WILD WEATHER HAS LED TO MASSIVE FLOODING AND LOCAL STATES OF EMERGENCY BEING DECLARED IN WAIROA AND THE HERETAUNGA WARD IN HAWKE'S BAY. TAIRAWHITI IS ALSO DEALING WITH FLOODS, WHILE THE BODIES OF THREE GISBORNE FISHERMEN HAVE WASHED UP ON A MAHIA BEACH. LAUREN DICKASON HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR MURDERING HER THREE CHILDREN. AND THE SISTER OF SLAIN DAIRY OWNER JANAK PATEL CALLS FOR BETTER MONITORING OF 501 DEPORTEES. CAPTIONS BY JOHN GIBBS AND SAM BAKER. CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR. WWW.ABLE.CO.NZ COPYRIGHT ABLE 2024 KIA ORA. GOOD EVENING. THE EAST COAST HAS BEEN LASHED BY WILD WEATHER, AND STATES OF EMERGENCY HAVE BEEN DECLARED IN WAIROA AND THE HERETAUNGA WARD, WHICH SURROUNDS HASTINGS. WAIROA'S POWER WAS SHUT OFF TODAY, WITH FLOODWATERS PUTTING HUNDREDS OF HOMES AT RISK. THE MAYOR DESCRIBED IT AS A 'DESPERATE SITUATION'. THIS MORNING, THE BODIES OF THREE GISBORNE FISHERMAN WHO WERE MISSING OFF THE COAST WERE FOUND WASHED UP ON A MAHIA PENINSULA BEACH. IN HAUMOANA, HAWKE'S BAY, MASSIVE WAVES CRASHED OVER THE SEA WALL AND INLAND SHEEP CRAMMED UP BY TREE TRUNKS IN FLOODING PADDOCKS. RIVERS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN AT EXTREMELY HIGH LEVELS TONIGHT. ALEXA COOK BEGINS OUR COVERAGE WITH THE SITUATION IN WAIROA. FLEEING FOR THEIR LIVES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT... WE ARE LEAVING HOME, WHANAU. OOH, LOOK AT THAT WATER. OOH! ...WADING OUT THROUGH WAIST-DEEP WATER. (WATER RUSHES, BUBBLES) ABOUT 400 PROPERTIES IN WAIROA ARE FLOODED BUT IN AN AREA NOT USUALLY PRONE TO FLOODING. IT'S BEEN HUGE, AND SOME OF THESE HOMES HAVEN'T SEEN WATER LIKE THIS FOR OVER 60 YEARS, OR NEVER IN LIVING MEMORY. BECAUSE THIS TIME, IT'S THE SEA THAT'S CAUSED ALL THE PROBLEMS AS 6M SWELLS STOPPED THE RIVER FROM FLOWING OUT TO SEA. THIS IS ABSOLUTE MADNESS. THERE MUST BE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH HOUSES THAT ARE DESTROYED. THERE'S MANY HOUSES, PEOPLE HAVE LOST EVERYTHING. THEIR HOUSES ARE GONE AGAIN, SAME AS IN GABRIELLE. YEAH, IT'S REALLY DEPRESSING, TO BE FAIR. THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MINISTER, MARK MITCHELL, IS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT WAIROA. IT'S PRETTY CATASTROPHIC FOR THEM. THEY CONTINUE TO GET HIT WITHOUT A DOUBT, SO GETTING UP THERE NOW IS MY PRIORITY. FURTHER DOWN THE COAST IN HAUMOANA... (WAVE CRASHES) ...THE OCEAN WAS CAUSING MORE ISSUES, THREATENING HOMES AND RESULTING IN 200 PEOPLE BEING EVACUATED EARLY THIS MORNING. IT'S PRETTY FULL-ON. IT'S PRETTY TRAUMATIC. EVEN WITH THE COUNCIL'S PUMPS WORKING NON-STOP, THE SWELL SURGED OVER THE DUNES. IT'S THE MOST I'VE SEEN, AND I'VE LIVED OUT HERE MOST MY LIFE. WE'RE JUST WORRIED ABOUT PEOPLE THAT ARE AROUND US. THAT WAS ALL AND STUFF, SO WE'RE JUST MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY WAS OK. WE'VE DELIBERATELY TAKEN A CAUTIOUS APPROACH, JUST ON THE FACT ON THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE AT THE SEA CRESTS WHERE THE SEA'S COME IN AND OVERTOPPED. WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO CHANCE AT HIGH TIDE TONIGHT THAT THE WATER'S GONNA COME STRAIGHT BACK OVER AND CAUSE FURTHER ISSUES. IS THE QUICKNESS OF THIS RESPONSE DUE TO THE FAILINGS FROM CYCLONE GABRIELLE? DOES IT APPEAR THAT CIVIL DEFENCE HAS LEARNT? IT'S DEFINITELY LESSONS LEARNT. I JUST WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR THAT THE PEOPLE WHO RESPONDED TO CYCLONE GABRIELLE HERE WERE VERY, VERY GOOD. THEY WERE LET DOWN BY THE PROCESS. DOZENS OF PEOPLE SHELTERED IN HAUMOANA SCHOOL HALL, INCLUDING RENEE JURY AND HER FIVE KIDS. HER PROPERTY IS FLOODED, WHICH SHE SAYS COULD'VE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE COUNCIL HAD FIXED HER LOCAL DRAIN. SO, YOU'VE HAD 20 YEARS OF PROBLEMS? OVER 20 YEARS OF PROBLEMS, YEP. HOPING THIS TIME, THE COUNCIL ACTS. BLOODY FIX IT. KEEP YOUR PROMISES. THE MAYOR TOLD US SHE WAS GONNA DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. SHE HASN'T. SHE'S DONE NOTHING. IN OUR LONG-TERM PLAN, THERE ARE TWO PARTS, HAUMOANA AND TE AWANGA, THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE CONSIDERING HOW WE MOVE FORWARD TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFE. A TOUGH JOB WHEN MOTHER NATURE HAS THIS MUCH FORCE. AND ALEXA, THE RISK FOR COASTAL COMMUNITIES ISN'T OVER YET. BECAUSE HIGH TIDE IS EXPECTED AT 9 O'CLOCK TONIGHT, AND AUTHORITIES ARE VERY WORRIED THAT THAT COULD CAUSE MORE DAMAGE, WHICH IS WHY THE STATE OF EMERGENCY HAS BEEN KEPT IN PLACE FOR THE MOMENT, WITH THEIR HEAVY RAIN WARNING KEPT IN PLACE UNTIL 7 O'CLOCK THIS EVENING. MIKE MITCHELL IS ON HIS WAY TO WHILE YOU'RE IN A MINISTRY OF DEFENCE . HELICOPTER HE'S EXPECTING TO LAND ARE VERY SHORTLY. DEBY IS MORE INFORMATION ON THE GROUND THAT TOMORROW. AUTHORITIES SAY THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY EVACUATED MUST STAY EVACUATED, MUST NOT RETURN HOME, AND THE NZ TA SAYS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD AVOID DRIVING IF AT ALL POSSIBLE SO THEY CAN STAY SAFE. THE TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY OF GISBORNE HAS BEEN DEALT A DOUBLE BLOW ` DESTRUCTION CAUSED BY THE WEATHER AND THE LOSS OF THREE OF THEIR OWN AT SEA. THEIR BODIES WERE RECOVERED THIS MORNING. THAT'S DESPITE EVERY ATTEMPT TO SAVE THEM. LEIGHTON HEIKELL IS IN GISBORNE. LEIGHTON, IT STILL LOOKS MISERABLE THERE. IT HAS BEEN MISERABLE FOR MUCH OF THE DAY, EASING SLIGHTLY LATER TODAY, BUT MISERABLE AS A WAY LOCALS DESCRIBE HOW THE FEELING IT WAS A NIGHT OF HOWLING WINDS AND INTENSE RAIN THAT JUST WOULDN'T STOP. THE WEATHER SYSTEM SMASHING THE EAST COAST, MAKING ANY CHANCE OF RESCUING THE FISHERMEN, TWO OF WHOM HAD BEEN SPOTTED ALIVE, IMPOSSIBLE. THE CONDITIONS WERE SO BAD COAST GUARD HAD TO TURN AROUND AFTER GETTING EXCRUCIATINGLY CLOSE. EVERY BOAT IN THIS MARINA WOULD'VE BEEN OUT SEARCHING IF THEY POSSIBLY COULD HAVE, BUT THE CONDITIONS JUST HAVEN'T ALLOWED US TO DO THAT. IT WAS HOPED THE SEARCH WOULD RESUME AT FIRST LIGHT, BUT THEN THE NEWS CAME THROUGH ` THREE BODIES HAD BEEN FOUND ON THE SHORE IN MAHIA. UH, YEAH. I'M BROKEN, TO BE QUITE HONEST. UM, DEVASTATED IS... (STAMMERS) I CAN'T PUT IT INTO WORDS. THE TATAPOURI SPORTS FISHING CLUB SAYS THE THREE MEN ARE ELWOOD HIGGINS, DAMIEN MACPHERSON AND TAINA SINOTI. EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THIS COMMUNITY KNEW ONE OF THOSE BEAUTIFUL MEN. THEY ARE WELL RESPECTED, WELL LOVED, AND AS A COMMUNITY, WE ARE MOURNING. MAYOR REHETTE STOLTZ MET WITH THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS TODAY... BUT IT IS HEARTBREAKING. IT IS JUST HEARTBREAKING. ...AND HEARTBREAKING IS A WORD THAT'S BEEN USED TO DESCRIBE THE DESTRUCTION THIS STORM HAS INFLICTED ON THE REGION. THE WEATHER THIS MORNING IS STILL INCREDIBLY FEROCIOUS. GISBORNE IS BEING PUMMELLED WITH STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN, AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THE BEACHES ARE COVERED IN WOODY DEBRIS YET AGAIN. IT'S CHRISTY THOMPSON'S FIRST TIME HERE, AND SEEING IT ALL HAS LEFT HER SHOCKED. IT'S THE SLASH THAT I CAN'T GET OVER. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. BUT THIS COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO SEE IT TIME AND TIME AGAIN. IT IS TOUGH AND FRUSTRATING, AND IT'S TAKING A TOLL ON OUR COMMUNITY. THE DEBRIS HAS CLOGGED UP ALREADY SWOLLEN RIVERS, SO CREWS WORKED WITH CRANES TO REMOVE THE BUILD-UP AGAINST THE BRIDGE. STRONG WINDS SENT TREES TUMBLING DOWN ALL OVER THE PLACE, WIPING POWER TO REMOTE PLACES LIKE WAIMATA VALLEY. PRETTY MUCH ANYBODY THAT'S CONNECTED TO THIS WHOLE LINE ` ALL OF WAIMATA ` AND HOPEFULLY WE GET THE POWER BACK ON BEFORE IT'S DARK. THE RAINFALL FLOODED FARMLAND, ORCHARDS, AS WELL AS ROADS, CUTTING OFF COMMUNITIES LIKE TE KARAKA, WHERE EVACUATIONS TOOK PLACE THIS MORNING. BUT WHILE THE EAST COAST HAS BEEN HIT WITH YET ANOTHER STORM, THAT IS NOT THE FIRST THING ON THE MINDS OF THOSE WHO LIVE HERE. IF WE GO OUT IN THE STREET NOW AND TALK TO PEOPLE IN GISBORNE, THEY DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER. THEY WANT TO SEND THEIR LOVE TO THE FAMILIES AFFECTED. BECAUSE GISBORNE HAS LOST THREE OF THEIR OWN. POLICE HAVE RELEASED THEIR NAMES OFFICIALLY, SAYING THEY ARE ALL IN THEIR 30S, THEY ARE ALL AVID FISHERMEN AND MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL CLUB, ELWOOD WAS A TOP FISHERMAN HERE, AND TAINA WAS A PILLAR OF STRENGTH FOR HIS WHANAU AND THE FATHER TO YOUNG CHILDREN, AS TO WAS DAMIEN, BUT ABOVE ALL ELSE HE WAS A GREAT FRIEND, A TRUE COMMUNITY MAN AND TOUCHED THE LIVES OF MANY HEATHER'S IN NOW WITH MORE ON THE STORM, WHICH IS STARTING TO MOVE OUT TO SEA. THE LOW'S CENTRE IS NOW WELL OFF SHORE, BUT LOOKING AT THE STORM RIGHT NOW IN ITS CURRENT POSITION, IT RESEMBLES A CYCLONE ` YOU HAVE THE DEEP, LOW CENTRE, THE SPIRAL OF CLOUD AND RAIN PULLING MOISTURE DOWN FROM THE TROPICS, AND AS WE RUN THROUGH THE NEXT 24 HOURS, YOU CAN SEE IT WILL CONTINUE TO SPIN OUT RAIN AND STRONG WINDS TIED UP IN THAT CLOCKWISE MOVEMENT. THE RAIN HAS BEEN HEAVY AND PERSISTENT, PARTICULARLY IN THE RANGES. PARTS OF THE GISBORNE REGION HAVE ACCUMULATED ALMOST 200mm IN ONE DAY. I'LL HAVE THE SWELL AND WARNING DETAILS AFTER SPORT. LAUREN DICKASON HAS APOLOGISED, I'LL HAVE THE SWELL AND WARNING DETAILS AFTER SPORT. LAUREN DICKASON HAS APOLOGISED, AND SAYS SHE TAKES FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR KILLING HER CHILDREN, AND THAT SHE FAILED THEM, FAILED HER HUSBAND, AND THEIR FAMILIES. JUSTICE MANDER SENTENCED DICKASON TODAY TO 18 YEARS,BUT SHE WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE AFTER SIX YEARS. JULIET SPEEDY REPORTS. LAUREN DICKASON IN COURT TODAY, NEARLY 3 YEARS AFTER SHE KILLED HER THREE LITTLE GIRLS. LIANE (6), AND TWINS, MAYA AND KARLA (2). THE SOUTH AFRICAN DOCTOR AND HER FAMILY HAD NOT LONG EMIGRATED TO TIMARU WHEN SHE STRANGLED AND SUFFOCATED HER DAUGHTERS. SHE WAS FOUND GUILTY LAST YEAR, A JURY REJECTING HER DEFENCES OF INSANITY AND INFANTICIDE. BUT TODAY THE JUDGE ACKNOWLEDGED THE ROLE HER MENTAL HEALTH PLAYED. ...SATISFIED YOUR ACTIONS WERE THE PRODUCT OF MENTAL DISORDER, AND THIS TRAGIC EVENT WOULDN T HAVE OCCURRED IF NOT FOR THE MAJOR DEPRESSIVE EPISODE FROM WHICH YOU WERE SUFFERING. NOW SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS, TO HOSPITAL FIRST, AND PRISON STILL POSSIBLE. BUT IN A STATEMENT READ TO THE COURT, HER HUSBAND FORGIVES HER. I HAVE MADE THE DECISION VERY EARLY ON AFTER THIS TRAGEDY TO FORGIVE LAUREN FOR WHAT WAS DONE. 'I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT LAUREN DICKASON HAD A RAPID DETERIORATION 'IN HER MENTAL HEALTH IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THIS EVENT.' GRAHAM S FAMILY, LESS FORGIVING. LAUREN WAS THEIR MOTHER; SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO LOVE AND CARE FOR THEM. IT IS TIME TO CUT US LOOSE AND TO LET GRAHAM GO. 'THERE IS NOTHING THAT BINDS US ANYMORE. '...ONCE TRUSTED SOMEONE, TOOK SOMEONE INTO MY HOME, LOVED SOMEONE WHO IS NOW A CONVICTED MURDERER; 'SOME DAYS IT FEELS SIMPLY UNBELIEVABLE, 'LIKE I M LIVING IN SOME HORROR FILM 'THAT I WON'T BE ABLE TO WAKE UP FROM.' LAUREN DICKASON S PARENTS AND CLOSE FAMILY MEMBERS CAME OUT TO NEW ZEALAND FOR TODAY'S SENTENCING, AND ALSO READ VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS TO THE COURT, WHICH THEY DIDN T WANT RECORDED, AND THEY WERE ` IN CONTRAST TO GRAHAM S FAMILY ` IN FULL SUPPORT OF HER. THEY SAID SHE HAD EXTREME POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION AND SHE WAS NOT IN HER RIGHT MIND, AND THEY ASKED THE JUDGE FOR MERCY WHEN SENTENCING HER. LAUREN DICKASON DIDN'T SHOW MUCH REACTION IN COURT TODAY, BUT SHE DID RELEASE A STATEMENT AFTER THE SENTENCING ` 'I LOVED LIANE, MAYA AND KARLA WITH ALL MY HEART. 'I FAILED THEM, I FAILED GRAHAM AND I FAILED OUR FAMILIES. 'I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY 'FOR TAKING OUR THREE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS FROM THIS WORLD. 'DEEPEST AND MOST SINCERE REMORSE FOR THE EXTREME PAIN AND HURT CAUSED. THE COURT HEARD REPEATEDLY TODAY ABOUT THE THREE DELIGHTFUL, LOVING LITTLE GIRLS THAT WERE KILLED, WHO WERE CONCEIVED BY THE DICKASONS AFTER 17 ROUNDS OF IVF. THEY WERE ADORED BY ALL FAMILY AND NOW MISSED DREADFULLY. 'THE REAL VICTIMS ARE LIANE, KARLA AND MAYA. 'WE WILL THINK OF THEM EVERY DAY, MISS THEM ALWAYS, 'AND LOVE THEM FOREVER UNTIL WE SEE THEM AGAIN.' A TRAGEDY UNPRECEDENTED, AND AN OVERWHELMING FEELING OF LOSS FELT BY ALL INVOLVED. JULIET SPEEDY, NEWSHUB THE SISTER OF SLAIN AUCKLAND DAIRY OWNER JANAK PATEL HAS CALLED FOR BETTER MONITORING OF 501 DEPORTEES FOLLOWING THE SENTENCING OF HER BROTHER'S KILLER. FREDERICK HOBSON WAS SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR MURDERING OF PATEL AT THE ROSE COTTAGE SUPERETTE IN SANDRINGHAM. AS JANIKA TER ELLEN REPORTS, HOBSON HAD ONLY RECENTLY BEEN SENT BACK FROM AUSTRALIA. FREDERICK HOBSON BLEW A KISS TO HIS FAMILY IN THE PUBLIC GALLERY AS HE ARRIVED IN COURT TO LEARN HIS FATE. IT'S ONE YEAR AND SEVEN MONTHS SINCE HE MURDERED JANAK PATEL, WHO'D BEEN WORKING HERE AT THE ROSE COTTAGE SUPERETTE IN AUCKLAND'S SANDRINGHAM. HOBSON WAS MADE TO LISTEN AS A CROWN PROSECUTOR SPOKE OF THE MOMENT HIS VICTIM'S MOTHER LEARNED OF PATEL'S HORRIFIC DEATH. SHE STARTED CRYING AND SPEAKING TO THE GODS, ASKING THEM WHAT SHE HAD DONE THAT WAS SO BAD THEY WOULD TAKE HER BELOVED SON. SHE IMPLORED THEM, 'TAKE ME AND NOT HIM.' VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS FROM PATEL'S MOTHER, FATHER AND SISTER WERE READ ALOUD, WITH HIS SISTER, NELIM, TELLING THE COURT SHE NOW LIVES IN CONSTANT FEAR FOR HER LIFE WORKING IN HER OWN DAIRY IN HAMILTON. SHE STILL SUFFERS FLASHBACKS TO THE CCTV FOOTAGE OF HER OLDER BROTHER RECEIVING LIFE-ENDING STAB WOUNDS. I TRY TO PRETEND I AM STRONG. I TELL MYSELF I AM NOT AFRAID. BUT IT IS NOT TRUE. HOBSON HAD PRETENDED TO BE ON THE PHONE AS HE SCOPED OUT THE ROSE COTTAGE SUPERETTE THAT EVENING BEFORE MAKING HIS MOVE INSIDE. AFTER STEALING THE TILL AT KNIFEPOINT, HOBSON SLOWLY WALKED THIS WAY 'ALMOST SAUNTERING' SAID TODAY'S JUDGE, BUT JANAK PATEL FOLLOWED HIM WITH A HOCKEY STICK TO GET IT BACK. HIS FAMILY BELIEVE HE WOULDN'T HAVE WANTED TO OWE MONEY TO THE DAIRY OWNER HE WAS WORKING FOR AND WOULD HAVE SEEN LOSING IT AS A DISHONOUR. ONCE THE PAIR GOT 150M DOWN THE ROAD, A FIGHT BROKE OUT, AND PATEL WAS STABBED SIX TIMES. HE TOOK JUST FIVE STEPS BACK TOWARD THE DAIRY, BEFORE COLLAPSING. HE DIED A SHORT TIME LATER. LOOKOUT SHANE TANE WAS SENTENCED TO FOUR AND A HALF YEARS IN JAIL FOR HIS PART IN THE ROBBERY, WHILE HOBSON GOT LIFE WITH A MINIMUM NON-PAROLE PERIOD OF 15 YEARS. HIS APOLOGY WAS READ ALOUD TO THE COURT. I AM A COWARD. I AM A LOW-LIFE CRIMINAL, TO SAY THE LEAST, WITH A DRUG ADDICTION WITH NO RESPECT FOR THE LAW OR THE PEOPLE I HURT. AROUND SIX MONTHS BEFORE HE KILLED PATEL, HOBSON WAS DEPORTED FROM AUSTRALIA BACK TO NEW ZEALAND, WHERE HE BECAME HOMELESS. YOUR ADDICTION GREW TO CONSUMING 1g OF METHAMPHETAMINE A DAY, OFTEN ON CREDIT, WHICH YOU WOULD PAY OFF THROUGH CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES. PATEL'S SISTER TOLD NEWSHUBPRICE THAT GIVEN HE'D GONE TO PRISON IN AUSTRALIA, HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN CLOSELY TRACKED BACK HERE. THAT'S A VERY STRONG FEELING FROM THE FAMILY, THAT ANY DEPORTEE OR ANY CRIMINAL ENTERING INTO NEW ZEALAND SHOULD BE MONITORED. PATEL HAD NOT LONG ARRIVED IN NEW ZEALAND TO START A NEW LIFE WHEN HE WAS MURDERED. THE KILLING BECAME A LIGHTNING ROD FOR COMMUNITY BACKLASH OVER RETAIL CRIME. PATEL'S FATHER, WHO BEEN IN NEW ZEALAND ON HOLIDAY AT THE TIME OF HIS SON'S KILLING, EVEN VISITED PARLIAMENT TO PUSH FOR CHANGE, LEADING TO AN EXPANSION IN PROTECTION MEASURES FOR SHOPKEEPERS. BUT THEIR JANAK IS STILL GONE, A MAN THEY SAYS WAS LOVING, IN TUNE WITH NATURE, AND AMBITIOUS ABOUT STARTING A BUSINESS IN NEW ZEALAND WITH HIS NEW WIFE. JANIKA TER ELLEN, NEWSHUB. AFTER 14 YEARS FIGHTING EXTRADITION TO THE UNITED STATES, WIKILEAKS' FOUNDER JULIAN ASSANGE IS FINALLY A FREE MAN. RIGHT NOW, HE'S ON A PLANE TO AUSTRALIA FROM THE REMOTE U.S. TERRITORY OF SAIPAN, WHERE HE SIGNED AN UNUSUAL PLEA DEAL TO OBTAIN HIS FREEDOM. AUSTRALIA CORRESPONDENT EMMA CROPPER REPORTS. WELL, HERE HE IS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HIS FIRST FOOTSTEPS OF FREEDOM... REPORTER: HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE A FREE MAN, MR ASSANGE? ...JULIAN ASSANGE FINALLY ON HIS WAY HOME, ENDING A 14-YEAR LEGAL BATTLE WITH THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL NATION. SO, IT IS A HUGE RELIEF TO JULIAN ASSANGE, TO HIS FAMILY, TO HIS FRIENDS, TO HIS SUPPORTERS AND TO US AND TO EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN FREE SPEECH AROUND THE WORLD THAT HE CAN NOW RETURN HOME TO AUSTRALIA. ASSANGE FLEW TO THE REMOTE U.S. TERRITORY OF SAIPAN TO PLEAD GUILTY TO ONE COUNT OF ESPIONAGE. HIS SENTENCE ` THE FIVE YEARS ALREADY SERVED IN A BRITISH JAIL. HE HAS SUFFERED TREMENDOUSLY IN HIS FIGHT FOR FREE SPEECH, FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, AND TO ENSURE THAT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND THE WORLD COMMUNITY GETS TRUTHFUL AND IMPORTANT NEWSWORTHY INFORMATION. FOR YEARS, AMERICA HAS BEEN TRYING TO EXTRADITE ASSANGE FOR PUBLISHING CLASSIFIED U.S. WAR LOGS AND THIS VIDEO SHOWING A U.S. HELICOPTER GUNNING DOWN CIVILIANS IN 2007. AFTER SEVEN YEARS IN POLITICAL ASYLUM LIVING IN ECUADOR'S LONDON EMBASSY, HE WAS DRAGGED OFF TO PRISON, WHERE HE CONTINUED TO FIGHT EXTRADITION. THIS HAS BEEN A LONG SLOG, FOR JULIAN ESPECIALLY, BUT ALSO FOR US IN THIS FIGHT TO GET HIM OUT OF THE PRISON. FINALLY, POLITICAL INTERVENTION FROM AUSTRALIA LED TO THE HIGHLY UNUSUAL DEAL IN SAIPAN, WHERE ASSANGE ENTERED A PLEA WITHOUT HAVING TO ENTER MAINLAND AMERICA. REGARDLESS OF YOUR VIEWS ABOUT MR ASSANGE'S ACTIVITIES, HIS CASE HAS DRAGGED ON FOR TOO LONG. THERE IS NOTHING TO BE GAINED FROM HIS CONTINUED INCARCERATION, AND WE WANT HIM BROUGHT HOME. A FUGITIVE NO MORE, AUSTRALIA AND HIS FAMILY ARE WAITING; JULIAN ASSANGE'S FUTURE IS NO LONGER BEHIND BARS. EMMA, WHEN'S HE DUE TO LAND THERE, AND WHAT'S THE PLAN FOR HIM NOW? HE'S ON A PLANE MAKING HIS WAY TO CANBERRA AT THE MOMENT, IT WILL LAND IN ABOUT 3 1/2 HOURS. IT WILL BE A VERY EMOTIONAL REUNION FOR HIS WIFE AND HIS YOUNG CHILDREN, THEY ARE FIVE AND SEVEN YEARS OLD, THEY'VE ONLY KNOWN HIM IN VISITING ROOMS AS HE'S BEEN IN PRISON FOR MOST OF THEIR LIVES, AND MANY PEOPLE WILL BE CURIOUS AS TO WHAT JULIAN SOUNDS WILL BE DOING WITH HIS FREEDOM. THE AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER PLAYED A BIG ROLE AND SOMETHING THAT MANY PEOPLE BEEN TRYING TO FOR SEVERAL YEARS, AND FREE ASSANGE. DEADLY PROTESTS HAVE ERUPTED IN KENYA. PARTS OF THE COUNTRY'S PARLIAMENT WAS SET ALIGHT BY PEOPLE FURIOUS ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS. THE REWARD HAS BEEN PULLED, SO WHAT'S NEXT IN THE HUNT FOR THE MISSING MAROKOPA FAMILY? (CRAZY HORN) WOMAN: Oh, the fair's back. Better start practising. SONG: # When the going gets tough # The tough get going... # (UPBEAT MUSIC) You need more power. Ready! # Hey, hey-ey # Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh... # Oh! It's OK. # Ooh, when the going gets tough... # VOICEOVER: Small steps can help you achieve your goals. Search "ASB MoneySpace" to find all the ways we're helping New Zealanders get one step ahead. OVER 800 PUBLIC SERVICE JOB CUTS WERE CONFIRMED TODAY AT ORANGA TAMARIKI, ACC AND THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. O.T. HAS LOST THE MOST, AXING 419 ROLES FROM BACK-OFFICE AND LEADERSHIP TEAMS. THE PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION SAYS CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BEAR THE BRUNT, AND 60 OF THE JOBS ARE IN MAORI SPECIALIST ROLES. ACC IS LOSING 300 JOBS, AND THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IS LOSING 86. POLICE ARE ADAMANT THEY'LL CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR THE THREE MISSING MAROKOPA CHILDREN AND SAY ORANGA TAMARIKI IS ON STANDBY TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEM IF AND WHEN THEY ARE FOUND. THE $80,000 REWARD OFFICERS PUT UP FOR THE SAFE RETURN OF JAYDA, MAVERICK AND EMBER PHILLIPS EXPIRED LAST NIGHT, BUT POLICE DO SAY THEY HAVE 50 POSSIBLE LEADS IN THE WESTERN WAIKATO AREA. THE CHILDREN'S FATHER, TOM PHILLIPS, HAS BEEN ON THE RUN WITH THEM SINCE 2021 AND HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF OFFENCES INCLUDING AGGRAVATED ROBBERY SINCE. POLICE ARE REMINDING ANYONE HARBOURING THE FAMILY THEY WILL STILL BE CONSIDERED FOR IMMUNITY AGAINST PROSECUTION IF THEY HAND THEM OVER AND SAY THE CHILDREN WILL BE LOOKED AFTER IF THEY DO. SHORT TERM, WHEN THEY ARE LOCATED, ORANGA TAMARIKI HAS THE CARE OF THEM, AND THEY HAVE ALREADY MADE ARRANGEMENTS AS TO WHERE THOSE CHILDREN WILL GO THAT THEY ARE SATISFIED WITH, AND THAT'S UNTIL THE FAMILY COURT ULTIMATELY CAN DETERMINE THEIR CUSTODY ARRANGEMENTS. POLICE SAY THEY'RE ENCOURAGED BY RECENT LEADS IN OTOROHANGA, MAROKOPA AND HONIKIWI, WHERE THERE'S BEEN SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY INCLUDING A FIREARMS INCIDENT. FORMER US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S SISTER AND NIECE WERE AMONG THE PROTESTERS TEAR-GASSED DURING ANTI-GOVERNMENT VIOLENCE IN KENYA. THE CROWDS CALLED FOR 7 DAYS OF RAGE AGAINST PROPOSED INCREASES IN TAX, WHICH WOULD HAVE SEEN 16% ADDED TO THE PRICE OF A LOAF OF BREAD. ITV'S ROHIT KACHEROO REPORTS. THIS IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE GROWING COST OF LIVING... (TEAR GAS BOOMS) ...OF THE GROWING HUNGER FOR CHANGE. (CROWD CLAMOURS) AND IT'S THE VOICE OF GENERATION Z, OF YOUNG MEN, MANY ARMED ONLY WITH SMARTPHONES, THE REAL WEAPON BEHIND THIS MOVEMENT. (CROWD SINGS IN UNISON) POLICE MOVED IN AGAINST A PROTEST PLANNED NOT IN THE SHADOWS, BUT OVER TIKTOK FOR ALL TO SEE. (EXPLOSIONS CRACKLE, WHISTLES TRILL) EVEN AS ARMY VEHICLES CREPT THROUGH THE STREETS, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE DIRECTION OF THE DAY WOULD BE DECIDED NOT BY THE MEN BEHIND THE WHEELS. THE HALF SISTER OF FORMER US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA WAS AMONG THE PROTESTERS... THEY'RE DEMONSTRATING WITH FLAGS AND BANNERS. I CAN'T EVEN SEE ANY MORE. ...SPLUTTERING AS TEAR GAS CAME IN. (COUGHS) THEN HUNDREDS WENT ON THE MOVE. (REPEATED GUNSHOTS) (REPEATED GUNSHOTS) SOME BREACHING THE BARRICADES AROUND THE PARLIAMENT, WHERE THE NEW TAX PROPOSALS WERE BEING DEBATED. (SPEAKS SWAHILI) FLAMES AND FURY OVER THE COST OF BREAD AND COOKING OIL... (EXPLOSION CRACKLES) ...THEN FINALLY INTO THE CHAMBER, AS THE 25TH OF JUNE BECAME KENYA'S JANUARY 6TH. MR. SPEAKER, SIR, I'M HERE TO ADDRESS YOU, YOU MUST GO. RUTO MUST GO. RUTO IS THE PRESIDENT WHO ADDRESSED THE NATION TONIGHT, SAYING A CRUCIAL CONVERSATION HAD BEEN HIJACKED BY CRIMINALS. I SHALL CONTINUE TO LEAD A GOVERNMENT. PROTESTERS SAY THEY WILL RETURN. WELL, ANDREW'S IN WITH SPORT LATER, AND IT'S BEEN A BIG DAY FOR THE ALL BLACKS? YES, THEY'VE HAD THEIR FIRST DAY IN CAMP UNDER NEW HEAD COACH SCOTT ROBERTSON IN THE CAPITAL, WHERE WE'VE HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH ARDIE SAVEA, WHO'S OPENED UP ABOUT MISSING OUT ON THE ALL BLACKS CAPTAINCY TO SCOTT BARRETT. AND PLAYERS PAST AND PRESENT RALLY BEHIND SHAUN JOHNSON AS THE UNDER-FIRE WARRIORS STAR REVEALS THE EXTENT OF THE ABUSE HE'S BEEN COPPING ON SOCIAL MEDIA. THE ROYAL COMMISSION INTO ABUSE IN CARE PRESENTS ITS REPORT. NOW THERE ARE CALLS FOR A FORMAL APOLOGY TO VICTIMS. AND SURF'S UP IN SILVERDALE... OR IT WILL BE SOON. THE PLAN TO BUILD A SURF PARK NORTH OF AUCKLAND. WE ACTUALLY JUST HAVE SOME BREAKING NEWS I'M JUST HEARING FROM GISBORNE. WE'VE JUST HEARD FROM POLICE THAT THEY'VE FOUND THREE BODIES ON THE SHORE. YEAH, BROKEN TO BE QUITE HONEST ` DEVASTATED. (STAMMERS) YEAH, I CAN'T PUT IT INTO WORDS. I FEEL FOR THE FAMILY. WELCOME BACK. TWO OUT OF THREE NEW ZEALANDERS ARE WORRIED ABOUT ELECTRICITY COSTS, ACCORDING TO A SURVEY BY THE CONSUMER ADVOCACY COUNCIL. IT'S FOUND THAT 67% OF HOUSEHOLDS AND 38% OF SMALL BUSINESSES ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PAYING TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON. BOTH FIGURES HAVE JUMPED SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE LAST YEAR'S RESULTS, WITH THOSE SURVEYED SAYING THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS IS TAKING ITS TOLL. AND OVER 80% OF US ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ELECTRICITY SYSTEM'S RESILIENCE TO EXTREME WEATHER. THE ABUSE IN CARE ROYAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY HAS DELIVERED THOUSANDS OF PAGES OF CASE STUDIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL. THE FINAL REPORT WILL BE MADE PUBLIC NEXT MONTH, AND SURVIVORS HOPE THAT IT RESULTS IN STREAMLINED COMPENSATION AND AN OFFICIAL APOLOGY. ALICE WILKINS REPORTS. OVER SIX YEARS, WE'VE SEEN THEIR FACES AND WATCHED THEM TELL THEIR STORIES. NOW THE SURVIVORS OF ABUSE IN STATE- AND FAITH-BASED CARE ARE HOPING THEIR VOICES ARE HEARD. SURVIVORS HAVE MADE GREAT SACRIFICE IN GIVING THAT STORY; IT'S A RE-TRAUMATISING THING FOR MANY, SO THIS ROYAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY AND ITS FINDINGS AND ITS RECOMMENDATIONS AND ITS FINAL REPORT HAVE TO BE A CATALYST FOR CHANGE. KEITH WIFFIN SUFFERED VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ABUSE AFTER BEING PLACED IN STATE CARE HIMSELF IN 1970. A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION'S SURVIVOR ADVISORY GROUP, HE'S SEEN THE CONTENTS OF THE REPORT. IT IS LARGE, AND IT WILL BE HUGELY IMPACTFUL, AND IT WILL SHOCK THE NATION. THE 2500-PAGE REPORT CONTAINS 16 VOLUMES OF MATERIAL, INCLUDING CASE STUDIES, SURVIVOR EXPERIENCES AND RECOMMENDATIONS. IT WILL BE MADE PUBLIC WHEN IT'S TABLED AT PARLIAMENT NEXT MONTH. SURVIVORS ARE HOPING IT WILL LEAD TO A STREAMLINED REDRESS PROCESS, A NATIONAL APOLOGY AND TRANSFORMATION OF THE CARE SYSTEM. FORMER CHIEF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER ROSSLYN NOONAN SAYS THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO MOVE QUICKLY ON COMPENSATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THERE DOES NEED TO BE A FORMAL APOLOGY, AND I UNDERSTAND ONE IS BEING DEVELOPED, AND IT'S BEING DEVELOPED IN CONSULTATION WITH SURVIVORS, WHICH IS CORRECT. I HAVE MADE MY INTENTIONS CLEAR AS THE MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CROWN RESPONSE, THAT REDRESS HAS GOT TO BE A FIRST PRIORITY FOR US. IT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE SURVIVORS. THE MESSAGE TO STATE AND FAITH LEADERS IS CLEAR. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, AND DO SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR ALL THOSE WHO SUFFERED. SO THAT THESE NEW ZEALANDERS AND THE ABUSE THEY SUFFERED IS ACKNOWLEDGED. ALICE WILKINS, NEWSHUB. COMPLEX CLIMATE CONDITIONS ARE BEING BLAMED FOR SNAPPER BEING CAUGHT WITH MILKY WHITE FLESH IN RECENT YEARS. RESEARCH COMMISSIONED BY FISHERIES NEW ZEALAND REVEALED A LACK OF FOOD CAUSED BY EXTENDED LA NINA WEATHER PATTERNS AND WARMER WATERS RESULTED IN THE FISH APPEARING SKINNY, AND HAVING MUSHY WHITE FLESH. NEWSHUB FIRST REVEALED THE CHRONIC PROBLEM AFFECTING THE HAURAKI GULF AT THE START OF 2023. MPI'S DIRECTOR OF SCIENCE AND INFORMATION, SIMON LAWRENCE, SAYS THE CLIMATE CONDITIONS ARE IMPACTING THE WHOLE FOOD CHAIN. VERY STRONG ABUNDANCE OF SNAPPER IN THE HAURAKI GULF, AND WATER` WARMER WATER TEMPERATURES WHICH SEEMS TO BE INCREASING THE METABOLISM OF SNAPPER, SO THEY'RE HUNGRIER. ALL OF THESE LEAD TO A LACK OF FOOD FOR THE FISH THAT ARE THERE, SO THEY DO APPEAR TO BE STARVING. THE RESEARCH HAS RULED OUT OVERFISHING AND DISEASE AS FACTORS, BUT LEGASEA IS NOT CONVINCED. IT SAYS OFFICIALS SEEM TO BE BLATANTLY IGNORING THE FACTS OF THEIR REPORT, WHERE THEY STATE SNAPPER ARE STARVING DUE TO LACK OF FOOD. AUCKLAND COULD SEE ITS VERY OWN SURF PARK IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS AFTER THE PROJECT WAS GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AUTHORITY. IT'S EXPECTED TO BE A WORLD FIRST IN ITS DESIGN, AS GRACE THOMAS REPORTS. IN AMONGST THE RURAL LANDSCAPE OF AUCKLAND'S DAIRY FLAT WILL SOON BE NEW ZEALAND'S FIRST SURF PARK. SHOWN IN THIS CONCEPT VISION, THE 43HA AREA WILL NOT ONLY HAVE A WAVE POOL, BUT ACCOMMODATION, A MARKET SPACE AND RESTAURANTS. WE WANT IT TO BE, YOU KNOW, A SURF PARK BY AND FOR NEW ZEALANDERS. THERE ARE MORE THAN 50,000 SURFERS IN AUCKLAND, AND IT WILL BE A WELCOME REPRIEVE FOR THOSE USED TO HITTING THE WAVES IN THE COLD. THE POOL'S WATER WILL BE WARMED BY THE HEAT GENERATED BY A DATA CENTRE ON SITE. THAT SORT OF THINKING, WHICH WE DON'T DO ENOUGH OF HERE, CONNECTING UP THE HEAT GENERATED OUT OF THE DATA CENTRES, WHICH IS WASTED IN A LOT OF PLACES. PLANS FOR THE SURF PARK WERE ORIGINALLY ANNOUNCED IN 2020 BY INTERNATIONAL SURF PARK COMPANY AVENTUUR, AND THE PROJECT WAS FAST-TRACKED BY NEW ZEALAND'S COVID-19 RECOVERY PROGRAM. THE ARTIFICIAL SURFING LAGOON IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE BETWEEN 600 AND 1000 WAVES PER HOUR, WITH MORE THAN 30 DIFFERENT SETTINGS CATERING TO ALL SKILL LEVELS. IT REALLY GIVES EVERYONE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, WHETHER YOU'RE, YOU KNOW, A KID (10) STARTING A JOURNEY OUT, A PRO SURFER... BILLY STAIRMAND IS A PRO SURFER AND IS OFF TO REPRESENT NEW ZEALAND IN THE PARIS OLYMPICS IN JUST THREE WEEKS. HE SAYS THE PARK COULD BE A GAME-CHANGER. WE COULD PUT IT ON THE BARREL SITTING, AND I'D BE ABLE TO PRACTISE MY BARREL TECHNIQUE EVERY SINGLE WAVE. UM, SO JUST LEARNING QUICKER AND, UM, YEAH, BECOMING BETTER QUICKER. AND WATER SAFETY NEW ZEALAND SAYS THE PARK COULD BE AN IMPORTANT TOOL FOR KIWI KIDS TO IMPROVE THEIR SWIMMING SKILLS. KIDS LEARNING IN A NICE, COMFORTABLE POOL ENVIRONMENT IS ONE THING, BUT WE NEED TO TEST IT IN MORE NATURAL, CHALLENGING CONDITIONS. AN ENVIRONMENT LIKE A WAVE PARK IS EXACTLY THAT. BUT THE BENEFITS AREN'T ALL WATER-RELATED. IT'S ESTIMATED AUCKLAND'S SURF PARK WILL CONTRIBUTE MORE THAN $600 MILLION TO THE CITY'S ECONOMY OVER THE LIFE OF THE PROJECT. GRACE THOMAS, NEWSHUB. THE MAN WHO PAINTED THE KING IS AT IT AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME, HIS SUBJECT IS DAVID ATTENBOROUGH. AND WHAT'S ON THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON? CHINA WILL BE ABLE TO TELL US SOON. ARDIE SAVEA OPENS UP ON MISSING OUT ON THE ALL BLACKS CAPTAINCY. PLUS, WHY MANAGER GARETH SOUTHGATE WAS A TARGET FROM HIS OWN FANS DESPITE ENGLAND FINISHING TOP OF THEIR GROUP AND ADVANCING TO THE KNOCKOUT STAGES OF EURO24. AND WHY WHAT HAPPENED NEXT PROVES SPORT CAN BE SO CRUEL TO EVEN THE BEST IN THE WORLD. FOR A NUMBER OF FANS, HE WAS THE PREFERRED CANDIDATE FOR THE ALL BLACKS CAPTAINCY, BUT DESPITE MISSING OUT ON THE JOB, ARDIE SAVEA HAS THROWN HIS SUPPORT BEHIND SCOTT BARRETT AS THE 69-TEST LOCK PREPARES TO TAKE OVER THE TOP JOB. SAVEA WILL INSTEAD BE ONE OF TWO VICE-CAPTAINS ALONGSIDE JORDIE BARRETT, AND THE REIGNING WORLD PLAYER OF THE YEAR IS ADAMANT HE'LL STILL HAVE AN IMPORTANT LEADERSHIP ROLE TO PLAY AS A NEW ERA GETS UNDERWAY FOR THE ALL BLACKS. RUGBY REPORTER OLLIE RITCHIE HAS MORE. DAY ONE OF A NEW DAWN IN ALL BLACK RUGBY ` THE UPCOMING TEST SEASON OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED IN WELLINGTON. (KARANGA RINGS OUT) CAN'T WAIT TO, YOU KNOW, GET STUCK INTO IT WITH THE LADS AND GROW TOGETHER. THAT'S A MINDSET ARDIE SAVEA IS ADOPTING FOR HIS ROLE AS VICE CAPTAIN AS WELL. SAVEA WAS OVERLOOKED FOR THE CAPTAINCY BY SCOTT ROBERTSON IN FAVOUR OF SCOTT BARRETT, BUT THERE ARE NO ILL FEELINGS ABOUT THAT. ME AND JORDIE WILL BE RIGHT BESIDE HIM IN ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE THIS TEAM BETTER AND WIN GAMES. SO FOR ME, I'LL LEAD WHEREVER THE TEAM NEEDS ME TO LEAD. IS THERE ANY SENSE OF DISAPPOINTMENT FROM YOU ABOUT NOT GETTING THAT? NAH, NOT REALLY. I THINK ALL THE NOISE WAS THE OUTSIDE NOISE. IT WAS EVERYONE HERE. WHILE HE MIGHT NOT HAVE THE TITLE, IT'S CLEAR SAVEA'S LEADERSHIP WILL BE CRUCIAL FOR THE ALL BLACKS. HE'S CAPTAINED THEM SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST IN SAM CANE'S ABSENCE AND IS READY TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO ENSURE THIS TEAM KEEPS GROWING UNDER ROBERTSON. SO, WHATEVER THE COACH WANTS, WE BACK, AND WE MOVE FORWARD. YOU KNOW, WE'RE COLLECTIVE. WE'RE A TEAM. IT'S NOT ABOUT AN INDIVIDUAL. ONE INDIVIDUAL ROBERTSON WILL BE PLEASED HAS PULLED UP OK IS PATRICK TUIPULOTU ` THE INSPIRATIONAL BLUES SKIPPER MADE IT THROUGH 57 MINUTES ON AN INJURED KNEE IN THE SUPER RUGBY FINAL AND TUIPULOTU'S CONFIDENT THERE'S BEEN NO SETBACKS SINCE THEN. (UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYS, CHEERING) I'M PRETTY HAPPY WITH HOW IT'S PULLED THROUGH. HAVEN'T GONE AND MADE IT ANY WORSE, SO IT'S A GOOD SIGN. BUT EVEN SO, TUIPULOTU WON'T BE PUSHING IT. THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS ` A LOT OF IT WILL JUST BE LEARNING, SO PRETTY LIGHT, UM, ESPECIALLY FOR ME. UM, YEAH, HOPEFULLY TRY TO BUILD IT UP INTO A BIT MORE CONTACT NEXT WEEK. GIVEN WHAT HE'S DONE FOR THE BLUES, A FULLY FIT PATRICK TUIPULOTU SHAPES AS A KEY COG FOR THE ALL BLACKS, WITH THE FIRST TEST AGAINST ENGLAND JUST NINE DAYS AWAY. OLLIE RITCHIE, NEWSHUB. TEAMMATES PAST AND PRESENT HAVE RALLIED AROUND SHAUN JOHNSON, AFTER THE UNDER-FIRE WARRIORS HALF REVEALED THE EXTENT OF THE ABUSE HE'S BEEN SUBJECTED TO ON SOCIAL MEDIA. JOHNSON TOOK TO INSTAGRAM TO REMIND FANS THAT HE SEES ALL OF THE COMMENTS, AND HIS REACTION HAS EARNED PRAISE FROM A FORMER WARRIOR. ALEX CHAPMAN HAS MORE. SATURDAY'S MATCH IS ABOUT THE WARRIORS SALUTING THEIR OLD BOYS, BUT IT'S THEIR BIGGEST STAR WHO'S COME UNDER FAN FIRE. MAYBE THEY'RE THE BANDWAGONS. LAST NIGHT, SHAWN JOHNSON TOOK TO INSTAGRAM TO ADDRESS THE SOCIAL MEDIA ABUSE HE'S BEEN COPPING SINCE THE 60-POINT TROUNCING BY THE TITANS, AMONG THEM, A NEW NICKNAME CALLS FOR HIM TO BE BENCHED OR EVEN RETIRE, AND QUESTIONS OVER WHY HE PLAYS. UNFAIR. 66 POINTS CONCEDED, AND EVERYONE'S TALKING ABOUT SHAUN. LIKE, COME ON. WELL, THEY WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HIS PERFORMANCES FOR A WHILE, WITH JOHNSON OUT FOR AT LEAST FOUR WEEKS WITH AN ONGOING ACHILLES PROBLEM. THAT NEWS, THOUGH, LED TO EVEN MORE OF A PILE ON, SO-CALLED FANS SAYING THE NEWS WAS 'GOOD,' OR A COVER STORY FOR ACTUALLY BEING DROPPED. PREDICTIONS ALSO FLOWING IN; IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A BUCK, THIS PERSON SUGGESTS THE WARRIORS ARE ABOUT TO MAKE IT FOUR STRAIGHT WINS WITHOUT HIM, ONE EVEN SAYING 'WHOO-HOO, UP THE WAHS!' THIS 'UP THE WAHS' MOVEMENT THAT EVERYONE JUMPED ON BOARD, WHEN THINGS ARE GOING WELL, OUR FANS ARE THERE, THICK AND THIN. UM, BUT IT'S THE ONES, THE OG'S THAT STAY THERE THROUGH THE TOUGH TIMES. JOHNSON CLEARLY SEEING THOSE POSTING THOUGH, DESCRIBING COMMENTERS AS 'SAVAGE,' AND EVEN OFFERING SOME CONCERN BEFORE SOME ADVICE. LOVE WHAT HE'S` WHAT HIS REPLY WAS. LOVE THAT HE'S STRONGER FOR IT, AND I LOVE THAT, OBVIOUSLY, HE'S GOT SOME REAL STRONG SUPPORT AROUND HIM. AND WHILE THEY WERE A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE STILL WITH NEGATIVE SUGGESTIONS, IT WAS LARGELY POSITIVE. THE SUPPORT COMING FROM FANS TEAMMATES, PLAYERS FROM OTHER CODES, AND OPPOSITION PLAYERS. ONE THING I SAID TO SHAUNIE LAST NIGHT IS` IS, UH` I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT HIM AND I THINK WE ALL KNOW HE IS A CHAMPION PLAYER. BANDWAGON OR NOT, THAT'S SOMETHING ALL WARRIORS FANS CAN AGREE ON. ALEX CHAPMAN, NEWSHUB. ONE MAN HAS STOLEN THE HEADLINES HEADING INTO TONIGHT'S SECOND GAME OF THE STATE OF ORIGIN SERIES IN MELBOURNE, WHICH NEW SOUTH WALES MUST WIN TO KEEP THE SERIES ALIVE. RABBITOHS FULLBACK LATRELL MITCHELL HAS BEEN RECALLED TO THE BLUES FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2021. COACH MICHAEL MAGUIRE NAMED THE VETERAN AT CENTRE, AND HE BELIEVES THE DIVISIVE STAR HAS A POINT TO PROVE. I THINK ALL THE PLAYERS JUST REALLY ENJOY HAVING HIM ROUND, AND HE'S IN A REALLY GOOD SPACE AT THE MOMENT. YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, PEOPLE BUILD PERCEPTIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT HE'S BEEN AWESOME. A WIN TONIGHT FOR QUEENSLAND WOULD SECURE A THIRD STRAIGHT ORIGIN TITLE FOR THE MAROONS. ENGLAND HAVE ADVANCED TO THE KNOCKOUT STAGES OF FOOTBALL'S EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS AFTER QUALIFYING TOP OF THEIR GROUP. BUT IF YOU THINK ENGLAND FANS ARE HAPPY ABOUT IT, WELL, THINK AGAIN. SUPPORTERS DID NOTHING TO HIDE THEIR FEELINGS AFTER THIS MORNING'S GOALLESS DRAW WITH SLOVENIA, AND ONE MAN IN PARTICULAR IS THE TARGET. (WHISTLE TRILLS, CROWD BOOS) THERE IS THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE. FOR ENGLAND MANAGER GARETH SOUTHGATE AND HIS PLAYERS, THERE WAS NO WAY TO BLOCK OUT THE CHORUS OF BOOS THAT GREETED THEM FOLLOWING A GRIM GOALLESS DRAW WITH SLOVENIA. WE JUST COULDN'T FIND THAT FINAL PASS, THAT FINAL FINISH. BUT, LOOK, IT'S TOUGH GAMES, YOU KNOW. I UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE FANS' FRUSTRATION WITH US NOT SCORING OR TAKING CHANCES. THAT'S FOOTBALL. IT IS CREATING AN UNUSUAL ENVIRONMENT TO OPERATE IN. I'VE NOT SEEN ANY OTHER TEAM QUALIFY AND RECEIVE SIMILAR. AS SOUTHGATE APPLAUDED A SECTION OF ENGLAND SUPPORTERS AT THE END OF THE MATCH, SOME SHOWED JUST HOW UNSUPPORTIVE THEY REALLY ARE. ARE YOU AWARE ALSO THAT THREE BEER GLASSES WERE THROWN IN YOUR DIRECTION? YEP. AND THAT IT SEEMED THAT THERE WAS ALSO SOME ANGRY REACTION? CAN I GET YOUR REACTION TO THAT? YEAH, I UNDERSTAND IT. UM, I'M NOT GOING TO BACK AWAY FROM IT. UM, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING HERE IS THAT THE SUPPORTERS STAY WITH THE TEAM. ENGLAND FANS HAVEN'T HAD MANY MOMENTS TO CHEER AT THIS TOURNAMENT. THEY'VE FOUND A GAP. FODEN ACROSS, AND IN FROM SAKA! (CHEERING) CELEBRATIONS SOON TURNED SOUR THIS MORNING. BUKAYO SAKA'S EFFORT RULED OUT FOR OFFSIDE IN THE BUILD-UP. THAT WAS AS CLOSE AS ENGLAND CAME TO FINDING THE BACK OF THE NET IN AN OTHERWISE MISERABLE ENCOUNTER THAT SEES ENGLAND ADVANCE TO THE KNOCKOUT STAGES HAVING SCORED JUST TWO GOALS. FOR PALMER... (CROWD GROANS) DREADFUL. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AWFUL. NOTHING. WE OFFERED NOTHING. WE ARE NEVER GONNA WIN ANYTHING PLAYING LIKE THAT. WE'VE GOT NO CHANCE WHATSOEVER. YOU DRIVE ALL THE WAY HERE, YOU GET HERE, AND IT'S LIKE, WHAT IS THE POINT? THE POINT GAINED TODAY MEANS ENGLAND TOP GROUP C, LEAVING THEM ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE DRAW TO HEAVYWEIGHTS LIKE SPAIN, FRANCE, PORTUGAL AND GERMANY, SOMETHING FOR THE TEAM TO BE POSITIVE ABOUT, EVEN IF THEIR FANS ARE NOT. FINALLY, MORE EVIDENCE ON JUST HOW CRUEL SPORT CAN SOMETIMES BE. REIGNING 800M OLYMPIC CHAMPION ATHING MU WAS LOOKING STRONG TO FINISH IN THE TOP THREE AT THE U.S. TRACK AND FIELD TRIALS AND QUALIFY FOR PARIS WHEN HER HOPES OF DEFENDING HER OLYMPIC TITLE CAME CRASHING DOWN. DESPITE A VALIANT EFFORT TO CATCH THE PACK, A CLEARLY DISTRAUGHT MU FINISHED LAST. THE OLYMPIC TRIALS MARKED HER FIRST MEET OF THE YEAR AFTER RETURNING FROM INJURY. HOW BRUTAL IS THAT? HOW GUTTING. THE ARTIST WHO PAINTED THE KING CHARLES 'RED', HAS UNLEASHED HIS BRUSHES ON SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH, AND THE END RESULT IS 'GREEN.' SIR DAVID DESCRIBED PAINTER JONATHAN YEO AS A MASTER AND CALLED THE WORK EXTRAORDINARY. YEO SAID HE HOPED IT CAPTURED THE 98-YEAR-OLD ATTENBOROUGH'S CHILDLIKE, INFECTIOUS ENTHUSIASM. A CHINESE SPACE CAPSULE HAS BROUGHT BACK THE VERY FIRST ROCKS EVER GATHERED FROM THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON. IT'S SPENT TWO MONTHS COLLECTING THE SAMPLES, AND CHINA IS THE ONLY COUNTRY EVER TO HAVE LANDED ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE LUNAR SURFACE. IT PERMANENTLY FACES AWAY FROM EARTH, AND ITS TERRAIN IS ROCKY AND CRATERED. BUT SCIENTISTS HOPE THE ROCKS WILL CONTAIN ICE THAT COULD ONE DAY BE USED TO CREATE WATER, OXYGEN AND A HYDROGEN ENERGY SOURCE. OUR TOP STORIES TONIGHT ` WILD WEATHER HAS CAUSED STATES OF EMERGENCY TO BE DECLARED IN WAIROA AND THE HERETAUNGA WARD IN HAWKE'S BAY. WAIROA'S POWER WAS SHUT OFF TODAY, WITH FLOODWATERS PUTTING HUNDREDS OF HOMES AT RISK. THE TAIRAWHITI REGION HAS ALSO SUFFERED MASSIVE FLOODING, AND THIS MORNING, THE BODIES OF THREE GISBORNE FISHERMAN WERE FOUND WASHED UP ON A MAHIA PENINSULA BEACH. COMING UP, NEWSHUB WEATHER, AND GISBORNE'S HEAVY RAIN WARNING HAS BEEN LIFTED. YES, BUT DUE TO THE RAIN EXPECTED TONIGHT, AND THE CURRENT CONDITION OF THE LAND, HAWKE'S BAY IS STILL UNDER AN ORANGE HEAVY RAIN WARNING TILL 11PM. WIND WARNINGS HAVE ALL BEEN LIFTED, BUT THE SOUTHERLY WILL STILL PACK A PUNCH OVERNIGHT. AND WITH STRONG WINDS, LOW PRESSURE, THE SWELL IS STILL EXPECTED TO BE LARGE, AND WILL CO-INCIDE WITH HIGH TIDE AT 9PM. THE FULL FORECAST IS NEXT. WELCOME BACK. STILL A COUPLE MORE HOURS OF HEAVY RAIN FOR HAWKE'S BAY, BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE DEEP LOW IS GRADUALLY PULLING AWAY TO THE EAST OVERNIGHT AND TOMORROW. IT WON'T INSTANTLY BE DRY, THOUGH. THE SYSTEM WILL FLICK BACK ON-SHORE; SHOWERS AND RAIN THROUGH TILL FRIDAY MORNING. THE NEXT FRONT MOVES ONTO SOUTHERN NEW ZEALAND LATE TOMORROW NIGHT. A NARROW RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE HAS BEEN STEADILY BUILDING OVER THE SOUTH TODAY. THAT MEANS MOST WILL HAVE A CLEAR CALM NIGHT, WITH JUST A LITTLE CLOUD UP TOP AND DOWN THE BOTTOM, AND SOME PATCHY DRIZZLE OUT EAST. TOMORROW THAT FRONT MOVES CLOSER, SO RAIN FOR FIORDLAND BY TOMORROW NIGHT, AND SHOWERS DEVELOPING ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST FROM THE AFTERNOON. HEAVY RAIN WILL EASE OVER HAWKE'S BAY TONIGHT, BUT THERE STILL WILL BE RAIN FOR THE REGION AND GISBORNE. SCATTERED SHOWERS FOR WELLINGTON AND WAIRARAPA, AND STRONG SOUTHERLIES FOR MOST OF THE ISLAND. TOMORROW ` TOP HALF IS FINE, MORNING CLOUD FOR THE SOUTHWEST CLEARS, OCCASIONAL RAIN CONTINUES FOR HAWKE'S BAY AND GISBORNE, BUT IT IS CLEARING, AND THE WIND IS EASING. SO A LOVELY END TO THE SHORT WORKING WEEK UP TOP, BUT THE SOUTHERLY IS STILL A LITTLE FRESH. SHOULD EASE LATE AFTERNOON OR IN THE EVENING. SIMILAR HERE, WITH FINE SKIES, MAYBE SOME MORNING CLOUD OVER TAUPO, BUT IT CLEARS QUICKLY. THE SOUTHERLY IS FRESH FOR WHAKATANE, BUT EASES IN THE AFTERNOON. CLOUDY WITH SHOWERS FOR MASTERTON AND DANNEVIRKE.. OCCASIONAL RAIN FOR EVERYONE ELSE. THE SOUTHERLY WILL STILL BE STRONG, TOO, FOR HAWKE'S BAY AND GISBORNE. MORNING CLOUD FOR THE REST OF THE ISLAND, BUT SHORT-LIVED. COULD BE ONE OR TWO SHOWERS FIRST THING FOR THE WELLINGTON. WINDS WILL BE FROM THE SOUTH OR SOUEAST AND EASE LATE IN THE DAY. FOG CLEARS IN THE MORNING FOR YOU, REEFTON. EVERYONE ELSE IS FINE, BUT CLOUD DEVELOPS IN THE MORNING, THEN SHOWERS ROLL THROUGH FROM THE AFTERNOON SOUTH OF NELSON. ANOTHER DRIZZLY START OUT EAST, BUT IT'S CLEARING, WITH THE SUN RETURNING AND MOST OF THE AFTERNOON FINE. WINDS ARE LIGHT, A SLIGHT NOREASTER FOR ASHBURTON AND CHRISTCHURCH. ALEXANDRA, ANOTHER DAY WITH FOG. THERE'S A FROST FIRST THING FOR INVERCARGILL, AND DRIZZLE FOR OAMARU, BUT THE AFTERNOON IS GOOD. THE ODD SPOT OF RAIN HITS TOMORROW NIGHT FOR THE DEEP SOUTH. DUNEDIN, YOU WILL WAKE TO LOW CLOUD OR FOG, BUT IT'S SHORT LIVED. IT CLEARS IN THE MORNING, WITH A LOVELY AFTERNOON, A NORTHERLY. ANOTHER GREY MORNING AROUND CHRISTCHURCH, ALSO EXPECT SOME MORNING DRIZZLE, BUT THE AFTERNOON IS MUCH BRIGHTER, ALL WITH A NOREASTERLY. WELLINGTON ` ISOLATED MORNING SHOWERS, BUT THAT'S IT, THEN IT'S JUST A LITTLE CLOUDY ACROSS THE DAY. THE SOUTHERLY IS STILL STRONG, BUT WILL EASE IN THE AFTERNOON. HEAVY RAIN WILL EASE TONIGHT AROUND HAWKE'S BAY; THE ORANGE RAIN WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 11PM. TOMORROW, JUST OCCASIONAL RAIN ACROSS THE DAY, WITH A STRONG SOUTHERLY NEAR THE COAST. SUPER SIMPLE FORECAST TOMORROW FOR TAURANGA ` IT'S FINE WITH A SOUTHERLY. WHAT YOU GET IN THE MORNING IS WHAT YOU'LL GET IN THE AFTERNOON. SAME STORY FOR HAMILTON IT'S FINE ALL DAY WITH A SOUTHERLY ALL DAY. AND A HIGH OF 16. AND THE STRONG SOUWESTERLY WILL EASE TONIGHT AROUND AUCKLAND, WITH IT SHIFTING SLIGHTLY TOMORROW, AND COMING FROM THE SOUTH. STILL A LITTLE FRESH TOMORROW, BUT EASING IN THE EVENING. ANOTHER DAY OF SHOWERS FOR THE SOUTHERN CITIES ON AUSTRALIA'S MAINLAND. AND LOTS OF SUNSHINE ACROSS THE PACIFIC, JUST A FEW SHOWERS FOR PARTS OF VANUATU AND TONGA. LONG WEEKEND TIME, AND MATARIKI ON FRIDAY WILL BE GREAT UP TOP. PERFECT TO CATCH THE CLUSTER EARLY FRIDAY MORNING. THE RAIN FOR GISBORNE AND NORTHERN HAWKES' BAY WILL CLEAR LATE FRIDAY, BUT IT IS CLEARING. JUST SCATTERED SHOWERS REMAINING ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. AND A FEW MORE SHOWERS ON SATURDAY TOO, MAINLY IN THE AFTERNOON OR EVENING. HERE, SUNDAY'S BETTER. THE RAIN FROM THE FRONT IN THE SOUTH ISLAND WILL SPREAD NORTH ON FRIDAY, BUT THE NORTHERN REGIONS WILL REMAIN DRY. FRIDAY'S RAIN OR SHOWERS WILL CLEAR ON SATURDAY, BUT RAIN DEVELOPS AGAIN SUNDAY IN THE SOUTH AND WEST. ONE LAST THING ` IF YOU ARE KEEN TO CHECK OUT THE MATARIKI CLUSTER, ALSO KNOWN AS PLEIADES, WAKE UP EARLY, JUST BEFORE SUNRISE, LOOK TO THE NOREASTERN HORIZON ` THAT'S WHERE YOU'LL SEE THE COLLECTION OF STARS, PART OF THE TAURUS CONSTELLATION. THAT'S NEWSHUB LIVE AT 6 FOR TODAY. YOU CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH THE NEWSHUB TEAM AT NEWS@NEWSHUB.CO.NZ. I'M MICHAEL MORRAH. AND I'M REBECCA WRIGHT. PO MANAHAU. CAPTIONS BY JOHN GIBBS AND SAM BAKER CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR. WWW.ABLE.CO.NZ COPYRIGHT ABLE 2024