A BIG CALL ` THE RESERVE BANK SLASHES THE CASH RATE BY 50 BASIS POINTS, AND MORE CUTS LOOK TO BE ON THE WAY. THE CALLS TO HAVE DESTINY CHURCH'S 'MAN UP' GROUP CLASSIFIED AS A GANG, GATHER STEAM. FARMER CONFIDENCE IS ON THE RISE, AND SO IS A NEW WAY OF FARMING. WE GO TO NORTH CANTERBURY TO FIND OUT MORE. AND THE NEW ZEALAND RUGBY BOSS SITS DOWN WITH OLLIE RITCHIE TO EXPLAIN THE FALLOUT FROM THE MESSY INEOS BREAK UP. CAPTIONS BY TUI TIPENE AND JAMES BROWN. CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR. WWW.ABLE.CO.NZ COPYRIGHT ABLE 2025 NAU MAI, HAERE MAI. WELCOME TO THREENEWS. THE RESERVE BANK HAS DELIVERED ON EXPECTATIONS AND CUT THE OFFICIAL CASH RATE BY 50 BASIS POINTS. IT'S NOW THE LOWEST IT'S BEEN IN TWO YEARS AT 3.75%. BANKS, INCLUDING ANZ, HAVE RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY BY SLASHING SOME HOME LOAN RATES. AND AS ZANE SMALL REPORTS, THERE COULD BE FURTHER CUTS TO COME. POOJA AND RICHARD STAND PROUDLY IN FRONT OF THEIR FIRST HOME TOGETHER IN WEST AUCKLAND. WE'VE GOT ABOUT SIX OR SEVEN FRUIT TREES. THE PAIR PICKED UP THE 3-BEDROOM PROPERTY FOR $910,000 ` A DEAL SECURED BY THEIR ESTATE AGENT CHARLOTTE POWDRELL. I FEEL LIKE WE GOT A GOOD DEAL. YEAH. IT IS, AFTER ALL, A BUYERS' MARKET. THE NUMBER OF PROPERTIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE IS 19% HIGHER THAN A YEAR AGO, BUT THAT COULD CHANGE AS INTEREST RATES CONTINUE TO DROP FROM THEIR POST-PANDEMIC PEAK. 5.92% IS WHERE WE'RE SITTING AT. WHEN THE COUPLE REFIXES A YEAR FROM NOW, IT'S LIKELY TO BE LOWER. THE OFFICIAL CASH RATE WAS TODAY CUT FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN A ROW, BRINGING THE BENCHMARK LENDING RATE TO 3.75%, AND THERE COULD BE MORE TO COME. IF ECONOMIC CONDITIONS CONTINUE TO EVOLVE AS PROJECTED, THE COMMITTEE HAS SCOPE TO LOWER THE OCR FURTHER DURING 2025. ANYTHING THAT COMES DOWN IS A BONUS FOR US, REALLY. BUYERS, AT THE MOMENT, ARE SITTING DOWN, CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS, AND WORKING OUT THAT POTENTIALLY THEIR MORTGAGE REPAYMENTS ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE QUITE AFFORDABLE IN COMPARISON TO RENT. AN OFFICIAL CASH RATE CUT IS ALSO MUSIC TO EARS OF RETAILERS, BECAUSE CHEAPER BORROWING COSTS MEANS MORE DISPOSABLE CASH. THE LATEST CARD TRANSACTION DATA SHOWS THAT WHILE RETAILERS GOT A BOOST OVER THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS, CONSUMERS ARE CONTINUING TO BE CAREFUL WITH THEIR SPENDING, RESULTING IN TOTAL RETAIL SALES THAT WERE DOWN 0.5% IN JANUARY COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO. THE RESERVE BANK IS CHARGED WITH KEEPING PRICE INFLATION UNDER CONTROL, AND AT 2.2%, IT'S ON TARGET. BUT GROWTH IS DESPERATELY NEEDED. AFTER THE NEW ZEALAND ECONOMY EXPERIENCED A LARGER CONTRACTION THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT DURING THE MIDDLE OF 2024, AND THERE IS SIGNIFICANT SPARE CAPACITY IN THE ECONOMY. LOWER INTEREST RATES WILL ENCOURAGE SPENDING, ALTHOUGH, OF COURSE, ELEVATED GLOBAL ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY IS EXPECTED TO WEIGH ON BUSINESS INVESTMENT DECISIONS. THE CENTRAL BANK'S RATE CUT DECISION WAS ALSO ATTRIBUTED TO LOWER GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION, WHICH HELPED TO SLOW DOMESTIC DEMAND. THIS MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE. IT PUTS MORE MONEY IN THEIR BACK POCKETS FOR HOMEOWNERS, FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, AND HAS FLOW-ON EFFECTS ACROSS THE ECONOMY. BUT RECESSION HAS LED TO RISING UNEMPLOYMENT, AND A NEW KOGAN MOBILE SURVEY OF 1200 KIWIS WE KNOW IT'S STILL TOUGH. WE KNOW THAT NEW ZEALANDERS ARE STILL WRESTLING WITH THE COST OF LIVING, BUT THIS IS A POSITIVE SIGN. IT IS FOR THIS COUPLE, WHO ARE ALREADY THINKING ABOUT WHAT THEY COULD BUY WITH THE EXTRA CASH WHEN THEY NEXT REFIX. MAYBE, A HOLIDAY. I THINK THE STRESS OF MOVING AND EVERYTHING ` WE PROBABLY COULD DO WITH A COUPLE OF DAYS AWAY, WHICH WOULD BE NICE. A HOLIDAY, SECOND CAR. IT DEPENDS. FOR NOW, A BOX OF CHOCOLATES TO CELEBRATE THE PURCHASE OF THEIR FIRST HOME. ZANE'S WITH ME NOW. SO ZANE, MORE RATES SIGNALLED FOR THE YEAR AHEAD? THAT'S RIGHT. THE RESERVE BANK GOVERNOR SUGGESTED THAT WITH INFLATION MORE OR LESS UNDER CONTROL, THERE IS ROOM FOR MORE INTEREST RATE CUTS TO HELP GROW THE ECONOMY. HE SIGNALLED ANOTHER TWO CUTS BY JULY, LANDING ON 3% BY THE END OF THE YEAR. WHAT WILL BE INTERESTING LOOKING AHEAD IS HOW MORTGAGE HOLDERS APPROACH REFIXING. I SPOKE TO PROPERTY ECONOMIST KELVIN DAVIDSON. HE TOLD ME NEW BORROWERS HAVE BEEN FAVOURING EITHER FLOATING OR SHORT-TERM FIXED RATES, BELIEVING THERE'S A LOWER RATE AROUND THE CORNER, BUT NOW THAT WE'RE HEADING TOWARDS A MORE NEUTRAL RATE OF 3%, HE SAID BORROWERS MIGHT ONCE AGAIN START THINKING LONGER TERM. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THE GREEN PARTY IS AGAIN CALLING ON THE PRIME MINISTER TO REIN IN HIS DEPUTY, AFTER WINSTON PETERS AGAIN REFERRED TO THE NATIONALITY OF RICARDO MENENDEZ MARCH IN PARLIAMENT. HE ARGUED THAT MENENDEZ-MARCH SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO REFER TO NEW ZEALAND AS 'AOTEAROA'. AND WHILE CHRISTOPHER LUXON WASN'T INTERESTED IN PULLING HIM INTO LINE, ANOTHER COALITION PARTNER WAS. HERE'S SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT JENNA LYNCH. NEW ZEALAND FIRST SINGING IT LOUDLY AND PROUDLY. # AOTEAROA. # BUT UTTERING IT IN THE HOUSE... ...IS APPARENTLY A DIFFERENT STORY. IT'S FAIR TO MY QUESTION IS A SERIOUS ONE. MY QUESTION IS A SERIOUS ONE. WHY IS SOMEONE ALLOWED TO CHANGE THIS COUNTRY'S NAME WITHOUT THE MANDATE OR THE APPROVAL OF THE NEW ZEALAND PEOPLE? WINSTON PETERS LINING UP FOR ANOTHER ROUND WITH RICARDO MENENDEZ MARCH, WHO WAS BORN IN MEXICO. THE PERSON ASKING THE QUESTION IS AN ELECTED MEMBER OF THIS HOUSE. I CAN'T DO MUCH ABOUT THAT. GERRY BROWNLEE INITIALLY BRUSHING IT OFF, BEFORE MAKING A DIFFERENT RULING. IT'S NOT AN UNREASONABLE THING TO USE THE TWO NAMES IF YOU WANT TO, BUT NOT JUST THE ONE. THE MINISTER IS SWORN AS A MINISTER OF GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND. MINISTERS CAN TAKE THE OATH IN EITHER ENGLISH OR TE REO MAORI ` LIKE SHANE JONES DID, FOR INSTANCE. THE COALITION ARE NOT UNITED IN THIS PARTICULAR CULTURE WAR. THE MAORI AOTEAROA IS ON OUR MONEY AND ON OUR PASSPORT, BUT I'M NOT HERE TO STOP OTHER PEOPLE FROM USING IT. IF THE NAME IS GOING TO CHANGE, WE ARE GOING TO ASK THE NEW ZEALAND PEOPLE FIRST. THERE WAS NO ISSUE RAISED WHEN CABINET MINISTER TAMA POTAKA REFERRED TO AOTEAROA IN THE HOUSE YESTERDAY. I LOOK FORWARD TO ENGAGING WITH NEARLY 30% OF THE ENTIRE WHENUA OF AOTEAROA. TAMA IS A MAORI. THE THIRD LEG OF THE COALITION LABELLED PETERS' ARGUMENT ABOUT MENENDEZ MARCH'S ARRIVAL IN NEW ZEALAND 'RIDICULOUS'. IT'S NOT COMMENT I WOULD MAKE. I BELIEVE IN THE PRINCIPLE THAT NO MATTER WHETHER YOU CAME HERE ON A SAILING SHIP OR A WAKA, IF YOU ARE HERE LEGALLY AND YOU ARE A KIWI YOU SHOULD BE TREATED APPROPRIATELY. UTTERLY APPROPRIATE.YOU CAN'T CHANGE THIS NAME WITHOUT THE MANDATE ALL THE AUTHORITY OF THE NEW ZEALAND PEOPLE. IT'S EXPLICITLY XENOPHOBIC. IT CAN TRANSLATE TO HARM OUTSIDE THESE FOUR WALLS. OF THE MOST DISAPPOINTING THING IS THE PRIME MINISTER IS TOO SCARED TO CALL WINSTON PETERS TO ACCOUNT. THE GREENS WROTE TO THE PRIME MINISTER NOT EVEN A MONTH AGO WHEN WINSTON PETERS LAST BROUGHT UP THE NATIONAL ORIGINS OF THEIR MPs AND SHANE JONES YELLED, 'SEND THE MEXICANS HOME.' THEY NEVER HEARD BACK. WE CAN KEEP WRITING THESE LETTERS BUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THE PRIME MINISTER IS MISSING IN ACTION. THE PRIME MINISTER WOULDN'T STOP FOR QUESTIONS ON IT TODAY, CHOOSING SILENCE OVER A WAR WITH WINSTON. JENNA, HAS THERE BEEN ANY UPDATE TODAY ON THE MANUREWA MARAE INQUIRY? TE PATI MAORI PRESIDENT AND WAIPAREIRA TRUST CEO JOHN TAMIHERE TODAY ADMITTED TO RNZ THAT CENSUS FORMS HAD BEEN PHOTOCOPIED BY MANUREWA MARAE STAFF. THOUGH, HE SAYS THAT DATA WAS NOT USED TO HELP THE PARTY'S ELECTION CAMPAIGN. TE PATI MAORI MP TAKUTAI TARSH KEMP ` WHO WAS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE MARAE AT THE TIME, BEAT LABOUR'S PEENI HENARE IN THE TAMAKI MAKAURAU SEAT BY JUST 42 VOTES. WINSTON PETERS YESTERDAY SAID THAT PARTICULAR SEAT WAS 'STOLEN' LABOUR LEADER CHRIS HIPKINS SAID THE ELECTION WAS UNFAIR, AS THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION SET UP A VOTING BOOTH AT THE MARAE. WHEN WE ASKED THE PRIME MINISTER YESTERDAY WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE AN INQUIRY INTO THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN THE INSTITUTION AND IN THAT RESULT, HE FOBBED IT OFF SAYING IT WAS A MATTER FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY SERVICES COMMISSIONER ` A JOB THAT DOESN'T EXIST. TODAY, THOUGH, HE CONFIRMED THAT HE HAS ASKED FOR ADVICE AS TO WHAT OPTIONS HE HAS TO LOOK INTO THE CONDUCT OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION, SAYING THERE ARE GENUINE QUESTIONS AROUND POLICY AND CONDUCT TO ANSWER FOR. NGA MIHI, JENNA. THE CALLS FOR DESTINY CHURCH'S 'MAN UP' TO BE DESIGNATED A GANG ARE GROWING LOUDER, AFTER THEIR PROTESTS AT TWO AUCKLAND PRIDE FESTIVAL EVENTS. AND WHILE POLITICIANS AGREE THE GROUP CAN BE INTIMIDATING, ONE EXPERT WARNS THE MOVE WOULD OPEN A CAN OF WORMS. IMOGEN WELLS EXPLAINS. SPOT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS... AND THIS. THE DEMAND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF KIWIS ARE MAKING ONLINE, AFTER DESTINY CHURCH'S 'MAN UP' DISRUPTED TWO AUCKLAND PRIDE EVENTS. THE PETITION SAYS THE GROUP'S INSIGNIA SHOULD COUNT AS A GANG PATCH. AND AFTER THEIR BEHAVIOUR OVER THE WEEKEND, IT IS CALLING FOR MAN UP TO BE ADDED TO THE GANGS LIST. I MEAN, THEY'RE STILL INTIMIDATING PEOPLE. THEY'RE STILL BULLYING PEOPLE. THEY'RE STILL ENGAGING IN VIOLENCE. I'M SURE THEY CAN BE INTIMIDATING. I CAN CERTAINLY SEE HOW THEY WOULD BE INTIMIDATING, ESPECIALLY AT THE GAY PRIDE EVENT THE OTHER DAY. THE GANGS ACT 2024 CURRENTLY BANS 35 SPECIFIC GANGS FROM WEARING PATCHES IN PUBLIC AND GIVES POLICE SPECIAL POWERS TO STOP MEMBERS ASSOCIATING IN PUBLIC. POLICE CAN ALSO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE POLICE MINISTER FOR MORE TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST. TO MEET THE CRITERIA, A GROUP MUST HAVE COMMON SYMBOLS OR SIGNS, BE ACTIVE IN NEW ZEALAND AND HAVE MEMBERS OR ASSOCIATES WHO, IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, HAVE COMMITTED AN OFFENCE THAT HAS A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF TWO YEARS IN PRISON. THE TEST OF WHAT ACTUALLY QUALIFIES TO BE ADDED TO THE GANG LIST SEEMS REALLY LOW. BUT HE SAYS ADDING MAN UP WOULD ESSENTIALLY BACKFIRE. THAT COULD THEN AFFECT A LOT OF OTHER ORGANISATIONS WHO WOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO APPLY. AND I THINK IF SOMEONE WAS TO TRY AND MAKE THIS HAPPEN, THE CHALLENGE TO IT WOULD HAVE A VERY GOOD CHANCE OF A COURT SAYING, 'NO, NO, THIS IS NOT WHAT THIS LAW MEANS.' THE NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF MAN UP, CAINE WARREN, WHO ALSO RAN FOR PARLIAMENT UNDER HANNAH TAMAKI'S VISION NZ PARTY, DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR REQUESTS FOR COMMENT. AND WHEN STUFF GOT HOLD OF BRIAN TAMAKI EARLIER THIS WEEK, HIS RESPONSE TO THE WEEKEND'S EVENTS WAS, 'I WASN'T EVEN INVOLVED.' PETITIONS TO REVOKE DESTINY'S CHARITABLE STATUS HAVE CLOSE TO 115,000 SIGNATURES COMBINED. ORGANISERS BEHIND A QUEER COUNTER-RALLY AGAINST THE CHURCH THIS WEEKEND SAY DOING THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE. ARRESTING RANDOM PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN PICKED UP AND RADICALISED BY DESTINY CHURCH DOESN'T DO ANYTHING TO AFFECT THAT INFRASTRUCTURE. THIS SUNDAY'S EVENT KEEPING TAMAKI, HIS FOLLOWERS, AND THEIR ACTIONS FIRMLY IN THE SPOTLIGHT. NEW ZEALAND RUGBY REMAINS ADAMANT THE ALL BLACKS BRAND STILL HOLDS GLOBAL APPEAL, AND IS CONFIDENT IT'LL FIND A REPLACEMENT SPONSOR AFTER A MESSY BREAK UP WITH INEOS. THE UK PETRO-CHEMICAL GIANT HAS PULLED THE PIN ON THE REMAINING THREE YEARS OF THEIR SPONSORSHIP DEAL, FORCING NZ RUGBY TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION, IN WHAT'S BEEN A FRUSTRATING END TO A LUCRATIVE PARTNERSHIP. OLLIE RITCHIE SAT DOWN WITH NZR CEO MARK ROBINSON TO DISCUSS THE FALLOUT. HOW FRUSTRATING HAS THE BREAKUP BEING? IT'S DISAPPOINTING. YOU DON'T ENTER THESE AGREEMENTS FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. WE ARE REALLY CLEAR THAT WE HAVE ACTED IN A WAY IN KEEPING AN AGREEMENT. WE DELIVERED ON THAT. WE ARE UNABLE TO CONTROL THE OTHER PARTY IN THE SPACE, AND WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED IN A RESPECTFUL AND PROFESSIONAL WAY. WHEN DID YOU GET A SENSE THEY WANTED AND OUT OF THE DEAL? THROUGH THE BACK PART OF LAST YEAR. HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU YOU WILL FIND A DECENT REPLACEMENT? THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THESE THINGS DON'T JUST HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. WE ARE ALWAYS IN CONSTANT DIALOGUE WITH OUR POTENTIAL PARTNERS. WE HAVE HAD HUGE POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM OUR EXISTING PARTNERS ABOUT HOW THEY REALLY APPRECIATE HOW WE WORK WITH THEM, THE VALUES AND CULTURES WE BRING TO THE PARTNERSHIPS WE HAVE. WE ARE CONFIDENT WE WILL REPLACE THIS IN TIME BUT WILL TAKE TIME TO WORK THROUGH IT. I WON'T GO INTO DETAIL WHO WE HAVE BEEN TALKING TO. WE WILL BE WORKING THROUGH THIS IN A CONSTRUCTIVE AND RESPECT AWAY. FRESH FROM WINNING THE SUPREME HALBERG AWARD LAST NIGHT, GOLFER DAME LYDIA KO HAS ANOTHER REASON TO FEEL CHUFFED THIS EVENING. SHE HAS APPEARED ON THE COVER OF THE KOREAN EDITION OF VOGUE MAGAZINE, ONE OF 20 SUBJECTS CHOSEN TO CELEBRATE WOMEN AND WORK. IN AN INSTAGRAM POST, THE PARIS GOLD MEDALLIST SAID SHE NEVER THOUGHT SHE WOULD MAKE THE COVER OF A FASHION MAGAZINE. FARMING CONFIDENCE IS AT 10-YEAR HIGH, ACCORDING TO THE FEDERATED FARMERS LATEST SURVEY. AND ALSO RISING IS THE PRACTICE OF REGENERATIVE FARMING, METHODS THAT MOVE AWAY FROM HEAVY FERTILISERS AND FOCUS ON REGENERATING THE LAND. SENIOR REPORTER JULIET SPEEDY WENT TO NEW ZEALAND'S INAUGURAL UNDERGROUND FESTIVAL IN NORTH CANTERBURY TO FIND OUT MORE. THESE FARMERS ARE HERE TO PLANT SEEDS OF A FARMING REVOLUTION. THIS IS WHAT AGRICULTURE SHOULD BE. WE'RE BUILDING RESILIENCE, ENSURING FARMERS CAN STAY ON THE LAND. YOUNG AND OLD, FROM ALL OVER NEW ZEALAND WANTING TO DITCH THE CONVENTIONAL SCRIPT. THERE'S BEEN A BIG SHIFT, AND PEOPLE ARE SICK OF BEING FED THE SAME OLD STUFF IN TERMS OF WHAT'S THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM. FARMERS INHERENTLY KNOW THAT THERE'S MORE TO THE STORY THAN WHAT'S BEING DISHED UP TO THEM. WHAT I'VE COME TO UNDERSTAND AND BELIEVE IS THAT SORT OF FARMING, CLOSER TO NATURE` NATURAL FARMING SYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY IS THE CORE WAY OF ACHIEVING THAT. THIS IS UNDERGROUND ` AN INAUGURAL FESTIVAL FOCUSING ON REGENERATIVE FARMING PRACTICES, SOIL HEALTH, CONSERVATION AND LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS. IT'S AN INTERESTING MIX. WE'VE GOT DAIRY FARMERS, VITICULTURISTS, MARKET GARDENERS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, ALL DIFFERENT SCALES OF FARMING AND THE COMMON GROUND IS SOIL HEALTH AND IMPROVING BIODIVERSITY. REGENERATIVE FARMING IS A METHOD THAT'S BEEN EVOLVING OVER TIME THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. WE CAN THINK OF REGENERATIVE FARMING AS A JOURNEY, REALLY REDUCING THOSE INPUTS, INCREASING RESILIENCE, AND INCREASING THE QUALITY AND OUTPUT OF WHAT WE'RE DOING, BUT ALSO WITH FOCUS ON YOUR GOALS. SO ONE MIGHT BE PROFITABILITY, SO YOU CAN FOCUS ON THEIR PROFITABILITY. I LIKE TO THINK OF IT AS HOW DO WE FARM WHERE WE CARE ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT WE CARE ABOUT WINNING, SO WE'RE NOT COMPROMISING ECONOMICS FOR ENVIRONMENT, OR MAKING LOTS OF MONEY BUT COMPROMISING OUR HEALTH AND FAMILY TIME. WITH CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES RESHAPING AGRICULTURE, THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX, OR BENEATH THE SOIL, MIGHT JUST BE THE FUTURE OF FARMING. WE CAN ACHIEVE THE SAME YIELDS AND QUALITY. I WOULD ARGUE PROBABLY BETTER QUALITY THAN CONVENTIONAL SYSTEMS. I VERY MUCH FOCUS ON QUALITY RATHER THAN QUANTITY, WHICH IS PROBABLY A DETRIMENT TO MY BANK ACCOUNT BUT IT'S PART OF MY ETHOS. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN THE WORLD, IF FARMERS ARE UNDER INCREASING PRESSURE AND THAT MIGHT BE FROM FLOOD OR DROUGHT OR EXTREME STORMS, SO BUILDING RESILIENCE HAS TO BE OUR NUMBER ONE APPROACH. MORE AND MORE FARMERS NOW DIGGING DEEP FOR CHANGE. LAURA'S HERE WITH THE DAY'S WEATHER, AND IT'S BEEN WARM IN PARTS. YES, AND SOME STUNNING SCENES EARLY THIS MORNING IN BURNHAM AND LAKE DUNSTAN. BUT 29.2 DEGREES WAS OUR TOP TEMPERATURE, AT CHRISTCHURCH AIRPORT AND ASHBURTON. NAPIER HAD A VERY STICKY OVERNIGHT LOW OF 21.1 DEGREES. YOU'LL BE HAPPY TO KNOW THAT THAT LINGERING WARM AND HUMID AIR WILL GET PUSHED AWAY BY A SOUTHWEST WIND THURSDAY OR FRIDAY FOR THE SOUTH ISLAND; FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FOR THE NORTH ISLAND, BUT BEFORE THEN, THERE IS A THUNDERSTORM WATCH. I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS, AFTER SPORT. JUST AHEAD ON THREE NEWS, PRESIDENT TRUMP ACCUSES UKRAINE OF STARTING THE WAR WITH RUSSIA. WE SEE HOW THE PEACE MISSION IS GOING. A HIGH-POWERED PANEL LOOKS AT WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO BRING THE CAPITAL CITY BACK TO LIFE. AND NASA HAS JUST UPPED THE ANTE ON AN ASTEROID HITTING EARTH. WE'LL TELL YOU THE ODDS. PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS TAKEN AIM AT UKRAINE, SAYING IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE STARTED THE WAR WITH RUSSIA. IT CAME JUST HOURS AFTER MOSCOW WAS WELCOMED BACK TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE YEARS. ITV'S EMMA MURPHY HAS THE LATEST. (BOOM!) IN UKRAINE TONIGHT, THE RUSSIAN ONSLAUGHT CONTINUES, JUST HOURS AFTER TALKS BILLED TO BE ABOUT PEACE. BUT MORE SHOCKING, NOT WHAT IS COMING FROM THE SKIES, BUT FROM THE MOUTH OF THE LEADER OF THE COUNTRY THEY THOUGHT WAS PART OF THEIR SAFETY. THERE WERE THOSE WHO HOPE TO CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP IN THE UNITED STATES MIGHT BE GOOD, BUT TONIGHT PRESIDENT TRUMP APPEARED TO BLAME THE WAR ON UKRAINE. I THINK I HAVE THE POWER TO END THIS WAR. BUT TODAY I HEARD, WE WEREN'T INVITED. YOU HAVE BEEN THERE FOR THREE YEARS. YOU SHOULD HAVE NEVER STARTED IT. I COULD HAVE MADE A DEAL FOR UKRAINE THAT WOULD HAVE GIVEN THEM ALMOST ALL OF THE LAND, ALMOST ALL OF THE LAND, AND NO PEOPLE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, AND NO CITY DEMOLISHED, HIS WORDS CAME JUST HOURS AFTER TALKS ABOUT PEACE HAD TAKEN PLACE IN SAUDI ARABIA. THE HANDSHAKES WERE BETWEEN THE HOSTS AND VISITORS, NOT BETWEEN THE VISITORS THEMSELVES. BUT THEIR PRESENCE IN THE SAME ROOM WAS A HAND OF FRIENDSHIP. THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA, GREAT ADVERSARIES AND GREAT POWERS, IN CONVERSATION ONCE MORE. IT WAS POSITIVE, UPBEAT, CONSTRUCTIVE, EVERYBODY THERE TO GET TO THE RIGHT OUTCOME. IT DIDN'T SEEM TO WORRY THE AMERICANS WHAT THE RIGHT OUTCOME IS FOR, FOR WHO. NO ONE ELSE HAS BEEN ABLE TO BRING SOMETHING TOGETHER LIKE TODAY, BECAUSE DONALD TRUMP IS THE ONLY LEADER THAT CAN. PRESIDENT TRUMP IS IN A POSITION THAT HE CAMPAIGNED ON, TO INITIATE A PROCESS TO BRING AN END TO THIS CONFLICT. THEY ARE SANCTIONED BY EACH OTHER'S COUNTRIES. THE RUSSIANS SEE THESE TALKS AS A WAY TO NORMALISE THE RELATIONSHIP. TRANSLATOR: WE LISTENED AND HEARD EACH OTHER. THE AMERICAN SIDE HAS BECOME MORE UNDERSTANDING OF OUR POSITION. BOTH SIDES WILL SEEK TO INCREASE COOPERATION, AHEAD OF A POSSIBLE MEETING OF PRESIDENTS TRUMP AND PUTIN. ZELENSKYY WAS LOBBYING THE TURKISH LEADER, A MUTUAL ALLY. TALK OF ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH RUSSIAN WILL ALARM UKRAINIANS, WORRIED THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY AS PART OF A GREAT CARVE-UP. IT IS CRITICAL NEGOTIATIONS ARE NOT BEHIND THE BACKS OF THE KEY PARTIES. AFTER THREE YEARS OF WAR, THE PRESIDENT AND HIS NATION MAY NOW BE AT ONE OF THE GREATEST MOMENTS OF PERIL. AS GAZA CEASEFIRE TALKS ENTER A SECOND PHASE, THERE ARE SIGNS OF UNEXPECTED COOPERATION BETWEEN HAMAS AND ISRAEL. THE PALESTINIAN GROUP SAYS IT WILL NOW RELEASE SIX ISRAELI HOSTAGES ON SATURDAY, INSTEAD OF THE THREE INITIALLY EXPECTED. IT WILL ALSO RETURN THE BODIES OF FOUR HOSTAGES ON THURSDAY, LIKELY TO INCLUDE THE TWO YOUNGEST, KFIR AND ARIEL BIBAS. THE CHILDREN WERE JUST 9 MONTHS AND 4 YEARS OLD WHEN THEY WERE CAPTURED IN OCTOBER 2023. HAMAS SAYS THE CHILDREN AND THEIR MOTHER WERE KILLED IN AN ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE. THEIR FATHER WAS FREED A FORTNIGHT AGO. NASA HAS OFFICIALLY UPGRADED THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN ASTEROID STRIKING EARTH, SAYING IT'S NOW GREATER THAN THE ODDS OF WINNING A GAME OF ROULETTE. THE ASTEROID, KNOWN AS '2024 YR4', IS ESTIMATED TO BE THE SIZE OF A JUMBO JET AND COULD LEVEL A CITY IF IT HITS IN SEVEN YEARS' TIME. IN DECEMBER THE ASTEROID HAD ONLY A 1.2% CHANCE OF CRASHING INTO EARTH. THOSE ODDS ARE NOW 3.1%, OR A ONE-IN-32 CHANCE. EXPERTS SAY THERE'S NO NEED TO PANIC YET, AS THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE ASTEROID MISSING OUR PLANET IS STILL OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE. JUST AHEAD ON THREE NEWS ` WAYNE BROWN IS THROWING HIS HAT BACK IN THE RING FOR MAYOR. HE WANTS AUCKLANDERS TO BACK HIM TO FINISH THE JOB. MEGHAN MARKLE'S BRAND GETS A REBRAND, AFTER LAST YEAR'S TRADEMARK TROUBLES. AND LATER IN SPORT, WE HAVE ALL THE BIG WINNERS FROM THE GLITZY HALBERG AWARDS CEREMONY. THIS IS THREE NEWS. IF YOU'VE JUST JOINED US, HERE ARE OUR TOP STORIES SO FAR TONIGHT. THE RESERVE BANK HAS CUT THE OFFICIAL CASH RATE BY 50 BASIS POINTS TO 3.75%, THE LOWEST IT HAS BEEN IN TWO YEARS. THERE ARE GROWING CALLS TO HAVE DESTINY CHURCH'S 'MAN UP' GROUP CLASSIFIED AS A GANG, WITH MORE POLITICIANS WADING INTO THE DEBATE. AUCKLAND MAYOR WAYNE BROWN HAS ANNOUNCED HE IS RUNNING AGAIN FOR THE CITY'S TOP JOB. HERE THE 78-YEAR-OLD IS PROMISING TO FIX THE SUPER CITY, SAYING HE'LL BE TOUGHER AND BETTER THE SECOND TIME ROUND. I'M ASKING AUCKLANDERS TO BACK ME TO FINISH THE JOB I STARTED THREE YEARS AGO. WITH EXPERIENCE, I KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO HELP KEEP MOVING AUCKLAND FORWARD. KERRIN LEONI IS THE ONLY COUNCILLOR SO FAR TO THROW HER HAT INTO THE RING FOR THE MAYORAL CHAINS. AN INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO RE-ENERGISE THE CAPITAL CITY HAS JUST KICKED OFF. THE EVENT, HOSTED BY A GROUP CALLED 'VISION FOR WELLINGTON', IS UNDERWAY, AND FEATURES OSCAR-WINNING DIRECTOR JAMES CAMERON AND URBAN DESIGNER STUART NIVEN ON A PANEL WHICH WILL DISCUSS WHAT MAKES A CITY GREAT. A POPULAR SHOOTING-RELATED VIDEO GAME HAS BEEN HEAVILY CRITICISED ONLINE AFTER USING MARCH 15th, THE DATE OF THE CHRISTCHURCH MOSQUE ATTACKS, AS THE BIRTHDATE OF ITS NEW MAORI CHARACTER. THE GAME ATTRACTS THOUSANDS OF ONLINE PLAYERS AND IS RUN BY FRENCH GAMING COMPANY UBISOFT. GRACE THOMAS HAS MORE. THIS IS A MAORI VIDEO GAME CHARACTER CALLED HAPAI 'RAUORA' IWINI, THE LATEST ADDITION TO UBISOFT'S SHOOTER VIDEO GAME CALLED 'TOM CLANCY'S RAINBOW SIX SIEGE'. BUT THE DETAILS IN HER ONLINE PROFILE ON THE UBISOFT WEBSITE HAVE SPARKED CONCERN. IT SAYS SHE'S BORN IN CHRISTCHURCH ON THE 15th OF MARCH, THE DATE OF CHRISTCHURCH'S DEADLY MOSQUE ATTACKS IN 2019. 51 PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND 89 INJURED AFTER A GUNMAN OPENED FIRE AT TWO MOSQUES, WHICH BECAME THE WORST MASS SHOOTING IN NEW ZEALAND HISTORY. I WAS PRETTY DISGUSTED BY THEIR ACTIONS. I THOUGHT IT WAS COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE. I'M NOT SURE IF THEY CHOSE THE DATE INTENTIONALLY, BUT IF THEY'D SPENT A COUPLE OF MINUTES JUST LOOKING FOR THE DATES AND TIMES, FANS OF THE GAME HAVE TAKEN TO SOCIAL MEDIA TO SHARE THEIR DISAPPOINTMENT. ONE PERSON POSTED ON REDDIT, SAYING THEY WERE, ANOTHER SAID THE DATE IS... QUESTIONS WERE ALSO RAISED AS TO WHETHER THE PROFILE WAS WRITTEN BY AI. AI IS MOSTLY USED IN THE BACK-END SIDE OF THINGS, RATHER THAN CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. BUT IT IS USED IN SOME CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT NOW. THE HEAD OF THE CHRISTCHURCH CALL, PAUL ASH, IS URGING ONLINE PLATFORMS TO BE AWARE OF ANY LINKS, INTENDED OR NOT, TO THE MARCH 15 ATTACKS. IN A STATEMENT TO THREE NEWS, HE SAID, 'THAT DAY WAS PLANNED TO CAUSE ENDURING HARM ONLINE' UBISOFT HASN'T RESPONDED TO OUR REQUEST FOR COMMENT. THEY REALLY NEED TO CHANGE HIS CHARACTER'S BACKSTORY AND DEFINITELY CHANGE THE DATE OF BIRTH. IF IT WAS INTENTIONAL, THEY OWE A HUGE APOLOGY TO THE FAMILY, THE WHANAU OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE INVOLVED. AND IF IT WASN'T INTENTIONAL, THEN THEY JUST NEED TO FIX IT. BUT WITH A NEW UPDATE FOR THE GAME SET TO BE REVEALED ON MARCH 13th, MANY NEW ZEALAND FANS ARE HOPING THERE WILL BE CHANGES. A LOS ANGELES JURY HAS FOUND HIP-HOP STAR A$AP ROCKY NOT GUILTY OF SHOOTING A FORMER FRIEND. THE CONFRONTATION STEMMED FROM AN ARGUMENT THAT BROKE OUT IN 2021. THE 36-YEAR-OLD CLAIMED HE ONLY FIRED A PROP GUN THAT SHOOTS BLANKS. ROCKY, WHO IS THE LONG-TIME PARTNER OF SINGER RIHANNA, WAS FACING UP TO 24 YEARS IN PRISON IF CONVICTED. AFTER THE VERDICT WAS READ, HE THANKED THE JURY FOR SAVING HIS LIFE. MEGHAN MARKLE IS GETTING A REBRAND. THE DUCHESS OF SUSSEX HAS RE-LAUNCHED HER LIFESTYLE BUSINESS AFTER IT RAN INTO TRADEMARK TROUBLE. MEGHAN FOUNDED AMERICAN RIVIERA ORCHARD LAST YEAR. BUT IN A NEW INSTAGRAM POST, SHE REVEALED THE COMPANY IS NOW CALLED 'AS EVER'. IT'S EXPECTED TO BE ROLLED OUT IN THE COMING WEEKS, TO COINCIDE WITH THE LAUNCH OF HER NEW LIFESTYLE SHOW ON NETFLIX. THE DUCHESS DEBUTED THE NAME CHANGE ALONGSIDE A PHOTO OF HER DAUGHTER LILIBET (3). OLLIE'S HERE NEXT WITH SPORT, AND IT'S DAME LYDIA WHO REIGNS SUPREME. I THINK WE BOTH GUESSED IN THE NEWSROOM YESTERDAY, SAM. WE'LL HAVE ALL THE WINNERS FROM LAST NIGHT'S HALBERG AWARDS NEXT. IT WAS THE DAME OFF. IT WAS LYDIA VERSUS LISA. PLUS ` WE SIT DOWN WITH THE NEW ZEALAND RUGBY BOSS. ARE THE ALL BLACKS SET FOR MORE TESTS IN THE U.S.? AND COULD THE BLACKCAPS' INJURY CRISIS BE ABOUT TO DEEPEN, AHEAD OF THEIR CHAMPIONS TROPHY OPENER? It's amazing what they squeeze into an UP&GO. VOICEOVER: We squeeze more good stuff in, so you can get more out. Also available in a big value 12 pack. (DYNAMIC MUSIC) SAVOUR EVERY MOMENT, WITH SUZUKI S-CROSS HYBRID AND THREE NEWS SPORT. THE ALL BLACKS ARE SET TO TAKE MORE TESTS TO THE UNITED STATES IN THE LEAD-UP TO THE 2031 RUGBY WORLD CUP, AS NEW ZEALAND RUGBY DESPERATELY TRIES TO BREAK INTO THE LUCRATIVE AMERICAN MARKET. NZR ANNOUNCED TODAY SCOTT ROBERTSON'S SIDE WILL FACE IRELAND IN CHICAGO LATER THIS YEAR, A REMATCH OF IRELAND'S FAMOUS VICTORY FROM 2016. THAT WILL FORM PART OF ANOTHER MONSTER YEAR FOR THE GAME BOTH HERE AND ABROAD. I SAT DOWN WITH NEW ZEALAND RUGBY CEO MARK ROBINSON TO DISCUSS THE ALL BLACKS' TRIP STATESIDE AND THE SUCCESS THEY'RE ALREADY SEEING IN THE GAME ON HOME SHORES. WE ARE OBVIOUSLY SLATED TO PLAY SCOTLAND, ENGLAND AND WALES IN THE UK IN NOVEMBER, AND WE SPOKE WITH THE IRISH, WHO HAVE THIS FANTASTIC RIVALRY, BUT ALSO AN AMAZING RELATIONSHIP, IN TERMS OF COLLABORATION AND OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK TOGETHER. WE THOUGHT THIS COULD BE A GREAT FORERUNNER INTO THAT NOVEMBER SERIES. WE NEED TO GET BACK THERE MORE REGULARLY, AND THE KEY DIFFERENCE WE HAVE WITH THE STATES, AS WE HAVE A STAR IN THE RUGBY WORLD CUP IN 2031. WE WOULD LIKE TO GO MORE EXPLORE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO TAKE MORE GAMES THERE, BUT WE KNOW WE HAVE DEVELOPED OTHER BRANDS SUCH AS THE ALL BLACKS 15, BUT CLEARLY THE ALL BLACKS, WITH TIER 1 NATIONS LIKE IRELAND, WILL BE KNOCKOUT FIXTURE, SO IT'S GREAT TO BE GOING BACK WITH SOMETHING OF THAT CALIBRE. HOW IMPRESSIVE WAS THAT OPENING ROUND OF SUPER RUGBY? WE HAVEN'T SEEN A BETTTER ROUND FOR MANY YEARS. GREAT ENGAGEMENT AT A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT LEVELS. THE OFFICIATING WAS OUTSTANDING. WE ARE POSITIVE. THE PLAYERS AND FANS ARE ENJOYING IT. IT HAS BEEN RECOGNISED AS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS. IS THAT THE SORT OF BLUEPRINT YOU WANT TO TAKE UP NORTH? I THINK WE GO IN CONTINUING OUR LEADERSHIP ROLE, AS BEING STRONG ADVOCATES FOR LESS INTERVENTION, SLOWING DOWN THE GAME, FREE-FLOWING PLAY, MORE ENTERTAINING. ALREADY AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, WE SEE FANTASTIC RUGBY. BUT WE BELIEVE WE CAN SEE A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF GAMES THAT ARE GREAT GAMES. WE WANT TO SEE 80% OF GAMES BEING AMAZING GAMES, WHICH IS HIGHER THAN THE PERCENTAGE AT THE MOMENT. HE WAS THE STANDOUT PLAYER IN THE OPENING ROUND OF SUPER RUGBY, BUT CRUSADERS COACH ROB PENNEY ISN'T THRILLED WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT NOW SITS ON KYLE PRESTON'S SHOULDERS. PRESTON SCORED A HAT-TRICK IN HIS CRUSADERS DEBUT, PLAYING MORE THAN 70 MINUTES OFF THE BENCH AFTER AN EARLY INJURY TO NOAH HOTHAM. THE 25-YEAR-OLD WILL START THIS WEEKEND AGAINST THE CHIEFS, AND PENNEY FEELS HE SHOULD BE GIVEN TIME TO FIND HIS FEET AT SUPER RUGBY LEVEL. I GUESS THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF EXPECTATION PUT ON HIM AFTER LAST WEEK. HE IS A DEBUTANTE CRUSADER SUPER LEVEL PLAYER. IT IS A BIT UNFAIR. LET THE KID GROW INTO IT AND MATURE. ELSEWHERE, HOSKINS SOTUTU WILL MAKE HIS FIRST APPEARANCE OF THE YEAR FOR THE BLUES, NAMED TO START AT NUMBER EIGHT AFTER MISSING THEIR OPENING GAME THROUGH INJURY. LEON MacDONALD HAS LANDED HIS FIRST COACHING GIG SINCE DEPARTING THE ALL BLACKS LAST YEAR. THE WESTERN FORCE HAVE APPOINTED MacDONALD AS A COACHING CONSULTANT FOR THEIR MEN'S, WOMEN'S AND ACADEMY PROGRAMMES FOR THE 2025 SEASON. IT WILL MARK A RETURN TO SUPER RUGBY FOR MacDONALD, WHO LEFT THE BLUES IN 2023. MACDONALD LASTED JUST FIVE TESTS AS AN ALL BLACKS ASSISTANT BEFORE LEAVING THE ROLE, CITING COACHING DIFFERENCES WITH SCOTT ROBERTSON. WELLINGTON PHOENIX CAPTAIN ALEX RUFER IS RELIEVED TO BE BACK TO FULL HEALTH IN TIME FOR THIS WEEKEND'S DERBY AGAINST A-LEAGUE LEADERS AUCKLAND FC. THE MIDFIELDER HAS HIS SIGHTS SET ON PLAYING UP TO 60 MINUTES FOR THE CLUB, AFTER OPENING UP ABOUT HIS STRUGGLE WITH GLANDULAR FEVER, WHICH HAS KEPT HIM SIDE-LINED SINCE THE START OF THE YEAR. HERE'S LUCY THOMSON. ALEX RUFER KNOWS A THING OR TWO ABOUT RETURNING FROM INJURY, BUT ILLNESS IS A DIFFERENT BALL GAME. I'VE HAD TWO BAD INJURIES, AND OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE TOUGH, BECAUSE YOU'RE OUT FOR A LONG TIME. BUT AS LEAST YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO WORK TOWARDS, WHEREAS THIS WAS A BIT DIFFERENT ` THERE WAS NO EXPECTED DATE OF RETURN. AFTER BEING TOLD HIS RECOVERY FROM GLANDULAR FEVER COULD TAKE ANYWHERE BETWEEN SIX WEEKS AND SIX MONTHS, THE CLUB'S LONGEST-SERVING PLAYER, ADMITS HE HAD TO FOCUS HIS ATTENTION ELSEWHERE. I WASN'T THINKING ABOUT FOOTBALL FOR A WHILE, IF I'M HONEST, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO PLAN. SO THE FIRST THING ON MY MIND WAS JUST ABOUT GETTING HEALTHY AGAIN. AND RETURNING TO THE FIELD IN TIME TO HELP HIS TEAM TURN THEIR SEASON AROUND, STARTING WITH A WIN AT THE BLACK KNIGHTS ON SATURDAY. WHAT'S HAPPENED HAS HAPPENED. WHAT'S DONE IS DONE. LIKE I SAID, FOR ME THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS WINNING THE GAME. THE ENTIRE TEAM FULLY FOCUSED ON BEATING NOT ONLY THEIR BIGGEST RIVALS BUT THE BEST TEAM IN THE COMPETITION. IF YOU CAN LIMIT BIG MISTAKES IN BIG GAMES, YOU GO A LONG WAY TO WINNING. IF YOU CAN LIMIT BIG MISTAKES IN BIG GAMES, YOU GO A LONG WAY TO WINNING. YES, IT'S GOOD IF WE PLAY WELL. PERFORMANCE IS GOOD. BUT FOR US NOW, WE NEED TO WIN GAMES, AND THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO. TO MOVE UP THE LADDER AND INTO TOP-SIX CONTENTION. DAME LYDIA KO HAS BEEN CROWNED SUPREME WINNER AT THE HALBERG AWARDS FOR A SECOND TIME, BEATING THREE OTHER OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLISTS FOR THE TOP AWARD AT LAST NIGHT'S CEREMONY IN AUCKLAND. GOLF NZ CEO JEFF LATCH ACCEPTED THE AWARD OF KO'S BEHALF, AFTER SHE BEAT SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR HAMISH KERR, THE K4 TEAM OF THE YEAR, AND PARA-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR ANNA GRIMALDI AS WINNERS OF THE OTHER CATEGORIES. KO'S OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL, FOLLOWED BY A WOMEN'S OPEN TITLE AT ST ANDREWS THREE WEEKS LATER, SAW HER CLAIM THE TOP PRIZE 11 YEARS AFTER FIRST WINNING IT. 2024 WAS A SPECIAL YEAR FOR ME, AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST HIGHLIGHTS OF MY CAREER, SO TO GET RECOGNISED AS THE HALBERG SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR IS A HUGE HONOUR, ESPECIALLY AS THERE WERE SO MANY DECORATED WOMEN THAT REPRESENTED NEW ZEALAND. DAME LISA CARRINGTON'S LONG-TIME COACH, GORDON WALKER, WAS NAMED COACH OF THE YEAR FOR A SIXTH TIME. INJURY HAS ONCE AGAIN THREATENED TO DERAIL THE BLACKCAPS' CHAMPIONS TROPHY CAMPAIGN, BEFORE IT HAS EVEN BEGUN, AND THERE COULD BE WORSE TO COME. LOCKIE FERGUSSON IS THE LATEST TO BE RULED OUT OF THE TOURNAMENT, CITING A LINGERING FOOT INJURY, JOINING BEN SEARS ON THE PLANE HOME. BLACKCAPS COACH GARY STEAD SAYS FERGUSON'S ABSENCE IS A BLOW FOR THE TEAM, AND HE COULDN'T GUARANTEE RACHIN RAVINDRA WOULD BE FIT FOR TONIGHT'S OPENER EITHER. WITH A HEAD IN THE HEAD, THE WAY HE GOT, AND STITCHES TO HIS FOREHEAD, WE WILL BE TAKING A CAUTIOUS APPROACH WITH HIM. IF HE DOESN'T PLAY THIS GAME, WE EXPECT HE WILL BE RIGHT FOR THE NEXT ONE. CANTERBURY SEAMER KYLE JAMIESON HAS BEEN CALLED IN AS FERGUSON'S REPLACEMENT. FINALLY TONIGHT, LIAM LAWSON'S FIRST DRIVING DUTY FOR RED BULL HAS INVOLVED CHAUFFEURING REIGNING FOUR-TIME CHAMPION MAX VERSTAPPEN TO THE INAUGURAL FORMULA 1 SEASON LAUNCH IN LONDON. THE 23-YEAR-OLD KIWI DROVE HIS NEW TEAMMATE ON TO THE RED CARPET AS THE SPORT KICK-STARTED ITS 75th SEASON, BEFORE THE PAIR DEBUTED THEIR NEW RACING SUITS ON STAGE, ALONGSIDE TEAM PRINCIPAL CHRISTIAN HORNER. WE HAVE A NEW LINEUP. MAX IS JOINED BY A YOUNG KIWI, LIAM LAWSON. AND LIAM BRINGS A IN EXCITING NEW DYNAMIC TO THE TEAM. WE LOOK FORWARD TO RACING AGAINST SOME AMAZING COMPETITION. SEVEN-TIME CHAMPION LEWIS HAMILTON ALSO ARRIVED WEARING FERRARI RED, AS HE PREPARED FOR HIS FIRST SEASON WITH HIS NEW TEAM. I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE LIAM LAWSON WITH RED BULL. DIDN'T WE DO A STORY ABOUT HIM NOT HAVING A LICENSE? ONE OF THE OTHER DRIVERS. LIAM HAS ONE. NEARLY 14 YEARS AFTER THE DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE THAT CHANGED CHRISTCHURCH FOREVER, THE CITY'S LONG-AWAITED REBUILD IS FINALLY REACHING KEY MILESTONES. SENIOR REPORTER JULIET SPEEDY HAS BEEN GRANTED ACCESS INSIDE THESE LONG-ANTICIPATED PROJECTS. IT'S 14 YEARS SINCE THE DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE HIT CHRISTCHURCH, BUT THIS CITY IS NOW WELL KNOWN AS THE MOST LIVEABLE IN THE COUNTRY. SO WE THOUGHT IT WAS TIME TO GIVE YOU A QUICK-FIRE UPDATE OF THE MAJOR POST-EARTHQUAKE PROJECTS WHICH WILL BE THE JEWELS IN THIS WONDERFUL TOWN'S CROWN. TE KAHA, THE COUNTRY'S MOST EXCITING NEW INNER-CITY STADIUM, IS DUE TO OPEN IN APRIL NEXT YEAR. THE $683M PROJECT WILL BE A MULTI-USE ARENA, SO FINALLY CANTABS CAN SEE THE ALL BLACKS, BLACK CAPS, AND CONCERTS IN THEIR HOME TOWN. COME BACK, COLDPLAY! FUN FACT ` THE SEATING BOWL IN THE STADIUM WILL BE DECORATED IN A TRADITIONAL MAORI KOWHAIWHAI PATTERN BY A LOCAL ARTIST. IF YOU'RE MORE ARTS THAN SPORT ` AND LETS FACE IT, IT'S GREAT TO BE BOTH ` THEN BUCKLE UP. THE INCREDIBLE NEW COURT THEATRE WILL BE OPEN IN MAY THIS YEAR ` YES, JUST A FEW MONTHS AWAY. THIS $60M ARTS HAVEN WILL HAVE TWO THEATRES AND A BAR AND CAFE, WHICH OF COURSE WILL INVOLVE THEIR FAMOUS WOOD-FIRED PIZZAS. IT'S SAID IT WILL BE AN OFFERING UNLIKE ANY OTHER IN NEW ZEALAND. SHAKESPEARE HIMSELF WILL WISH HE COULD VISIT. NOW THE BELOVED MUSEUM, WHICH ` LET'S FACE IT ` WAS OVERDUE AN UPGRADE. WELL, NOW IT'S GETTING A WHOPPING $247M ONE. BUT IT WON'T BE DONE FOR A WHILE YET ` 2029, IN FACT. IT'S GOING TO BE EPIC, THOUGH. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT WILL BE WORLD-CLASS. AND FUN FACT ` THE WORLD'S BIGGEST ANIMAL SKELETON WILL BE ON DISPLAY, WHICH IS 4.6-TON BLUE WHALE SKELETON. THE OLD FELLA WASHED UP ON A BEACH NEAR OKARITO, ON THE WEST COAST, MANY YEARS AGO. AND NOW THE MONSTROUS PARAKIORE, NEW ZEALAND'S LARGEST INDOOR SPORTS AND AQUATIC FACILITY. FIVE HYDROSLIDES, BABY! THAT'S THE MOST IN ONE SPOT IN AOTEAROA. THE BUDGET HERE IS YET TO BE CONFIRMED, BUT THE COUNCIL ALONE HAS PUT $147M IN. YOU CAN COME HERE WITH YOUR TOGS AND FLIP-FLOPS LATER THIS YEAR, WHEN IT OPENS. FUN FACT ` THE FIVE HYDROSLIDES ARE INSPIRED BY EELS, BUT SHOULD BE LESS SLIMY. SO I'M SORRY TO THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T LIVE HERE, BECAUSE CHRISTCHURCH'S GLOW-UP IS IMMINENT. LAURA'S HERE WITH MORE ON THE WEATHER, AND ANOTHER THUNDERSTORM WATCH. YES, FOR THE SECOND DAY, THERE'S A THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN PLACE FOR THESE PARTS OF CANTERBURY AND OTAGO, WHICH CAN CAUSE SURFACE OR FLASH FLOODING, ESPECIALLY ABOUT LOW-LYING AREAS. NOW, THIS WEATHER SYSTEM ISN'T GOING TO STICK AROUND TOO LONG, SO WE SHOULDN'T SEE ANOTHER ONE OF THESE THIS TIME TOMORROW. I'LL HAVE ALL THE DETAILS FOR TOMORROW'S WEATHER IN YOUR AREA, NEXT. SUNNY WEATHER PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR WET DAYS. CLEAR OUT GUTTERS AND CUT BACK BRANCHES THAT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME. AMI, BRINGING YOU THREE NEWS WEATHER. NAU MAI ANO. NOW, THE WEATHER SYSTEMS DRIVING THOSE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS AND WATCHES OVER THE PAST TWO DAYS SHOULDN'T BE AN ISSUE TOMORROW, SO UNLIKELY TO BE A THREE-PEAT. THERE IS A BIT OF RAIN ASSOCIATED WITH RELATIVELY WEAK WEATHER FEATURES PASSING OVER THE COUNTRY ON THURSDAY, SO MORE SHOWERS AND CLOUD IN STORE FOR THE WEST OF THE SOUTH ISLAND IN PARTICULAR. AND SOME WET WEATHER BOUND FOR SOUTHLAND AND OTAGO. ON THE EAST OF BOTH ISLANDS, IT'S LOOKING TO BE DRIER AND MORE SETTLED. SHOWERS THROUGH NORTH OTAGO AND CANTERBURY IN THE MORNING. BUT THEN GENERALLY FINE AND DRY ON THE EAST. ON THE WEST COAST, THE WET WEATHER SYSTEM WILL MOVE NORTH UP THE ISLAND AND COULD GET HEAVY. IN TE IKA-A-MAUI, THE NORTH ISLAND, A DRY START FOR MOST. SOME SHOWERS FOR TARANAKI AND MANAWATU, THEN SOME AFTERNOON SHOWERS FOR NORTHLAND AND EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY. IT WILL BE A CLOUDY START AND THEN FINE FOR WHITIANGA, PARTLY CLOUDY FOR EVERYONE ELSE, WITH A FEW SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON. THEY COULD GET HEAVY IN NORTHERN AREAS OF AUCKLAND. NORTHERLIES DEVELOPING FOR A TIME IN THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING IN NORTHLAND. A FEW MORNING SHOWERS FOR TOKOROA. MOSTLY CLOUDY ELSEWHERE, WITH A CHANCE OF A SHOWER OR TWO. STRONGER NORTHERLIES ALONG THE COAST AFTER LUNCH. A DRY THURSDAY FOR THE EAST OF THE ISLAND. A LITTLE BIT OF CLOUD FOR DANNEVIRKE AND MASTERTON AND SOME VERY WARM TEMPERATURES HERE TOO. HASTINGS GETTING TO 30. NOW, YOU MIGHT WAKE TO SOME SHOWERS, BUT THEY WILL CLEAR DURING THE MORNING. AND THOSE CLOUDS WILL BE A MORNING THING TOO. IT'S LOOKING LIKE A FINE AFTERNOON. NELSON, A FINE DAY. SHOWERS FOR EVERYONE ELSE. THEY WILL BE ON AND OFF MOST OF THE DAY, AND THEN THEY'LL TURN TO RAIN IN THE EVENING. COULD BE HEAVY AND THUNDERY IN HOKITIKA. LIKE THE NORTH ISLAND, IT'S DRY IN THE EAST. A LITTLE BIT OF MORNING CLOUD FROM CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH, BUT THEN A FINE DAY FOR EVERYONE. NORTHWESTERLIES DEVELOPING IN THE AFTERNOON FOR ASHBURTON AND TIMARU. OAMARU WILL BE MAINLY FINE, BUT THEN OCCASIONAL RAIN FOR EVERYONE ELSE. POSSIBLY HEAVY FROM AFTERNOON FOR INVERCARGILL AND DUNEDIN. THURSDAY WON'T BE AS INTENSE AS TODAY. THAT OVERNIGHT RAIN WILL CLEAR EARLY AND BECOME MAINLY FINE. NORTHERLIES FROM THE AFTERNOON AND SHOWERS THAT COULD GET HEAVY. ANOTHER SETTLED DAY FOR CHRISTCHURCH. SOME MORNING CLOUD, CLEARING TO FINE. NORTHEASTERLIES DEVELOPING IN THE AFTERNOON. 26 IS YOUR HIGH. SHOWERS OVERNIGHT FOR THE CAPITAL, AND A MUGGY EVENING. PORIRUA WITH A LOW OF 20. THOSE NORTHERLIES WILL TURN NORTHWESTERLY TOMORROW. SOME AREAS OF MORNING CLOUD AND THEN A FINE DAY. SORRY, HAWKE'S BAY ` ANOTHER MUGGY NIGHT AHEAD FOR YOU TOO, AND THEN ANOTHER VERY WARM DAY. THE NORTHWESTERLIES WILL EASE BEFORE DAWN. HIGHS OF 28 AND 30 DEGREES. TAURANGA, SOME CLOUDY PERIODS TOMORROW. A CHANCE OF A SHOWER OR TWO, MAINLY FROM THE AFTERNOON. AND THOSE NORTHERLIES WILL GET STRONGER THEN TOO. HAMILTON, A SIMILAR DAY TO TODAY. WESTERLIES DEVELOPING IN THE MORNING. BUT A MOSTLY CLOUDY THURSDAY, WITH A FEW SHOWERS CLEARING IN THE AFTERNOON. TAMAKI MAKAURAU, PARTLY CLOUDY, WITH A FEW SHOWERS FROM THE AFTERNOON, SOME POSSIBLY HEAVY NORTH OF WARKWORTH. WESTERLIES, EASING IN THE AFTERNOON. IN AUSTRALIA, A COOLER, CLOUDY SUMMER'S DAY FOR MELBOURNE, ON 21. AND IN THE PACIFIC, IT'S SHOWERY, HUMID AND STORMY TO THE NORTH. BACK HOME, AND A COUPLE OF SHOWERS FOR FRIDAY HERE, BUT A DRY WEEKEND EXPECTED. AND TO THE EAST, AND FOR TAUPO IT'S LOOKING SUNNY. A BIT OF CLOUD AROUND, BUT OTHERWISE SOME GREAT WEATHER FOR THOSE OUTDOOR WEEKEND ACTIVITIES. AND GET THE WEEKEND PLANS LOCKED IN HERE TOO. SOME CLEAR DAYS AHEAD, AND NOT TOO HOT. AND THAT'S DUE TO A SOUTHERLY CHANGE BRINGING SOME COOLER TEMPERATURES AHEAD FOR SOME. THE ODD SHOWER ON THE CARDS HERE, BUT AGAIN GENERALLY A CLEAR WEEKEND FOR THE TOP OF THE SOUTH. INVERCARGILL, YOU'VE GOT A BIT OF WET WEATHER AHEAD, BUT THAT SHOULD EASE AT LEAST AT THE WEEKEND. LOOKING MAINLY FINE ELSEWHERE. AND WE GOT SO MANY GORGEOUS SUNRISE PHOTOS SENT IN, I HAD TO SHARE MORE OF THEM. I COULDN'T CHOOSE. IS GREAT TO SEE THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE GETTING UP EARLY AS WELL. THAT IS THREENEWS FOR TONIGHT. THANKS FOR JOINING US. YOU CAN STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS AND INFORMATION ON stuff.co.nz I'M SAMANTHA HAYES. POMARIE. I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW.