INFLATION'S AT ITS LOWEST LEVEL IN THREE YEARS, SO IS IT TOO SOON TO ASK IF THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS IS OVER? THE COALITION GOVERNMENT FALLS BEHIND IN ITS EMISSIONS REDUCTION TARGETS ` POLICY CHANGES WILL PUSH IT 17 MILION TONS OVER BUDGET. MORE OF DONALD TRUMP'S FORMER WORST CRITICS ARE QUEUEING UP TO SING HIS PRAISES. AND AHEAD OF THE BRITISH OPEN, TIGER WOODS TAKES A DRIVER TO SUGGESTIONS FROM A FORMER RIVAL THAT HE SHOULD RETIRE. CAPTIONS BY KATE HARRIS AND FAITH HAMBLYN. CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR. WWW.ABLE.CO.NZ COPYRIGHT ABLE 2024 NAU MAI, HAERE MAI ` WELCOME TO THREE NEWS. THE RATE OF INFLATION HAS FALLEN TO ITS LOWEST LEVEL IN THREE YEARS. THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR THE JUNE QUARTER SHOWS THE ANNUAL RATE IS NOW AT 3.3%, DOWN FROM THE 4% RECORDED IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER, BUT THAT'S STILL HIGHER THAN THE RESERVE BANK'S TARGET OF 1% TO 3% ANNUAL INFLATION. QUARTERLY INFLATION WAS FLAT AT 0.4%. RENT PRICES AND COUNCIL RATES ARE STILL STICKING POINTS ` UP 4.8% AND 9.6% RESPECTIVELY, WHILE INSURANCE COSTS ARE A WHOPPING 14% MORE THAN A YEAR AGO. BUT WITH INFLATION FALLING, PRESSURE IS GROWING FOR INTEREST RATE CUTS, INCLUDING FROM THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER. ZANE SMALL REPORTS. FOR THREE DECADES, NEIL SECK HAS OWNED AND OPERATED SALON 101. IN THE HEART OF AUCKLAND CITY, IT'S A PRIME LOCATION, BUT THE THREE C'S ` CONSTRUCTION, CRIME AND COVID ` HAVE CAUSED BUSINESS TO DRY UP. IF YOU LOOK AT TURNOVER, IT'S EASILY 50% DOWN. ON TOP OF THAT, HIGH INFLATION HAS STRIPPED HIS CUSTOMERS OF THEIR SPENDING POWER. INFLATION HAS MADE PEOPLE VERY CAUTIOUS IN PARTICULAR COME AND SPEND MONEY AT THE SALON. TODAY, THOUGH, A SIGN OF BETTER THINGS TO COME ` THE INFLATION RATE IS NOW AT 3.3%, THE LOWEST IT'S BEEN IN THREE YEARS, DOWN FROM A HIGH OF 7.3% IN MID-2022, WHEN SUPPLY AND DEMAND WENT HAYWIRE IN THE WAKE OF COVID LOCKDOWNS. BIG PRICE DROPS FOR FRUIT AND VEGES, MEDICAL PRODUCTS AND HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES HAVE HELPED REDUCE INFLATION IN THE 12 MONTHS TO JUNE. BUT DOMESTIC INFLATION REMAINS A BARRIER, WITH PRICES STILL SOARING FOR RENTS, COUNCIL RATES AND INSURANCE. OVERALL, THOUGH, THE INFLATION RATE IS TRENDING DOWN. IT'S STILL NOT WITHIN THE RESERVE BANK'S TARGET RANGE OF BETWEEN 1% AND 3%, BUT THERE IS GOOD NEWS FOR MORTGAGE HOLDERS ` ECONOMISTS ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT TODAY'S DATA TILTS TOWARDS EARLIER AND LARGER CUTS TO INTEREST RATES. ASB ECONOMIST MARK SMITH IS STILL PREDICTING A RATES CUT AT THE END OF THE YEAR, BUT THERE IS A CHANCE OF IT HAPPENING NEXT MONTH. AT THE MOMENT, WE EXPECT A 25-BASIS POINT CUT IN NOVEMBER, BUT RISKS ARE SKEWED TOWARDS THE RESERVE BANK CUTTING EARLIER THAN THAT. AUGUST IS WHEN THE RESERVE BANK GIVES IT'S NEXT OFFICIAL CASH RATE UPDATE. AND WITH THE ECONOMY IN SUCH A SLUMP, IT'S COMING UNDER PRESSURE TO PROVIDE INTEREST RATE RELIEF, INCLUDING FROM THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER. I CAN'T TELL THE RESERVE BANK GOVERNOR WHAT TO DO, BUT YOU DON'T NEED AN ECONOMICS DEGREE TO SEE PEOPLE ARE HURTING, INFLATION IS GOING DOWN FAST AND RELIEF IS REQUIRED. THE RESERVE BANK ACTS INDEPENDENTLY FROM THE GOVERNMENT. RELIEF IS REQUIRED ` THAT'S ESSENTIALLY AN INSTRUCTION TO THE RESERVE BANK GOVERNOR. IT'S NOT AN INSTRUCTION AT ALL ` IT'S AN OBSERVATION AROUND HOW MANY PEOPLE SEE IT RIGHT NOW. PEOPLE LIKE NEIL SECK CERTAINLY DO, BUT HE'S FEELING OPTIMISTIC. I DO HAVE HOPE, YOU KNOW? WE'VE GOTTA LIVE HAVING HOPE. BECAUSE WITH ALL THIS TALK OF INTEREST RATE CUTS, HE HAS A BIT MORE CONFIDENCE THAT HIS CUSTOMERS WILL RETURN FOR THEIR CUTS. SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT JENNA LYNCH JOINS US NOW. JENNA, DID DAVID SEYMOUR CROSS A LINE WITH THOSE COMMENTS? PERHAPS NOT CROSSED THE LINE, BUT MIGHTY CLOSE TO IT. CLEAR TELLING THE GOVERNOR THAT THE PUBLIC IS FED UP. THE GOVERNMENT FEELS LIKE IT HAS DONE IT'S A BIT. AND IT IS OVER TO HIM. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY TIME HE WAS LOOSE LIPPED TODAY. HE ALSO WAS EXPLAINING THE RECENT PHARMAC BOOST AS SURPRISE SPENDING. HE ONLY STARTED WORKING ON THAT POLICY AFTER THE BUDGET. AFTER THE PUBLIC OUTCRY, WHICH SEEMS TO CONTRADICT WHAT THE PRIME MINISTER SAID THAT IT HAD BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR THE PREVIOUS 6 TO 8 WEEKS. IT UNDERMINES THE GOVERNMENT'S NARRATIVE THAT THIS WAS A COMMUNICATIONS ERROR, AND POINTS TO THIS BEING A RUSHED JOB IN THE FACE OF PUBLIC BACKLASH. THANK YOU. THE INVESTIGATION INTO EMBATTLED MP DARLEEN TANA FOUND SHE 'MORE LIKELY THAN NOT' KNEW OF MIGRANT EXPLOITATION ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HER HUSBAND'S NOW-CLOSED BIKE BUSINESS. THE GREEN PARTY'S RELEASED A 12-PAGE SUMMARY OF THE INVESTIGATION WHICH RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE 'LENGTHY AND OFTEN UNCLEAR' EXPLANATIONS TANA OFFERED DURING THE PROCESS. HERE'S JENNA LYNCH AGAIN. BIKES & BEYOND GOING BUST ` THE BUSINESS AT THE CENTRE OF MIGRANT EXPLOITATION ALLEGATIONS ALL SHUT UP, WITH A CLOSED SIGN HUNG IN THE WINDOW, WITH CONTACT DETAILS FOR AN INSOLVENCY FIRM. ITS OWNER, CHRISTIAN HOFF NIELSEN, PICTURED HERE IN MARCH, WAS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND TODAY, WITH REPORTS HE'S BAILED TO EUROPE. I DON'T KNOW NOTHING. SOURCES HAVE TOLD US EMBATTLED MP DARLEEN TANA WAS AT PARLIAMENT TODAY, WITH HER BELONGINGS DUE TO BE MOVED OUT OF HER GREEN PARTY OFFICE, AS A 12-PAGE SUMMARY OF THE GREENS' INVESTIGATION INTO HER INVOLVEMENT IN HER HUSBAND'S BUSINESS WAS RELEASED. I'M GLAD TO BE IN A POSITION NOW TO BE RELEASE THAT REPORT, SO THAT NZERS KNOW WHAT IT IS THAT WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH. IT'S UNDERSTOOD TANA HAD BEEN PREVENTING THE RELEASE OF THE REPORT, WHICH WAS LEAKED TO STUFF LAST WEEK. THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUDES TANA 'MORE LIKELY THAN NOT' WAS AWARE OF THE ALLEGATIONS AND HAD 'OPERATIONAL INVOLVEMENT' IN THE BUSINESS ` SOMETHING TANA DISPUTES. DO YOU STAND BY WHAT YOU'VE SAID ABOUT DARLENE TANA, THAT EFFECTIVELY, SHE'S A LIAR? YEAH, FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES ` I'VE MADE IT REALLY CLEAR THAT SHE MISLEAD ` IT IS MINE AND MARAMA'S STRONG VIEW THAT SHE MISLEAD MYSELF AND MARAMA. TANA IS REFUSING TO TELL THE GREENS WHETHER OR NOT SHE INTENDS TO REMAIN IN PARLIAMENT AS AN INDEPENDENT MP. SHE TOLD US SHE WAS NOT IN A POSITION TO TALK PLANS AT THIS STAGE. WE ARE STILL YET TO, NOT ONLY THE GREEN PARTY BUT THE PUBLIC, HAVE A CLEAR ANSWER ABOUT HER INTENTION IS TO SAY IN PARLIAMENT OR NOT. WE NEED TO KNOW THE ANSWER BEFORE WE CAN MOVE ON. THE NEXT STEPS SHE'S REFERRING TO IS THE GREENS DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO USE THE WAKA JUMPING LAW TO KICK HER OUT OF PARLIAMENT. WE DON'T HAVE PLANS TO DO THAT AT THIS POINT. THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER SAYS DON'T DO IT. THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO SHOULD DRIVE AN ELECTED PARLIAMENT MEMBER OUT AS THE VOTERS AT AN ELECTION. WE WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR WHETHER SHE INTENDS TO RETAIN THE SEAT THAT THE GREEN PARTY WON. DARLEEN TANA WOULDN'T DO AN INTERVIEW TODAY BUT THANKED US FOR OUR PATIENCE WHILE SHE IS 'NAVIGATING THE TERRAIN'. JENNA, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WITH THIS STORY? I HAVE JUST RECEIVED A TEXT FROM TANA RESPONDING TO CHLOE SWARBRICK'S STATEMENT. SHE SAYS SHE IS DISAPPOINTED BY THOSE COMMENTS, AND CALLING HER A LIAR IS UNPROFESSIONAL AND NOT REFLECTIVE OF THE FINDINGS OF THE REPORT. NO WORD FROM HER ON WHETHER SHE INTENDS TO STAY OR GO. SHE HAS BEEN ABSENT FROM THE PARLIAMENT FLOOR 124 DAYS. IT IS NOT A CREDIBLE EXCUSE TO SAY SHE HAS NOT HAD TIME TO CONSIDER HER FUTURE. SHE NEEDS TO AT LEAST COMMUNICATE TO THE PARTY AND PUBLIC WHAT HER INTENTIONS ARE. IF SHE INTENDS TO STAY AND FIGHT, THE GREEN PARTY HAS SOUL-SEARCHING TO DO AS TO WHETHER THEY WILL INVOKE THE WAKA JUMPING LEGISLATION. TWO OF DONALD TRUMP'S BIGGEST FORMER CRITICS, RON DESANTIS AND NIKKI HALEY, HAVE NOW ENDORSED HIM AT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CONVENTION. THE INEXPLICABLE TURNAROUND IS A COMMON THEME, WITH THE MOST OBVIOUS AND STRIKING EXAMPLE BEING HIS NEW RUNNING MATE, JD VANCE. ITV'S DAN RIVERS HAS MORE. DONALD J TRUMP. DONALD TRUMP ALMOST HAD THE AIR AND GAIT OF AN INJURED BUT VICTORIOUS PRIZE FIGHTER AS HE ENTERED THE CONVENTION ARENA LAST NIGHT. # AND I HAD TO START AGAIN. HIS EAR BANDAGED FROM HIS BRUSH WITH DEATH, HE WAS GREETED BY AN ECSTATIC CROWD. AND THEN THE LEE GREENWOOD SONG, WHICH HAS NOW ALMOST BECOME A HYMN TO THE MAN WHO CHEATED DEATH THREE DAYS EARLIER. # AND I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN. # HIS ONE-WORD INSTRUCTION AFTER THE ATTACK REFLECTED BACK AT HIM. CROWD CHANTS: FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! THIS FELT LIKE A ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE GREETING THEIR BLOODIED EMPEROR. (CROWD CONTINUES TO CHANT) AND FOR A SECOND, THAT EMPEROR DROPPED HIS VEIL OF INVINCIBILITY, APPEARING ALMOST MISTY-EYED AT ONE POINT. HE WAS SO EMOTIONAL, I FEEL LIKE THAT, UM... IT WAS ALMOST SERENE A LITTLE BIT, BECAUSE HE'S USUALLY SO ENERGETIC AND WILD, AND I THINK THAT THIS TIME AROUND, THE WAY HE ENTERED WAS ALMOST SOLEMN AND RESPECTFUL. IT WAS VERY BEAUTIFUL TO SEE THAT HE'S ALIVE AND HE'S NOT DEAD. AND GOD HAD A HAND IN THAT. DONALD TRUMP'S CHOICE FOR VICE PRESIDENT IS J.D. VANCE (39), SOMEONE WHO'S PREVIOUSLY COMPARED TRUMP TO HITLER BUT WHO'S NOW PERFORMED A SCREECHING U-TURN. YOU LET HER GET AWAY WITH THIS EVERY TIME. I TOLD YOU THAT I WOULD DO BETTER. YOU ALWAYS SAY THAT! YOU'RE LYING. I ALWAYS TRY. HIS BROKEN CHILDHOOD RETOLD IN A BESTSELLING MEMOIR AND RON HOWARD FILM CONNECTS HIM TO A BLUE COLLAR AMERICA, IN STARK CONTRAST WITH HIS NEW BILLIONAIRE BUSINESSMAN BOSS. PRESIDENT TRUMP NEEDS TO WIN BATTLEGROUND STATES, AND J.D. VANCE FROM OHIO REALLY SPEAKS TO WHAT VOTERS IN THOSE STATES ARE LOOKING FOR AND THEIR CONCERNS ` CONCERNS ABOUT THE ECONOMY, CONCERNS ABOUT INFLATION, AND ABOUT JOBS AS WELL. JD VANCE IS NOW PREPARING FOR THE BIGGEST SPEECH OF HIS CAREER, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW. THE NEW MILLENNIAL FACE OF MAGA. NEIGHBOURS OF THE MAN WHO ALMOST KILLED DONALD TRUMP SAY THEY ARE SHOCKED BY HIS ACTIONS BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT HE WAS A REPUBLICAN SUPPORTER. THEY SAID GUNMAN THOMAS MATTHEW CROOKS EVEN HAD PRO-TRUMP POSTERS OUTSIDE HIS HOME. ITV'S EMMA MURPHY REPORTS. IN SCHOOL RECORDS, THOMAS CROOKS IS NOTED FOR SCIENTIFIC SUCCESS. (CHEERING) IN HISTORY, HE WILL BE NOTED AS THE MAN WHO TRIED TO KILL A FORMER PRESIDENT. IT'S HARD TO THINK THAT SOMEONE THAT GREW UP AND GRADUATED FROM THE SCHOOL THAT I GO TO NOW COULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS, AND NOT ONLY THAT, LIVE ACROSS THE STREET FROM ME. WHERE CROOKS GREW UP, NEIGHBOURS ARE TRYING TO RECONCILE THE QUIET BOY WHO WOULD WAVE BUT NOT SPEAK WITH A WOULD-BE KILLER. WE GOT KICKED OUT OF OUR HOUSE BY TWO STATE POLICE, AND THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF BOMB OR SOMETHING IN HIS HOUSE THAT NEEDED TO BE REMOVED. AND AS SOON AS HE TOLD ME THAT, I WAS LIKE... I WAS SCARED, COS I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED OR WHAT WAS GONNA HAPPEN. IT'S A SENSE OF SHOCK SHARED BY THOSE WHO LIVE HERE AND THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF THIS COMMUNITY. IT'S THREE DAYS SINCE THOMAS CROOKS OPENED FIRE INTO THE SHOWGROUND BEHIND ME. POLICE ARE NOW STUDYING HIS MOBILE PHONE TO SEE WHO HE'S BEEN IN TOUCH WITH IN THE PAST DAYS AND WEEKS, AND ALSO WHAT HE'S BEEN SEARCHING UP ON THE INTERNET. THERE IS A CONTINUING INVESTIGATION TO ESTABLISH WHAT SECURITY FAILINGS ALLOWED HIM ACCESS TO THE ROOF IN THE FIRST PLACE. TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED... (GUNSHOTS POP) WHAT MAKES THAT LAPSE EVEN MORE ASTONISHING ARE CLAIMS TONIGHT THAT SECURITY AROUND MR TRUMP HAD RECENTLY BEEN INCREASED DUE TO REPORTS OF AN IRANIAN THREAT TO HIS LIFE. THERE'S NO SUGGESTION OF ANY LINK BETWEEN THE THREAT AND THE SHOOTING. CROWD CHANTS: USA! THOUGH DONALD TRUMP WAS THE TARGET AND IS NOW THE FOCUS, OTHERS DIED OR WERE INJURED IN THE ATTACK, INCLUDING DAVID DUTCH, A FORMER MARINE WHO WAS HIT BY BULLETS. THE GOVERNMENT IS NO LONGER ON TRACK TO MEET ITS THIRD EMISSIONS BUDGET, WHICH RUNS FROM 2031 TO '35. PROJECTIONS RELEASED AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, BASED ON LABOUR'S POLICIES, SHOWED THE COUNTRY HITTING ITS FIRST THREE EMISSIONS BUDGETS. BUT THE NEW GOVERNMENT HAS GOT RID OF MANY OF THOSE CLIMATE POLICIES, AND THAT MEANS THE THIRD BUDGET LOOKS SET TO BE MISSED BY 17 MILLION TONS OF EMISSIONS. HOW MUCH IS THAT? 25% OF NZ'S ANNUAL EMISSIONS! THE DRAFT EMISSIONS REDUCTION PLAN RELEASED TODAY MAKES IT CLEAR THE GOVERNMENT WON'T BE SLASHING EMISSIONS AT THE SOURCE, BUT WILL BE OPTING TO PLANT MORE PINE TREES. OTHER POLICIES IN THE PLAN INCLUDE ` SETTING A TARGET FOR 10,000 ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGERS BY 2030 AND INVESTING IN IMPROVING PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN AUCKLAND AND OPENING THE CITY RAIL LINK. LAURA TUPOU HAS MORE. CLIMATE CHANGE MINISTER SIMON WATTS HAS A PLAN. THAT IS ON TRACK TO MEET BOTH THE EMISSIONS BUDGET ONE AND EMISSIONS BUDGET TWO. BUT NOTABLY NOT OUR THIRD BUDGET, WHICH COVERS 2031 TO 2035. BY THE GOVERNMENT'S OWN PROJECTIONS, WE WILL BE 17 MEGA TONS OVER BUDGET. THIS IS A GOVERNMENT THAT'S BEEN IN PLAY FOR EIGHT MONTHS. MY PRIMARY FOCUS IS TO ENSURE WE'RE GOING TO MEET THOSE TWO IMMEDIATE TARGETS. FRANKLY, IT'S EMBARRASSING. ONE LEVER THE GOVERNMENT IS RAMPING UP IS THE PLANTING OF PINES AND POTENTIALLY NATIVE TREES TO OFFSET EMISSIONS. YOU CAN'T PLANT YOUR WAY OUT OF A CLIMATE CRISIS, AND IT'S GUTTING TO SEE THAT THE GOVT IS REFUSING TO ENGAGE IN WHAT ALL THE EXPERTS ARE TELLING US IS THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH THE CLIMATE CRISIS ` THAT IS TO STOP THE POLLUTION AT ITS SOURCE, INSTEAD RELYING A HECK OF A LOT ON WISHFUL THINKING. BUT WITH AGRICULTURE AS OUR PRIME EMITTER, THE MINISTER SAYS THERE'LL BE INVESTMENT IN THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE EMISSIONS ON FARMS. THIS GOVERNMENT IS PUTTING A LOT OF EGGS IN THE BASKET OF TECHNOLOGICAL FIXES THAT AREN'T GUARANTEED, THAT HAVEN'T BEEN PROVEN YET, AND THAT'S A BIG GAMBLE WHEN PEOPLE ARE LITERALLY SUFFERING THE CONSEQUENCES FOR CLIMATE CHANGE NOW. ONE OF THE FEATURES AND DYNAMICS OF NZ FARMERS IS THAT THEY'RE ALREADY VERY EMISSIONS EFFICIENT, SO THEY'RE LIMITED IN THAT SENSE AS TO WHAT ADDITIONAL REDUCTIONS THEY COULD MAKE OVERALL, BARRING THE ARRIVAL OF SOME KIND OF NEW TECHNOLOGY. THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT SEES FARMERS EXCLUDED FROM THE EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME UNTIL 2030, AS NATIONAL PROMISED IN ITS ELECTION CAMPAIGN. IT WAS FIRST PROPOSED THAT AGRICULTURE SHOULD BE IN THE ETS AROUND 20 YEARS AGO, SO IT'S LONG PAST TIME THAT AGRICULTURE SHOULD BE PAYING FOR ITS CLIMATE POLLUTION. BUT THIS 'IS' A CONSULTATION DOCUMENT ` THE PUBLIC HAVE SIX WEEKS TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK. WE'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR IN OUR CONSULTATION DOCUMENT THAT WE'RE UNDERTAKING A NET-BASED STRATEGY ` IT'S NET-ZERO BY 2050. BUT ARE WE ON TRACK? CURRENTLY THE FORECASTING SHOWS THAT WE ARE 3 MEGA TON OFF AT ACHIEVING THAT. WATTS SAYS THERE ARE ASPECTS OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT'S CONTROL. TIWAI POINT ALUMNIUM SMELTER STAYING OPEN, FOR EXAMPLE, CHANGES THE NUMBERS, RESPONSIBLE FOR 5 MEGA TONS OVER FIVE YEARS. THERE'S A LOT OF WATER TO GO UNDER THE BRIDGE BETWEEN NOW AND THEN. AND I CAN TELL YOU WHAT, THIS GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO MEETING THOSE TARGETS AND WE'LL DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO. BECAUSE NO ONE IS IMMUNE TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF A WARMING PLANET. TIME NOW FOR A LOOK AT TODAY'S WEATHER. GREAT DAY TO BE UP THE MOUNTAIN, HEATHER? NOT SURE HOW SPEEDY GOT A DAY OFF THE NEWS, BUT IT DID LOOK NICE UP MT HUTT. IT'S ALWAYS BLUE SKY WHEN YOU GET ABOVE THE CLOUDS, AND THERE WAS ALOT OF LOW CLOUD AND FOG ALL OVER THE SHOW TODAY, EVEN GIVING US A FOG BOW OR FOG RAINBOW ON WAIHEKE ISLAND. THERE WAS ALSO RAIN AND LOTS OF IT ` ANOTHER FRONTAL RAINBAND MOVING OVER THE NORTH ISLAND TODAY; KAIKOHE RECEIVING THE MOST RAINFALL WITH OVER 33MM. MORE IS COMING TOO ` DETAILS AFTER SPORT. COMING UP ` JACK BLACK'S COMEDY ROCK DUO TENACIOUS D HAVE CANCELLED THEIR KIWI SHOWS, AFTER A COMMENT BY HIS BANDMATE ABOUT THE TRUMP SHOOTING SPARKED AN INTERNATIONAL OUTCRY. AND THAI AUTHORITIES ARE TRYING TO UNRAVEL THE MYSTERIOUS DEATHS OF SIX PEOPLE FOUND INSIDE A LOCKED HOTEL ROOM. A TENACIOUS D FAN SAYS SHE'S GUTTED AFTER THE COMEDY ROCK BAND, FRONTED BY HOLLYWOOD STAR JACK BLACK, CANCELLED THEIR CONCERTS HERE NEXT WEEK. IT COMES AFTER BLACK'S BANDMATE, KYLE GASS, MADE A JOKE ABOUT THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF DONALD TRUMP. NATASHA PAYNE HAS THE FALLOUT. # HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO # YOU! # A HAPPY-BIRTHDAY WISH GONE WRONG. DON'T MISS TRUMP NEXT TIME. (CHEERING) THE REFERENCE TO THE ASSASINATION ATTEMPT LEADING TO CONCERT CANCELLATIONS. I'M PRETTY GUTTEED, TO BE HONEST. I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS CONCERT ESSENTIALLY SINCE THEY LAST CAME, WHICH WAS 10 YEARS AGO, SO IT'S PRETTY DEVASTATING. JACK BLACK AND KYLE GASS, BETTER KNOWN AS TENACIOUS D, HAVE BEEN PERFORMING ACROSS AUSTRALIA ON 'THE SPICY MEATBALL TOUR' AND WERE MEANT TO PLAY TWO CONCERTS HERE IN NZ. BUT DURING SUNDAY'S SHOW IN SYDNEY, LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER THE SHOOTING, GASS MADE HIS CONTROVERSIAL BIRTHDAY WISH, SPARKING OUTCRY ACROSS THE WORLD. RALPH BABET, A STATE SENATOR FROM VICTORIA, DESCIBED THE COMMENT AS EVIL AND CALLED FOR THE DUO TO BE DEPORTED... ...HE WROTE IN A MEDIA RELEASE... JACK BLACK, FAMOUS FOR HIS ROLES IN 'SCHOOL OF ROCK' AND 'KUNG FU PANDA', HAS BEEN IN NZ THIS YEAR, FILMING THE MINECRAFT MOVIE. I DO FEEL THE LOVE. YEAH. I FELT IT IN WELLINGTON, AND NOW HERE IN AUCKLAND ` IT'S BEEN ANOTHER INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE. BUT HE WON'T BE BACK NEXT WEEK, AFTER PULLING THE PIN ON THE TOUR THIS MORNING ` ...HE POSTED ON INSTAGRAM... GASS HIMSELF ADMITTED WHAT HE SAID WAS HIGHLY INAPPROPRIATE, DANGEROUS AND A TERRIBLE MISTAKE. BUT IT'S TOO LITTLE TOO LATE, WITH CONCERTS BOTH IN WELLINGTON AND HERE AT AUCKLAND'S SPARK ARENA BEING CANCELLED. FANS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO BE PATIENT WHILE THEIR REFUNDS ARE PROCESSED. AND WHILE SHE UNDERSTANDS WHY THE SHOW'S WERE CANCELLED, HANNAH WARBURTON IS STILL DISAPPOINTED. THE COMMENTS ON THE INSTAGRAM POSTS ARE PRETTY INTENSE, SO I CAN IMAGINE WHAT THEY'RE GETTING IN THE DIRECT MESSAGES, BUT I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF AN OVERREACTION TO CANCEL IT ALL JUST BECAUSE OF A JOKE. JOKE OR NOT, IT'S A REMINDER TO EVERYONE TO BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. NATIONAL'S CANDIDATE FOR MANUREWA IN THE LAST ELECTION RECENTLY PRAISED THE GOVERNMENT'S CRIME REDUCTION RECORD, BUT WE CAN REVEAL HE ONCE DUPED A COUPLE OUT OF $125,000. SIVA KILARI REMAINS ON NATIONAL'S EXECUTIVE IN MANUREWA AND HAS CALLED THE RULING IN THE CIVIL CASE ONE-SIDED. THE PARTY SAYS IT'S SATISFIED WITH THE SELECTION PROCESS BEFORE HE WAS CHOSEN AS A CANDIDATE. NICK TRUEBRIDGE HAS THIS EXCLUSIVE STORY. HE IS HIGHLY REGARDED, EARNING A GLOWING ENDORSEMENT FROM CHRISTOPHER LUXON HIMSELF. BUT CAN I ACKNOWLEDGE SIVA KILARI, BECAUSE I HOPE YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A FANTASTIC MAN REPRESENTING YOU HERE IN MANUREWA. IT WAS A ROUGH AND TUMBLE CAMPAIGN FOR SIVA KILARI. HIS VOLUNTEERS DEALT WITH INTIMIDATION. WHEN I WAS DOORKNOCKING AS WELL, SOME PEOPLE ABUSED. AND DESPITE LOSING MANUREWA, HE REMAINS AN EXECUTIVE MEMBER IN THE ELECTORATE. THIS MONTH PRAISING THE NATIONAL PARTY'S CRIME REDUCTION MEASURES IN AN RNZ INTERVIEW AND HELPING TARGETED BUSINESSES. BUT WE'VE INTERVIEWED A MAN WHO SAYS HIS FAMILY STILL LIVES WITH THE TRAUMA OF THEIR DEALINGS WITH KILARI. THAT MOMENT WE CRIED, CRIED, CRIED, AND, UH, STILL THAT TRAUMA IS STILL THERE IN MY FAMILY. WE` EVERY TIME WE DISCUSS AND WE, YOU KNOW` WE ALWAYS` WE SEE THE TRAUMA. A 2013 JUDGEMENT SHOWS THE COUPLE, WHO REQUESTED ANONYMITY, INVESTED $125,000 FOR KILARI TO SET UP A NEW COMPANY IN WHICH THE HUSBAND WOULD BE A DIRECTOR, SHAREHOLDER AND MANAGER. INSTEAD, KILARI DUPED THE COUPLE, WHO WERE FRIGHTENED BY HIS CONDUCT, THE JUDGEMENT SHOWS. NOW ONE POINT OF TIME, I DON'T HAVE A SINGLE DOLLAR TO PAY THE LAWYERS AND AT THE TIME, SINGLE DOLLAR TO PAY THE RENT. THE OWNER KICKED OUT, AND SAID WE LOST THE TENANCY. THE JUDGE IN THE CASE CALLED IT A 'SAD TALE OF ABJECT DISHONESTY 'AND DOWNRIGHT FRAUD' OF KILARI AGAINST THE COUPLE. SHE WENT ON TO FIND KILARI USED AND ABUSED THEIR HONESTY AND TRUST. IN AN INTERVIEW LAST WEEK, KILARI TOLD US HE REMAINS AN EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR THE PARTY IN THE MANUREWA ELECTORATE. HE DISAGREED WITH THE $125,000 AMOUNT IN THE JUDGEMENT. HE LATER SETTLED WITH THE COUPLE. WE ALSO ASKED KILARI WHETHER HE FELT A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HAPPENED. WE REQUESTED A SIT-DOWN INTERVIEW WITH KILARI. IN AN EMAILED RESPONSE, HE SAID HE WENT THROUGH A ROBUST SELECTION PROCESS WITH THE NATIONAL PARTY, ADDING THE CIVIL CASE WAS SETTLED. HE DECLINED TO COMMENT FURTHER. STILL TO COME ` WHY JD VANCE IS THE PERFECT FOIL FOR DONALD TRUMP. AS A SON OF THE REGIONS OF INDUSTRIAL DECLINE, HE CONNECTS TO THOSE MEN AND WOMEN WHO FEEL FORGOTTEN BY AMERICA. WHY THE COMMERCE COMMISSION SAYS AUCKLAND AIRPORT'S EXPECTED PROFITS ARE EXCESSIVE. AND LATER IN SPORT ` THE BLACKCAPS SUMMER OF CRICKET IS REVEALED. BUT HOW MUCH OF IT WILL KANE WILLIAMSON FEATURE IN? THIS IS THREE NEWS. IF YOU'VE JUST JOINED US, HERE ARE OUR TOP STORIES SO FAR TONIGHT. INFLATION HAS FALLEN TO ITS LOWEST LEVEL IN THREE YEARS. THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR THE JUNE QUARTER SHOWS THE ANNUAL RATE IS NOW AT 3.3%, DOWN FROM 4%. THE INVESTIGATION INTO EMBATTLED MP DARLEEN TANA FOUND SHE 'MORE LIKELY THAN NOT' KNEW OF MIGRANT EXPLOITATION ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HER HUSBAND'S NOW-CLOSED BIKE BUSINESS. AND KIWI FANS SAY THEY'RE GUTTED AFTER JACK BLACK'S BAND TENACIOUS D CANCELLED THEIR NEW ZEALAND SHOWS OVER A COMMENT BY HIS BAND MATE ABOUT THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF DONALD TRUMP. AUCKLAND AIRPORT SAYS IT WILL CONSIDER REDUCING CHARGES AFTER THE COMMERCE COMMISSION FOUND ITS TARGETED RETURNS WERE 'EXCESSIVE'. THE AIRPORT HAD ANNOUNCED PLANS TO INCREASE CHARGES TO AIRLINES TO HELP FUND ITS MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR REDEVELOPMENT PLAN. AIRLINES WARNED THOSE INCREASES WOULD BE PASSED ON TO PASSENGERS. THE COMMISSION FOUND WHILE SOME PRICE INCREASES WERE NECESSARY TO FUND THE INVESTMENT, ALL UP THEY WERE 'IN EXCESS' OF WHAT WAS REQUIRED. AT LEAST NINE PALESTINIANS ARE DEAD FOLLOWING AN ISRAELI STRIKE ON ANOTHER UN SCHOOL IN GAZA WHERE HUNDREDS OF DISPLACED PEOPLE WERE SEEKING SHELTER. THE ISRAELI ARMY SAID IN A STATEMENT IT 'STRUCK TERRORISTS WHO WERE OPERATING IN THE SCHOOL' AND THAT MEASURES WERE TAKEN TO 'MITIGATE THE RISK OF HARMING CIVILIANS.' IT COMES AS ISRAELI AND HAMAS OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO WEIGH UP THE LATEST CEASE-FIRE PROPOSAL. HE'S ONLY JUST BEEN NAMED AS DONALD TRUMP'S RUNNING MATE, BUT ALREADY JD VANCE HAS UPSET ONE OF AMERICA'S CLOSEST ALLIES, DESCRIBING THE UK AS A TRULY ISLAMIST NATION. I WAS TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS THE FIRST TRULY ISLAMIST COUNTRY THAT WILL GET A NUCLEAR WEAPON? AND WE WERE LIKE, MAYBE IT'S IRAN. YOU KNOW, MAYBE PAKISTAN ALREADY KIND OF COUNTS. AND THEN WE SORT OF FINALLY DECIDED MAYBE IT'S ACTUALLY THE UK SINCE LABOUR JUST TOOK OVER. JD VANCE DOES HOWEVER, APPEAR TO HAVE GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH UK FOREIGN SECRETARY DAVID LAMMY.. AND SENIOR BRITISH OFFICIALS HAVE SINCE DOWNPLAYED THE COMMENTS. TRUMP'S CHOICE OF VANCE AS RUNNING MATE HAS BEEN A HIT AT THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION, BUT THERE'S A CAREFULLY CRAFTED STRATEGY BEHIND IT TOO. THE AUTHOR OF HILLBILLY ELEGY ROSE TO PROMINENCE AS A VOICE FOR AMERICA'S FORGOTTEN WORKING CLASS, BUT CAN HE HELP CONVINCE SWING VOTERS TO BACK TRUMP IN NOVEMBER? CHANNEL 4'S SIOBHAN KENNEDY REPORTS. (TRAIN HORN BLARES) IF YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE VOTERS THAT DONALD TRUMP WANTS TO WIN OVER WITH HIS CHOICE OF RUNNING MATE, YOU NEED TO COME TO PLACES LIKE THIS. NOT WASHINGTON, D.C., BUT WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AND THE SMALL TOWN OF MONONGAHELA. WE'RE JUST OVER THE BORDER FROM OHIO, THE STATE JD VANCE REPRESENTS IN THE SENATE. THIS TOWN WAS ONCE AT THE HEART OF THE BOOMING RUST BELT, BUT THE STEEL MILLS HAVE LONG SINCE CLOSED, AND THE JOBS WENT WITH THEM. THIS IS THE BOOK HILLBILLY ELEGY, WRITTEN BY JD VANCE. I JUST STARTED IT THIS MORNING. HE'S ONLY 40 PAGES IN, BUT BUDDY SAYS VANCE SPEAKS TO PEOPLE JUST LIKE HIM. READS: ITS POPULATION HAD CHANGED LITTLE SINCE THE '50s, WHEN THE FLOOD OF MIGRANTS ON THE HILLBILLY HIGHWAY SLOWED TO A DRIBBLE. YOU'RE OBVIOUSLY QUITE EXCITED ABOUT JD VANCE. ABSOLUTELY. WHY? TELL ME? HE WOULD HAVE BEEN MY PICK. HE HAS NOT BEEN TAINTED BY WASHINGTON, D.C. YET. HE'S JUST A PERFECT FIT. HE'S` HE KNOWS WHAT THE FORGOTTEN MAN IS ALL ABOUT. AND WHAT IS THIS FORGOTTEN MAN ALL ABOUT? PEOPLE WHO WORKED HARD, RAISED THEIR FAMILY WITH ONE INCOME. JUST HONESTY, INTEGRITY. JUST CORE HUMAN VALUES. IT MAKES YOU FEEL EMOTIONAL SAYING THAT. SURE DOES. WHY? TELL ME. OH, BECAUSE IT'S, UH... IT'S LIKE A DREAM IS BEING LOST, YOU KNOW? I GUESS HOPE WOULD BE A GOOD WORD. HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. IN PICKING JD VANCE, TRUMP HAS CHOSEN A MAN WHO UNDERSTANDS HIS BASE ` WHITE, WORKING-CLASS AMERICANS WHO FEEL LEFT BEHIND BY THE WASHINGTON ELITES. NOW TRUMP IS HOPING VANCE WILL HELP HIM WIN OVER VOTERS IN CRITICAL SWING STATES LIKE PENNSYLVANIA. HE'S ALREADY WON OVER ELLEN, DESPITE THE FACT VANCE WASN'T ALWAYS A TRUMPER. I MEAN, HE USED TO CRITICISE DONALD TRUMP PRETTY STRONGLY. I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT CRITICISE TRUMP, AND THEY'VE TURNED AROUND WHEN THEY SEEN WHAT HE DID FOR US. HE'S FOR THE COUNTRY. (MACHINE WHIRRS) UP THE ROAD WE MEET CHUCK, WHO'S RUN THIS SCRAPYARD FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS. HE DOESN'T BELIEVE DONALD TRUMP, AT 78, IS PAST HIS PRIME BUT THINKS PICKING A YOUNGER MODEL LIKE JD VANCE TO KEEP THE MAGA BRAND ALIVE IS A SMART IDEA. AND HE'S A YOUNG GUY, TOO. IF SOMETHING HAPPENED TO TRUMP, HE'S CAPABLE OF TAKING OVER THE COUNTRY. HE'S NOT` HE'S SMART. WIFE PATTY IS A BIG VANCE FAN. I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING HIM AND LIKE HIM. HE CAME FROM MORE OR LESS SORT OF A BACKGROUND THAT IS SIMILAR TO, UM, FOLKS AROUND HERE OR FOLKS IN THE COUNTRY THAT STARTED FROM NOTHING AND WORKED THEIR WAY UP AS THE AMERICAN DREAM. SO WILL TRUMP-VANCE BE THE DREAM TICKET? THEY'LL HAVE TO CARRY THESE RUST BELT STATES IF THEY'RE TO TAKE THE WHITE HOUSE IN NOVEMBER. TRUMP DID IT BEFORE WITH HIS VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE, BUT THEN HE FELL OUT SPECTACULARLY WITH HIS BOSS AT THE END OF THEIR TERM. FOR VANCE'S SAKE, IT MAY BE ALL SMILES NOW, BUT HE BETTER HOPE THEIR BROMANCE DOESN'T GO THE SAME WAY. POLICE IN THAILAND ARE TRYING TO WORK OUT THE CAUSE OF DEATH OF SIX PEOPLE FOUND IN A HOTEL ROOM IN BANGKOK THAT WAS LOCKED FROM THE INSIDE. POISONING IS ONE THEORY ` THEY'D JUST HAD A ROOM-SERVICE DELIVERY AND HAD DRUNK THE DRINKS, BUT HADN'T EATEN THE FOOD. FOUR WERE VIETNAMESE AND TWO WERE AMERICAN-VIETNAMESE NATIONALS. POLICE CONFIRMED THE BODIES SHOWED SIGNS OF FOAMING AT THE MOUTH. OLLIE'S HERE WITH SPORT NEXT, AND A BUMPER SUMMER OF CRICKET IS ON THE WAY? WE CERTAINLY DO. WE HAVE THE BLACKCAPS AND THE WHITE FERNS. THEY HAVE 10 DOUBLEHEADERS, WHICH WILL BE GREAT FOR CROWDS. THE HIGHLIGHT COMES AT THE START OF THE HOME SUMMER, WITH THE THREE TEST SERIES AGAINST ENGLAND. THE QUESTION IS HOW MUCH WILL KANE WILLIAMSON FEATURE. HE IS SO INFLUENTIAL FOR THE GROUP. HE OPTED OUT FOR THE NATIONAL CONTRACT, SO HOW MUCH GAME TIME HE SEES WILL BE INTERESTING THIS SUMMER. WE'LL HEAR FROM THE BLACKCAPS COACH ABOUT JUST HOW MUCH HE EXPECTS TO HAVE WILLIAMSON AVAILABLE NEXT. PLUS ` TIGER WOODS LETS RIP AT SUGGESTIONS IT'S TIME FOR THE 15-TIME MAJOR WINNER TO CALL TIME ON HIS CAREER. AND QUEENSLAND COACH BILLY SLATER HITS BACK AT SUGGESTIONS OF A RIFT WITHIN HIS TEAM AHEAD OF TONIGHT'S STATE OF ORIGIN DECIDER. HE WAS THE LATEST PLAYER TO OPT OUT OF A CENTRAL NZ CRICKET CONTRACT, BUT GARY STEAD IS CONFIDENT HE WILL HAVE THE SERVICES OF KANE WILLIAMSON THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER. THE BLACKCAPS AND WHITE FERNS HOMES SCHEDULES WERE RELEASED TODAY, HEADLINED BY 10 DOUBLED HEADERS AND A THREE-TEST SERIES AGAINST ENGLAND ` ONE STEAD HOPES THE TEAM'S MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR. THE LAUNCH OF WHAT NZ CRICKET HOPE WILL BE SCINTILLATING HOME SUMMER. FOR THE WHITE FERNS, TWO SERIES AGAINST AUSTRALIA PRESENT A TIMELY TEST. THE MORE WE PLAY THE BEST TEAMS IN THE WORLD, THE BETTER WE'RE GONNA GET. SO IT'S A BIG LEARNING EXPERIENCE OVER IN ENGLAND AT THE MOMENT. BUT PURISTS, LOOK AWAY ` JUST ONE BLACKCAPS TEST SERIES HAS MADE ITS WAY ON TO A CALENDAR DOMINATED BY THE SHORTER FORMS. I THINK THERE'S A NICE MIX OF TESTS AND WHITE BALL CRICKET AS WELL. THE BARMY ARMY COMING OVER WITH ENGLAND EARLY IN THE SEASON IS A NICE WAY TO KICK OFF OUR HOME SUMMER. AND THIS SUMMER COULD LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT. WITH KANE WILLIAMSON OPTING OUT OF HIS CENTRAL CONTRACT, THE BLACKCAPS MAY BE WITHOUT THEIR MOST PROLIFIC RUN SCORER MORE OFTEN THAN THEY'D LIKE. ALTHOUGH STEAD REMAINS OPTIMISTIC. I STILL EXPECT KANE TO PLAY A LOT OF CRICKET FOR NZ THIS YEAR. SO JUST BECAUSE HE DIDN'T TAKE A CENTRAL CONTRACT DOESN'T MEAN HE'S NOT AVAILABLE FOR 80%, 90% OF GAMES FOR NZ. WITH OR WITHOUT HIM, THE RESPONSIBILITY WILL FALL ON THE SENIOR PLAYERS TO STEP UP. AFTER WILLIAMSON, TOM LATHAM IS THE BLACKCAPS' MOST EXPERIENCED TEST BATTER AND KNOWS THERE'LL BE AN EXPECTATION IN HIS SHOULDERS. FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, IT GIVES ME AN OPPORTUNITY AS A SENIOR PLAYER TO STEP UP AND LEAD AS WELL. BUT AS FRANCHISE T20 LEAGUES CONTINUE TO GROW, IS IT TIME FOR A NEW WAY OF CONTRACTING TOP TALENT? THERE IS A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY WITHIN OUR CONTRACTS AT THE MOMENT, BUT WITH THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF CRICKET, I'M SURE THAT'LL BE SOMETHING THAT NZ CRICKET AND THE PLAYERS ASSOCIATION LOOK AT. THE BLACKCAPS HOPING LIFE WITHOUT THEIR BEST PLAYERS ISN'T SOMETHING THEY HAVE TO GET OVERLY USED TO. THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP MIGHT NOT START UNTIL TOMORROW, BUT TIGER WOODS HAS ALREADY TEED OFF, HITTING BACK AT SUGGESTIONS HE SHOULD RETIRE. WHILE ALL EYES MIGHT BE ON WOODS IN THE BUILDUP, WITH A WHOPPING FOUR KIWIS IN THE FIELD, THIS YEAR'S TOURNAMENT ALSO OFFERS THE BEST CHANCE YET OF SOMEONE REPLICATING SIR BOB CHARLES ACHIEVEMENT FROM 1963 AND WINNING IT. GORDON FINDLATER HAS MORE. FLIGHT IT UP THIS HILL.... SHOWING OFF SOME OLD TRICKS, TIGER WOODS WAS ALL SMILES DURING HIS PRACTICE ROUND AT ROYAL TROON. (LAUGHS) BUT HAVING MADE JUST THREE CUTS IN NINE APPEARANCES SINCE HIS 2021 CAR ACCIDENT, QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ASKED ABOUT WOODS' FUTURE IN THE GAME. HOW WOULD YOU EXPLAIN WHY YOU KEEP PUTTING YOURSELF THROUGH THE PAIN TO PLAY? WELL, I'LL PLAY AS LONG AS I CAN PLAY AND AS LONG AS I FEEL I CAN STILL WIN THE EVENT. THERE'S NO DOUBTING HIS CONFIDENCE. AND TODAY TIGER HAD A MESSAGE FOR HIS MOST VOCAL CRITIC, FIVE-TIME MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP RUNNER-UP COLIN MONTGOMERY, WHO SUGGESTED IT'S TIME FOR WOODS TO RETIRE. WELL, AS A PAST CHAMPION, I'M EXEMPT TILL I'M 60. COLIN'S NOT ` HE'S NOT A PAST CHAMPION, SO HE'S NOT EXEMPT, SO HE DOESN'T GET THAT OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THAT DECISION. I DO. FLYING MORE UNDER THE RADAR AT ROYAL TROON IS KIWI HOPE RYAN FOX, ALTHOUGH THE WORLD NUMBER 64 DID HAVE SOME FANFARE. IF YOU JUST PLAY LIKE YOU DID AT THE MASTERS, YOU'LL HAVE A GREAT CHANCE. I'LL TRY. YOU WATCH THE ALL BLACK GAME AT THE WEEKEND? I DID, YEAH. YEAH, EIGHTH OPEN. IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO PLAY ONE OF THESE, AND I LOVE LINKS GOLF. LAST WEEK PROBABLY WASN'T THAT NICE TO ME, BUT I'VE ALWAYS ENJOYED COMING AND PLAYING THE OPEN. AND THIS YEAR HE'S JOINED BY PLENTY OF FAMILIAR FACES ` FELLOW KIWIS DANIEL HILLIAR, KAZUMA KOBORI AND MICHAEL HENRY ALL IN THE FIELD; APPROPRIATE, THEN, ALL FOUR PLAYED TODAY'S PRACTICE ROUND TOGETHER. WE'RE A LONG WAY FROM HOME WHEN WE'RE OUT IN EUROPE, SO, YEAH, IT'S GOOD TO SEE A FEW MORE KIWI FACES THIS WEEK. YEAH, IT'S AWESOME. WE GOT A FULL KIWI PRACTICE ROUND GROUP TODAY, SO, YEAH, IT'S GONNA BE AWESOME. WITH PLENTY OF KIWIS AND A FIRED-UP TIGER, IT COULD JUST BE THE MOST ANTICIPATED OPEN YET. BILLY SLATER HAS QUASHED ALL SUGGESTIONS OF A POSSIBLE RIFT WITHIN THE QUEENSLAND CAMP, CALLING IT 'FAKE NEWS' AHEAD OF TONIGHT'S STATE OF ORIGIN DECIDER IN BRISBANE. THE MAROONS COACH APPEARED SURPRISED WHEN ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY TRUTH TO REPORTS THAT COACHING STAFF AND WINGER SELWYN COBBO WERE NOT SEEING EYE TO EYE. I ACTUALLY HAVEN'T SEEN SELWYN MORE HAPPY, I HAVEN'T SEEN HIM MORE ENGAGED IN HIS FOOTBALL, AND HE'S HAD A GREAT WEEK, HE'S READY TO PLAY. GONE ARE THE DAYS THAT YOU'VE GOTTA REPORT THE TRUTH, SO, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT'S COME FROM, BUT TOTALLY FAKE NEWS. COBBO WAS OVERLOOKED IN GAME TWO, BUT WILL START FOR QUEENSLAND TONIGHT. THE REPORTS ARE NO DOUBT AN UNWANTED DESTRACTION FOR SLATER, GIVEN QUEENSLAND HAVEN'T LOST A DECIDER AT SUNCORP STADIUM IN 19 YEARS. THE SEARCH FOR A NEW ENGLAND FOOTBALL MANAGER IS UNDERWAY. AFTER EIGHT YEARS IN CHARGE, FOUR MAJOR TOURNAMENTS AND TWO FINALS, GARETH SOUTHGATE HAS ANNOUNCED HE'S STEPPING DOWN. THE 2-1 LOSS TO SPAIN IN MONDAY'S EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL WAS SOUTHGATE'S FINAL ACT IN CHARGE. LUCY THOMSON REPORTS. GARETH SOUTHGATE YESTERDAY STEPPING OFF THE PLANE FROM BERLIN, AND TODAY STEPPING DOWN AS ENGLAND MANAGER. IN A STATEMENT, HE SAYS... SOUTHGATE HAS WEATHERED PLENTY OF CRITICISM OVER THE YEARS FROM FANS AND PUNDITS. BUT TODAY, NOTHING BUT ADMIRATION FOR WHAT HE'S ACHIEVED. HOW DO YOU THINK HE'LL RANK AMONGST ALL-TIME ENGLAND MANAGERS? BEHIND ALF RAMSEY ` I MEAN, SIMPLY, YOU KNOW, RIGHT AT THE VERY TOP. FA PRESIDENT PRINCE WILLIAM PRAISED HIM AS AN ALL-ROUND CLASS ACT, WHILE SEVERAL PLAYERS ALSO PAID TRIBUTE ` CAPTAIN HARRY KANE TWEETING... MIDFIELDER DECLAN RICE SAID, 'THANK YOU. GAFFER. 'IT'S BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO PLAY FOR ENGLAND UNDER YOUR GUIDANCE.' AND JUDE BELLINGHAM POSTED, 'NOT ONLY IS GARETH 'EASILY ONE OF THE BEST COACHES IN THE HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL TEAM, 'BUT ALSO AN UNBELIEVABLE HUMAN BEING.' SOUTHGATE'S RECOGINITION STRETCHES FAR BEYOND WHAT HE'S DONE FOR ENGLAND FOOTBALL ON THE FIELD. KNOWING HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO MANAGE THE POLITICS OF ENGLAND, THE MEDIA, THE CLUB VS COUNTRY RIVALRIES THAT EXIST, HE'S REMOVED A LOT OF THOSE BARRIERS, HE'S HANDLED PENALITIES BETTER THAN ANYONE, HE'S REDUCED THE FEAR, SO HE'S DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB, BUT IT WILL HAVE TAKEN A TOLL ON HIM. A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM, YOU KNOW, BLACK AND ETHNIC MINORITY BACKGROUNDS, AS YOU'D CALL IT, OK, THEY WOULDN'T EVEN SUPPORT ENGLAND ` THEY'RE THINKING, 'THAT TEAM DOESN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME.' BUT WHAT HE DID IS HE CAME IN, AND MADE THOSE PLAYERS HUMBLE GOING OUT THERE, SO THAT THEY COULD REACH OUT TO EVERYONE. BUT TALK'S ALREADY TURNED TO HIS REPLACEMENT. THERE ARE SOME OBVIOUS CONTENDERS ` I THINK GRAHAM POTTER WILL GET MENTIONED, AND EDDIE HOWE WILL GET MENTIONED. REGARDLESS, HE SAYS APPOINTING AN INTERNATIONAL MANAGER WOULD BE WRONG. I THINK WE HAVE TO WORK HARD ON DEVELOPING GREAT ENGLAND COACHES, AND THAT MEANS PUTTING THEM IN THE TOUGEST ENVIRONMENTS AND THE BIGGEST MATCHES AS OFTEN AS WE POSSIBLY CAN, AND I DO BELIEVE WE SHOULD STAY WITH AN ENGLISH COACH. A COACH THAT, IF TODAY IS ANYTHING TO GO BY, HAS A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW. KYLIAN MBAPPE HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN UNVEILED AS A REAL MADRID PLAYER, WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FANS PACKING INTO THE BERNABEU TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE SUPERSTAR. MBAPPE LEFT FRENCH GIANTS PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN AT THE END OF LAST SEASON, HAVING ALWAYS ASPIRED TO PLAY FOR REAL MADRID. THE 25-YEAR-OLD INKED A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT WORTH MORE THAN $135M, WHICH INCLUDES A SIGNING BONUS OF $150M. I AM GETTING A GOOD IDEA OF WHY HE IS LOOKING SO HAPPY. THE SIGNING BONUS IS MORE. OH TO BE A FOOTBALLER. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. WE HAVE CHOSEN THE WRONG CAREER. THE BBC IS PUTTING MEASURES IN PLACE TO PROTECT THE CELEBRITY CONTESTANTS ON ONE OF THEIR MOST POPULAR SHOWS, STRICTLY COME DANCING. IT COMES AFTER TWO PROFESSIONAL DANCERS QUIT THE SHOW FOLLOWING ACCUSATIONS OF THEIR ABUSIVE AND THREATENING BEHAVIOUR. MEMBERS OF THE PRODUCTION TEAM WILL NOW ACT AS CHAPERONES AT TRAINING SESSIONS. ONE OF THE SACKED DANCERS, GRAZIANA DE PRIMA, SAID HIS 'INTENSE PASSION AND DETERMINATION TO WIN 'MIGHT HAVE AFFECTED HIS TRAINING REGIME.' A CLEVER CHIMPANZEE HAS AMAZED ONLOOKERS AT A CHINESE ZOO AFTER HE HELPED RETRIEVE A PHONE THAT HAD BEEN DROPPED INTO HIS ENCLOSURE. DONG-DONG SPOTTED IT ON THE GROUND, CAREFULLY LIFTED IT UP AND PLACED IT GENTLY INTO A BASKET LOWERED BY THE ZOO STAFF. THE 14-YEAR-OLD IS KNOWN FOR HIS INTELLIGENCE AND FRIENDLINESS AND HAS HELPED OUT IN THE PAST, TOSSING BACK A VISITOR'S SANDAL AFTER IT TOO FELL INTO HIS ENCLOSURE. TIME NOW FOR A LOOK AHEAD AT THE WEATHER. ARE WE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THIS WEEKEND, HEATHER? YOU COULD DO BOTH. WE'RE A LITTLE STUCK FOR THE NEXT FIVE OR SO DAYS WITH MESSY, HIGHLY CHANGEABLE WEATHER CONTROLLED BY A LARGE AREA OF LOW PRESSURE. SO WE HAVE THESE FRONTAL RAIN BANDS LIKE WHAT THE NORTH ISLAND HAD TODAY, WHICH CONTINUE THROUGH TILL NEXT WEEK. THERE IS ONE PARTICULAR SYSTEM, THOUGH, THAT IS WORTH KEEPING AN EYE ON, AND IT'S THIS LOW HERE. THE NORTHEAST LIKELY TO BEAR THE BRUNT OF IT ON SATURDAY. TOMORROW'S FORECAST IS NEXT. WELCOME BACK. GETTING CLOSE TO THE WEEKEND, AND I WISH I HAD A SIMPLE SET-UP FOR YOU, BUT I DON'T. IT'S MESSY, WITH A BROAD AREA OF LOW PRESSURE OUT OVER THE TASMAN, SPINNING OUT FRONTS AND TROUGHS ALL OVER THE SHOW, FOR BOTH AUSSIE AND NZ. TOMORROW, ONE OF THOSE FRONTS WILL LIE CLOSE TO THE EAST COAST, WITH A WARM FRONT FOLLOWED BY A WEAK TROUGH OVER THE NORTH. TEMPERATURES ARE UP, PARTLY THANKS TO CLOUD, PARTLY THANKS TO THE HUMID NOREASTERLY FLOW. SO CLOUD TONIGHT FOR THE SOUTH ISLAND, WITH SCATTERED RAIN UP TOP AND LOW CLOUD FOR CANTERBURY, OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND, WITH PATCHY COASTAL DRIZZLE. OUT WEST, CLOUDY WITH A FEW SHOWERS. TOMORROW, MUCH THE SAME, REALLY, WITH AFTERNOON SUNNY SPELLS FOR DUNEDIN. MIGHT BE ANOTHER LONG DAY OF FOG FOR THOSE IN THE VALLEYS. TONIGHT FOR THE NORTH, THE RAIN CONTINUES TO MOVE EAST, WITH POSSIBLE HEAVY FALLS FOR THE WAIKATO AND COROMANDEL. TOMORROW THE RAIN CLEARS, LEAVING ISOLATED SHOWERS FOR GISBORNE AND DRIZZLE FOR WELLINGTON AND KAPITI. AND DRIZZLE FOR WELLINGTON AND KAPITI. THERE WILL BE FOG AGAIN, MORNING AND NIGHT, AND SHOWERS RETURN TO NORTHLAND AND AUCKLAND IN THE AFTERNOON. LOW CLOUD OR FOG SETTLES IN TONIGHT FOR HAMILTON, THE COROMANDEL AND AUCKLAND. SHOWERS CLEAR THE WAIKATO AND COROMANDEL IN THE MORNING, BUT BECOME MORE FREQUENT IN THE NORTH FROM THE AFTERNOON. LOW CLOUD OR FOG HERE TOO ` NOT ALOT OF WIND TO HELP MIX IT UP, LOW CLOUD OR FOG HERE TOO ` NOT A LOT OF WIND TO HELP MIX IT UP, BUT IT DOES SHIFT LATE IN THE MORNING, MOST LIKELY TO RETURN AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT. OCCASIONAL RAIN FOR MOST HERE ` JUST THE CHANCE OF SHOWERS, THOUGH, FOR GISBORNE. THE RAIN CLEARS FOR EVERYONE TOMORROW NIGHT, BUT REMAINS CLOUDY. WINDS WILL BE LIGHT. ANOTHER ROUND OF LOW CLOUD OR FOG, ALMOST EVERYWHERE EXCEPT KAPITI AND WELLINGTON. THERE'S WET STUFF TOO FOR ALL ` EVERYTHING FROM DRIZZLE TO SHOWERS THEN OCCASIONAL RAIN. ANOTHER MILD 24 HOURS IN THE SOUTH, WITH A MIX OF CLOUDS AND A LITTLE SUN. THERE WILL BE THE ODD SHOWER TOO, BUT WINDS ARE MOSTLY LIGHT. JUST A NOREASTER DEVELOPING IN THE MORNING FOR HOKITIKA. CANTERBURY WILL WAKE AGAIN WITH LOW CLOUD AND PATCHY DRIZZLE. FURTHER NORTH ` OCCASIONAL RAIN, NOT CLEARING TILL TOMORROW NIGHT. NOT A LOT OF WIND AROUND ` JUST AN EASTERLY FOR CHRISTCHURCH. A FEW FROSTY SPOTS AND FROSTY AND FOGGY SPOTS LIKE ALEXANDRA, QUEENSTOWN AND INVERCARGILL. WINDS ARE LIGHT, BUT WITH A SLIGHT NOREASTER PICKING UP ALONG THE EASTERN COASTLINE. FOR DUNEDIN, YOUR NOREASTER ARRIVES IN THE MORNING, WITH ONE OR TWO SHOWERS, BUT FINE BREAKS RETURN IN THE AFTERNOON. SHOWERS TONIGHT FOR BANKS PENINSULA, THEN TOMORROW LOW CLOUD SETTLES ONCE MORE, WITH PATCHY LIGHT DRIZZLE FOR THE CITY. EASTERLIES ARRIVE IN THE AFTERNOON. SCATTERED RAIN DEVELOPS TONIGHT AROUND THE CAPITAL, THEN TOMORROW IT WILL EASE TO DRIZZLE, AND THAT WON'T CLEAR TILL TOMORROW NIGHT. ALL WITH LIGHT WINDS. OCCASIONAL RAIN FOR HAWKE'S BAY FOR THE ENTIRE DAY WITH LIGHT WINDS. THE RAIN CLEARS TOMORROW NIGHT, LEAVING JUST SHOWERS AROUND THE COAST. LOW CLOUD OR FOG SETTLES FOR THE MORNING AROUND BAY OF PLENTY ` SHOWERS LIKELY TOO, BUT IT WILL CLEAR LATE MORNING, WITH LIGHT WINDS. JUST THE ODD SHOWER LEFT FOR TONIGHT AROUND HAMILTON, THEN THE FOG SETTLES AGAIN, WITH A FEW SHOWERS, BUT CLEARING IN THE MORNING. FOG RETURNS TOMORROW NIGHT. AND ANOTHER CHANCE OF FOG FOR THE MORNING AROUND AUCKLAND. AT THE VERY LEAST, IT WILL BE LOW CLOUD WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS. AFTERNOON IS BETTER, BUT SHOWERS RETURN LATE AFTERNOON. TO OZ ` AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE SOUTHEASTERN PARTS OF OZ ARE AFFECTED BY THE SAME WEATHER SET-UP AS US, SO PLENTY OF SHOWERS. AND APART FROM SHOWERS FOR NEW CALEDONIA, THE PACIFC IS CLEAR AND CALM. NOT SO LUCKY FOR US, WITH RAIN DEVELOPING FOR THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE NORTH ISLAND ON FRIDAY, WITH SOME HEAVY FALLS. THE HEAVY RAIN CONTINUES SATURDAY, BUT WILL EASE TO ISOLATED SHOWERS LATE IN THE DAY, EXCEPT FOR THE GISBORNE REGION. SHOWERS REMAIN FOR ALL OF THE ISLAND ON SUNDAY. FOR THE SOUTH, RAIN OR SHOWERS DEVELOP IN THE NORTH ON FRIDAY, AND HANG AROUND FOR THE ENTIRE WEEKEND. AND SHOWERS FRIDAY TOO FOR CENTRAL OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND, THEN SPREADING, BUT LOOKS LIKE CHRISTCHURCH WILL HAVE A RELATIVELY DRY WEEKEND. HAD A GREAT SELECTION OF YOUR PICS TODAY ` A GOOD ARRAY OF WEATHER, FROM BLUE SKY TO FOG TO FROST TO EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. IF YOU'VE GOT A GOODIE, EMAIL IT AT WEATHERPICS@STUFF.CO.NZ MAKE SURE YOU JOIN US TOMORROW FOR THE STORY OF A DAIRY WORKER JAILED FOR IMPORTING COCAINE FROM COLOMBIA ` HE SAYS HE DID IT TO HELP PROTECT HIS FATHER FROM A CARTEL. THAT IS THREE NEWS FOR TONIGHT. THANKS FOR JOINING US. YOU CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH US BY EMAILING NEWSROOM@STUFF.CO.NZ OR HEAD TO THE STUFF WEBSITE. I'M SAMANTHA HAYES. POMARIE. I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW.