IT'S MIDDAY. IT'S HER FIRST FULL DAY ON THE JOB, AND NEW LABOUR LEADER JACINDA ARDERN WILL BE GO HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH PRIME MINISTER BILL ENGLISH AT PARLIAMENT TODAY. SMOKERS MAY HAVE TO TRAVEL A DISTANCE TO BUY CIGARETTES IF THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS DRASTIC RECOMMENDATIONS BY HEALTH EXPERTS. AND GREENPEACE ACTIVISTS HALT WORK ON A MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR IRRIGATION SCHEME BY TYING THEMSELVES UP THE PIPES. NGA MIHI O TE AHIAHI KI A KOUTOU KATOA. GOOD AFTERNOON. ON HER FIRST FULL DAY AS LEADER OF THE LABOUR PARTY, JACINDA ARDERN WILL GO TOE-TO-TOE WITH PRIME MINISTER BILL ENGLISH AT PARLIAMENT TODAY. MISS ARDERN AND NEW DEPUTY LEADER KELVIN DAVIS ARE LOOKING TO MOVE THE PARTY FORWARD AFTER DISAPPOINTING POLLING. POLITICAL EDITOR CORIN DANN HAS BEEN ACROSS THE REACTION TO YESTERDAY'S LEADERSHIP CHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT. CORIN, WHAT WILL HER FIRST DAY LOOK LIKE? We've seen some of it. She is hit the media rounds and a big way over the last 24 hours after taking over that leadership position. Pretty much did all the morning media can think off. Really try to make the most of the attention which she has. It's back to business now hear parliaments today. Interestingly, she has chosen to go on the issue of housing today specifically around the lack of houses owned by people under 40. That is an interesting signal as to where she is looking to try and energise voters ` Younger voters who feel they are missing out on getting out on the housing ladder. She has put a stake in the ground early. What will her priorities be? she's got 72 hours to try and pull things together. After that, I think we will realistically be looking at Sunday whether there will be huge changes as policy, that's unsure. Labour has a policy setting the background about free tertiary education. It is a graduated policy. It cost a lot of money. They have tried to make it affordable by bringing it in steps. I think that is where you will see her coming in quickly to try and make some impact. It's a policy that will appeal to younger voters in New Zealand. She needs to be mindful of the government's track record in the economy. They got some good news. Unemployment is an all-time low at 4.8%. The economy is running Well, and as always a big factor. AN 11-YEAR STUDY THAT INTERVIEWED DRUG USERS, SHOWS METH IS CONTINUING TO GET CHEAPER IN NEW ZEALAND AND IT'S BECOMING MORE AVAILABLE IN AUCKLAND. RESEARCHERS SAY THIS SHOWS THERE IS A GROWING INTERNATIONAL SUPPLY OF THE DRUG. WE'RE REALLY SUBJECT TO SOME INTERNATIONAL FORCES HERE ` SO INCREASING SUPPLY OF METHAMPHETAMINE IN THE WHOLE SOUTHEAST ASIA REGION. SO BOTH NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA HAD SOME REALLY MASSIVE BORDER SEIZURES OF METHAMPHETAMINE. THE STUDY'S ALSO REVEALED DRUG USERS IN CHRISTCHURCH AND WELLINGTON ARE FINDING IT HARDER TO BUY CANNABIS, SAYING THIS MAY REFLECT THE GROWING SYNTHETIC BLACK MARKET. In prisons, the drug is not confined to one sector of society. IT'S REALLY MASSIVELY WIDESPREAD. IT'S IN EVERY CAREER PATH. IT'S ACROSS THE BOARD. AND UNFORTUNATELY PEOPLE HAVE THE FEELING THAT IT'S ONLY IN ONE AREA OF SOCIETY ` THOSE FROM THE WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACKS. THAT'S NOT THE CASE AT ALL. THE GOVERNMENT'S BEEN CRITICISED FOR ITS LACK OF ACTION IN REACHING THE TARGET OF A SMOKEFREE NEW ZEALAND BY 2025. A REPORT OUT TODAY BY A GROUP OF HEALTH EXPERTS MAKE A NUMBER OF DRASTIC RECOMMENDATIONS TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL, BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS DIFFERENT IDEAS. POLITICAL REPORTER KATIE BRADFORD JOINS US NOW, SO WHAT DOES THIS REPORT SAY? This report by the achieving smoke-free Aotearoa project makes a number of recommendations such as reducing the number of retailers that can sell tobacco products to around 300 Throughout the country. The also want to increase a tobacco excise tax. They want to have a minimum retail age ` a generation where you won't be able to smoke. Dame Tariana Turia, who has long been involved, says that the way things are going, the government is not going to reach that goal of a smoke-free Aotearoa by 2025. IT'S CALLED BANNING TOBACCO SALES. I MEAN, IF WE ARE GENUINE AS A COUNTRY, IF WE SEE THIS AS AN ISSUE THAT IMPACTS ON THE DAILY LIVES OF FAMILIES ` STROKES, HEART DISEASE, YOU NAME IT ` WHY WOULDN'T WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? SO, KATIE, WHAT DOES THE GOVERNMENT SAY ABOUT THIS? The government says it is still working towards that goal, but basically they are looking at different solutions. Nikki Wagner says she is looking at preapproval For products that are basically tobacco free smoking products. They are called smokeless tobacco. Essentially it's off the back of e-cigarette is being legalised. These areIn between smoking products. They are quite well known overseas. They have to go to the Ministry of health for approval. They have to prove that they are less damaging than cigarettes and that they will reduce smoking rates. The government will make a law to allow this to happen. Tariana Turia says that these products are still as damaging. They are still have nicotine and are made by tobacco companies. THANKS, KATIE. FARMERS ARE MEETING WITH THE MINISTRY OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES NEAR OAMARU AS TESTING FOR THE CATTLE DISEASE, MYCOPLASMA BOVIS, CONTINUES IN SOUTH CANTERBURY. COWS AT TWO VAN LEEUWEN DAIRY FARM'S HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE INCURABLE DISEASE SO FAR. NEIGHBOURING FARMS AND PROPERTIES THAT MAY HAVE RECEIVED STOCK ARE ALSO BEING TESTED. IT'S THE FIRST TIME THE DISEASE HAS BEEN FOUND IN NEW ZEALAND. IT POSES NO RISK TO HUMANS, BUT HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES IN CATTLE THAT COULD IMPACT THE ECONOMY. GREENPEACE ACTIVISTS HAVE LOCKED THEMSELVES INSIDE IRRIGATION PIPES IN CANTERBURY THIS MORNING IN A BID TO STOP A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR IRRIGATION SCHEME GOING AHEAD, WHICH USES WATER FROM THE RAKAIA RIVER. 1 NEWS REPORTER SAM CLARKE SENT THIS REPORT FROM THE SCENE NEAR CHRISTCHURCH. ACTIVISTS HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE EARLY MORNING, CHAINED TO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AND INSIDE THE IRRIGATION PIPES. NOW IT'S TURNED TO A WAITING GAME. CONSTRUCTION HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO CONTINUE ON THE CENTRAL PLAINS WATERWAY SINCE THEY SET UP, BUT, OF COURSE, THAT'S WHAT MANY OF THESE ACTIVISTS ARE AFTER. THEY SAY THIS IRRIGATION LINE PROMOTES DAIRYING, AND COULD POTENTIALLY DAMAGE THE RIVER. POLICE AREN'T LOOKING TO MAKE ANY ARRESTS AT THIS STAGE, AND THE ACTIVISTS AREN'T MOVING ON ANY TIME SOON. THEY SAY THEY'RE WILLIING TO STICK IT OUT, SO FOR NOW, IT'S A WAITING GAME. ONE OF THE FOUR MEN ARRESTED OVER A TERROR PLOT ON A ETIHAD FLIGHT HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM CUSTODY. THE 50-YEAR-OLD HAS NOT BEEN CHARGED WITH A CRIMINAL OFFENCE. THREE OTHERS REMAIN IN DETENTION, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN CHARGED. THE GROUP WAS ARRESTED DURING TERROR RAIDS ON THE WEEKEND, AFTER POLICE FOILED A TERROR ATTACK ON A PLANE USING AN IMPROVISED DEVICE. NEARLY 500 PEOPLE HAVE APPEARED IN A TURKISH COURT ACCUSED OF BEING A PART OF LAST YEAR'S FAILED COUP. THE TRIAL FOCUSED ON EVENTS AT AN AIRBASE AND INVOLVED GENERALS AND MILITARY PILOTS. DEFENDANTS WERE MARCHED FROM THE JAIL TO A PURPOSELY BUILT COURTHOUSE TO TRY COUP PLOTTERS. FAMILIES OF VICTIMS WHO WERE KILLED OR WOUNDED DURING THE COUP, PROTESTED OUTSIDE COURT WITH SOME DEMANDING THE DEATH PENALTY. LAWMAKERS IN JORDAN HAVE VOTED TO SCRAP A LAW THAT ALLOWS RAPISTS TO AVOID PUNISHMENT BY MARRYING THEIR VICTIMS. THE LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT VOTED IN FAVOUR OF ITS REMOVAL, BUT IT MUST STILL BE PASSED BY THE UPPER HOUSE. A NUMBER OF OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION ARE MOVING TO GET RID OF SIMILAR LAWS. LAST WEEK TUNISIA REVOKED A LAW, WHILE LEBANON IS CONSIDERING A CHANGE. THE DRAMA CONTINUES IN WASHINGTON ` THIS TIME THE PRESIDENT FACING SERIOUS QUESTIONS OVER WHETHER HE KNOWINGLY MISLED THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. IT FOLLOWS MEDIA REPORTS THAT DONALD TRUMP WAS BEHIND AN INITIAL STATEMENT ABOUT HIS SON'S MEETING WITH A RUSSIAN LAWYER, THAT WAS LATER FOUND TO BE NOT ENTIRELY TRUE. THE ABC'S CECELIA VEGA REPORTS. TONIGHT ` AN ADMISSION FROM THE WHITE HOUSE PRESIDENT TRUMP HIMSELF HELPED CRAFT HIS SON'S FIRST STATEMENT ABOUT THAT INFAMOUS TRUMP TOWER MEETING WITH THE RUSSIANS ` A STATEMENT THAT ULTIMATELY PROVED TO BE MISLEADING. DON JR INITIALLY CLAIMED THAT HE AND THE RUSSIAN LAWYER... BUT THE STORY DID NOT HOLD UP. DAYS LATER, EMAILS REVEALED DON JR AGREED TO MEET THE RUSSIANS BECAUSE HE'D BEEN PROMISED DIRT ON HILLARY CLINTON BY THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT. THE PRESIDENT'S LEGAL TEAM WENT ON THE OFFENSIVE, SAYING HE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH DON JR'S ORIGINAL STATEMENT. THE PRESIDENT DID NOT DRAFT THE RESPONSE. I DO WANT TO BE CLEAR THE PRESIDENT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE DRAFTING OF THE STATEMENT AND DID NOT ISSUE THE STATEMENT. IT CAME FROM DONALD TRUMP JR. THE STATEMENT THAT WAS RELEASED ON SATURDAY WAS RELEASED BY DONALD TRUMP JR, I'M SURE IN CONSULTATION WITH HIS LAWYERS. THE PRESIDENT WASN'T INVOLVED. TODAY WE LEARNT THAT'S NOT TRUE. SOURCES TELL ABC NEWS THE PRESIDENT IN FACT CRAFTED HIS SON'S STATEMENT HIMSELF, DICTATING FROM AIR FORCE ONE ON THE WAY BACK FROM THE G-20 SUMMIT IN GERMANY. ACCORDING TO THE WASHINGTON POST, PRESIDENT TRUMP BLATANTLY IGNORED SOME IN HIS CIRCLE WHO WANTED THAT INITIAL RESPONSE TO BE TRUTHFUL, MORE FORTHCOMING. TODAY PRESS SECRETARY SARAH SANDERS ADMITTED THE PRESIDENT WAS INDEED INVOLVED. THE PRESIDENT WEIGHED IN AS ANY FATHER WOULD, BASED ON THE LIMITED INFORMATION THAT HE HAD. HE CERTAINLY DIDN'T DICTATE, BUT, LIKE I SAID, HE WEIGHED IN, OFFERED SUGGESTION LIKE ANY FATHER WOULD DO. AFTER THAT INITIAL STATEMENT, THE STORY KEPT CHANGING. DON JR SAID HE HADN'T MET WITH ANY OTHER RUSSIANS. SO AS FAR AS YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS THIS INCIDENT'S CONCERNED, THIS IS ALL OF IT? THIS IS EVERYTHING. THIS IS EVERYTHING. BUT IT WASN'T. WE SOON LEARNED IT WASN'T JUST DON JR, JARED KUSHNER AND PAUL MANAFORT IN THAT MEETING WITH THE RUSSIAN LAWYER. THE MEETING, FIRST DESCRIBED AS JUST 'FIVE PEOPLE', ULTIMATELY HAD EIGHT, INCLUDING A RUSSIAN LOBBYIST AND A BUSINESSMAN. PRESIDENT TRUMP NOW FACING TOUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER HE INTENTIONALLY MISLED THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. FORMER TOP U.S. MILITARY OFFICIALS HAVE CALLED ON DONALD TRUMP TO REVERSE THE TRANSGENDER BAN. RETIRED GENERALS AND ADMIRALS HAVE SLAMMED THE PRESIDENT'S DECISION TO STOP ALL TRANSGENDER PEOPLE FROM SERVING IN ANY CAPACITY. THEY SAY TRANS MILITARY MEMBERS SHOULD NOT BE DISMISSED OR FORCED TO COMPROMISE THEIR INTEGRITY. LITTLE HAS BEEN REVEALED ABOUT THE BAN SINCE THE PRESIDENT'S TWEET, WITH WIDESPREAD UNCERTAINTY OVER WHETHER IT APPLIES TO THOUSANDS OF ACTIVE AND RESERVED DUTY TROOPS. THERE'S BEEN A SHOOTOUT AT A COURT IN MOSCOW, WITH THREE DEFENDANTS BEING KILLED AS THEY ATTEMPTED TO ESCAPE. THE MEN TRIED TO TAKE THE GUNS FROM OFFICERS WHO WERE ESCORTING THEM. THEY WERE ACCUSED OF BEING PART OF THE GTA GANG, NAMED AFTER THE VIOLENT VIDEO GAME, GRAND THEFT AUTO, AND WERE SUSPECTED OF KILLING 17 MOTORISTS IN CAR JACKINGS. TWO OTHER SUSPECTS AND THREE OFFICERS WERE WOUNDED. INTERNATIONAL LEADERS HAVE CONDEMNED THE RE-ARREST OF TWO VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION LEADERS. THEY WERE UNDER HOUSE ARREST AFTER ACCUSATIONS THEY INCITED VIOLENCE DURING ANTI-GOVERNMENT RALLIES IN 2014. THEY'VE NOW BEEN TAKEN TO JAIL AFTER THE COUNTRY'S SUPREME COURT SAYS IT RECEIVED INTELLIGENCE ALLEGING THE PAIR HAD PLANS TO FLEE. THE ARRESTS COME JUST DAYS AFTER THE COUNTRY VOTED FOR A CONTROVERSIAL NEW ASSEMBLY WHICH WOULD GIVE THE RULING PARTY UNLIMITED POWERS. AT LEAST 29 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED AND DOZENS MORE INJURED AFTER A SUICIDE BOMBER STORMED INTO THE LARGEST SHIITE MOSQUE IN AFGHANISTAN'S HERAT PROVINCE. THE GUNMAN OPENED FIRE ON WORSHIPPERS BEFORE BLOWING HIMSELF UP. AROUND 300 PEOPLE WERE PACKED INTO THE MOSQUE FOR EVENING PRAYERS WHEN THE ATTACK HAPPENED. STILL TO COME ON MIDDAY ` DO YOU HAVE A PET? WELL, HERE'S SOME GOOD NEWS. INSTEAD OF IT BURNING A HOLE IN YOUR WALLET, IT TURNS OUT YOU CAN MAKE SOME GOOD MONEY OFF THEM. AND THE ATHLETICS WORLD PREPARES TO FAREWELL ONE OF IT'S GREATEST SPRINTERS AND CHARACTERS FROM THE SPORT. WE ALL KNOW ABOUT THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS CELEBRITIES AND VLOGGERS MAKE EACH YEAR BY ENDORSING PRODUCTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA. NOW THAT TREND HAS REACHED PETS. THE ABC'S MARIA SCHIA-VOCAMPO REPORTS. MOVE OVER, KARDASHIANS. YOU'VE GOT COMPETITION. THEY'RE CALLED PET INFLUENCERS ` ANIMALS WITH BIG SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWINGS THAT PARTNER WITH BRANDS TO PROMOTE PRODUCTS. THEY TEND TO RESONATE BETTER WITH CONSUMERS. THEY REACH EVERYONE. SOME PET OWNERS ARE NOW MAKING THIS A CAREER, LIKE LONNIE EDWARDS, WHO LEFT BEHIND HER LAW CAREER TO START 'THE DOG AGENCY' ` A TALENT MANAGEMENT FIRM FOR SOCIAL MEDIA-FAMOUS PETS ` A MOVE INSPIRED BY HER OWN LITTLE SUPERSTAR ` CHLOE (4) THE MINI FRENCHIE. EDWARDS SAYS ALL KINDS OF BRANDS, FROM MAKE-UP TO VACUUM CLEANERS, ARE NOW SEEING THE VALUE IN ANIMALS WITH A LARGE SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE AND REACHING OUT TO THEIR OWNERS. AND THE MONEY IS NOTHING TO BARK AT. ANIMAL WITH FOLLOWINGS IN THE THOUSANDS LIKE CHLOE AND TOAST OF 'TOAST MEETS WORLD' FAME BRING IN ANYWHERE FROM $2000 TO $5000 PER SPONSORED POST. PETS WITH FOLLOWINGS IN THE MILLIONS LIKE TUNA BRING IN $10,000 TO $15,000 PER SPONSORED POST. SOME OF YOUR TOP DOGS, LIKE JIFF ` AND BOO THE POMERANIAN ` CAN ALSO MAKE MONEY OFF MERCHANDISE LINES WITH COMMERCIALS AND PERSONAL APPEARANCES, NETTING SIX FIGURES A YEAR. SONNY BILL-WILLIAMS WILL HAVE TO WAIT TO FIND OUT WHETHER HE CAN PLAY IN THE ALL BLACKS' FIRST BLEDISLOE CUP MATCH OR NOT. THE ALL BLACKS MIDFIELDER APPEALED THE BAN HE WAS GIVEN FOR THIS SHOULDER CHARGE ON ANTHONY WATSON IN THE SECOND TEST AGAINST THE BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS. HOWEVER, AFTER TWO HOURS WITH THE APPEAL COMMITTEE LAST NIGHT, THE PANEL WAS UNABLE TO COME TO A CONCLUSION, RESERVING ITS DECISION UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. FOUR YEARS AFTER BEING KICKED OUT OF SUPER RUGBY, THE LIONS ARE LOOKING AHEAD TO THIS WEEKEND'S FINAL IN JOHANNESBURG AS A CHANCE TO COMPLETE A REMARKABLE TURNAROUND. AFTER FINISHING BOTTOM OF THE LADDER IN 2012, THE LIONS WERE KICKED OUT OF THE COMPETITION, ONLY TO RETURN IN 2014, QUICKLY MOVING UP THE COMPETITION LADDER. IT'S BEEN AN AMAZING JOURNEY WITH ALL THE PLAYERS STICKING TOGETHER AND WORKING THROUGH THE HARD TIMES. I BELIEVE THIS WEEKEND IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST A SUCCESSFUL YEAR SO FAR. IT'S A SUCCESSFUL JOURNEY COMING TOGETHER, PLAYING A HOME FINAL. THE ODDS IN THE LIONS' FAVOUR, HAVING WON THEIR PREVIOUS 15 MATCHES AT THEIR HOME BASE OF ELLIS PARK, INCLUDING FOUR PLAYOFF ENCOUNTERS, THREE OF THOSE AGAINST KIWI TEAMS. AND SUPER RUGBY'S CHEETAHS AND SOURTHERN KINGS WILL JOIN EUROPE'S NOW PRO 14. IN A VIDEO POSTED BY THE EUROPEAN COMPETITION, IT SHOWS THE SOUTH AFRICAN SIDES JOINING THE NEW CONFERENCE SYSTEM, ENDING SPECULATION AROUND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WITH THE TWO TEAMS TO MAKE ROOM IN THE REVAMPED SUPER RUGBY COMPETITION NEXT YEAR. THE PRO 14 TOURNAMENT BEGINS NEXT MONTH. THE WELLINGTON PHOENIX HAVE SUFFERED A KNOCKOUT BLOW, LITERALLY, BOWING OUT OF THE ROUND OF 32 AT THE FFA CUP, CONCEDING A FINAL SECOND GOAL TO THE WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS. BOTH SIDES UNABLE TO FIND THE BACK OF THE NET FOR THE FIRST 120 MINUTES, TAKING THE WANDERERS' MARQUEE SIGNING, SPANIARD ORIEL RIERA, TO BREAK THE NIX HEARTS IN THE 121ST. Dangerous ball. They've got it. It's the captain. Western Sydney have won it. In some style THE PHOENIX HAVE JUST ONE WIN FROM FIVE MATCHES AT THE TOURNAMENT. SIX PLAYERS WITH 11 MAJOR WINS BETWEEN THEM HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED FOR THE NEW ZEALAND WOMEN'S OPEN IN AUCKLAND NEXT MONTH. FIVE-TIME MAJOR WINNER AND FORMER WORLD NUMBER ONE YANI TSENG LEADS THE GROUP, WHICH INCLUDES FELLOW MULTIPLE-MAJOR WINNER BRITTANY LINCICOME. I'M EXCITED I'VE NEVER BEEN THERE, AND I HEARD IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN THE WORLD, SO I WOULD LOVE TO GO SIGHTSEEING AND PROBABLY GET THER A COUPLE OF DAYS EARLIER AND LOOK AROUND, AND I CAN'T WAIT. ONE-TIME MAJOR WINNERS CATRIONA MATTHEW OF SCOTLAND AND NA YEON CHOI, JI YEON-HEE AND KIM HYO-JOO, ALL OF KOREA, ARE ALSO CONFIRMED TO PLAY AT WINDROSS FARM. NEW ZEALAND CRICKET HAVE ANNOUNCED THEIR SUMMER SCHEDULE FOR THE 2017/18 SEASON, FEATURING 27 INTERNATIONALS. THEY'RE ALSO HOPEFUL FOR A DAY-NIGHT TEST AGAINST ENGLAND AT EDEN PARK, BUT IT WILL COME DOWN TO THE CHANCES OF GETTING RESOURCE CONSENT FROM THE AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL AS PLAYING ON SUNDAY NIGHTS IS OFF LIMITS. NZ CRICKET ARE KEEN TO SEE THE CROWDS THE PINK BALL VERSION OF THE GAME HAS DRAWN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. THE SUMMER WILL SEE FOUR NATIONS TOURING OVER FOUR MONTHS... HE'S THE FASTEST MAN IN HISTORY, CURRENTLY HOLDING THREE WORLD RECORDS, BUT USAIN BOLT'S GLITTERING CAREER IS COMING TO AN END, RUNNING HIS LAST EVER 100m AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN LONDON THIS WEEKEND, AS HE PREPARES FOR RETIREMENT, HE CAUGHT UP WITH BBC'S DAN ROAN. (CHEERING) THE WORLD'S FASTEST MAN IS ABOUT TO SAY FAREWELL. BUT USAIN BOLT REMAINS THE STAR ATTRACTION. IN ONE OF HIS LAST INTERVIEWS BEFORE HIS FINAL 100m ON SATURDAY, THE JAMAICAN TELLING ME RETIREMENT WAS THE RIGHT CALL. I THINK IT'S TIME FOR ME TO SLOW DOWN EVERYTHING. THEN I'LL DECIDE IF I WANT TO PICK IT BACK UP. BUT FOR ME, AFTER I RETIRE, I JUST WANT TO TAKE IT SLOW AND RELAX A LITTLE BIT. IS THERE NO WAY YOU COULD BE PERSUADED TO RECONSIDER YOUR RETIREMENT? I DON'T THINK SO. USAIN BOLT! HE'S PULLING AWAY! HE'S GOING TO WIN THE GOLD! BOLT'S DECADE-LONG SPRINTING SUPREMACY HAS ENTERED THE REALM OF LEGEND, WITH A REMARKABLE EIGHT OLYMPIC GOLDS, AND A FURTHER 11 AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. AND WITH A PERSONALITY TO MATCH THE PERSONALITY, ATHLETICS IS LOSING A FIGURE WHO TRANSCENDED HIS SPORT. IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE THE LEGACY THAT YOU WANT TO LEAVE BEHIND, HOW YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED? IT'S JUST SIMPLE. I JUST WANT TO BE ONE OF THE GREATS. BOLT'S BURST ON TO THE SCENE IN JAMAICA 15 YEARS AGO, WHEN HE STARRED AT THE WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS. SINCE THEN, HE'S BECOME A NATIONAL HERO AND A TRUE SPORTING SUPERSTAR. USAIN BOLT IS A GENIUS. OTHER THAN MOHAMMED ALI IN MY SPORTING LIFETIME, I CAN'T THINK OF ANYBODY THAT HAS SO HAD AN IMPACT INSIDE OR BEYOND THEIR SPORT. THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL PROVIDE FINAL MEMORIES OF A UNIQUE TALENT. FILLING THE VOID HE LEAVES BEHIND, COULD PROVE ATHLETICS' GREATEST CHALLENGE. STILL TO COME ON MIDDAY, I'LL BE BACK WITH THE WEATHER. YOUR WEATHER'S NEXT, BUT FIRST LET'S LOOK AT OUR TOP STORIES. POLICE ARE AT THE SCENE OF A CONSTRUCTION SITE IN CANTERBURY AS ACTIVISTS HALT CONSTRUCTION OF IRRIGATION PIPES. GREENPEACE IS PROTESTING AGAINST A MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR IRRIGATION SCHEME THEY SAY WILL LEAD TO POLLUTED RIVERS FROM DAIRY FARMING. THE GOVERNMENT'S BEEN TOLD IT WON'T REACH THE 'SMOKEFREE BY 2025' TARGET UNLESS IT INCREASES ACTION AGAINST SMOKING. A REPORT OUT TODAY MAKES A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING DRAMATICALLY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF RETAIL OUTLETS THAT SELL TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND INCREASING TOBACCO TAX BY 20% ANNUALLY FOR THREE YEARS. NOW TO THE WEATHER. FOR WEATHER, SEE TVNZ.CO.NZ AND FINALLY ` A RUSSIAN MINING COMPANY IS PUTTING A SET OF RARE POLISHED DIAMONDS UP FOR AUCTION, INCLUDING THIS STUNNER ` A 51 CARAT GEM. THE LARGE DIAMOND IS 2.5CM IN DIAMETER IN A TRADITIONAL ROUND CUT. EXPERTS SAY IT'S POTENTIALLY THE MOST EXPENSIVE DIAMOND IN THE HISTORY OF RUSSIAN JEWELLERY. THANKS FOR JOINING US. THE 1 NEWS HOUR WILL BE HERE AT 6. HE MIHI MAHANA KI A KOUTOU KATOA. HAVE AN AWESOME AFTERNOON. CAPTIONS BY JUNE YEOW AND STARSHA SAMARASINGHE CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR. COPYRIGHT ABLE 2017