD DISORDER. SHE NEEDED A BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT WHICH WOULD MAKE HER INFERTILE. SO PRIOR TO CHEMOTHERAPY, SHE HAD RIGHT OVARY REMOVED. SLICES OF OVARIAN TISSUE WERE TAKEN, EACH CONTAINING FOLLICLES WITH IMMATURE EGGS, WHICH WERE FROZEN. TWO YEARS AGO, FOUR WERE STITCHED ON TO HER FAILED LEFT OVARY IN TRANSPLANT SURGERY IN DENMARK. WITHIN MONTHS, SHE BEGAN OVULATING, AND HER PREMATURE MENOPAUSE WAS REVERSED. EGGS WERE RETRIEVED AND USED IN IVF TREATMENT. HER DOCTOR AT THE PRIVATE PORTLAND HOSPITAL IN LONDON SAYS THIS IS A MAJOR ADVANCE IN SAFEGUARDING WOMEN'S FERTILITY. IT OFFERS FANTASTIC HELP FOR A LOT OF CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD WHO NEED LIFE-THREATENING TREATMENTS FOR CANCER OR OTHER MAJOR ILLNESSES. WHEN MOAZA HAD HER OVARIAN TISSUE FROZEN IN A TANK OF LIQUID NITROGEN LIKE THIS 15 YEARS AGO, WHEN SHE WAS JUST 9 YEARS OLD, IT WAS A RARE AND PIONEERING PROCEDURE. BACK THEN, SOME SCIENTISTS THOUGHT THE TISSUE WOULD PERISH LONG BEFORE SHE'D WANT TO START A FAMILY. WELL, NOW SHE'S SHOWN WHAT'S POSSIBLE AND GIVEN HOPE TO THOUSANDS. WHAT MESSAGE DOES YOUR BABY SON SEND TO YOUNG GIRLS WHO MAY BE GOING THROUGH CANCER TREATMENT NOW? THERE IS ANOTHER CHANCE, AND THERE IS ANOTHER HOPE. MY HOPE WAS TO HAVE A NICE CHILD LIKE THIS BABY. MOAZA SAYS SHE HOPES TO HAVE ANOTHER CHILD AND IS LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING HOME TO DUBAI AS SOON AS HER SON IS OLD ENOUGH TO FLY. IT'S ESTIMATED SEVERAL THOUSAND GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD NOW HAVE FROZEN OVARIAN TISSUE IN STORAGE. HE'S BEEN NAMED THE BEST RUGBY PLAYER IN THE WORLD, BUT WILL BEAUDEN BARRETT TAKE THE NEW ZEALAND CROWN? HE'S AMONG THE NOMINEES AT OUR ANNUAL RUGBY AWARDS, JUST KICKING OFF RIGHT NOW IN AUCKLAND. ANDREW SAVILLE'S THERE AND JOINS US NOW LIVE. GATHERING OF RUBY'S ELITE NOW THE MEMORIAL REWARD WILL BE FOUGHT OUT BETWEEN BEAUDEN BARRET, DANE COLES BEAUDEN BARRET IS THE HOT FAVOURITE. THE OTHER CELEBRATION TONIGHT IS WOMEN'S RUGBY. WOMEN'S SEVEN'S TEAM DID WELL AT RIO OLYMPICS. DAN COLES, ALL BLACKS HOOKER. AN AMAZING 2016. IT'S TOO HARD TO PICK OUT A HIGHLIGHT. THE HURRICANCES TAKING OUTWAS A HIGHLIGHT. I'VE COME BACK TO A NEWBORN BABY. I'M VERY BUSY. LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING A REST. THAT'LL BE ONE OF MY FOCUS. GETTING RIGHT FOR JAN. THANKS. THANKS, ANDREW. ONE OF OUR RARE DOLPHINS IS GETTING A BOOST AS TWO FISHING GIANTS CHANGE THE WAY THEY OPERATE. IT'S BEING PRAISED AS GROUNDBREAKING AND WE'VE DETAILS AFTER THE BREAK. THE WORLD'S BIGGEST-EVER CYBER ATTACK. YAHOO REVEALS A STAGGERING 1 BILLION PEOPLE WERE HACKED. WE REVEAL WHAT THE CROOKS MIGHT'VE GOT THEIR HANDS ON. AND THE CHERRY ON THE TOP. A FAVOURITE FESTIVE FRUIT IS WINNING THEM OVER IN CHINA AS OTAGO GROWERS GET CREATIVE WITH THEIR MARKETING. PROTECTION FOR THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED MAUI DOLPHINS HAS BEEN GIVEN A BOOST FROM AN UNLIKELY QUARTER. TWO OF OUR BIGGEST FISHING COMPANIES HAVE PLEDGED TO CHANGE THE WAY THEY OPERATE IN AREAS WHERE THE DOLPHINS ARE FOUND. AND AS EMILY COOPER REPORTS, EVEN CONSERVATIONISTS ARE ON BOARD. THERE ARE ONLY 63 MAUI DOLPHINS LEFT IN THE WORLD. THEIR BIGGEST HUMAN-RELATED THREAT IS COMMERCIAL FISHING. BUT NOW THE TWO OF THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST FISHING COMPANIES HAVE TAKEN STEPS TO ENSURE THEIR BOATS AREN'T THE CAUSE OF MORE DOLPHIN DEATHS. WE ARE KAITIAKI, GUARDIANS OF THE SEA, AND WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY. MOANA AND SANFORD LTD TODAY ANNOUNCED THERE WILL BE NO SET NETS NORTH OF NEW PLYMOUTH. BY NEXT YEAR THEY'LL HAVE CAMERAS AND TRACKING DEVICES ON THEIR VESSELS AND THEY WILL PHASE OUT TRAWLING BY LOOKING INTO SAFER FISHING METHODS. THE FISHING GIANTS WORKED WITH CONSERVATION GROUP WWF ON THE PLAN. I THINK WHAT WE'VE SEEN TODAY IS TWO COMPANIES MAKING A COMMITMENT TO FIND A LASTING SOLUTION, AND THAT'S TRULY GROUND-BREAKING. THE CHANGES WILL COME AT A COST. THE COMPANIES ARE INVESTING $500,000 IN INCREASED MONITORING, AND REDUCING THE CATCH FROM THE AREA COULD COST THEM MILLIONS. SUSTAINABILITY IS ABOUT FUTURE GENERATIONS, AND THAT WILL ALWAYS OUTWEIGH SHORT-TERM COSTS. THE GOVERNMENT HAS WELCOMED THE MOVE, SAYING IT HAD BEEN IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE INDUSTRY ABOUT THESE OPTIONS FOR 18 MONTHS, BUT THE GREEN PARTY SAYS THE GOVERNMENT HASN'T DONE ENOUGH. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE STEPPING IN TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS PROTECTION FOR MAUI SOUTH OF NEW PLYMOUTH, THAT TRAWLING IS PHASED OUT FASTER AND THERE'S FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR FISHERS TO SHIFT METHODS. SANFORD AND MOANA ARE ENCOURAGING OTHER COMPANIES TO FOLLOW THEIR LEAD BUT AGREE SMALLER OPERATORS WILL NEED GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO ENSURE THESE NATIVE DOLPHINS HAVE A BETTER CHANCE AT SURVIVAL. EMILY COOPER, 1 NEWS. A NZ DEFENCE FORCE TEAM DEPLOYED TO THE MIDDLE EAST FOR SIX MONTHS HAS ARRIVED HOME IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS. THEIR HERCULES TOUCHED DOWN AT WHENUAPAI THIS AFTERNOON FOR A REUNION WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS. THE 32-STRONG TEAM FLEW 82 MISSIONS FERRYING SUPPLIES AND MILITARY PERSONNEL TO IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. WE ACHIEVED A 96% MISSION SUCCESS RATE, WHICH IS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE, COS ONCE YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THINGS LIKE WEATHER, EVERYTHING FROM CREWS GETTING SICK AND AIRCRAFTS BREAKING DOWN, ACHIEVING 19 OUT OF EVERY 20 MISSIONS IS PRETTY PHENOMENAL. THE TEAM WORKED WITH THE AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE, WHICH IS SUPPORTING THE COALITION AIRCRAFT IN THE REGION. YAHOO HAS UNCOVERED WHAT IT SAYS IS THE WORLD'S BIGGEST EVER CYBER ATTACK, SAYING MORE THAN 1 BILLION ACCOUNT HOLDERS WERE TARGETED. THE COMPANY'S REVEALED HACKERS MAY HAVE STOLEN USERNAMES, EMAIL ADDRESSES AND PERSONAL INFORMATION, INCLUDING PHONE NUMBERS AND PASSWORDS. ABC'S REBECCA JARVIS REPORTS. MORE THAN A BILLION YAHOO ACCOUNTS HACKED. THE TECH GIANT REVEALING TONIGHT THAT AN UNAUTHORISED PARTY STOLE MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF USER DATA IN AUGUST 2013, POTENTIALLY INCLUDING... THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR YAHOO HAS ANNOUNCED A SIGNIFICANT BREACH, IN SEPTEMBER THE COMPANY DISCLOSING A SEPARATE INCIDENT INVOLVING 500 MILLION USER ACCOUNTS. YAHOO TELLING ABC NEWS... THE FBI SAYS THEY ARE AWARE AND IN CONTACT WITH YAHOO. AND SPARK IS CHECKING TO SEE WHETHER XTRA USERS IN NZ HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. WEATHER TIME NOW. DAN IS HERE, AND WET AND WINDY WEATHER HAS BEEN MOVING UP THE COUNTRY TODAY. HAVE WE SEEN THE LAST OF IT, DAN? THE MEAN AND NASTY STUFF IS EASING AWAY. QUIET LOOKING BUT DID HAVE SOME GRUNT. 100KM AROUND COOK STRAIT. THUNDER SHOWERS STILL FROM THE WEST COAST. FOR WEATHER, SEE TVNZ.CO.NZ IT ISN'T LOOKING TOO BAD TOMORORW. THE WEEKEND IS LOOKING PRETTY GOOD. COMING UP, CHERRIES. THEY'RE A REAL KIWI CHRISTMAS CLASSIC. AND NOW THEY'VE FOUND A MASSIVE NEW MARKET, THANKS TO SOME BIG TIME BLOGGERS. AND WHY DRIVING AN ELECTRIC CAR THE LENGTH OF THE ENTIRE COUNTRY IS NOW A STEP CLOSER TO REALITY. LOOKING AT OUR TOP STORIES TONIGHT, THE EVACUATION OF CIVILIANS AND FIGHTERS FROM THE LAST REBEL-HELD DISTRICTS OF ALEPPO IS SUPPOSED TO BE BACK ON TRACK ABOUT NOW, ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS FROM BOTH SIDES OF CONFLICT. THIS COMES A DAY AFTER A PREVIOUS CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT COLLAPSED. AN ESTIMATED 50,000 CIVILIANS REMAIN IN THE REBEL-HELD AREA. KAIKOURA RESIDENTS HAVE WELCOMED THE GOVERNMENT'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE QUAKE DAMAGED STATE HIGHWAY 1 IN AND OUT OF THE TOWN WILL BE REBUILT. PRIME MINISTER BILL ENGLISH SAYS THE PROJECT WILL TAKE A YEAR AND COST $2B. THE CORDON AROUND A CENTRAL WELLINGTON BUILDING DAMAGED IN THE QUAKE HAS BEEN REDUCED, ALLOWING A MAJOR TRAFFIC ROUTE TO PARTIALLY REOPEN. IT'S A HUGE RELIEF FOR THOSE WHO'VE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF NEIGHBOURING PROPERTIES ON MOLESWORTH ST. BRIAR WELLS REPORTS. WELLINGTON'S CATHEDRAL OF ST PAUL IS IN THE SHADOW OF THE SKELETON OF 61 MOLESWORTH ST. IT SAT EMPTY FOR SIX WEEKS, BUT WITH THE REAR OF THE BUILDING FINALLY ABLE TO BE ACCESSED, THE DOORS ARE SET TO OPEN AGAIN. THE BIGGEST RELIEF FOR US IS WE GET BACK IN FOR OUR CHRISTMAS SERVICES, AND THEY ARE, AT LEAST IN THIS PART OF THE YEAR, THE BIGGEST EVENTS WE DO. THOSE SERVICES GOING AHEAD WITHOUT THE SOUND OF THE ORIGINAL PIPE ORGAN, DAMAGED IN THE EARTHQUAKE. OUR BIG 18FT AND 20FT ONES ACTUALLY FELL OUT, UM, LANDED DOWN WHERE THE CHOIR SITS. THE RUGBY UNION AND THAI EMBASSY ALSO ABLE TO RETURN TODAY AS ONE LANE OF THE STREET NEXT TO THE DEMOLITION SITE WAS OPENED TO CARS AND PEDESTRIANS, PROTECTED BY SHIPPING CONTAINERS. THAT'S TO MAKE SURE NO DEBRIS FALLS ONTO THE ROAD. ONCE THE BUILDING IS DOWN, THOSE CONTAINERS, DEFINITELY, THE HEIGHT WILL DEFINITELY BE REDUCED. BAD WEATHER'S MEANT THE DEMOLITION PROCESS HAS TAKEN LONGER THAN EXPECTED. A SMALLER CORDON IS STILL IN PLACE AROUND THE DEMOLITION SITE, MEANING BUILDINGS LIKE THE RED CROSS RIGHT NEXT TO IT ARE STILL UNABLE TO GET IN. COMFORTABLY SETTLED IN TO THEIR TEMPORARY OFFICE SPACE WITH A LITTLE FESTIVE CHEER. IT'S BEEN A BIT OF A STRUGGLE, BUT WE'VE ALL MUDDLED THROUGH. IT'S GREAT FOR EVERYONE TO BE ON THE SAME FLOOR. WE'D LIKE TO THINK WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET THE RED CROSS AND THE PROPERTIES AT THE REAR BACK IN BEFORE CHRISTMAS, BUT I CAN'T PROMISE THAT. CREWS EXPECTED TO WORK THROUGH THE HOLIDAY PERIOD TO GET THE JOB DONE. BRIAR WELLS, 1 NEWS. MEANWHILE, RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES INSIDE ANOTHER WELLINGTON CORDON HAVE MADE A MAD DASH TO SALVAGE SOME OF THEIR BELONGINGS. THEY WERE GIVEN JUST 20 MINUTES, ACCOMPANIED BY SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS, TO RETRIEVE POSSESSIONS FROM BUILDINGS AROUND THE DAMAGED READING CINEMA CARPARK. IT'S THE FIRST TIME THEY'VE BEEN ALLOWED BACK SINCE THE EARTHQUAKE. SO HAPPY JUST TO CLEAR OUT SOME OF THE SMELL THE MESS. WE KNEW THAT STUFF WAS IN THERE ROTTING, BECAUSE BEING A RESTAURANT AND BEING SO BUSY, WE HAD SO MUCH PERISHABLE GOODS IN THERE, SO IT'S GOOD TO, YOU KNOW, BE ABLE TO SLEEP A BIT BETTER AT NIGHT. PRELIMINARY WORK BEFORE DEMOLITION OF THE READING CINEMA CARPARK STARTS TOMORROW. THEY'RE A CHRISTMAS FAVOURITE HERE, BUT IT SEEMS CHINESE CONSUMERS HAVE ALSO DEVELOPED A TASTE FOR CENTRAL OTAGO CHERRIES. IN FACT, CHINA'S OVERTAKEN TAIWAN TO BECOME OUR BIGGEST MARKET AS ORCHARDISTS FIND NEW WAYS OF SPREADING THEIR MESSAGE. MARK HATHAWAY REPORTS. A MAYORAL WELCOME FOR A CHINESE DELEGATION... NI HAO. NI HAO. ...HERE TO SEE, TOUCH AND TASTE THE PRIZED CENTRAL OTAGO CHERRY. MMM. CENTRALLY, OTAGO CHERRIES HAVE A VERY GOOD REPUTATION IN CHINA, AND THE PEOPLE ARE CRAZY ABOUT WHY THE CENTRAL OTAGO CAN PRODUCE SUCH GOOD-QUALITY FRUIT. THESE GUESTS INCLUDE HEAVYWEIGHTS OF CHINESE SOCIAL MEDIA, DOCUMENTING THE FRUIT FROM THE ORCHARD TO THE PACK HOUSE, AND FINALLY TO THE PLATE. SO, THESE BLOGGERS, OR KEY OPINION LEADERS, HAVE FOLLOWERS NUMBERING INTO THE TENS OF MILLIONS. THEY OFFER A DIRECT LINK TO SPECIFIC CONSUMER GROUPS, SUCH AS CHINESE HOUSEWIVES, IN A MUCH MORE COST-EFFECTIVE WAY THAN TRADITIONAL ADVERTISING. AND THE WORD-OF-MOUTH APPROACH IS CHANGING THE WAY KIWI GROWERS DO BUSINESS. BUT I THINK IT IS THE WAY OF THE FUTURE. SO TRADITIONAL SELLING METHODS OF SENDING FRUIT TO AN IMPORTER, THROUGH A WHOLESALE MARKET, AND THEN NOT ACTUALLY KNOWING WHERE IT ENDS UP, I THINK THOSE DAYS ARE NUMBERED. EIGHT LOCAL GROWERS HAVE FORMED A COLLECTIVE BRAND TO MAKE CENTRAL OTAGO FRUIT THE STAR OF THE SHOW. THE GROWERS ARE GETTING EXTRA VALUE FOR THEIR FRUIT. THEIR MARKET PENETRATION IS GREATER. THE DIRECT-TO-MARKET MODEL IS REALLY BRILLIANT ` YOU KNOW, IT LEAVES HERE, AND IT'S ON A CHINESE HOUSEWIFE'S KITCHEN BENCH TWO OR THREE DAYS LATER. SPEED IS OF THE ESSENCE IN THE FRUIT GAME ` ANY SIGNIFICANT RAIN NOW CAN WIPE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OFF A BUMPER CROP'S VALUE. WE JUST NEED MOTHER NATURE TO TURN THE SUN ON FOR US, ACTUALLY, AND THEN WE'LL BE PRETTY HAPPY. WITH THESE VISITORS SENDING HAPPY STORIES BACK TO CHINA, AROUND 1000 TONS OF THESE CHERRIES ARE EXPECTED TO HEAD THERE TOO IN COMING WEEKS. MARK HATHAWAY, 1 NEWS. THEY'RE CALLED FAST CHARGERS. TODAY, THE FIRST ONE AT A SOUTH ISLAND SUPERMARKET SITE WAS SWITCHED ON. IT'S PART OF A NATIONAL GRID OF CHARGING STATIONS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES THAT SHOULD BE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS. SAM CLARKE REPORTS. IT'S GROUND BREAKING TECHNOLOGY, BUT IF PETER HALLINAN IS ANY EXAMPLE, IT'S NOT JUST FOR THE NEW GENERATION. I'VE HAD IT SINCE FIRST BECAME AVAILABLE IN NZ SINCE LAST YEAR. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE SOUTH ISLAND, THIS 78-YEAR-OLD WILL NOW BE ABLE TO CHARGE HIS CAR WHILE GETTING THE GROCERIES. THE RUNNING COSTS ARE PHENOMENALLY LOW. A TANK FULL OF GAS MIGHT BE $70-$80. A TANK FULL OF ELECTRICITY MIGHT BE $2 OR $3. IT'S PART OF AN EVER-EXPANDING NETWORK OF FASTCHARGERS CAPABLE OF TOPPING UP ONE OF THESE ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN LESS THAN HALF AN HOUR. WITH NEW CHARGERS POPPING UP EVERY WEEK, THE COUNTRY WAS WELL ON ITS WAY TO A FULLY ELECTRIC STATE HIGHWAY 1 BY MID-NEXT YEAR. THEN THE KAIKOURA QUAKES HAPPENED, BUT THE BIG PLAN IS STILL IN PLACE. ABOUT MID 2018 TO HAVE EVERY HIGHWAY COVERED SO THAT YOU REALLY CAN DRIVE ANYWHERE IN NZ. WITH THE CHARGERS IN PLACE, NOW ALL THAT'S NEEDED IS CARS. EXPERTS SAY OUR FLEET IS ON THE RISE. ADOPTION IS EXPONENTIAL. IT'S BEEN DOUBLING EVERY YEAR. EVEN RENTAL COMPANIES ARE GETTING ON BOARD. WITH THE INSTALLATION OF THE RAPID CHARGERS AND BATTERY PACK SIZES INCREASING, WHICH MEANS AN INCREASED RANGE FOR CARS THAT MAKES THESE CARS MORE APPEALING FOR CAR COMPANIES. ARE THEY COOL? ALL EV'S ARE COOL. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GET IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AND GIVE IT GO. BUT IF YOU'RE STILL SCEPTICAL, THE OLDER GENERATION HAS A MESSAGE FOR THE NEW ONE. I THINK IT'S THE WAY OF THE FUTURE. YOUR GRANDKIDS WILL ASK YOU, 'DID YOU DRIVE A PETROL CAR, GRANDAD? HOW COULD YOU?' SAM CLARKE, 1 NEWS. ANDREW'S HERE WITH SPORT. LIVE FROM SKY CITY IN AUCKLAND AND THE ANNUAL NEW ZEALAND RUGBY AWARDS. celebrate those who stood out in rugby 2016. A crazy day of sport. PLUS, THE HALBERG NOMINATIONS ARE OUT. WHICH CATEGORY IS BURSTING WITH EVEN MORE POTENTIAL WINNERS? AND FROM OLYMPIC SUCCESS TO THE GRUELLING SYDNEY TO HOBART. ONE OF OUR BEST SAILORS CONFIRMS FOR THE GREAT OCEAN CLASSIC. PEOPLE CHATTER, DANCE MUSIC PULSATES They've been on the sauce. They've been on the sauce. Your party! They've been on the sauce. Your party! That's Mary's boy, isn't it? Yeah. Maybe you should say something. Maybe you should say something. Nah. I'm crap at that kind of thing, Barry. Yeah, but they're just kids. If we don't say something... (GROANS) Hey, boys? Boys? Why don't you get a lift home tonight? Oh, whatever, mate. I've only had a couple. No, no, no, no. It's too late now. I've spoken to you and I know your mum, so that means our fates are aligned. You get into that car and you get yourself killed or you kill someone else, I become part of it too. How? How? Well, it's like, um, my balls are in your hands. BOYS LAUGH, SNORT BOY: Oh, you want the balls! BOY: Oh, you want the balls! Nobody wants that. Hey, how about I drive you? What? Oh. What? Oh. BOYS LAUGH, DANCE MUSIC PLAYS ON RADIO (SWITCHES RADIO STATION) (SWITCHES RADIO STATION) YODELLING MUSIC PLAYS I like it. WELCOME BACK TO SKYCITY IN AUCKLAND, WHERE TONIGHT RUGBY WILL HONOUR THE STANDOUT PERFORMERS OF 2016. FROM THE ALL BLACKS TO SUPER RUGBY TO THE PROVINCIAL AND GRASSROOTS GAME, A BROAD SPECTRUM OF THE SPORT IS GATHERED HERE TONIGHT. LET'S BRING IN ALL BLACKS COACH STEVE HANSEN. Steve, first things first a new edict out today from world rugby. Zero tolerance nearly head or around the head and the tackle. I think it is a response to the fact that concussions are happening more and more in the game. They have to a responsibility to look after that. You have to accept it and is coaches and players, We have to be a lot more careful. What is the highlight of your 2016? Winning the world record was something. The biggest highlight was the way the ladyship grow and the team grew over the season and ownership after losing so many legends of the game. Some of the young guys coming through was very exciting. How do you not think about the Lions next year. We will enjoy each other's company as a family. They can really grounded. That will be nice.. The Lions as important, they getting energised and refreshed to make sure wearing the right mental state is the most important thing to do right now. The best way to do that is to spend time with the family. The break and Merry Christmas and all the best for next year. Merry Christmas to all the fans and thank you for the support. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen about here. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEW ZEALAND RUGBY'S 120 YEAR HISTORY A WOMAN HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO THE UNION'S BOARD. 44-YEAR-OLD DR FARAH PALMER LED NEW ZEALAND TO THREE WORLD CUP TITLES. SHE REPLACES RETIRING MAORI REPRESENTATIVE WAYNE PETERS. I THINK THAT JUST HAVING A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE DOES CREATE A HEALTHY DEBATE AND DISCUSSION AROUND THE BOARD TABLE AND THAT CAN ONLY BE GOOD FOR WHAT WE DO IN NZ RUGBY. PALMER IS A FORMER BLACK FERNS CAPTAIN AND CURRENT MEMBER OF THE NZ MAORI RUGBY BOARD. SHE WAS UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED BY NZR'S VOTING MEMBERS. SANTA HAS ARRIVED EARLY FOR SEVERAL LEADING SPORTS AS THE GOVERNMENT TODAY CONFIRMED HIGH PERFORMANCE FUNDING FOR NEXT YEAR AND BEYOND. BUT THE GRINCH HAS VISITED SEVERAL OTHER SPORTS WHO DIDN'T DELIVER AT THIS YEAR'S OLYMPICS. ABBY WILSON RUNS THROUGH THE WINNERS AND LOSERS. IT'S HARD TO PUT A DOLLAR VALUE ON A MOMENT LIKE THIS. BUT ELIZA MCCARTNEY'S BRONZE AND THREE OTHER ATHLETICS MEDALS IN RIO HAVE SEEN THE SPORT MOVED INTO OUR TOP TIER OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE FUNDING. IT'S RECOGNITION THAT WE'RE PERCEIVED AS CAPABLE OF WINNING MULTIPLE MEDALS AT THE OLYMPICS OR THE PINNACLE CHAMPIONSHIPS, AND FOR OUR SPORT, IT'S BEEN ONE OF OUR GOALS FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS. ATHLETICS WILL GET AN EXTRA $375,000 IN 2017, JOINING ROWING, CYCLING AND SAILING AS ONE OF OUR HIGHEST-FUNDED SPORTS. SAILING ALSO GETTING A BONUS AFTER FOUR MEDALS IN RIO ` AN EXTRA $250,000 NEXT YEAR. BUT IT'S NOT JUST THE HEAVY HITTERS GETTING THE BOOST. CANOE RACING GETS A 25% INCREASE. THE WHITEWATER ALLOCATION MORE THAN DOUBLES. SPORTS PRODUCED MEDALS AND THAT'S REALLY PLEASING, COS IT SHOWS THAT THE SYSTEM IS WORKING, AND WE HAVE ENOUGH BREADTH, COS WE DON'T WANT TO DEPEND ON ONE OR TWO SPORTS. IN RIO, THOUGH, SOME OF THE SPORTS WE'VE BANKED ON BOMBED OUT. ROWING AND CYCLING BOTH PUNISHED FOR POOR PERFORMANCES. ROWING'S FUNDING DOWN $200,000 NEXT YEAR. CYCLING'S CUT BY $500,000. IT'S GOING TO BE TIGHT WHEN YOU LIVE IN OUR GAME. EVERY CENT IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT, BUT AS I SAID WE'VE PLANNED FOR IT. WE CAN HANDLE IT IN THE SHORT TERM; CERTAINLY NOT IN THE LONG TERM. BUT SPARE A THOUGHT FOR SWIMMING. NO OLYMPIC MEDAL IN TWO DECADES HAS SEEN FUNDING SLASHED BY NEARLY A THIRD. TRIATHLON'S ALLOCATION IS DOWN 40%. WE STILL VALUE THEM. THERE'S OTHER SYSTEMS THAT HAVE CUT SPORTS OFF TOTALLY, IT'S HOPED AFFECTED SPORTS WILL LEARN FROM THEIR RIO MISTAKES... WE PROBABLY UNDERESTIMATED HOW YOUNG OUR RIDERS REALLY WERE AS A COLLECTIVE, SO HOW DO WE LOOK AFTER THEM BETTER IN THE FUTURE TO MAKE SURE WE USE THAT EXPERIENCE AND BUILD THAT EXPERIENCE? ...TO TRY AND BUILD THEIR FUNDING BACK UP AGAIN TOO. ABBY WILSON, 1 NEWS. ON A BUSY DAY FOR NATIONAL SPORT, THE HALBERG FOUNDATION HAS RELEASED A LIST OF NEARLY 90 NOMINATIONS FOR THIS YEAR'S SPORTS AWARDS. SPRINT STAR LIAM MALONE AND SWIMMER SOPHIE PASCOE LEAD THE WAY IN THE DISABLED SPORTSPERSON CATEGORY. ON THE SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR LIST, PROBABLY THE HARDEST TO SPLIT, 22 NAMES HAVE MADE THE FIRST CUT ` BEAUDEN BARRETT, HAYDEN PADDON, JOSEPH PARKER, SHANE VAN GISBERGEN, MAHE DRYSDALE, STEVEN ADAMS, TOM WALSH, TO NAME A HANDFUL. IN THE WOMEN'S CATEGORY, OLYMPIANS LEAD THE WAY, INCLUDING LISA CARRINGTON, LUUKA JONES, LYDIA KO, VAL ADAMS. THE TEAM OF THE YEAR SEES THE HURRICANES AND ALL BLACKS NOMINATED, ALONG WITH OLYMPIC SUCCESS STORIES, YACHTING'S 49ER AND 470 CREWS AND THE GOLDEN ROWING PAIR. THE COACH OF THE YEAR LIST IS HEADED BY 'CANES COACH CHRIS BOYD, STEVE HANSEN, KAYAKING'S GORDON WALKER AND A TRIO OF COACHES FROM YACHTING. A SHORTLIST OF FINALISTS WILL BE CONFIRMED IN A FEW WEEKS. IN A SURPRISE MOVE THE CEO OF JOSEPH PARKER'S PROMOTERS DUCO EVENTS, MARTIN SNEDDEN, HAS STOOD DOWN AFTER TWO YEARS IN THE ROLE. SNEDDEN HELPED SECURE A WORLD-TITLE FIGHT FOR PARKER AND ALSO SOLIDIFY THE AUCKLAND NINES AND CREATE THE BRISBANE 10'S TOURNAMENT. HE SAYS HE BELIEVES HE'S LEAVING DUCO WITH 'A NUMBER OF OBJECTIVES FULLY OR SUBSTANTIALLY ACHIEVED.' DUCO WOULDN'T COMMENT FURTHER ON MARTIN SNEDDEN'S RESIGNATION. FOLLOWING IN THE WAKE OF THE OLYMPIC CHAMPION EVER-SWINDELLS, THE NEXT GENERATION OF KIWI SPORTING TWINS IS STEPPING ONTO THE BIG STAGE THIS WEEKEND. WITH AUCKLAND TWINS BRIANNA AND COURTNEY REYNOLDS-SMITH COMPETING IN THE YOUTH WORLD SAILING CHAMPS OFF TORBAY. THE 16-YEAR-OLDS BENEFITING FROM THE SPECIAL CHEMISTRY THAT TWINS ENJOY. THE TIME THAT WE'VE SPENT TOGETHER IS REFLECTED, COMPARED TO THE OTHER CREWS. SO WE KNOW WHEN WE'RE UNHAPPY AND WE CAN BOTH BOUNCE OFF EACH OTHER, AND MAKE EACH OTHER HAPPIER AGAIN. SO JUST THINGS LIKE THAT ARE REALLY REALLY GOOD. THE TWINS LONG TERM GOAL IS THE OLYMPICS AND EMULATING DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL ROWERS GEORGINA AND CAROLINE EVERS-SWINDELL. WE DID WATCH THEM AT A RACE A FEW YEARS BACK AND IT WAS REALLY NICE, COS OBVIOUSLY WE'VE GOT BLONDE HAIR AND WE KIND OF LOOK LIKE THEM A LITTLE BIT, SO, EVERYONE WAS LIKE, 'OOO', (LAUGHS) CHECK THAT OUT. SO, YEAH, WE DEFINITELY ADMIRE THEM. AFTER A PRACTICE RACE TODAY, THE FIVE DAYS OF REAL COMPETITION STARTS TOMORROW. ONE OF SAILING'S ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS IS JUST OVER A WEEK AWAY. THE GRUELLING SYDNEY TO HOBART RACE HAS IT'S TRADITIONAL BOXING DAY START, WITH PLENTY OF KIWI YACHTIES AND BOATS INVOLVED. ONE OF OUR RIO MEDALLISTS HAS DECIDED TO TAKE ON A NEW CHALLENGE. AUSTRALIA CORRESPONDENT RUTH WYNN-WILLIAMS REPORTS. IT'S FESTIVE SEASON AND THIS IS WHERE YOU'LL FIND JO ALEH. YOU KNOW, I LOVE CATCHING UP WITH THE FAMILY AND GOOD FOOD AND, YOU KNOW, SEEING EVERYONE, BUT THE WHOLE BUYING PRESENTS GETS A BIT MUCH. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO AVOIDANCE, IT DOESN'T GET MUCH MORE EXTREME. AFTER WINNING GOLD IN THE 470 CLASS AT THE LONDON OLYMPICS IN 2012, AND SILVER IN RIO THE 30-YEAR-OLD IS NOW TAKING ON ONE OF THE TOUGHEST OF SAILING CHALLENGES, THE ICONIC SYDNEY-HOBART OCEAN RACE. CREWING ON THE 100FT SUPERMAXI CQS. I'M A BIT OF A NOVICE. I'VE GOT A WHOLE LOT OF SAILING KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE BUT I'VE GOT TO LEARN HOW TO APPLY IT TO THE BIG BOATS SO IT'S JUST AN AWESOME LEARNING OPPORTUNITY. AND SHE'S ON BOARD WITH SOME OF THE MOST EXPERIENCED, OWNER AND WORLD CHAMPION SAILOR LUDDE INGVALL TOOK SYDNEY HOBART LINE HONOURS IN 2000 AND 2004. CQS IS THAT WINNING BOAT FROM 2004, REIMAGINED. DRASTICALLY REDESIGNED IN NZ. IT WON THE ROUND WHITE ISLAND RACE LAST MONTH. 11 DAYS OUT, RACE ORGANISERS HAVE ALREADY LABELLED CQS THE 'DARK HORSE' OF THE COMPETITION. EVEN WITH THE CREW RUSHING TO COME TO TERMS WITH THE REVAMPED MAXI, THERE'S A REAL CHANCE IT COULD BRING JO ALEH HER NEXT SUCCESS. FIRST THING'S FIRST, YOU GOTTA GET TO THE FINISH LINE. AND THAT ALEH SAYS IS JUST THE FIRST HURDLE IN PREPARING FOR AN EVEN BIGGER CHALLENGE ` THE VOLVO OCEAN RACE. RUTH WYNN-WILLIAMS, 1 NEWS, SYDNEY. BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU FROM THE RUGBY AWARDS, A CONTENDER FOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR IS HURRICANES AND ALL BLACKS FIRST FIVE BEAUDEN BARRETT. Great to see you again. And has been such a long year filled with so much success, with the Hurricanes and the all blacks how do you split between them? With a quick transition between them. I did not have a chance to catch my breath. It was a great opportunity for me and among other great teams. And it is an enjoyable and challenging year this year has been very special. At the start of the year, which is that you could cement that jersey? We had a steep hill to climb the beginning of the season. It is now time great break. Christmas time? . I'm heading back to Taranaki on the weekends. Beauden Barrett at the Rugby awards. Keep up with updates on our late news and website. Thank you Andrew. Heading over to Seven Sharp. Huge success on the cycle Trail. Not the way you might think. Business is booming. ALSO, THE SUPERMARKET TAKING A STAND AGAINST SUGAR. WE'VE REALLY JUST TRIED TO SAY TO OUR CUSTOMERS, HEY, YEP, YOU STILL CAN GET IT, BUT WE'RE JUST NOT GONNA PUT IT AT CHECKOUTS. AND WE'LL HAVE A CRACK AT NZ'S BIGGEST VIDEO GAME. IN FACT, IT MIGHT EVEN BE THE BIGGEST VIDEO GAME IN THE WORLD. LOOK AT THAT. AND SHE'S THE CHOREOGRAPHER ALL THE STARS WANT TO USE. JUSTIN BIEBER'S 'SORRY' # IS IT TOO LATE NOW TO SAY SORRY # SO WHO ELSE DOES PARRIS GOEBEL WANT TO WORK WITH? PARRIS IS LIVE WITH US AT SEVEN. Hello there. After the active weather of today, for much of the country much quieter looking day tomorrow with high pressure building and. Seems like we cannot catch a break. You can see the front boundary. Speckly Cloud is unstable air. The red dot is going to be the first cyclone of the season. will keep the strong wind over the far south. What we have for watches? Still heads up for that roads snow on the Milford Road. That pink wind arrow at the strong to severe gales. The high starts to build in in the front is already gone. The high does with its way in Wind easing back. Showers come to the far south. The pink arrows there the strong winds easing back. FOR WEATHER, SEE TVNZ.CO.NZ We will work all the wrinkles out for our Christmas whether.