NI SA BULA VINAKA IT'S MIDDAY ` THE KILLERS AT THE CENTRE OF A HIGH PROFILE MURDER CASE, FROM 1995, HAVE BEEN SENTENCED. AND THE TEENAGER BEHIND THIS BRUTAL ATTACK AT A SYDNEY CHURCH HAS BEEN CHARGED, AUSTRALIAN POLICE DECLARING IT A TERRORIST ACT. PLUS, DONALD TRUMP'S HUSH-MONEY TRIAL IS ANOTHER STEP CLOSER TO OPENING ARGUMENTS. WHO WILL DECIDE WHETHER THE FORMER US PRESIDENT IS GUILTY. CAPTIONS BY KATE HARRIS AND FRANK GORE. CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR. WWW.ABLE.CO.NZ COPYRIGHT ABLE 2024 THE PAIR WHO MURDERED ANGELA BLACKMOORE IN 1995, HAVE JUST BEEN SENTENCED AT THE HIGH COURT IN CHRISTCHURCH, TO LIFE BEHIND BARS. DAVID HAWKEN AND REBECCA WRIGHT MELDRUM WILL BOTH SPEND AT LEAST 10 YEARS IN PRISON, FOR KILLING THE 21 YEAR OLD PREGNANT MOTHER. THE PAIR HAD PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO THE CRIME, BUT AFTER AN ALMOST FIVE WEEK TRIAL IN DECEMBER, A 12 PERSON JURY RETURNED GUILTY VERDICTS FOR THEM BOTH. LABOUR MP GINNY ANDERSEN IS RAMPING UP EFFORTS TO MAKE STALKING AN OFFENCE UNDER THE CRIMES ACT. THE OPPOSITION POLICE SPOKESPERSON WANTS TO INTRODUCE A MEMBERS BILL TO INCLUDE STALKING AS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE LAW - CURRENTLY IT ONLY COVERS HARASSMENT. IT COMES AFTER A POLICE REVIEW FOUND FAILURES IN THEIR HANDLING OF STALKING COMPLAINTS FROM AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY LAW STUDENT FARZANA YAQUBI. MS YAQUBI WAS MURDERED IN DECEMBER OF 2022 - AFTER MAKING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO POLICE, FEARING FOR HER LIFE. WE'VE SEEN THERE'S BEEN MULTIPLE CASES, AND IF WE SPEAK TO ANY OF OUR FAMILY VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROVIDERS, THEY WILL SAY THERE ARE MULTIPLE CASES IN NEW ZEALAND ON A DAILY BASIS WHERE WOMEN ARE IN DANGER, AND THERE IS NOT ENOUGH ACTION BEING TAKEN TO PREVENT INSTANCES THAT HAVE HAPPENED. SHE WILL TAKE THE PROPOSAL TO THE LABOUR CAUCUS. POLICE IN SYDNEY HAVE JUST GIVEN A MAJOR UPDATE INTO THEIR INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ACT OF TERROR AT A CHURCH THAT SAW MULTIPLE PEOPLE INCLUDING THE BISHOP STABBED. AUSTRALIA CORRESPONDENT AZIZ AL SA'AFIN IS IN SYDNEY. AZIZ, WHAT HAVE WE JUST LEARNED? IN THE PAST HOUR NSW POLICE HAVE CONFIRMED THEY HAVE CHARGED A TEEN WITH TERRORISM. HE DROVE 90 MINUTES TO THE CURCH TO PERFORM THE STABBING. THAT OFFENDER STILL REMAINS IN HOSPPITAL. HE WILL HAVE A BEDSIDE COURT HEARING. THE FEDERAL POLICE SAY IT HAS BEEN A COMPLEX CASE. I WANT TO REINFORCE THAT OUR JOB IS NOT DONE. MYSELF AND OTHER POLICE MEMBERS, INCLUDING OUR WELL-ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY LIAISON TEAMS, ARE MEETING WITH LEADERS OF FAITH OVER THE COMING DAYS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT, ANSWER QUESTIONS, AND PROVIDE ASSURANCES THE COMMUNITY NEEDS. WE TARGET CRIMINALITY, NOT COUNTRIES. WE INVESTIGATE RADICALISATION AND NOT RELIGION. AND THE BONDI JUNCTION MALL WHERE SIX PEOPLE WERE KILLED IS BACK OPEN FOR BUSINESS. WHAT'S THE MOOD THERE, AZIZ? THE DOORS HAVE OPENED UP IN THE PAST HALF HOUR. IT IS A SOMBRE MOOD. THE GUARDS HAVE BEEN GIVEN STAB PROOF VESTS. ALTHOUGH SOMBRE, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE MALL GETS BACK TO NORMALITY. THERE'S A DESPERATE SHORTAGE OF POLYNESIAN BONE MARROW DONORS, WITH THE FAMILY OF ONE BOY PLEADING FOR PEOPLE TO STEP UP. 9-YEAR-OLD TE WAARAKIHI HAS A RARE AND LIFE THREATENING ILLNESS KNOWN AS 'APLASTIC ANEMIA', WHICH OCCURS WHEN THE BODY STOPS PRODUCING ENOUGH BLOOD CELLS. IT'S PROVING DIFFICULT TO TREAT, HE NEEDS BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTS FROM A GENETIC MATCH, BUT HIS MOTHER SHERENE HOOPER SAYS THERE'S A SHORTAGE OF POLYNESIAN DONORS. WHAT DIFFERENCE WOULD IT MAKE? A LOT, IF YOU COULD SAVE SOMEBODY'S LIFE. IMAGINE SAVING SOMEBODY'S LIFE. IMAGINE HOW THAT WOULD FEEL. EVEN IF WE JUST GOT ONE PERSON. ONE MAORI AND PASIFIKA BONE MARROW ADVOCATE SAYS IT'S EASY TO DONATE. I KNOW WHEN I FIRST HEARD ABOUT IT, I WAS LIKE THINKING, OH NO, THEY'RE GONNA BE DRILLING HOLES INTO ME AND ALL TYPES OF STUFF. BUT WHEN I WAS EDUCATED ABOUT THE PROCESS AND HOW EASY IT IS, NO, IT WAS` IT WAS TOO GOOD. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS THE ULTIMATE KOHA YOU CAN GIVE TO SOMEONE. OF THE 40 MILLION DONORS REGISTERED WORLDWIDE, JUST 9000 ARE POLYNESIAN. RESIDENTS OF AN AUCKLAND CITY APARTMENT WILL SOON LEARN THEIR FATE FOLLOWING AN EVICTION ORDER. AUCKLAND COUNCIL ISSUED A DANGEROUS BUILDING NOTICE FOR THE COMPLEX, AFTER FINDING SIGNIFICANT DEFECTS WITH THE FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS. CONTRACTORS WORKED ON THE ISSUES YESTERDAY AND ARE CONFIDENT THE REPAIRS WILL ALLOW THE BUILDING TO PASS THE INSPECTION. THE COUNCIL IS CURRENTLY COMBING THE BUILDING TO DETERMINE THE OUTCOME OF THE NOTICE. AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ARE PLANNING A RENT STRIKE, REFUSING TO PAY THEIR WEEKLY BILL IN PROTEST OF AN 8% PRICE HIKE. ADVOCATE GROUP 'STUDENTS FOR FAIR RENT' IS LEADING THE STRIKE ACROSS ALL AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY ACCOMMODATION BEGINNING MAY 1ST. TENANCY SERVICES DATA SHOWS A SINGLE BEDROOM CAN GO FOR AROUND $395, BUT 'STUDENTS FOR FAIR RENT' ARGUE THEIR RENT IS TOO HIGH. WE ARE STUDENTS, WE SHOULDN'T BE EXPECTED TO PAY A PRICE THAT IS SO FAR ABOVE MARKET RATE. WE SHOULDN'T BE EXPECTED TO PAY A PRICE THAT WE JUST CAN'T AFFORD, EVEN WITH A STUDENT ALLOWANCE, WITH A STUDENT LOAN, WORKING A NORMAL PART TIME JOB. WE'RE HEARING FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT THEY HAVE TO WORK TEN, 20, EVEN 30 HOURS JUST TO PAY THAT RENT. AND LIKE I SAID, THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE TUITION. AND IT'S UNREASONABLE FOR THE UNIVERSITY TO EXPECT US TO TAKE UP SUCH A MASSIVE STUDENT LOAN AT THE END OF THE YEAR. THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND ATTRIBUTE THE PRICE HIKE TO CPI INCREASES AND HIGH INFLATION, BUT SAY THEIR CATERED HALL PRICE IS CHEAPER THAN THE UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY AND OTAGO. PRIME MINISTER CHRISTOPHER LUXON HAS BEEN GREETED WITH FIREWORKS IN THE PHILIPPINES AS HIS TOUR OF SOUTH EAST ASIA CONTINUES. SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER BENEDICT COLLINS SENT THIS REPORT. CHRISTOPHER LUXON HAS JUST WRAPPED UP HIS FIRST DAY HERE IN MANILA AS PART OF A SOUTHEAST ASIAN TRADE TRIP, AND YOU'VE GOT TO HAND IT TO THE FILIPINOS ` THEY SURE KNOW HOW TO PUT ON A WELCOME. IN ADDITION TO PERFORMANCES, THEY PUT ON AN INCREDIBLE FIREWORKS DISPLAY LAST NIGHT IN HONOUR OF THE NEW ZEALAND DELEGATION AND THE PRIME MINISTER, CHRISTOPHER LUXON, BUT THERE WAS ALSO A MORE FORMAL SIDE OF EVENTS. PRIME MINISTER LUXON HAD A BILATERAL MEETING WITH PHILIPPINES PRESIDENT MARCOS, AND THEY AGREED FOR OUR COUNTRIES TO WORK MORE CLOSELY TOGETHER ON A RANGE OF ISSUES. WE WILL CEMENT A ROADMAP THAT STRENGTHENS OUR TRADE, SECURITY AND PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE LINKS, AS WELL AS FINDING WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS GLOBAL CHALLENGES LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE AND REGIONAL ISSUES LIKE MARITIME SECURITY. THEY'RE TRYING TO INCREASE TRADE BY 50% BY 2030, AND THEY ALSO WANT OUR MILITARIES TO WORK MORE CLOSELY TOGETHER. AND THEY'VE TOLD OUR OFFICIALS ON BOTH SIDES TO GET CRACKING ON MAKING THAT HAPPEN. THE UNITED STATES HAS BLOCKED A BID FOR A PALESTINIAN STATE TO JOIN THE UNITED NATIONS AS A FULL MEMBER. CURRENTLY IT ONLY HAS OBSERVER STATUS. THE U.S. USED ITS VETO POWER ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO BLOCK THE RESOLUTION, BUT SAYS IT STILL SUPPORTS A TWO STATE SOLUTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THIS VOTE DOES NOT REFLECT OPPOSITION TO PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD, BUT INSTEAD IS AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT IT WILL ONLY COME FROM DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE PARTIES. AND AS ISRAEL CONSIDERS ITS OPTIONS AFTER IRAN'S RETALIATORY STRIKES, THE HEAD OF THE UN IS CALLING FOR CALM SAYING THE REGION IS 'ON THE PRECIPICE'. ONE MISCALCULATION, ONE MISCOMMUNICATION, ONE MISTAKE, COULD LEAD TO THE UNTHINKABLE. A FULL-SCALE REGIONAL CONFLICT THAT WOULD BE DEVASTATING FOR ALL INVOLVED AND FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD. MEANWHILE, THE U.S. AND UK HAVE BOTH IMPOSED FRESH SANCTIONS ON IRAN, TARGETING INDIVIDUALS WITH TRAVEL BANS AND FREEZING ASSETS. IT'S TAKEN THREE DAYS, BUT A JURY HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR DONALD TRUMP'S HUSH MONEY TRIAL IN NEW YORK. HE'S BEING ACCUSED OF COVERING UP PAYMENTS TO AN ADULT FILM ACTRESS BEFORE THE 2016 ELECTION. SEVEN MEN AND FIVE WOMEN WILL DECIDE THE FATE OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT IN HIS FIRST CRIMINAL CASE. HERE'S THE ABC'S REENA ROY. A FULL JURY OF 12 SEATED NOW IN THE HISTORIC CRIMINAL TRIAL OF FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP. SIX ALTERNATES WILL ALSO BE NEEDED BEFORE OPENING STATEMENTS. TWO JURORS WHO HAD BEEN SEATED EARLIER THIS WEEK WERE EXCUSED. JUROR NUMBER TWO SAYING AFTER SLEEPING ON AN OVERNIGHT, SHE HAD CONCERNS ABOUT SERVING ON THE CASE. AFTER QUESTIONING, SHE WAS SENT HOME. JUROR NUMBER FOUR ALSO DISMISSED AFTER PROSECUTORS DETERMINED HE HAD BEEN ARRESTED FOR RIPPING DOWN RIGHT-LEANING POLITICAL POSTERS BACK IN THE '90s. THE JUDGE ASKING JURORS THAT HAVE BEEN SEATED TO SHOW UP ON MONDAY FOR POSSIBLE OPENING STATEMENTS. THE PROSPECTIVE JURORS IN COURT GOING THROUGH A SEVEN-PAGE QUESTIONNAIRE THAT ASKS THINGS LIKE WHETHER THEY'VE BEEN TO A POLITICAL RALLY FOR OR AGAINST TRUMP, AND WHETHER THEY HAVE STRONG VIEWS ABOUT HIM THAT WOULD PREVENT THEM FROM BEING FAIR AND IMPARTIAL JURORS. ABOUT HALF THE POOL IMMEDIATELY DISMISSED, SAYING THEY WERE UNABLE TO BE UNBIASED. ONE PROSPECTIVE JUROR WHO WAS EXCUSED SPEAKING OUT. YOU'RE NOT HERE TO SAY, 'OH, I HATE THIS GUY', OR 'OH, I LIKE THIS GUY'. YOUR JOB IS TO SAY, 'ALL RIGHT, I UNDERSTAND WHAT THE LAW IS. 'THIS IS THE EVIDENCE OF HIS BEHAVIOUR. 'IS HE OR IS HE NOT GUILTY OF COMMITTING THESE ACTS?' TRUMP IS FACING FELONY CHARGES RELATED TO A 2016 HUSH MONEY PAYMENT TO ADULT FILM ACTRESS STORMY DANIELS, IN ORDER TO ALLEGEDLY COVER UP AN AFFAIR WITH HER. HE DENIED THAT AFFAIR AND PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO A 34 COUNT INDICTMENT CHARGING HIM WITH FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS. BUT ALL OF THESE ARE STORIES FROM LEGAL EXPERTS SAYING HOW THIS IS NOT A CASE. PROSECUTORS ARE ALSO ASKING THE JUDGE TO HOLD TRUMP IN CONTEMPT, BRINGING UP WHAT THEY SAY ARE MORE GAG ORDER VIOLATIONS. A HEARING ON THAT IS SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK. STILL TO COME ON MIDDAY ` THE GLOBAL CYBER CRIME GANG EXPOSED. HOW NEW ZEALAND POLICE HELPED HALT AN OPERATION THAT SCAMMED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. PLUS ` TAUPO IS GEARING UP FOR ITS FIRST SUPERCAR EVENT. WE HEAD TRACKSIDE AFTER THE BREAK. FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES WERE PUSHED TO THE LIMIT DURING CYCLONE GABRIELLE, RECEIVING 650 CALLS IN JUST 30 MINUTES. A REPORT FROM FIRE AND EMERGENCY NEW ZEALAND RECOGNISED BETTER PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES WERE NEEDED DURING THE, QUOTE, 'CATASTROPHIC AND UNPRECEDENTED' WEATHER EVENT. SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BEEN ISSUED, INCLUDING THE NEED FOR NEW EQUIPMENT AND IMPROVED TRAINING. FIRE AND EMERGENCY HAS ALREADY STARTED IMPLEMENTING THE CHANGES. MEETINGS ARE UNDERWAY TO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL FOR NEW ZEALAND'S BIGGEST CITY TO BECOME A KEY AIR AND FREIGHT HUB BETWEEN ASIA AND SOUTH AMERICA. AUCKLAND MAYOR WAYNE BROWN IS JOINING REPRESENTATIVES FROM BRAZIL, CHINA, INDIA AND JAPAN, TO DISCUSS TRADE OPPORTUNITIES. THE NEW ZEALAND AND BRAZILIAN BUSINESS CHAMBER IS PITCHING A DIRECT FLIGHT TO AUCKLAND, THAT MAYOR BROWN SAYS COULD BRING AN ADDITIONAL $100 MILLION INTO THE ECONOMY IN THE FIRST YEAR. THE MAYOR ALSO WANTS TO ADD DIRECT FLIGHTS TO INDIA. NEW ZEALAND POLICE HAVE HELPED BUST AN INTERNATIONAL CYBER CRIME OPERATION THAT TARGETED THOUSANDS OF VICTIMS AROUND THE WORLD. IT'S ALLEGED A SERVICE WAS PROVIDED TO SCAMMERS, ALLOWING THEM TO STEAL FROM VICTIMS USING FRAUDULENT TEXT MESSAGES. 37 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ARRESTED WORLDWIDE, INCLUDING 24 IN THE UK. THE BBC'S TOM SYMONDS HAS MORE. IT'S 5am IN SOUTH LONDON, THE END OF A TWO YEAR INVESTIGATION. (YELLING) THIS WAS ONE OF A SERIES OF COORDINATED RAIDS TARGETING CYBERCRIME IN 17 COUNTRIES, MASTERMINDED FROM THE UK. ONE MAN WAS ARRESTED HERE, AND 23 OTHERS AROUND THE COUNTRY. AND THIS ALL BEGAN ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, WHEN SECURITY EXPERTS FOR THE BANKING INDUSTRY SPOTTED ON THE DARK WEB CRIMINALS OFFERING OTHER CRIMINALS A SERVICE, A WAY TO MAKE MONEY USING PHISHING, WITH A P-H. LAB HOST, FREELY AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET, PROVIDED TECHNOLOGY AND TRAINING TO OTHER CRIMINALS SO THEY COULD CARRY OUT PHISHING ATTACKS, SENDING FRAUDULENT TEXT MESSAGES TO TRICK 70,000 PEOPLE INTO HANDING OVER PERSONAL INFORMATION. THE VICTIMS IN THIS CASE HAVE BEEN AGED BETWEEN ABOUT 25 AND 45, PREDOMINANTLY. PRETTY YOUNG, THEN. DIGITAL NATIVES. WELL, IT'S PEOPLE WHO LIVE THEIR LIVES ONLINE THAT, PERHAPS, DO THEIR BANKING ONLINE, THAT SHOP ONLINE. THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO FALL VICTIM TO THIS. YOUR RECAP OF ALL THE DATA WE HAVE ABOUT YOU. AS FOR LABHOST, POLICE SEIZED SO MUCH DATA THEY COULD SEND EACH CRIMINAL USER A TAILORED VIDEO, MAKING CLEAR HOW MUCH THEY KNOW ABOUT WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON, THE STRATEGY TO MAKE THE USERS THINK AGAIN ABOUT TRUSTING THESE SERVICES. AND YESTERDAY, THEY SHUT THE SITE DOWN, LEAVING THIS MESSAGE FOR THE FRAUDSTERS. THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES IS STILL REELING AFTER THE PERSIAN GULF EXPERIENCED DEADLY STORMS AND RECORD RAINFALL. DUBAI'S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, ONE OF THE BUSIEST IN THE WORLD, IS FACING MAJOR DISRUPTIONS AFTER HUNDREDS OF FLIGHTS WERE CANCELLED OR DELAYED. THE BBC'S FRANCES READ HAS MORE. OUTSIDE ON THE TARMAC YESTERDAY, THE WORLD'S BUSIEST INTERNATIONAL HUB IS SUBMERGED. TODAY FLIGHTS HAVE RESUMED, BUT INSIDE THEY'RE DESPERATELY TRYING TO CLEAR THE BACKLOG AT DUBAI'S MAIN AIRPORT. THE TOTAL CANCELLATIONS UP TO NOW HAVE BEEN ABOUT 700 FLIGHTS OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS. AND OF COURSE, BECAUSE DUBAI IS A HAVEN FOR VERY LARGE AIRCRAFT, THAT MEANS MANY THOUSANDS OF PASSENGERS ARE STILL SEEKING TO COMPLETE THEIR JOURNEY. AND FOR THOSE WHO CALL THIS THEIR HOME, ALSO UNDERWATER, MAKING THEIR OWN RESCUES. A FEW HUNDRED KILOMETRES SOUTH IN OMAN, THE FLOODS HAVE ALSO BEEN UNFORGIVING. EARLIER THIS WEEK, THIS WAS THE ONLY WAY TO SAFETY, AND 1400 PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO SEEK SHELTER. THESE WATERS HAVE CLAIMED THE LIVES OF BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN ` THE SHEER AMOUNT OF WATER CAUSING ALARM. SO MUCH OF THIS REGION WAS UNPREPARED FOR THE SHEER AMOUNT OF RAIN. SO MANY NOW HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES. TO SPORT, AND SUPERCARS ARE READY TO ROLL IN TAUPO, WITH THE FIRST PRACTICE SESSION GETTING UNDERWAY SHORTLY. THOUSANDS OF MOTORSPORTS FANS EXCITED TO BE ENTERTAINED FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME AT THE TAUPO RACE TRACK. LACHIE MCLEOD HAS MORE. IT'S BEEN A PATIENT WAIT FOR KIWI MOTORSPORT FANS. BUT THE TIME HAS FINALLY ARRIVED. WE CAME TO TAUPO A BIT OVER 18 MONTHS AGO WHEN PUKE CLOSED ITS DOORS. AND WE'VE HAD ABSOLUTELY OVERWHELMING SUPPORT IN THE REGION TO GET US BACK. AND HERE WE ARE. WE CAN'T THANK TAUPO COUNCIL ENOUGH TO COME ON THAT JOURNEY WITH US. IT IS GOOD TO BE. IT REALLY, REALLY IS TEAMS HAVING ONE FINAL TUNE-UP BEFORE THEY HIT THE TRACK. I KNOW WHAT THE KIWI DRIVERS WILL BE FEELING AS THEY TURN UP FOR THIS WEEKEND. IT IS A BIG DEAL TO RACE A SUPERCARS, THE BIGGEST MOTORSPORT FORMULA IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE, YOU ARE A PART OF IT. THE BIGGEST CROWDS WE HAVE AT A MOTORSPORT EVENT IN NEW ZEALAND. AND ALL EYES ARE ON YOU. 22,000 PEOPLE EXPECTED TO PACK OUT A SOLD-OUT TAUPO INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY. FOR WHAT IS LOOKING LIKE AN EXCITING WEEKEND OF SUPERCARS ACTION FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE CENTRAL PLATEAU. FANS SCATTERED AROUND THE 3.3km TRACK, WHICH IS SET TO TEST THE DRIVERS. I ENJOY DRIVING HERE. IT IS VERY CHALLENGING, THERE ARE SOME INTERESTING PARTS TO THE TRACK THAT YOU HAVE TO NAIL EVERY SINGLE LAP TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY AND GOOD LAP TIME. THERE ARE SOME CHALLENGING FAST PARTS THAT YOU HAVE TO SUCK IT UP AND BE COMMITTED TO AS WELL. GREG MURPHY RACED WITH THE AUSSIE SERIES IN WELLINGTON AND ITS LAST HOME IN PUKEKOHE. THE FOUR-TIME BATHURST CHAMPION LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT TAUPO HAS TO OFFER. I THINK SEEING THE LIGHTS GO GREEN AT THE FIRST RACE ON SATURDAY, THAT IS REALLY THE OFFICIAL, I SUPPOSE, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE EVENT, WHEN THE FIRST RACE KICKS OFF, AND ALL THE SUPERCARS HEAD DOWN TO TURN ONE JUST DOWN HERE, ALL NOSE TO TAIL AND VYING FOR POSITION. I THINK THAT IS THE MOMENT EVERYONE WILL HAVE THE HAIRS ON THE BACK OF THEIR NECKS STANDING UP. A FEELING TAUPO FANS ARE SURE TO WANT FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. AND LACHIE JOINS US LIVE NOW. KIA ORA, LACHIE. THAT'S RIGHT. IT WAS QUIET JUST A FERW MOMENTS AGO. THE ATMOSPHERE IS BBUILDING. HERE IS THE CEO OF THE TRACK. LOOK IT I SINCREDIBLE. YOU CANNOT SUM IT UP. IT IS GREAT TO SEE FANS HERE. ALL OF NEW ZEALAND IS HERE, IT FEELS LIKE. IT IS QUITE LOUD. IS IT SPECIAL TO GET IT TO THIS POINT? HAVING TAUPO AS THE NEW HOME IS AMAZIING. IT IS GOING TO BE UNFORGETTABLE. WE ARE SO EXCITED TO FINALLY BE HERE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. A 15-STRONG TRACK AND FIELD TEAM HAS BEEN NAMED FOR THE PARIS OLYMPICS. THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE THIS MORNING AT A CEREMONY HELD IN AUCKLAND, WITH ATHLETES EACH BEING PRESENTED WITH A FERN. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME POLE VAULTER ELIZA McCARTNEY MADE THE TEAM SINCE 2016, WHEN SHE WON BRONZE IN HER EVENT AT THE RIO OLYMPICS, WHILE SAM TANNER AND ZOE HOBBS WILL HEADLINE THE TRACK EVENTS AT THE GAMES. YEAH, IT'S KIND OF BEEN EXPLAINED, LIKE, IT'S SUCH A HAPPY DAY FOR ME. TO MISS OUT LAST TIME WAS DISAPPOINTING, BUT I'VE JUST STUCK AT IT, AND I'M FEELING THE FRUITS NOW, SO, UM, YEAH. REALLY HAPPY. PRETTY AWESOME. YEAH, IT'S A PRETTY AWESOME FEELING TO BE A MAORI ATHLETE, REPRESENTING NEW ZEALAND AT THE OLYMPICS, ESPECIALLY IN THE 1500. AND, I THINK I CARRY A LITTLE BIT EXTRA MANA WITH ME. THE TEAM FEATURES TWO FORMER OLYMPIC MEDALLISTS AND A PAIR OF CURRENT WORLD INDOOR CHAMPIONS. TO THE NRL, AND DESPITE A SECOND HALF SIN-BINNING, THE STORM HAVE OVERCOME THE ROOSTERS 18-12. DESCRIBED AS A 'MOMENT OF MADNESS', CAMERON MUNSTER WAS SENT TO THE SIDELINE FOR A BLATANT PROFESSIONAL FOUL IN AN OFF-SIDE POSITION. THAT WILL BE A SIN-BIN HERE ON MUNSTER. THIS'LL BE A SIN-SIN. WOW, WHAT A TURNING POINT. BUT STRONG DEFENCE AND A LATE TRY FROM XAVIER COATES SECURED THE WIN, WHICH NOW PUTS MELBOURNE AT THE TOP OF THE NRL LADDER. STILL TO COME ON MIDDAY ` I'LL BE BACK WITH THE AFTERNOON WEATHER. TIME NOW TO TAKE A LOOK AT TODAY'S WEATHER. (CROWDED HOUSE'S 'WEATHER WITH YOU') # EVERYWHERE YOU GO, # ALWAYS TAKE THE WEATHER WITH YOU. # EVERYWHERE YOU GO, # ALWAYS TAKE THE WEATHER. # EVERYWHERE YOU GO, # ALWAYS TAKE THE WEATHER WITH YOU. # EVERYWHERE YOU GO, # ALWAYS TAKE THE WEATHER, # THE WEATHER WITH YOU. # WELL, THERE'S A SMALL BOAT MADE OF CHINA. # IT'S GOING NOWHERE ON THE MANTELPIECE. # OH, DO I LIE LIKE A LOUNGEROOM LIZARD? # OR DO I SING LIKE A BIRD RELEASED? # EVERYWHERE YOU GO, THANKS FOR JOINING US. FROM THE WHOLE MIDDAY TEAM, GOOD AFTERNOON. CAPTIONS BY FRANK GORE AND KATE HARRIS. CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR.