CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR. WWW.ABLE.CO.NZ COPYRIGHT ABLE 2024 CAPTIONS BY OTO SEQUEIRA AND ANNA HALL-TAYLOR. BOXES GO HERE HAVING NOTICED ANY CHANGE IN HOW WE ARE CELEBRATING MATARIKI? IT HAS BEEN REALLY INCREDIBLE SEEING HOW MANY NEW ZEALANDERS HAVE BEEN GETTING BEHIND MATARIKI. STARTED OFF AS A REALLY NEW AND NOVEL CONCEPT FOR PEOPLE AND NEW ZEALANDERS WERE TURNING UP NOT REALLY UNDERSTANDING THE EVENTS. NOW THEY TELL ME THEY ARE THERE BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE AND WHY MAORI HAVE BEEN LOOKING TO THE STARS FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS. NEW ZEALAND HAVE BEEN REVITALISING THEIR TRADITIONS AND WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY IN RECENT YEARS. THERE ARE STILL MANY EVENTS YOU CAN GO ALONG TO TO CELEBRATE MATARIKI. IF YOU ARE IN AUCKLAND YOU CAN COME AND CHECK OUT THESE INCREDIBLE LIGHT INSTALLATIONS. THE TE RAMA EVENT IN CHRISTCHURCH WILL BE CONTINUING INTO THE WEEKEND AS WELL. MORNING FULL OF REFLECTION. THERE IS PRESENT TREASURE IN THE MOMENT. THERE ARE NOT MANY WORDS TO DESCRIBE HOW YOU FEEL IN THE MOMENT BUT IT SAYS ON THE DAY WE WILL REMEMBER FOREVER. THIS IS INCREDIBLY SPECIAL. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TOHE THAT HAS HAPPENED IN OUR WHANAU FOR GENERATIONS. IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO EXPERIENCE THIS AS A FAMILY. LIKE OTHER FORMAL OCCASIONS IT WAS FOLLOWED UP WITH A FEAST. KAI SOVEREIGNTY A FOCUS THIS YEAR. IS ALSO A CHANCE TO THINK OF THOSE DOING IT TOUGH. AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK TOGETHER AS COMMUNITIES AND BE MORE RESILIENT. LOOK INTO THE FUTURE WHILE HONOURING THE PAST. HE DECIMATED THE ECONOMY FOREIGN WAS IN UKRAINE IN GAZA I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT HE JUST HAD AT THE END OF THAT SENTENCE AND THEN TRUMP SITE ARE MAKING THINGS UP SOME STATES DEMOCRAT RUN TAKE IT AFTER BIRTH HE IS THE WEALTH PRESIDENT AND THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY. HE COULD BE A CONVICTED FELON AS SOON AS HE GETS OUT OF OFFICE. YOU HAVE THE MORALS OF AN ALLEY CAT. BIDEN IS IN HIS EARLY 80S AND TRUMPS AND IS EARLY 70S LET'S NOT ACT LIKE CHILDREN IT'S THE ANTIQUES ROADSHOW WITH TWO ANTIQUE POLITICIANS THE FIRST THING THEY SAID WAS, WE ARE BOTH YOUNGER THAN TRUMP AND BIDEN AND WERE BOTH TOO OLD TO BE PRESIDENT. JOE OUR COUNTRY IS BEEN DESTROYED AS WE WASTE TIME OF THIS DEBATE WHAT IS THE GENERAL VIEW ON WHO WON? THE GENERAL CONSENSUS HERE IS THAT BIDEN BOND REALLY BADLY AS YOU SIGN MY STORY SOME OF IT MADE FOR SOME REALLY PAINFUL VIEWING WITH ONE COMMENTATOR DESCRIBING IT AS A CAR CRASH IN SLOW MOTION. BIDEN'S ALLIES INCLUDING CALIFORNIA GOV CAME OUT TO DEFEND BIDEN THAT WAS A DISASTROUS PERFORMANCE WASN'T IT? HE IS DELIVERED FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE LAID OUT A VISION FOR THE FUTURE WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE DEMOCRATS? DEMOCRATS HAVE A BIG PROBLEM, SIMON AT THIS STAGE, IS JUST TALK. EVEN THOUGH DONALD TRUMP AND HIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE CELEBRATING TONIGHT IT SADLY E WASN'T A TOTAL VICTORY SHOULD THEY EAT THAT SMALL PREY ITEM. THE RESEARCH IS STILL ONGOING, AND IT'S A TRICKY THING TO BE TESTING AS WELL. THERE'S CONSENSUS THAT IT'S NOT GOOD. IT MAY NOT YET BE FULLY UNDERSTOOD, BUT IT'S AN ISSUE BECOMING HARDER AND HARDER TO AVOID. MITCH REDMAN, NEWSHUB. MANAWATIA A MATARIKI. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AROUND AOTEAROA GATHERED THIS MORNING TO MARK THE MAORI NEW YEAR.NOW OKAY ENOUGH A TIME FOR PEOPLE TO HONOUR THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED AND LOOK AHEAD TO THE FUTURE. GRACE THOMAS TAKES A LOOK AT HOW IT WAS CELEBRATED. BEFORE DAWN HAD BROKEN IN TAMAKI MAKAURAU, MORE THAN 2000 PEOPLE MADE THEIR WAY TO TAKAPARAWHAU - BASTION POINT. (WOMAN PERFORMS KARANGA) THE CROWDS WERE ROCKED UP AS THEY BRAVED THE COLD TO WATCH THE TRADITIONAL HO TAPU CEREMONY BY NGATI WHATUA ORAKEI. LUCKILY, THERE WASN'T A CLOUD IN THE SKY. THE HAUTAPU BEGINS AT THE FIRST SIGHTING OF THE MATARIKI CLUSTER, AND INVOLVES COOKING KAI AND SENDING THE STEAM UP TO THE SKY AS AN OFFERING TO THE STARS. ...TO REHUA KAITANGATA, E MOE, RAUMATI, E MOE. A WONDERFUL DAY, A WONDERFUL NEW BEGINNING. I'M SO HONOURED TO BE HERE AS WELL, TO CELEBRATE IT WITH THEM. PEOPLE FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS GOT INVOLVED TOO. IT'S MY FIRST TIME SO I STILL HAVE TO LEARN ABOUT THIS. BUT I LOVED IT. AND YEAH, IT WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL. FURTHER DOWN THE MOTU, NGAI TAHU HOSTED THE NATIONAL CEREMONY THIS YEAR AT TREBLE CONE IN WANAKA. ...A HUA O TE TAU MAORI. RANGATAHI FROM THE IWI DELIVERED A SERIES OF MATARIKI KARAKIA, EACH ONE HOLDING A SPECIAL PURPOSE, PAYING RESPECT TO THE STARS, THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, REMEMBERING THE PAST, CELEBRATING THE PRESENT AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE. # ...KEI WHARAHIA KA HUA. # MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE GATHERED ON THE MAUNGA FOR THE CEREMONY, INCLUDING PRIME MINISTER CHRIS LUXON. IT'S AWESOME TO SEE MATARIKI. IT'S OUR THIRD YEAR TAKING OFF AND SEEING NEW ZEALANDERS GETTING UP AND CELEBRATING, SPENDING TIME WITH THEIR LOVED ONES. BUT THE P.M ALSO FACED QUESTIONS AROUND THE FUNDING FOR MATARIKI EVENTS, WHICH WAS ALMOST HALVED IN THE LATEST BUDGET. WE ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF MATARIKI. WE WANT TO SEE IT CONTINUE TO GET BIGGER AND IT'S OBVIOUSLY UP TO COMMUNITIES TO CONTINUE TO TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. GREEN PARTY CO-LEADER MARAMA DAVIDSON WAS AT THE CEREMONY TOO. HER LAST PUBLIC OUTING BEFORE GOING ON LEAVE TO RECEIVE TREATMENT FOR BREAST CANCER. I DO WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY, THE REFLECTION HERE OF WELLBEING. THANK YOU TO THE COUNTRY AND THOSE WHO HAVE SHARED THEIR AROHA KI AHAU TO MY WHANAU HOKI FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF BREAST CANCER AND MY MAIN MESSAGE OF GETTING OUR MAMMOGRAMS EARLY. SO IN THE THIRD YEAR OF MATARIKI BEING CELEBRATED AS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN AOTEAROA, MANY WILL HAVE WELLBEING FRONT OF MIND AS WELL AS REMEMBERING THOSE WHO'VE PASSED, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, HOLDING LOVED ONES CLOSE. GRACE THOMAS, NEWSHUB. A GREAT DRONE SHOW AT THE LAKEFRONT AT 8PM. A GREAT DRONE SHOW AT THE LAKEFRONT AT 8PM. TOMORROW IS LOOKING GOOD BUT SOME BAD WEATHER IS INCOMING WILL HAVE THE DETAILS OF THE SPORT AS THE SPACE RACE LOOKS FURTHER INTO TRAVEL TO MARS WE ASK ` COULD THE FIRST ASTRONAUT TO LAND ON THE RED PLANET BE A NEW ZEALANDER? JUST A MONTH UNTIL THE PARIS OLYMPICS; WE LOOK TO THE PREPARATIONS AND THE SECURITY PLANS. AND, LIKE A COMPUTER-GENERATED SCENE FROM A MOVIE, A MASSIVE SINKHOLE HAS APPEARED IN THE MIDDLE OF A SOCCER FIELD. (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. IRAN IS VOTING TODAY FOR A NEW PRESIDENT, THE ELECTION COMING A MONTH AFTER THE COUNTRY'S LAST LEADER DIED IN A HELICOPTER CRASH. THERE ARE FOUR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES, THREE HARDLINERS AND ONE MODERATE, BUT ALL HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY A PANEL OF ISLAMIC CLERICS. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE FED UP BY SANCTIONS AND A SYSTEM THAT TOLERATES CORRUPTION AND REPRESSION ARE UNLIKELY TO VOTE. PALESTINIANS LIVING IN NEW ZEALAND ARE CALLING FOR MORE HELP FROM THE GOVERNMENT TO BRING THEIR FAMILIES HERE. WHEN IT COMES TO VISITOR VISA APPLICATIONS FOR GAZAN CITIZENS, OUR COUNTRY IS CURRENTLY DECLINING MORE THAN ITS APPROVING DIANNA VEZICH SPOKE TO ONE KIWI PALESTINIAN DESPERATE TO GET HIS FAMILY TO LONG TERM SAFETY. MY DAD IS VERY SICK, LIKE HE IS IN BED, HE CAN'T MOVE. ONE OF MY UNCLES WAS IN THE HOUSE WITH HIS FAMILY WITH 43 PEOPLE. ALL OF THEM DIED. NOW AGED 38 HE IS STILL VERY CLOSE TO HIS FAMILY BACK HOME. HE WANTS ONE OF HIS BROTHERS, HIS FAMILY'S WIFE AND HIS CHILDREN TO COME TO NEW ZEALAND. THEY HAD APPLIED FOR VISITOR VISA FOR HIS FAMILY TO COME TO NEW ZEALAND. IT WAS DECLINED. HE SAYS HE AND HIS WIFE COULD SUPPORT THEM. THE DECLINE LETTER SAYS: AS OF JUNE 20, IMMIGRATION NEW ZEALAND RECEIVED 23 VISA APPLICATIONS FROM PEOPLE WHO WERE IN GAZA WHEN THEY APPLIED. OF THESE, EIGHT WERE APPROVED, NINE WERE DECLINED. THEY HAVE BEEN PLEADING WITH THE GOVERNMENTS FOR MONTHS TO CREATE A SPECIAL VISA. IN 2022 ARE GOVERNMENT DID IT FOR UKRAINIANS. THERE ARE MANY CONFLICT ZONES AROUND THE WORLD AWAY AT THE MOMENT. WE HAVE TO LOOK AT EVERY INDIVIDUAL CASE IN A CONTEXT THAT IT IS IN. HIS KIDS CAN'T GO TO SCHOOL AS THEY HAVE NO LEGAL STATUS THERE. EVERY TIME THEY CALL ME AND ASKED ME IF THERE ARE ANY UPDATES WE JUST HAVE TO SAY SORRY, WE ARE WAITING. AS THE NEW SPACE RACE DAWNS, THE FIRST PERSON TO WALK ON MARS COULD BE SITTING IN A KIWI CLASSROOM. NEW RESEARCH SHOWS THREE QUARTERS OF KIWI KIDS WANT TO VISIT SPACE, AND AUSTRALIA'S FIRST OFFICIAL ASTRONAUT SAYS HER STORY SHOWS THAT DREAMS CAN BE A REALITY. TECH REPORTER FINN HOGAN HAS MORE. AS KIWIS LOOK TO THE STARS THIS MATARIKI... (SPEAKS IN MAORI) ..ONE OF OUR NEIGHBOURS PREPARES TO VISIT THEM. HAVING THIS AUSTRALIAN FLAG ON MY SHOULDER IS, UH, SUCH AN HONOUR TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO, YOU KNOW, REPRESENT ALL OF THE HOPES AND DREAMS OF EVERYONE BACK HOME. KATHERINE BENNELL-PEGG IS AUSTRALIA'S FIRST OFFICIAL ASTRONAUT WHO IS NOW LOOKING TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION. NEW RESEARCH COMMISSIONED BY LEGO SHOWS THREE QUARTERS OF KIWI KIDS WANT TO TRAVEL TO SPACE. THE FIRST PERSON TO WALK ON MARS IS SITTING IN A CLASSROOM TODAY; THAT MAY BE A KIWI CLASSROOM, RIGHT? SO IT COULD BE AN AUSTRALIAN CLASSROOM. IT DEPENDS ON THE TRAJECTORY OUR NATIONS CHOOSE TO TAKE IN SPACE, WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS. AND A NEW SPACE RACE IS ALREADY UNDERWAY. WITH A PERMANENT MOON BASE PLANNED BY NASA AND MISSIONS TO MARS ON THE INTERSTELLAR HORIZON. MEANWHILE, NEW ZEALAND'S ALREADY $1 BILLION SPACE SECTOR IS LIFTING OFF. NEW ZEALAND IS THE FOURTH MOST FREQUENT LAUNCHER OF ROCKETS IN THE WORLD. WE'VE SENT A ROCKET TO THE MOON. WE HAVE GROUND BASED SPACE INFRASTRUCTURE UP AND DOWN THE COUNTRY, AND WE HAVE LOTS MORE EXCITING COMPANIES AND PRODUCTS COMING ON STREAM IN THE COMING YEARS. BUT WHILE OUR FUTURE COULD BE IN SPACE, THE PRESENT WORLD ALREADY DEPENDS ON IT. EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO HAS A CELL PHONE IS USING SPACE ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS WHETHER YOU'RE ORDERING YOUR UBER EATS OR USING GOOGLE MAPS TO MOVE AROUND. SO SPACE TECHNOLOGY IS VERY UBIQUITOUS TODAY. OUR ENERGY SYSTEM AND OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEM ARE COMPLETELY RELIANT ON THE TIMING SIGNALS THAT WE GET FROM SPACE. THOUGH KIWI KIDS RECENTLY HAD THEIR DREAMS OF VISITING NASA DASHED WHEN ACTURA WENT BUST, PEGG SAYS HER STORY SHOWS ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. TO A KIWI KID THAT DREAMS OF GOING TO SPACE BUT THINKS THEY'LL NEVER MAKE IT ` DON'T LET GO OF THE DREAM. JUST CHIP AWAY AT IT ONE STEP AT A TIME. A CALL THIS MATARIKI FOR ASPIRING ASTRONAUTS TO BOTH GAZE UP AT THE STARS AND SHOOT FOR THE MOON. FINN HOGAN, NEWSHUB. NICKY'S IN WITH SPORT - AND A BOMBSHELL OUT OF NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL THIS AFTERNOON. YES, JITKA KLIMKOVA HAS STOOD DOWN AS COACH OF THE FOOTBALL FERNS FOR THE PARIS OLYMPICS. WE'LL HAVE THE DRAMATIC DETAILS SOON. PLUS, LIKE FATHER LIKE SON - FOURTEEN MONTHS OF WAR HAVE TAKEN A HORRIFIC TOLL ON THE PEOPLE OF SUDAN, LEAVING THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION PEOPLE STARVING AND 25 MILLION PEOPLE IN CRISIS. AND THE GOVERNMENT OF BORNEO TRIES TO CONVINCE FARMERS TO STOP KILLING ELEPHANTS AND SUPPORT ELEPHANT TOURISM. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SUDANESE PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THEIR 14 MONTH CIVIL WAR INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS SAY MORE THAN 750,000 ARE AT RISK OF DYING FROM HUNGER. OVER THE NEXT THREE MONTHS HALF THE POPULATION ` THAT'S MORE THAN 25 MILLION ` PEOPLE WILL BE IN CRISIS, AND IT'S THE CHILDREN WHO ARE MOST AT RISK. ITV'S LUCY WATSON REPORTS. HE LEANS INTO HIS MOTHER, BUT THIS CHILD IS HUNGRY... (CRIES) ..EDGING DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE RED, WHICH MEANS STARVATION. SO TOO IS EIGHT MONTH OLD DUHA; SHE LOOKS TO THE NURSE FOR ANSWERS AND FOOD. HERE THEY CAN GET A LITTLE, BUT THREE OUT OF FOUR CHILDREN IN SUDAN DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT RIGHT NOW. CHILD HUNGER HAS DOUBLED IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. TRANSLATOR: I WANT TO FIND A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN BE SAFE AND HAVE ENOUGH FOOD. NAMAT AND HER FAMILY ARE STUCK IN A WAR ZONE, STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE. COMFORT COMES IN FEW WAYS. TRANSLATOR: PEOPLE ON THE STREETS ARE BEING KILLED IN FRONT OF EACH OTHER. IT TOOK US NEARLY FOUR MONTHS TO GET OUT OF OUR TOWN SAFELY. 20% OF SUDAN'S POPULATION HAVE HAD TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES; 10 MILLION HUMAN LIVES SCATTERED. (EXPLOSION) BECAUSE WAR ERUPTED IN APRIL LAST YEAR BETWEEN A FACTION LOYAL TO THE GOVERNMENT AND A GROUP LOYAL TO PARAMILITARY FORCES IN A FIGHT FOR CONTROL. (EXPLOSION) PROUD CITIES NOW LIE IN RUINS; HOSPITALS ARE CHARRED BATTLEGROUNDS. THE HEALTH SERVICE STRAINED TO THE POINT OF COLLAPSE. AWAD NEEDS KIDNEY DIALYSIS THREE TIMES A WEEK; HE'S LUCKY IF HE GETS IT ONCE. TRANSLATOR: I LEFT MY CITY WITH NOTHING. I CAN'T KEEP GOING LIKE THIS. WILL I RECOVER OR DIE? THERE HAS BEEN NOWHERE TO HIDE FOR 14 MONTHS, ONLY CAMPS TO FLEE TO. FEW DOUBT FAMINE LOOMS. 750,000 PEOPLE ARE AT CATASTROPHIC LEVELS OF HUNGER. WE FEAR MUCH, MUCH WORSE IS TO COME. THE PEOPLE OF SUDAN NEED THE WORLD TO TAKE ACTION. THAT MEANS DIPLOMATIC ACTION, BUT ALSO HUMANITARIAN ACTION TO GET FOOD TO PEOPLE WHO NEED IT, TO GET MEDICAL CARE TO PEOPLE WHO NEED IT, TO GET SOME KIND OF CEASEFIRE THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE AT LEAST TO LIVE. THEIRS IS A BATTLE NOT ONLY AGAINST THE ELEMENTS; IT IS A FIGHT FOR LIFE WHERE EVERY FEW DAYS ONE OF THEM DIES IN A COUNTRY BEING PUSHED TO THE ABYSS. AGRICULTURE, MINING, LOGGING AND OTHER HUMAN ACTIVITIES IN BORNEO HAVE CAUSED ELEPHANTS LIVING ON THE SOUTH ASIAN ISLAND TO BECOME OFFICIALLY ENDANGERED. HAVE CAUSED ELEPHANTS LIVING ON THE SOUTH ASIAN ISLAND THE ELEPHANTS ENTER VILLAGES IN SEARCH OF FOOD, WHICH CAUSE THEM TO DESTROY CROPS AND FACE RETRIBUTION KILLING. THE MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO CONVINCE LOCAL FARMERS THAT THERE IS MORE MONEY TO BE MADE FROM "TOURISM" THAN FARMING. THERE S ONLY ONE MONTH UNTIL THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN PARIS, WHERE THE WORLD S GREATEST ATHLETES WILL COMPETE IN AND AROUND FAMOUS AND HISTORIC LANDMARKS. BUT SECURITY IS OF GREAT CONCERN AT AN EVENT THAT S ATTRACTING MILLIONS OF VISITORS. CBS' LEIGH KINIRY HAS MORE. THIS CITY OF LIGHT TRANSFORMING VENUE BY VENUE, RING BY RING FOR THE PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS. WE ARE IN THE FINAL STRETCH OF OUR PREPARATION AND WE HAVE ONE MESSAGE TO THE WORLD ` GET READY FOR GAMES LIKE NO OTHERS. EMILY MAY NOT BE IN PARIS, BUT ANNA IS ` THE FASHION CAPITAL OF THE WORLD PAID HOMAGE TO THE OLYMPIC GAMES LAST WEEK. PARIS EXPECTS TO WELCOME 15 MILLION VISITORS. HISTORY WILL BE MADE WHEN TEAMS FLOAT DOWN THE SEINE RIVER IN THE OPENING CEREMONY ` A FIRST OUTSIDE A STADIUM. AND MORE THAN A DOZEN OLYMPIC VENUES HAVE BEEN BUILT IN THE CITY CENTRE. POLICE HAVE MOBILISED 30,000 SECURITY FORCES; THEIR MAIN CONCERN ISN'T CROWDS, BUT LONE WOLVES. (SPEAKS FRENCH) 'THE POSSIBILITY THAT MEMBERS OF ISIS IN SYRIA, IRAQ OR AFGHANISTAN COULD INSPIRE ATTACKS,' PARIS' POLICE CHIEF SAID. LAST MONTH, A CHECHEN MAN WAS ARRESTED FOR PLANNING AN ATTACK AT THE OLYMPIC SOCCER STADIUM. AND PARIS HAS SEEN MASS PROTESTS IN RECENT WEEKS LEADING UP TO SNAP PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. PRESIDENT MACRON SAID HE HOPES PEOPLE VOTE FOR HIS PARTY, THE PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN PREPARING FOR THE GAMES FOR SEVEN YEARS. WIN OR LOSE, THE OLYMPIC GAMES WILL GO ON AND ATHLETES AT THE TOP OF THEIR GAME WILL TAKE A BIT OF FRANCE HOME WITH THEM ` EACH MEDAL CONTAINS A PIECE OF IRON FROM THE EIFFEL TOWER ITSELF. THE DEFENCE FORCE'S SECOND-FIRST BATTALION - WAS IN CELEBRATION MODE IN CHRISTCHURCH TODAY. 250 SOLDIERS TOOK PART IN A PARADE THROUGH THE CENTRAL CITY THIS AFTERNOON - MARKING THE LOCAL REGIMENT'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY. MEMBERS PAST, AND PRESENT MARCHED THROUGH THE STREETS - WITH THE NEW ZEALAND ARMY BAND PROVIDING THE BEAT. CELEBRATIONS WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND AT BURNHAM MILITARY CAMP INCLUDING THE OPENING OF A TIME CAPSULE FROM 25 YEARS AGO. AFTER SUFFERING FOR YEARS FROM MUSCLE SPASMS, CELINE DION HAS REVEALED SHE WANTS TO RETURN TO THE STAGE AND SHE'S REVEALED THE TREATMENTS SHE'S BEEN ENDURING FOR THE STIFF PERSON SYNDROME. AND WHAT CAUSED A FOOTBALL FIELD TO COLLAPSE LIKE A WORMHOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF ILLINOIS. WHY JITKA KLIMKOVA STEPPED DOWN AS COACH OF THE FOOTBALL FERNS JUST A MONTH OUT FROM THE OLYMPICS. PLUS, BRONNY JAMES LINKS UP WITH DAD - LEBRON, AFTER BEING DRAFTED BY THE L.A LAKERS. AND THE CATCH THAT SAVED THE DODGERS BILLION DOLLAR MAN FROM A POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING INJURY. THE FOOTBALL FERNS WILL HEAD TO THE PARIS OLYMPICS NEXT MONTH This WITHOUT THEIR HEAD COACH. JUST OVER AN HOUR AGO NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL RELEASED A STATEMENTwill all SAYING THAT JITKA KLIMKOVA HAS STOOD DOWN FROM HER ROLE FOR THE GAMES, WITH ASSISTANT MICHAEL MAYNE TO TAKE OVER. THE DECISION COMES DESPITE KLIMKOVA BEING CLEARED OF AN EMPLOYMENT- RELATED MATTER FOLLOWING AN INDEPENDENT WORKPLACE INVESTIGATION. FOR MORE ON THIS, WE'RE JOINED BY ALEX CHAPMAN. AND ALEX, WHAT MORE DO WE KNOW? THE DECISION COMES FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF AN INDEPENDENT WORKPLACE INVESTIGATION HEARERS WORRIED THAT'S INTERESTING THOUGH I'VE HAD SOURCES TELL ME THAT AN INCIDENT OCCURRED THE DETAILS OF THAT STILL REMAIN UNCLEAR SHE IS ESSENTIALLY LOST THE DRESSING. I UNDERSTAND THE PLOUGH ONLY MEETINGS HAVE BEEN HELD. LED BY SENIOR PLAYERS THEY WANT HER OUT DESPITE HAVING THREE YEARS REMAINING ON A SIX YEAR EXTENSION THAT SHE SIGNED IN 2021 THE STATEMENT DOES READ THAT THIS GO FAR TO RETURN AFTER THE PARIS OLYMPICS BUT THAT SEEMS INCREDIBLY UNLIKELY THE ENGLAND FOOTBALL TEAM ARE STILL CONSIDERED ONE OF THE FAVOURITES TO WIN EURO24, BUT THEIR FANS REMAIN FURIOUS WITH THE TEAMS PERFORMANCE SO FAR. ENGLAND FACE SLOVAKIA IN THEIR ROUND OF 16 CLASH ON MONDAY AS THE THREE LIONS CONTINUE TO ENJOY A FAVOURABLE DRAW. BUT AS NATASHA PAYNE REPORTS, THAT MEANS NOTHING TO THEIR SUPPORTERS. ENGLAND TAKING A ZEN APPROACH TO MONDAY'S KNOCKOUT CLASH WITH SLOVAKIA. THE CAMP'S A VERY CALM CAMP, QUITE RELAXED AND FOCUSED CAMP AT THE MOMENT. BUT WHILE THERE'S CALM IN THE CAMP, THE FANS ARE STRESSED, DESPITE SLOVAKIA BEING RANKED 41 PLACES LOWER THAN ENGLAND. THE TEAM THAT WE HAVE, WE SHOULD NOT BE PLAYING LIKE THAT. ON WEDNESDAY, ENGLAND DREW 0-0 WITH SLOVENIA, DESPITE HAVING 74% OF POSSESSION. AND WHILE THEY TOPPED THEIR POOL, THEY'VE SCORED JUST TWO GOALS FROM THREE GAMES. YOU DRIVE ALL THE WAY YOU GET HERE AND IT'S LIKE, WHAT IS THE POINT? DREADFUL. YOU'RE NOTHING. WE OFFER NOTHING. BELLINGHAM- WASTE OF SPACE. GOT NO CHANCE WHATSOEVER AND SOUTHGATE SHOULD RESIGN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. BUT DESPITE THE MOUNTING PRESSURE ON MANAGER GARETH SOUTHGATE, THE PLAYERS ARE BEHIND HIM. HE'S BEEN FANTASTIC. I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT HIS RECORD, SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. EVERYONE'S BEHIND THE MANAGER, THAT'S FOR SURE. A WIN ON MONDAY WOULD SEE ENGLAND FACE EITHER SWITZERLAND OR ITALY IN THE QUARTER FINAL, AND THEY WOULD AVOID POWERHOUSE NATION SPAIN, GERMANY, FRANCE OR PORTUGAL UNTIL THE FINAL. JUST DON'T TELL THE PLAYERS THEY'RE IN THE BOX SEAT. I DON'T THINK THERE IS A FAVOURABLE SIDE OF THE DRAW. UM, YOU KNOW, EVERY TEAM, EVERY OPPONENT THAT YOU COME UP AGAINST IS REALLY TOUGH TO PLAY AGAINST. AND THAT STARTS WITH SLOVAKIA ON MONDAY. NATASHA PAYNE, NEWSHUB. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 7 YEARS, A KIWI WILL FEATURE IN THE SINGLES MAIN DRAW OF A GRAND SLAM TENNIS TOURNAMENT. LONDON TE ANAU-BORN LULU SUN HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE WOMEN'S SINGLES AT WIMBLEDON AFTER WINNING THREE MATCHES, INCLUDING A TWO SET WIN OVER ALEXANDRA E-ARLA OF THE PHILIPPINES. THE WORLD NO.123 SWITCHED ALLEGIANCE FROM SWITZERLAND THREE MONTHS AGO ` THE LAST NEW ZEALANDER TO PLAY IN THE SINGLES AT WIMBLEDON WAS MARINA ERAKOVIC IN 2017. MEANWHILE RYAN FOX WILL BE AIMING FOR A STRONG FINISH IN HIS LAST PGA TOUR EVENT BEFORE THE OLYMPICS. DETROIT GOLF CLUB WHILE FOX HAS QUALIFIED FOR PARIS, HE'S WAITING ON SELECTION CONFIRMATION AND A GOOD RESULT IN DETROIT WOULD BOOST HIS CONFIDENCE. FOX HAS SOME GROUND TO MAKE UP, AN OPENING ROUND ONE UNDER PAR 71 SEES HIM IN A TIE FOR 76TH. 7 SHOTS BEHIND LEADER AK-SHAY BHATIA. INDIA WILL FACE SOUTH AFRICA IN THE T20 WORLD CUP FINAL, AFTER THUMPING DEFENDING CHAMPIONS ENGLAND BY 68 RUNS IN GUYANA. A HALF CENTURY FROM CAPTAIN ROHIT SHARMA, AND 47 FROM SUR-YAKUMAR YADAV PROPELLED INDIA TO 171 FOR SEVEN. AN IMPRESSIVE TOTAL ON A TRICKY RAIN AFFECTED PITCH NOW ROHIT SHARMA GETS IN ON THE ACTION, ...BRINGS UP 50 FOR THE CAPTAIN. ...BRINGS UP 50 FOR THE CAPTAIN. THE LOW SLOW SURFACE MADE THE CHASE TOUGH, AND INDIA'S SPINNERS HAD LITTLE TROUBLE SKITTLING THE REIGNING CHAMPIONS FOR JUST 103 IN THE 17TH OVER. HIS DAD'S WRITTEN HIS WAY INTO THE RECORD BOOKS AND CONVERSATION AS THE GREATEST BASKETBALLER OF ALL TIME. NOW, IT'S OVER TO BRONNY JAMES JUNIOR TO WALK HIS OWN PATH. THE 19-YEAR-OLD WAS TODAY DRAFTED BY THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS ` THE SAME TEAM HIS DAD LEBRON PLAYS FOR. AND IT'S WITH THAT SELECTION, THE QUESTION HAS NOW BEEN RAISED ` JUST HOW GOOD WILL HE BE? ALEX CHAPMAN HAS MORE. IT'S THE MOMENT THE BASKETBALL WORLD HAD BEEN WAITING FOR, AND THE JAMES FAMILY HAD BEEN DREAMING OF... THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS SELECT... BRONNY JAMES, FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. ..LEBRON BRONNY JAMES JR DRAFTED INTO THE NBA. AND WITH THAT, FOR THE FIRST TIME, A FATHER AND SON MAY PLAY TOGETHER. NBA HISTORY COULD BE MADE, AND NBA HISTORY SHOULD BE MADE IN A LAKERS UNIFORM. IT'S A CONCEPT, THOUGH, THAT A YEAR AGO SEEMED OUT OF REACH. 18 YEAR OLD BRONNY, A FRESHMAN ON THE USC BASKETBALL TEAM, SUFFERED A CARDIAC ARREST ON MONDAY DURING A WORKOUT ON CAMPUS. BRONNY UNDERGOING HEART SURGERY, HIS FRESHMAN AND ONLY COLLEGE SEASON LIMITED TO JUST 25 GAMES, AVERAGING LESS THAN FIVE POINTS. AND WHILE ON COURT SUCCESS DIDN'T FOLLOW, EXPECTATION DID. WHEN YOU'RE NAMED AFTER ONE OF, IF NOT THE GREATEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME, THAT WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE THE CASE, ESPECIALLY WHEN DAD SAYS THINGS LIKE THIS. WHO DO YOU WANNA PLAY WITH? BRONNY IS NUMBER ONE ON MY (BLEEP) LIST. THAT'S DOPE. HE'S NUMBER ONE. SUCH WAS THE JAMES FAMILY'S DETERMINATION TO HAVE HIM LAND WITH THE LAKERS, THEY SOUNDED A WARNING TO OTHER FRANCHISES AS RECENTLY AS TODAY. WHOEVER'S PICKING BETWEEN NOW AND A CERTAIN NUMBER IS BEING TOLD, DON'T DO IT. IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT IT, DON'T DO IT. AND EVERYONE OBLIGED. BUT AS THE SIX FOOT TWO GUARD, BRONNY IS HARDLY THE HEIGHT OR HYPE HIS DAD WAS ENTERING THE LEAGUE 21 YEARS AGO. BRONNY SAID HE WANTS TO BE HIS OWN MAN, HIS OWN PLAYER EVEN IF THERE ARE SIMILARITIES. I STILL THINK HE CAN BE A VERY GOOD NBA PLAYER. I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD, AS IN THE MEDIA, PEOPLE WILL HOPE IT HAPPENS RIGHT AWAY. HE'S STILL VERY YOUNG. THOUGH NO ONE WHO'S GONE 55TH HAS WITHIN MINUTES BEEN ON A NIKE AD, AND WHILE THEY MAY ENCOURAGE THE PRESSURE, THERE HASN'T EVER BEEN SO MUCH ON A SECOND ROUND DRAFT PICK. PERHAPS NOT AS MUCH ON ANYONE DRAFTED SINCE LEBRON JAMES ` SENIOR, THAT IS. ALEX CHAPMAN, NEWSHUB. AND FINALLY, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CATCHES IN BASEBALL HISTORY HAS TAKEN PLACE, AND IT DIDN'T INVOLVE A PLAYER. CHECK THIS OUT FROM LA DODGERS BATBOY WHOSE LIGHTENING FAST REACTIONS POTENTIALLY SAVED THEIR SUPERSTAR PLAYER SHOHEI OHTANI FROM A CATASTROPHIC INJURY. AND THERE WAS A BIT RIDING ON IT ` AFTER THE DODGERS SIGNED OHTANI TO A 10-YEAR CONTRACT LAST YEAR FOR JUST OVER ONE BILLION NEW ZEALAND DOLLARS. I HOPE THAT BILLION-DOLLAR MAN FLICKED ON A FEW DOLLARS AND MAYBE A PROMOTION WOULDN'T BE TOO BAD EITHER CELINE DION HAS REVIEALED AFTER YEARS OF BEING AWAY FROM THE LIMELIGHT SHE IS PLANNING TO RETURN TO THE STAGE. SHE CONTINUES TO BATTLE A RARE AND DEBILITATING DISEASE, BUT SAYS SHE'S GETTING STRONGER AND HER VOICE IS RETURNING. CHENNEL 7S MYLEE HOGAN HAS MORE. ALL BY MYSELF I'M SURE. IT'S ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL, RECOGNISABLE VOICES IN THE WORLD, BUT A RARE NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE STOPPED THE MUSIC. I DON'T HAVE MY HUSBAND. MY KIDS ARE SCARED BECAUSE THEY LOST THEIR DAD. THEY'RE WONDERING IF. IF I'M GOING TO DIE. 17 YEARS AGO, CELINE DION NOTICED A SPASM IN HER THROAT. OVER THE YEARS, THEY SPREAD, EVENTUALLY FORCING HER FROM THE STAGE IN 2022, SHE ANNOUNCED IT WAS STIFF PERSON SYNDROME. I DID NOT WANT TO PANIC AND SAY, OH MY GOD, I'M GOING TO LOSE MY VOICE. I STARTED TO BE MORE TENSE AND SCARED TO BE ON STAGE. THAT DOESN'T HELP THE SPASM. IT ALSO CAUSES MUSCLE STIFFNESS AND AT TIMES PAINFUL SEIZURES. THEY CAN ALSO BE TRIGGERED BY SOUND, LIGHT AS WELL AS BEING IN A CROWDED ROOM. HOW CAN CELINE MANAGE THAT? TO COME BACK ON STAGE WORKING WITH, UM, THERAPIST. PHYSICAL THERAPIST. OUCH. EASY WHEN YOU GRAB THAT HEAL. CELINE DION HAS DOCUMENTED HER NEW REALITY SING WITH THE DISEASE. MY VOICE IS COMING BACK. MY BODY IS GETTING STRONGER. I'M GOING TO COME BACK ON STAGE. CELINE IS NOT PUTTING A DATE ON HER RETURN TO THE STAGE JUST YET, AS SHE WORKS TO RECLAIM HER SIGNATURE SOUND. AN ENORMOUS SINKHOLE HAS SWALLOWED UP MOST OF AN ILLINOIS SOCCER FIELD. THE HOLE, MEASURING NEARLY 31 METRES WIDE AND 9 METRES DEEP, SUCKED IN A LIGHT POLE ALONG WITH TONNES OF SOIL AND ASTRO TURF. A LOCAL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY SAYS THE UNEXPECTED CAVE-IN WAS CAUSED BY THE COLLAPSE OF A WORKING MINE BELOW. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. COMING UP ` NEWSHUB WEATHER, AND THE LONG WEEKEND GETS ANOTHER GOOD DAY, MIKE? A BIT OF FOG AROUND BUT IT DOES CLEAR AND IT'S A CALM DAY FOR MOST, SO ENJOY THE NEXT FEW DAYS. A NEW SYSTEM ARRIVES LATE SUNDAY INTO THE SOUTH ISLAND WITH A COLD CHANGE ON THE WAY AND A HEAVY RAIN WATCH ISSUED FOR THE WESTCOAST OF THE SOUTH ISLAND FROM MONDAY. BUT HOWS TOMORROW LOOKING WHERE YOU ARE? THE FULL FORCAST IS NEXT. KIA ORA, GOOD EVENING. A PRETTY GOOD DAY TODAY FOR THE MATARIKI PUBLIC HOLIDAY. IT WAS FINE FOR MOST WITH JUST THE SOUTH OF THE SOUTH ISLAND GETTING SOME RAIN. THERE IS MORE RAIN ON THE WAY FOR THE WEST COAST OF THE SOUTH ISLAND, MONDAY, WITH A HEAVY RAIN WATCH ISSUED - WINDS WILL PICK UP SUNDAY AHEAD OF THAT SYSTEM. IN THE MEANTIME, THE FRONT THAT CAUSED SHOWERS IN THE SOUTH TODAY MOVES NORTH BUT IT DOES WEAKEN - SO A BIT MORE OF THE WET STUFF IN FIORDLAND, WESTLAND AND BULLER TONIGHT - THERE COULD EVEN BE SOME THUNDERSTORMS AND DOWNPOURS - SOME RAIN SPILLS OVER INTO CANTERBURY, EVERYONE ELSE GETS CLOUD. TOMORROW, SATURDAY ANY REMAINING RAIN OR SHOWERS CLEAR FOR THOSE UP TOP, FOG LIFTS AND THEN ITS SET TO BE A FINE DAY. ENJOY AND FOR TE IKA A MAUI, THE NORTH ISLAND - EXPECT A LITTLE FOG TO DEVELOP TONIGHT. THERES ALSO A FEW COASTAL SHOWERS IN THE WEST BETWEEN WAITOMO AND NORTHLAND - EXPECT A FEW SOUTHERLY WINDS FOR THE TOP HALF AND NORTHWEST WINDS FURTHER SOUTH. TOMORROW - A MAINLY FINE SATURDAY EXPECTED AFTER FOG OR LOW CLOUD LIFTS - BUT SHOWERS SPREAD UP THE WESTSIDE INTO NORTHLAND - TAKING A CLOSER LOOK NOW AND THERES SOME LOW CLOUD OR FOG AROUND TOMORROW MORNING BUT THEN IT LIFTS FOR A FINE DAY - AFTERNOON CLOUD HOWEVER BRINGS THE ODD SHOWER FURTHER SOUTH AND A FOGGY START FOR TOKOROA AND ROTORUA, FROSTY FOR TAUPO BUT THEN IT FINES UP FEW SHOWERS SPREAD INTO CENTRAL AREAS LATE AFTERNOON INTO THE EAST AND SOME FINE WEATHER HERE AS THE CLEAN UP FOR MANY CONTINUES AFTER THE FLOODS. HAWKES BAY GETS A FROSTY START - DANNEVIRKE AND MASTERTON GET SOME EVENING SHOWERS AND FOR THE REST OF THE NORTH ISLAND ITS MAINLY FINE BUT CLOUD INCREASES AND THERE A CHANCE OF AN AFTERNOON SHOWER FOR MOST HERE - NEW PLYMOUTH GETS A BIT MORE RAIN THEN OTHERS BUT IT DOES EASE UP OVER THE STRAIT AND ITS LOOKING GOOD HERE - SHOWERS CLEAR BEFORE DAWN AND ITS A FINE SATURDAY WITH A FEW LIGHT WINDS - HIGHS HERE AROUND 13/14 DEGREE. OVER THE ALPS - ITS FINE AND FROSTY FOR THOSE CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH - A LITTLE MORE CLOUDY FOR THOSE IN THE NORTH - BUT SUNNY AFTERNOON - WHAT LINE UP OF SUNSHINE AND FOR SOUTHERN AREAS - FINE AND FROSTY FOR CENTRAL OTAGO WITH ANY MORNING SHOWERS FOR SOUTHLAND CLEARING - AGAIN A FINE AFTERNOON WITH WESTERLY WINDS KIA ORA DUNEDIN - WHAT A SATURDAY - SOUTHWESTERLIES EASE IN THE AFTERNOON - 13 IS THE HIGH HELLO WELLINGTON A FEW FROSTS IN SHELTERED AREAS WITH WESTERLIES EASING BUT A FINE DAY AND A HIGH - 13 IS THE HIGH FOR YOU AS WELL - OF 12 OTAUTAHI CHRISTCHURCH GETS A FINE SATURDAY AFTER A FROSTY START - THE MORNING BUT IT GETS BETTER IN THE AFTERNOON HELLO HAWKES BAY - ITS A SOUTHWESTERLIES EASE IN THE FINE SATURDAY FOR YOU - A GREAT NIGHT TONIGHT TO GO SEE THE LIGHT SHOW WHANAU MARAMA AT WAITANGI PARK AFTERNOON. 13 IS THE HIGH. POTENTIALLY SOME LOW CLOUD OR FOG FOR HELLO WELLINGTON TAURANGA TOMORROW MORNING - 13 IS THE HIGH FOR YOU AS WELL - HIGH YOU GET A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS IN FINE SATURDAY FOR YOU - A GREAT NIGHT TONIGHT TO GO SEE THE LIGHT SHOW DAY - MAYBE SOME SHOWERS LATE IN THE DAY AND FOR TAMAKI MAKAURAU AUCKLAND WHANAU MARAMA AT WAITANGI PARK - MAKE THE MOST OF THE MORNINGS FINE WEATHER - IT CLOUDS OVER AFTER POTENTIALLY SOME LOW CLOUD OR FOG FOR LUNCH AND A FEW SHOWERS DEVELOPE LATE IN THE DAY TAURANGA TOMORROW MORNING IF YOUR OFF TO AUSTRALIA ITS WINDY AND WET FOR MELBOURNE - AND IN THE ISLANDS - NUIE GETS SOME THUNDERSTORMS - ITS FINE ELSEWHERE BACK HERE NOW AND THERES A FEW SHOWERS AROUND SUNDAY WITH MONDAY SEEING RAIN ARRIVE THERES ALSO SOME STRONG NORTHWESTERLIES AS WELL AS THAT RAIN IN THE WEST COAST. IN THE MEANTIME, ENJOY THE WEEKEND - FOG EXPECTED TOMORROW MORNING, THEN IT FINES UP FOR MOST. AND ITS ONLY SATURDAY TOMORROW; KEEP FORGETTING TODAY IS FRIDAY. THAT'S NEWSHUB LIVE AT SIX FOR TONIGHT. I'M LAURA TUPOU. PO MANAHAU.