TONIGHT ` LUXON HITS BACK ON CHINESE LIVE FIRE EXERCISES. CHINESE WARSHIPS IN THE TASMAN, FLIGHTS DIVERTED ` OUR NAVY WATCHING ON. GOOD TO HAVE HAD A BIT MORE NOTICE AND PROBABLY NOT THE BEST PLACE TO BE DOING IT. WHAT THESE NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN WAR GAMES MEAN FOR OUR REGIONAL SECURITY. SUSPECTED ARSON ATTACKS ON MULTIPLE CHURCHES IN MASTERTON ` ONE OFFICER'S QUICK THINKING'S PRAISED. HE JUMPED ON TOP OF HIS BONNET AND PUT THE HOSE THROUGH THE WINDOW, AND MANAGED TO SAVE OUR BUILDING, SO GOD DOES WORK. MM. I AM HERE AT A SOLD-OUT MOUNT SMART STADIUM FOR THE THIRD KIWI FOOTBALL DERBY. CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR. WWW.ABLE.CO.NZ COPYRIGHT ABLE 2025 TENA TATOU KATOA I TENEI PO. GOOD EVENING. WITHIN THE PAST HOUR, THE NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE HAVE ADVISED THEY'VE WITNESSED LIVE ROUNDS BEING FIRED THIS AFTERNOON FROM A CHINESE WARSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. IT COMES AFTER A SIMILAR EXERCISE YESTERDAY THAT FORCED COMMERCIAL AIRLINES TO CHANGE THEIR FLIGHT PATHS AT THE LAST MINUTE. A CHINESE FLOTILLA IS CURRENTLY TRAVELLING THROUGH THE TASMAN SEA ` OUR GOVERNMENT IN THE DARK AS TO WHY. THOMAS MEAD REPORTS. THEY'RE A LONG, LONG WAY FROM HOME. POWERFUL CHINESE WARSHIPS SUDDENLY ANNOUNCING A TRAINING EXERCISE IN OUR BACKYARD. IT JUST WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD TO HAVE HAD A BIT MORE NOTICE, AND PROBABLY NOT THE BEST PLACE TO BE DOING IT. AUSTRALIAN NETWORK CHANNEL 9 REPORTING THAT PILOTS IN THREE COMMERCIAL JETS HEADING TO NEW ZEALAND HEARD A BROADCAST FROM ONE OF THE WARSHIPS WARNING OF AN IMMINENT LIVE-FIRING DRILL. RADAR SHOWING A QANTAS FLIGHT HEADING TO QUEENSTOWN TAKING A SUDDEN TURN. AIR NEW ZEALAND CONFIRMING IT ALSO HAD TO TAKE ACTION AND 'MODIFIED FLIGHT PATHS WHERE NECESSARY'. IT'S ALL LEGAL; THE CHINESE ARE OPERATING WITHIN INTERNATIONAL LAW, BUT THEY'RE NOT SAYING MUCH. WE HAVEN'T BEEN GIVEN A REASON AS TO WHY THEY'RE HERE IN THIS CONFIGURATION, WITH THIS SET OF SHIPS, WITH THESE DIFFERENT SET OF CAPABILITIES, AND WE DON'T REALLY HAVE A SENSE OF` WE HAVEN'T BEEN TOLD WHERE THEY'RE GOING AND WHY. NO, I THINK THE CHINESE WERE JUST BEING RUDE. YOU MIGHT SAY THIS IS MILITARY DIPLOMACY WITH AN EDGE, BUT THAT'S ALL IT IS. THEY'RE DOING POWER PROJECTION, AS ANY GREAT POWER WOULD DO. THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY GIVING LITTLE AWAY. (SPEAKS MANDARIN) TRANSLATOR: THE DRILL WAS CARRIED OUT IN A SAFE, STANDARD AND PROFESSIONAL MANNER, IN COMPLIANCE WITH RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL LAW AND INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE. MEANWHILE, AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER PENNY WONG IS WITH HER CHINESE COUNTERPART AT THE G20 ` CURRENTLY UNDERWAY IN SOUTH AFRICA ` EXPRESSING CONCERN DIRECTLY OF DRILLS ` THAT SENTIMENT ECHOED BY THEIR PRIME MINISTER. WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS MAKE REPRESENTATION SAYING WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS MAKE REPRESENTATION SAYING THAT WE THINK BEST PRACTICE WOULD BE TO GIVE MORE NOTICE, AND WE'VE DONE THAT. A JOINT ANZAC EFFORT HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE FLOTILLA ` NEW ZEALAND'S HMNZS TE KAHA SHADOWING IT AT SEA. WE'LL CONTINUE TO MONITOR IT VERY, VERY CLOSELY. WITHOUT MUCH ELSE TO GO ON, THE PLAN IS TO KEEP AN EYE ON IT. THOMAS, THE DEFENCE MINISTER'S OFFICE GAVE YOU AN UPDATE A SHORT TIME AGO. WHAT DID THEY SAY? THAT'S RIGHT. IN THE LAST HOUR WE HAVE HAD CONFIRMATION THROUGH THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE THAT A SECOND TRAINING EXERCISE HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT BY THE CHINESE NAVY AND THE TASMAN SEA. NOTIFICATION OF THAT WAS SENT OUT AT THE LAST MINUTE THROUGH RADIO CHANNELS, JUST LIKE LAST TIME, RATHER THAN THROUGH OFFICIAL CHANNELS. THAT LEFT AUTHORITIES AND A SCRAMBLE TO TRY AND NOTIFY ALL OF THE COMMERCIAL AIRLINES FOR THE POTENTIAL OF THIS DANGER. THE CIVIL AVIATION SAID, SAFETY OF ALL PASSENGERS AND VESSELS IN THE AREA REMAINS OUR PARAMOUNT CONCERN. THIS TIME CREWMEMBERS ON THE TE KAHA, NEW ZEALAND NAVY VESSEL THAT IS SHADOWING THE FLEET, OBSERVE THE MAIN GUN FIRING ROUNDS, WHICH IS WHAT WOULD BE EXPECTED IN A TRAINING EXERCISE OF THIS KIND. THE CONCERN GOING FORWARD REALLY IS ABOUT TIME FRAMES. THE MINISTERS OFFICE SAYING CONCERNS REGARDING NOTIFICATION TIMES STAND AND WILL BE COMMUNICATED APPROPRIATELY. THANKS, THOMAS. 1 NEWS HAS LEARNT THE DETAILS OF THE CONTROVERSIAL AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN THE COOK ISLANDS AND CHINA. THE MOVE ANGERED THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT, WHICH WASN'T ADVISED OF THE COOK ISLANDS' INTENTIONS BEFOREHAND. JOINING ME NOW IS PACIFIC CORRESPONDENT BARBARA DREAVER. BARB, YOU'VE SEEN THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE? IT'S CALLED DEEPENING BLUE ECONOMY BUT IT'S REALLY JUST A MARITIME AGREEMENT AND IT TALKS ABOUT COOPERATION WITH DEEP SEA FISHING BASES AND WHARVES... NO WONDER THE COOK ISLANDS GOVERNMENT DIDN'T WANT TO SHARE IT WITH THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT WOULD BE SEEN AS A SECURITY RISK. THEY ARE ALSO GOING TO SET UP A GOVERNMENT TO GOVERNMENT WORKING GROUP SO THESE THINGS CAN BE DEALT WITH REASONABLY QUICKLY. THERE IS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT PROMOTING BUSINESSES AND INVESTMENT BUT WHAT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER IS THAT CHINESE BUSINESSES IN THE PACIFIC ARE STATE-SPONSORED, ESPECIALLY THE BIG PROJECTS. NOTHING HAPPENS WITHOUT THE BIG TICK OFF FROM BEIJING. SO THIS IS DEFINITELY GOVERNMENT TO GOVERNMENT. I WAS TALKING TO SOMEONE WITH THE PACIFIC REGIONAL SECURITY HELP AND HE SAYS THAT THIS COULD ENABLE CHINA TO HAVE A RESUPPLY CAPACITY WHICH FACILITATES THE TYPE OF INTERMEDIATION TACTICS THAT ARE CURRENTLY GOING ON IN THE TASMAN SEA. THIS COMES AT A TIME OF INCREASED TENSION, AS THOMAS HAS REPORTED. HOW SIGNIFICANT IS THIS? OH, VERY, AND I WAS TALKING TO A NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT SOURCE IN WELLINGTON, AND THIS IS WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY. MM. SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR NEW ZEALAND AND COOK ISLAND RELATIONS? MELISSA, I'VE BEEN COVERING THE PACIFIC FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER KNOWN A CRISIS LIKE IT. WHATEVER FLOWERY WORDS POLITICIANS ARE USING TO DESCRIBE THEIR RELATIONSHIP, IT'S VERY BAD. IT IS VERY BAD. I WAS SPEAKING WITH MARK BROWN JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO IN DEPTH WHEN I FIRST BROKE THE STORIES ABOUT THIS DISINTEGRATING RELATIONSHIP, AND HE MADE IT REALLY CLEAR THAT HE THINKS THE COOK ISLANDS CAN DO WHATEVER IT LIKES AND STILL STAY IN FREE ASSOCIATION WITH NEW ZEALAND. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE. THERE IS NO WAY THAT NEW ZEALAND IS GOING TO ALLOW THE COOK ISLANDS TO SIGN UP AND GO AHEAD WITH PROJECTS THAT COMPROMISE THE SECURITY OF NEW ZEALAND. AND SO WE WILL BE SEEING WHAT HAPPENS IF BOTH SIDES CAN'T COME TO AN AGREEMENT AND THE COOK ISLANDS PEOPLE MAY HAVE TO DECIDE THAT THEY WANT TO BE INDEPENDENT FROM NEW ZEALAND, BECAUSE THAT IS THE TRAJECTORY THAT THEY ARE HEADED ON. THANKS, BARBARA. POLICE ARE TREATING FIRES AT MULTIPLE CHURCHES IN MASTERTON OVERNIGHT AS SUSPICIOUS. IN ALL, SEVEN BUILDINGS WERE TARGETED IN THE WAIRARAPA TOWN WITH PETROL BOMBS. SAM OLLEY IS STANDING BY WITH THE LATEST, BUT FIRST, HER REPORT. MASTERTON RESIDENTS WAKING UP TO FIRES ALL OVER TOWN. THIS 84-YEAR-OLD'S CAT ALERTED HER. HE GOT UP ON THE DRESSING TABLE AND BECAME VERY, VERY VOCAL, TALKING TO ME NON-STOP. SO I JUST LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND FINALLY SAW SMOKE. POLICE CARS AND FIRE TRUCKS RUSHING TO THE SCENES STILL CORDONED OFF. POLICE HANDLER CAME PAST THE BEDROOM WINDOW, GAVE ME A BIG FRIGHT WITH THE BIG LIGHT ON HIS HEAD AND THE BIG DOG, AND ALSO SCARED THE CAT AWAY. (CHUCKLES) I HOPE IT COMES BACK TONIGHT. ROUND THE CORNER, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, GRATEFUL FOR A QUICK-THINKING POLICEMAN DRIVING PAST ON NIGHT SHIFT. HE SAW IT WAS BRIGHT RED INSIDE, SO HE GOT OUT. HE PARKED THE CAR JUST HERE, SAW OUR HOSE THERE. HE UNRAVELLED THE CAR. HE'S NOT MUCH TALLER THAN ME, SO, YOU KNOW, PRETTY GOOD. HE JUMPED ON TOP OF HIS BONNET AND PUT THE HOSE THROUGH THE` THROUGH THE WINDOW. AND YES, IT WAS, UH... MANAGED TO SAVE OUR BUILDING. BUT EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE INSIDE. WE'RE ALL DEVASTATED. THE CHURCHES AFFECTED WERE ALL IN THE CENTRE OF TOWN, THE FIRES BREAKING OUT IN A 10-MINUTE WINDOW BETWEEN 4.25 AND 4.35 THIS MORNING. THREE OTHER BUILDINGS WERE ALSO TARGETED BUT DID NOT CATCH FIRE. THE SEVENTH BUILDING HIT AT 10AM, HOURS AFTER THE EARLY-MORNING FLURRY. TWO OR THREE CHURCHES WITH SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE, AND THESE BUILDINGS ARE REALLY, REALLY OLD. SOME OF THE` SOME OF THE CHURCHES HAVE VERY MINIMAL DAMAGE, THANKFULLY. NOBODY INJURED AND NO NEIGHBOURING HOMES DAMAGED. POLICE NOT CALLING IT A RELIGIOUS ATTACK. AT THIS STAGE, WE WON'T BE RULING IT OUT, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY NOT PART OF OUR INVESTIGATION, COS THERE'S NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME. SCENES SHOCKING CHURCHGOERS. BIT MISERABLE. LIKE, PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE ON THE STREET DOING THAT. LOOKING FORWARD TO RETURNING. SINGING AND DANCING AND HANGING OUT WITH MY FRIENDS, CHURCH FRIENDS. WE'RE LIKE FAMILY. A FRUSTRATING WAIT FOR NOW. NAU MAI, SAM, WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT SUSPECTS? POLICE WERE NOT YET SURE IF A SINGLE PERSON WAS BEHIND THESE FIRES OR A GROUP. THERE IS SOMEONE THAT POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA SAYING THAT THEY STARTED THE FIRES, BUT POLICE SAY THEY ARE OPEN-MINDED ABOUT THAT PERSON AND THAT POST. IN THE PAST HALF HOUR AT ONE SCENE WE HAVE SEEN POLICE ATTEMPTING TO TAKE FINGERPRINTS OFF A BOTTLE AND POURING LIQUID OUT OF THAT BOTTLE NOTING THAT THEY THOUGHT IT TRUE BOMBS HAD STARTED THESE FIRES. THEY ARE ALSO CALLING ON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO COME FORWARD WITH EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS AND ANYONE WITH ` CAMEL CCTV FOOTAGE TO SUBMIT THAT AT THEIR LOCAL POLICE STATION. THANKS, SAM. AND YOU CAN FIND SAM'S EXTENDED INTERVIEW WITH AFFECTED CHURCH MEMBERS OVER ON TVNZ+. ON YOUR SMART TV, JUST HEAD TO THE NEWS TAB ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE TO FIND THIS STORY AND THE DAY'S OTHER NEWS. A HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF A MAN IN ROTONGARO. POLICE WERE CALLED TO HEATHERINGTON ROAD AROUND 10.40 LAST NIGHT. THERE WERE REPORTS A MAN HAD BEEN STABBED FOLLOWING A ROADSIDE INCIDENT. HE DIED AT THE SCENE. A MAN (25) WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. POLICE SAY THEY ARE NOT SEEKING ANYONE ELSE IN RELATION TO THE INCIDENT. IT'S ALL ON IN AUCKLAND TONIGHT AT THE LIKELY FINAL LOCAL DERBY OF THE SEASON. AUCKLAND FC AND WELLINGTON PHOENIX ARE ON THE PITCH IN FRONT OF A SOLD-OUT CROWD, THE TEAMS' FIERCE RIVALRY CONTRIBUTING TO A SURGE OF INTEREST IN THE SPORT. HERE'S JACOB JOHNSON. THE CROWDS OF BLACK AND BLUE HARD TO MISS IN AUCKLAND'S PENROSE... UP THE PORT! ...FILING INTO GO MEDIA STADIUM AND HOPING FOR A THREE-PEAT. WE'RE GONNA WIN IT AND I'M VERY PROUD OF US. I'M PROUD OF HOW FAR WE'VE COME. BUT THE THOUSANDS OF BLACK KNIGHTS SUPPORTERS UNABLE TO DROWN OUT THE PHOENIX FANS... # OH, WELLINGTON IS WONDERFUL. # ...BRINGING PLENTY OF PASSION AND NOISE TO TAMAKI MAKAURAU. I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER SPORT GETTING 900 TRAVELLING FANS. THE RIVALRY THAT WE HAVE ALREADY, YOU KNOW, JUST AFTER TWO, THREE GAMES IS INCREDIBLE. THE COUNTRY'S GOVERNING BODY FOR FOOTBALL AGREES, AND SAYS THE ADDITION OF AUCKLAND FC TO THE A-LEAGUE IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE GROWTH OF THE SPORT AT A CLUB LEVEL. WHAT THE DERBY AND THE SECOND CLUB HAS DONE IS REALLY RAISE THE PROFILE. GROWTH NUMBERS IN THE YOUTH AND JUNIOR SPACE IN FOOTBALL ARE AROUND 15%-20%. THERE ARE SOME CLUBS IN SOME CITIES WHO HAVE TO TURN AWAY PEOPLE. THERE ARE WAITING LISTS IN SOME CLUBS. HE SAYS THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP HERE IN 2023 HAS ALSO HELPED, AND EXPECTS THE QUALIFIERS FOR THE MEN'S WORLD CUP NEXT MONTH WILL MEAN YET MORE INTEREST. ONE OF OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES IS THE OBSTACLES TO GROWTH ` MAKING SURE THAT WE'VE GOT ENOUGH FIELDS, MAKING SURE THAT WE'VE GOT ENOUGH VOLUNTEERS FOR THE GAME, BECAUSE DEMAND IS NOT OUR PROBLEM. THE 27,000 FANS HERE SETTING A NEW REGULAR SEASON ATTENDANCE RECORD AT GO MEDIA STADIUM. THE LAST TWO DERBIES HAVEN'T GONE WELLINGTON'S WAY, VISITING FANS HOPING TONIGHT IS THEIR NIGHT... WELLINGTON PHOENIX ARE GONNA WIN! WE'LL COME BACK EVENTUALLY. 3-0 TODAY ` WATCH THIS SPACE. ...WHILE THE HOSTS WILL BE LOOKING TO EXTEND THEIR LEAD AT THE TOP OF THE A-LEAGUE TABLE. JACOB JOHNSON, 1 NEWS. AND THE SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY AT MT SMART. JOINING US FROM THE GROUND IS KATE WELLS. KATE, WHO'S IN THE BOX SEAT IN THIS THIRD DERBY? WELL, MELISSA, IT STARTED OFF QUITE EVEN, BUT KNOWING AUCKLAND FC, THEY LIKE TO LEAVE THINGS LATE, SO AT THE END OF THE FIRST HALF THEY SCORED THREE GOALS. LOGAN ROGERSON ADDED ONTO THE SCORESHEET AS WEL. THE START OF THE SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY. YOU CAN'T COUNT THE PHOENIX OUT. THEY HAVE JUST SCORED. SO IT IS 3-1. I CAN SEE TWO HARDY FANS THERE. HOW MANY FANS ARE AT THE STADIUM? THERE ARE A FAIR FEW OF THEM RUNNING AROUND ` 27,000 THIS EVENING, THE HIGHEST ATTENDANCE FOR A DOMESTIC GAME EVER. SO FAR NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL IT'S A BIG WIN AND GOOD TO SEE PLENTY OF NEW FOOTBALL FANS MAKING THEIR WAY HERE TONIGHT. THE PORT ` I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN HEAR IT BUT THE STADIUM FEELS LIKE IT'S MOVING AT TIMES. A BIG SECOND HALF AWAITS HERE TONIGHT. LOOKS LIKE FUN. THANKS, KATE. AND WE'LL HAVE THE FULL MATCH REPORT LATER IN SPORTS. HOW A FLOOD PROTECTION PLAN'S DIVIDING A LOCAL COMMUNITY. WHAT'S PROVING SO CONTROVERSIAL IN ONE OF THE TOWNS WORST HIT BY CYCLONE GABRIELLE. WHAT THE POPE'S DOCTORS HAVE REVEALED ABOUT HIS HEALTH AS HIS STAY IN HOSPITAL SHOWS NO SIGN OF ENDING SOON. AND THE NEW BENCHMARK JOSEPH PARKER'S SET (MAN CHEWING) Okay. What should I write? How are we going to sell it? The car or boyfriend? What about tidy but slow? Yeah, you should definitely mention it's not very quick. We're selling the car. It's got a little exhaust. (LAUGHS) - Oh. - Wait. Are we talking about this car? Oh, God. (DOOR CLOSED) I think it should say. (THUNDERSTORM & RAIN PATTERS) VOICEOVER: When you list your car in AutoTrader. You could also win your own billboard A CHINESE DANCE TROOP TOURING NEW ZEALAND IS FACING ALLEGATIONS OF WORKER EXPLOITATION. SHEN YUN, WHICH IS RUN BY THE GROUP FALUN GONG, IS STRONGLY DENYING THE CLAIMS, SAYING THE ACCUSATIONS COME FROM THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY. RYAN BOSWELL REPORTS. DESCRIBED AS A JOURNEY THROUGH TRADITIONAL CHINESE CULTURE... DEEPLY ROOTED IN ANCIENT VALUES. SHEN YUN IS A STAGE SHOW CREATED BY THE SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT FALUN GONG. THAT WAS JUST A CONCENTRATION CAMP. A JAIL, A MOVING CIRCUS, REALLY. THIS MAN, WHO'S TOO SCARED TO BE IDENTIFIED FOR REPERCUSSIONS, WAS RAISED IN FALUN GONG AND BECAME A SHEN YUN DANCER AT THE AGE OF 15. MY PASSPORTS WERE CONFISCATED. TRAINING WAS CRAZY INTENSE. YOU KNOW, DAYS WOULD START PROBABLY AT 5.30 AND ENDS AT 11, IF I'M LUCKY. WITH ALLEGATIONS OF MANIPULATION, LIMITED PAY AND LITTLE ACCESS TO MEDICAL TREATMENT. THAT WAS THE MOMENT THAT... I STARTED THINKING, 'HOW DO I GET OUT OF THIS?' JAYA GIBSON WAS A FALUN GONG PRACTITIONER FOR A DECADE WHEN HIS FATHER GOT PANCREATIC CANCER. DAD DIED AN EXTREMELY PAINFUL AND UNPLEASANT DEATH BECAUSE HE BELIEVED IN THE CULT, AND THAT IF HE TOOK MEDICINE IN ANY WAY THAT HE WOULD NOT... GO ON TO THE NEXT REALM. THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY, WHICH RULES CHINA, HAS LONG DESCRIBED FALUN GONG AS A CULT. WE STRONGLY REGISTER OUR CONCERN OVER THIS CULT. THE SO-CALLED RELIGIOUS GROUP IS ILLEGAL THERE. THE GOVERNMENT MAINTAINS A DOCTRINE OF STATE ATHEISM. THEY'VE DONE A VERY GOOD JOB, THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY GOVERNMENT, IN SILENCING THE DISSIDENT MOVEMENT. OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS, 1 NEWS HAS MADE REPEATED REQUEST TO FALUN GONG AND SHEN YUN FOR COMMENT BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. SHEN YUN'S TOLD OTHER MEDIA THE 'GROSSLY DISTORTED' CLAIMS HAVE BEEN ORCHESTRATED BY THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY TO SILENCE THE GROUP, AND THOSE SPEAKING OUT ARE DISGRUNTLED. I THINK IT'S JUST RIDICULOUS TO EVEN THINK LIKE THAT. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY` THAT'S THEIR RETALIATION. I KNOW THEY'RE GONNA SAY STUFF LIKE THAT. SHEN YUN SAYS MEDICAL TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE, PASSPORTS ARE TAKEN FOR SAFEKEEPING, AND PERFORMERS GET AT LEAST 10 HOURS' REST A DAY. WHILE PAY WASN'T SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED, THE GROUP SAYS FLIGHTS, FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION ARE PROVIDED. THEY'RE JUST COMPLETELY OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY. NOW URGING PEOPLE TO BOYCOTT THE SHOW. AUCKLAND LIVE, WHICH RUNS THE VENUE, SAYS IT MAINTAINS A NEUTRAL STANCE, ADDING THE PERFORMERS RECEIVED IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE AND ARE LAWFULLY IN THE COUNTRY. RYAN BOSWELL, 1 NEWS. THE POPE'S DOCTORS SAY HIS CONDITION IS NOT LIFE-THREATENING, BUT HE'S NOT OUT OF DANGER YET. THE PONTIFF (88) HAS NOW BEEN IN HOSPITAL FOR A WEEK WITH RESPIRATORY DIFFICULTIES. HIS MEDICAL TEAM SAYS HE REMAINS 'FRAGILE'. HE ASKED US TO GIVE YOU SOME INFORMATION. OF COURSE, HE IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION. THAT MEANS THAT ONE PATIENT OF 88 YEARS OLD WITH CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE, AND YOU HAVE SOME INFECTION ` IT'S CRITICAL CONDITION. BUT HE IS FINE NOW. HE'S FINE. BUT OF COURSE, HE'S OLDER. HE HAS SOME CHRONIC DISEASE. THE POPE IS PRONE TO LUNG INFECTIONS IN WINTER AFTER HAVING PART OF ONE OF HIS LUNGS REMOVED IN HIS 20S. HAMAS HAS NOW HANDED OVER A BODY BELIEVED TO BE THAT OF ISRAELI HOSTAGE SHIRI BIBAS. MRS BIBAS WAS TAKEN BY HAMAS ON OCTOBER 7th WITH HER TWO YOUNG SONS. THEIR BODIES WERE RETURNED YESTERDAY, BUT TESTING REVEALED THE REMAINS SAID TO BE OF THEIR MOTHER WERE INSTEAD OF ANOTHER UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN. A SEPARATE COFFIN HAS NOW BEEN RETURNED AND IDENTITY TESTING IS UNDERWAY. U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS URGED UKRAINIAN AND RUSSIAN LEADERS TO GET TOGETHER AFTER HE HELD TALKS WITH VLADIMIR PUTIN BUT WITHOUT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY. THERE'S BEEN CONCERN ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PERCEIVED CLOSENESS TO THE RUSSIAN LEADER AMID ESCALATING INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO END THE CONFLICT. I THINK THAT, UH, PRESIDENT PUTIN AND, UH, PRESIDENT ZELENSKY ARE GONNA HAVE TO GET TOGETHER, BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT? WE WANNA STOP KILLING MILLIONS OF PEOPLE. YOU HAVE YOUNG SOLDIERS BEING KILLED. IF YOU SAW THE PICTURES THAT I SAW OF THE BATTLEFIELD FROM SATELLITE ` YOU'VE NEVER SEEN ANY PICTURES LIKE THAT. THE ONGOING CONFLICT IS SET TO BE TOP OF THE AGENDA WHEN FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON AND UK PRIME MINISTER SIR KEIR STARMER MEET WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP AT THE WHITE HOUSE THIS COMING WEEK. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH FOX NEWS, HE ACCUSED THE PAIR OF 'DOING NOTHING' TO END THE WAR. THE MAN WHO ATTACKED WRITER SIR SALMAN RUSHDIE AT A SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF ATTEMPTED MURDER. HADI MATAR HAD PLEADED NOT GUILTY AND HIS LAWYERS ARGUED IT WAS NOT CLEAR HE INTENDED TO KILL SIR SALMAN WHEN HE STORMED THE STAGE AND STABBED HIM 15 TIMES. THE ATTACK COST THE AUTHOR THE VISION IN ONE EYE AND CAUSED LIVER AND NERVE DAMAGE. HADI MATAR NOW FACES UP TO 30 YEARS IN JAIL AND WILL BE SENTENCED IN APRIL. MARAE IN THE HAWKE'S BAY TOWN OF WAIROA ARE TORN OVER PLANS TO BUILD A RIVER SPILLWAY THROUGH A SECTION OF MAORI LAND. THE COUNCIL-BACKED PROJECT HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING AND WOULD PROTECT THE FLOOD-PRONE TOWN IN A MAJOR WEATHER EVENT. MAORI AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT TE ANIWA HURIHANGANUI REPORTS. THE TOWN OF WAIROA HAS A LONG HISTORY OF LAND LOSS. LAND HAS BEEN ACQUIRED FOR THE USE OF RAILWAYS, AIRPORTS, ALL SORTS OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE. SINCE THE 1870S, THE CROWN HAS COMPULSORILY TAKEN MORE THAN 200HA OF MAORI LAND HERE FOR PUBLIC WORKS. NOW THERE ARE PLANS TO BUILD ANOTHER MAJOR PROJECT ` A LARGE SPILLWAY WATER CAN FLOW INTO WHEN THE WAIROA RIVER REACHES A DANGEROUS HEIGHT, LIKE IT DID DURING CYCLONE GABRIELLE. IT WOULD REQUIRE 16 HOMES IN THE NORTH CLYDE AREA TO BE GIVEN UP, AND 6 MORE HECTARES OF MAORI LAND. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE THAT'S BEEN GOING ON CENTURIES AND CENTURIES ` MAORI GIVING AND GIVING FOR THE GREATER GOOD. THESE WHANAU THAT ARE DIRECTLY AFFECTED HERE ARE FACING THE FULL BRUNT OF THAT. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF SOMEONE CAME INTO YOUR HOME AND, UM... JUST CUT A ROOM OUT HERE, CUT A ROOM OUT THERE, CUT A CORNER OFF HERE? THE WAIROA DISTRICT COUNCIL AND THE HAWKE'S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSIDERED 18 OPTIONS FOR FLOOD MITIGATION. ALL OF THEM IMPACTED MAORI LAND. SO NO OPTION IS AN EASY OPTION. BOTH COUNCILS PREFER OPTION 1C, WHERE LESS MAORI LAND IS REQUIRED, THEN THEIR SECOND PREFERRED OPTION, WHICH WOULD HAVE AFFECTED 18HA OF MAORI LAND. A ONE-IN-100-YEAR FLOOD ` IT WILL PROVIDE THIS PROTECTION, WHICH WAIROA HAS NEVER GOT. THE PROJECT WOULD CARVE INTO LAND AT TAKITIMU MARAE, ABOUT A THIRD OF A RUGBY FIELD. IT BLOCKS US OFF AT OUR ENTRANCEWAY. WHEN YOU COME OFF THE PAEPAE AND YOU LOOK AT IT, IT'S THIS... GREAT BIG STOPBANK OUT IN FRONT OF YOU. SOME WANT THE COUNCIL TO FIND A SOLUTION FURTHER UPRIVER. WE'RE AT THE ARSEHOLE END OF THE EVERYTHING, AND WE'RE COPPING IT, AND THEY'RE DOWN HERE TRYING TO SAY, 'HERE, THIS IS` LET'S FIX IT HERE.' NEIGHBOURING RUATANIWHA MARAE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE RIVER ITSELF. THAT RIVER'S PROVIDED... SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME FOR OUR PEOPLE. IT'S LIKE A BROTHER TO ME, THE AWA. MANY OF THE AFFECTED HOME OWNERS ARE WILLING TO LEAVE, BUT IT'S BEEN TOUGH. YES, IT'S A VERY HARD DECISION. AND WHILE EVERYONE WANTS A SOLUTION... THIS ISN'T THE RIGHT WAY. ...SOME FEAR THE PRICE OF THIS OPTION RESTS UNFAIRLY ON THOSE WHO'VE ALREADY PAID TOO MUCH. TE ANIWA HURIHANGANUI, 1 NEWS. WHAT'S DRIVING A BUMPER CROP OF KIWIFRUIT THIS YEAR, AND WHY THIS SEASON'S A FIRST FOR OUR NATIONAL FRUIT. AND THE VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY THAT'S HELPED THESE TEENS FIND NEW CONFIDENCE. AND YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO LEAVE THE FAN OFF AGAIN TONIGHT WITH THE SOUTHERLY FLOW STICKING AROUND. A FEW SHOWERY POCKETS, BUT ANOTHER MOSTLY FINE DAY ON THE WAY. I'LL HAVE ALL THE DETAILS AFTER SPORT. Where to from here, New Zealand? To amazing places, places of opportunity, technology, possibility, sustainability, every ability, places that are for all to enjoy ` yeah, everyone. Let's enjoy the path forged by those that came before us but also find new ones, maybe better ones. Life is our journey. Aotearoa ` our magnificent waka. NEW ZEALAND'S EARLIEST EVER KIWIFRUIT HARVEST HAS MARKED THE START OF WHAT'S PREDICTED TO BE A BUMPER CROP OF THE FRUIT. THAT'S DESPITE CONCERNS OVER COLDER-THAN-USUAL WEATHER, AND THE $3.5 BILLION INDUSTRY SAYS IT'S STILL FACING COST PRESSURES AND COMPLIANCE HEADWINDS. OUR BAY OF PLENTY REPORTER JORDYN RUDD EXPLAINS. THESE FUZZY LITTLE FRUITS HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN MARK MAYSTON'S HEART. YOU'RE EXTREMELY PROUD WHEN YOU KNOW THAT YOU'RE FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF PAST GENERATIONS, AND YOU HOPE ONE DAY THAT YOU'RE IN A POSITION TO BE ABLE TO ALSO DO THAT FOR MY CHILDREN. HE AND HIS BROTHER ARE THE THIRD GENERATION OF HIS FAMILY TO TEND THESE BAY OF PLENTY ORCHARDS, PRODUCING GREEN, GOLD AND RED VARIETIES ` AND THEY'RE GEARING UP FOR A BUMPER SEASON. GOOD SUNSHINE HOURS. WE'VE HAD RAIN AT THE AT THE RIGHT TIME. WE FIND OURSELVES PROBABLY IN ONE OF THE BETTER POSITIONS WE'VE BEEN IN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. AND AFTER A FEW TOUGH YEARS, THAT EXCITEMENT IS RIPPLING THROUGH THE SECTOR. WE PICKED OUR FIRST RED CROP LAST WEEK. THERE'S ALWAYS A BIT OF NERVOUSNESS UNTIL THE FRUIT'S IN THE BOX, BUT WE'RE ACTUALLY REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SEASON. THE NEWCOMER RUBY RED MATURES THE FASTEST, MEANING THE SEASON'S FIRST AND EARLIEST EVER HARVEST HAS ALREADY BEGUN. RUBY RED'S EXCITING. YEAH, IT'S REALLY IN THAT NOVELTY SPACE THAT PEOPLE ARE FINDING AND EXPLORING, AND IT'S ACTUALLY ATTRACTING A LOT MORE CONSUMERS INTO KIWIFRUIT AROUND THE WORLD THAN WHAT WE'VE SEEN WITH SOME OF OUR OTHER PRODUCTS. BUT CHALLENGES REMAIN FOR THE INDUSTRY. THERE'S STILL UNALTERED COSTS THAT HAVE CONTINUED TO INCREASE WITH HIGHER COSTS OF LABOUR, HIGH COSTS OF DOING BUSINESS WITH PACKAGING. GROWERS DON'T GET INTO HORTICULTURE FOR COMPLIANCE, AND SO THERE IS AN INCREASING AMOUNT OF THAT. IT'S MORE AROUND CERTAINTY OF THE LABOUR SETTINGS FOR THE LONG TERM AND MOVING AWAY FROM SHORT TERM CHANGES THAT AT TIMES LEAD TO A LACK OF CONFIDENCE FROM GROWERS. ZESPRI IS FORECASTING SALES OF 200 MILLION TRAYS OF FRUIT, WITH BOTH SUPPLY AND DEMAND ON THE UP. GROWERS ARE IN A MUCH MORE CONFIDENT SPACE THAN WHAT WE'VE BEEN. WE CONSISTENTLY HEAR FROM THE MARKET THE DEMAND FOR OUR FRUIT IS JUST CONTINUING TO GROW. THE HARD WORK'S DONE ` NOW GROWERS ARE READY TO ENJOY A FRUITFUL SEASON. JORDYN RUDD, 1 NEWS. 30 YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE TAKEN PART IN A TRIP OF A LIFETIME ON THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE'S INSPIRATION VOYAGE. HELD ANNUALLY, THE GROUP SAIL OUT TO SEA TO LEARN ABOUT THE OCEAN, CONFIDENCE AND LEADERSHIP. ISOBEL PRASAD SPOKE TO SOME OF THE RECENT SAILORS. EVEN AFTER FIVE LONG DAYS AT SEA, THERE WAS NO SIGN OF CABIN FEVER FROM THESE RANGATAHI. ALL SING: # WE ALL LIVE IN THE SPIRIT OF NEW ZEALAND, # THE SPIRIT OF NEW ZEALAND. # (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) THE GROUP HAVE JUST COMPLETED THE 2025 SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE INSPIRATION VOYAGE. OH, MY TRIP? IT WAS A MIRACLE. WAVES WERE ` WOO-OOO-OOO. (CHUCKLES) I WAS NERVOUS AT THE START, BUT I GOT OVER IT. MY TRIP ON THE BOAT WAS AMAZING TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS AND, UM, LIKE, FACING MY FEARS. FOR THE PAST 27 YEARS, THE ANNUAL JOURNEY'S TAKEN 30 YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OUT ON THE WATER TO EXPERIENCE LIFE ON DECK. (LAUGHTER) THE CREW HEADING OUT TO THE KAWAU ISLANDS, LEARNING SKILLS LIKE LEADERSHIP, COMMUNICATION AND RESILIENCE. MOST OF THESE GUYS CLIMBED THE MAST ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP, AND THEY'VE BEEN OUT SAILING ON OUR LITTLE BOATS AND JUST BASICALLY HAVING AN ADVENTURE. I THINK THE BIGGEST SKILL THEY WILL WALK AWAY WITH... HEY, GUYS! ...IS CONFIDENCE. CONFIDENCE IN THEIR ABILITY ` REALISING THEY ARE ABLE AND CAPABLE. WHILE THE TRIP WAS MOSTLY SMOOTH SAILING, THERE WERE A FEW MINOR ISSUES BELOW DECK. JOBS THAT WE NEEDED TO DO... JARED SNORES! (LAUGHS) NO, THAT WAS YOU, FINLAY! DO YOU SNORE, JARED? NO, THAT'S A LIE. ARE YOU A SNORER? I'VE GOT A BLOCKED NOSE, SO I COULDN'T HELP IT. BUT OVERALL, THE JOURNEY WAS A SUCCESS. I'VE HAD TWO TRIPS ON THE SHIP NOW, AND IT WAS WONDERFUL. SO FUN. THOSE ON BOARD LOOKING FORWARD TO THEIR NEXT ADVENTURE... IF I CAN DO THIS, ANYONE CAN DO THIS IF THEY PUT THEIR MIND TO IT. ...WITH THE INSPIRATION VOYAGE SETTING SAIL AGAIN IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR. ISOBEL PRASAD, 1 NEWS. ANDREW'S HERE WITH SPORT ` AND ALL ON IN THE FOOTBALL DERBY. HUGE CROWD FOR THE HOME TEAM. THE LATEST FROM MT SMART IN A MOMENT. ALSO TONIGHT, SUPER RUGBY ALREADY HITS ANOTHER GEAR, A FIJIAN PARTY IN NAPIER. THE CHIEFS GO ON A STUNNING BLITZ IN HAMILTON AND A YOUNG MOANA WINGER GRABS PLENTY OF ATTENTION. PLUS, THIS CAN ONLY HAPPEN IN BOXING ` A MAD 48 HOURS IN SAUDI ARABIA FOR JOSEPH PARKER. IT'S BEEN A RECORD-BREAKING DAY FOR ONE OF OUR SEVENS STARS. AND HOW GOOD IS THIS? A GREAT ROWING YARN INCLUDING DRAMA, HISTORY AND A TON OF FAMILY PRIDE. NAU MAI KI NGA KORERO HAKINAKINA O TE WA. WELCOME TO SPORT, AND THE THIRD INSTALMENT OF FOOTBALL'S NEW LOCAL DERBY. AUCKLAND FC HOSTING THE WELLINGTON PHOENIX LATE THIS AFTERNOON AT A SOLD-OUT MOUNT SMART ` CLOSE TO 30,000 ` AND THEY CERTAINLY PUT ON A SHOW. AUCKLAND KEEPER ALEX PAULSEN DENYING HIS OLD TEAM EARLY FROM A CLOSE-RANGE FREE KICK. FROM THERE, MOMENTUM WELL AND TRULY WITH AUCKLAND, NEYDER MORENO SENDING THE PORT INTO EUPHORIA. AUCKLAND FC STILL THERE! AND NEYDER MORENO DRILLING HOME THE OPENER HERE! DE VRIES IS THERE TO HELP OUT. FIRST TIME BALL INTO THE AREA. MATA. AND NOW AGAIN ` MORENO! ONE'S NOT ENOUGH! LOGAN ROGERSON THEN ADDING TO WELLINGTON'S WOES BEFORE THE BREAK. MORENO THEN SECURING HIS HAT TRICK AFTER HALFTIME. PLAYS IT ACROSS HIS OWN PENALTY AREA. MORENO! (CHEERING) HATTRICK HERO, THE COLOMBIAN... NEYDER MORENO. AUCKLAND FC HEADING FOR THEIR THIRD DERBY WIN OF THE SEASON, LEADING 4-1 WITH ABOUT 10 MINUTES REMAINING. JOSEPH PARKER HAS SET A NEW MARK AS HE PREPARES TO BOX IN SAUDI ARABIA TOMORROW MORNING. PARKER'S THE HEAVIEST HE'S EVER BEEN FOR HIS SHOWDOWN AGAINST CONGOLESE FIGHTER MARTIN BAKOLE, A LATE REPLACEMENT FOLLOWING ENGLISHMAN DANIEL DUBOIS' WITHDRAWAL. IT APPEARS PARKER WILL NEED ALL THAT SIZE. DO NOT ADJUST YOUR SET ` JOSEPH PARKER ISN'T FIGHTING HIS GRANDDAD. HE FACES OFF WITH FRANK WARREN FOR A BIT OF FUN. THE VETERAN BRITISH PROMOTER STEPPING IN AT THIS MORNING'S WEIGH-IN. REPLACEMENT MARTIN BAKOLE WAS STILL ON HIS WAY TO RIYADH FROM THE CONGO VIA ETHIOPIA. I'M WORKING ON MY PLAN, SO I'M READY TO FLY TO SAUDI ARABIA. I CAN'T WAIT. I KNOW THIS IS A... THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE. BACK IN FIGHT CITY, JOSEPH PARKER WAS ON THE SCALES. 267 POUNDS! THAT'S JUST OVER 120kg ` NEARLY 10 KILOS HEAVIER THAN HIS LAST FIGHT 12 MONTHS AGO. THERE'S A FEW CHANGES THAT WE'VE WORKED ON LAST NIGHT. I'VE SPOKEN ABOUT IT TODAY, AND IT'S ALL GONNA COME TOGETHER TOMORROW. IN SOME ASPECTS, A HARDER FIGHT FOR NO TITLE, YOU KNOW? SO IT IS A BIG ADJUSTMENT FOR JOE MENTALLY. A NUMBER OF PUNDITS ARE PICKING BAKOLE TO UPSET OR AT LEAST PROVIDE A POWERFUL CHALLENGE. SCOTTISH HEAVYWEIGHT NICK CAMPBELL HAS SPARRED BOTH PARKER AND BAKOLE, TIPPING THE GIANT AFRICAN TO FEEL THE PINCH WITHOUT A PROPER TRAINING CAMP. I DON'T THINK... IF IT GOES PAST SIX ROUNDS, I THINK HE'S GONNA GET IN TROUBLE. I WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO BE EDGING TOWARDS JOE 64, 65-35. SPEAKING OF ODDS, LOOK WHO'S POPPED UP IN THE KINGDOM ` A MAN KNOWN FOR THROWING A FEW POLITICAL JABS OVER THE YEARS. IT'S GREAT TO HAVE THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND HERE TO SHOW HIS SUPPORT AS WELL, AND MY WHOLE TEAM. BUT IT'S BEEN CRAZY. TOMORROW ` I THINK I'LL SHOCK THE WORLD TOMORROW. AFTER A MAD 48 HOURS, THE KIWI HEAVYWEIGHT NOW FOCUSING ON WINNING AND MAKING SURE HE'S STILL NEXT IN LINE FOR AN ELUSIVE TITLE SHOT. THE HURRICANES HAVE NOTCHED THEIR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON, DEFEATING THE FIJIAN DRUA 38-34 IN DRAMATIC FASHION IN NAPIER. THE 'CANES STRIKING JUST 37 SECONDS IN, BUT THE DRUA CAPITALISING ON ERRORS TO TAKE THE LEAD BEFORE MELI DERENALAGI MADE AN ERROR OF HIS OWN. AND AWAY GOES DERENALAGI! OH, GOODNESS. ABSOLUTELY BUTCHERED. ALL HE NEEDED TO DO WAS THROW IT INFIELD. TWO YELLOW CARDS CRIPPLING THE HURRICANES, THE VISITORS PILING ON THE PRESSURE TO LEAD AT THE END OF THE FIRST HALF. FIJIAN FLARE TO START THE SECOND TOO, BUT A SECOND WIND FROM THE CANES FLIPPING THE SCORE BOARD. HERE GOES SULLIVAN. AND THE HURRICANES ARE BACK IN FRONT! MOMENTUM WON OUT FOR THE CANES. HURRICANES WITH THE LAST TRY TO SEAL THE WIN. TONIGHT'S GAME SEES THE HIGHLANDERS HOST THE BLUES IN DUNEDIN. IF LAST WEEK'S WIN WAS A WARNING SHOT, THIS HAS SURELY PUT THE REST OF SUPER RUGBY ON NOTICE. THE CHIEFS TAKING APART THE CRUSADERS IN THE SECOND HALF OF THEIR MATCH IN HAMILTON, AN IMPRESSIVE MIX OF POWER AND PACE. HERE'S BRODYN KNUCKEY. CARTER PUTS HIS SHOULDER IN. HE'S IN FOR THE TRY. WE HAVEN'T SEEN 40 MINUTES OF SUPER RUGBY LIKE THIS IN QUITE SOME TIME. THE NUMBERS THAT BUILD! PARKER SENDS THE PASS AWAY. FINAU'S IN! ANOTHER SECOND HALF MASTERCLASS FROM THE CHIEFS, LEAVING THE CRUSADERS SHELL-SHOCKED IN HAMILTON ` A GAME THAT WAS LOCKED AT 17-17 EARLY IN THE SECOND SPELL BLOWN APART BY FIVE TRIES IN A BLISTERING 25-MINUTE PERIOD; A STATEMENT 49-24 WIN. (WHISTLE BLOWS) THIS IS ABSOLUTELY SENSATIONAL FROM THE CHIEFS. I THINK THE COACHES GIVE US, LIKE, FREE LICENCE TO HAVE A PLAY, BACK OUR SKILL SET, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE BOYS DID TODAY. THE CHIEFS HUSTLE OUT WIDE MATCHED BY THEIR MUSCLE AT THE BREAKDOWN. AND THEN IT'S JUST, BANG, STRAIGHT HANDS ON BALL. WINGS LEROY CARTER AND EMONI NARAWA PULLING OUT THEIR SEVENS SKILLS FOR FIVE TURNOVERS, ONE COMBINED. UNFORCED ERRORS NOT HELPING THE VISITORS EITHER. THE CHIEFS PUT US UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE SORT OF IN THAT BACK 20 OF THE LAST HALF. THAT'S WHAT AN 80 MINUTE PERFORMANCE LOOKS LIKE. BUT MORE CASUALTIES EMERGING FROM THE BREAKNECK PACE BEING PLAYED EARLY THIS SEASON TOO... THUMBS UP FROM LUKE JACOBSON, BUT I DON'T THINK WE'LL BE SEEING HIM BACK. ...THE CHIEFS LOSING LUKE JACOBSON AND RAMEKA POIHIPI EARLY, WHILE FLETCHER NEWELL JOINED THE CRUSADERS' ALREADY LONG LIST OF INJURIES WITH A HEAD KNOCK PICKED UP BY HIS SMART MOUTHGUARD. ACROSS THE DITCH, MOANA PASIFIKA ALSO WITH EARLY SEASON HEADACHES. OVER THE LINE, AND THE REDS ARE ON THE BOARD INSIDE THE FIRST THREE. THE REDS JUMPING OUT TO A 21-0 LEAD INSIDE 12 MINUTES, AND DESPITE THE VISITORS' BEST EFFORTS TO CLAW IT BACK... OFF GOES TAUMOEFOLAU! THIS KID'S SPECIAL. HE IS THE GOODS. ...A 56-36 DEFEAT LEAVES THEM 0 AND 2 TO START THE YEAR. HARD PILL TO SWALLOW, UM, BUT GOTTA REGROUP. WE'VE GOTTA STAY TIGHT IN THESE KIND OF MOMENTS AND REGATHER AND GET READY FOR THE 'LANDERS. ALL EYES ON TONIGHT'S ACTION, THEN, AFTER A FLYING START TO ROUND TWO. BRODYN KNUCKEY, 1 NEWS. THE BLACK FERNS SEVENS HAVE MADE A BIG STATEMENT AT THE VANCOUVER TOURNAMENT, THRASHING IRELAND 58-7 IN THEIR OPENING MATCH. MICHAELA BRAKE UNSTOPPABLE, SCORING FIVE TRIES IN THE FIRST HALF, OVERTAKING PORTIA WOODMAN-WICKLIFFE'S MARK OF 256, BECOMING THE LEADING WOMEN'S TRY-SCORER OF ALL TIME. PORTIA WOODMAN-WICKLIFFE CHANGED THE FACE OF WOMEN'S RUGBY; MICHAELA BRAKE HAS TAKEN THAT LEGACY TO A NEW LEVEL. IT'S AN HONOUR TO BE UP THERE AMONGST HER, AND SO I'M GONNA HOLD ON TO IT FOR AS LONG AS I CAN BEFORE MADDI LEVI SURPASSES ME. BRAKE ADDING ANOTHER TRY TO HER TALLY IN THE 38-7 DEFEAT OF CHINA. AND AFTER A TWO-POINT LOSS TO SOUTH AFRICA THIS MORNING, THE MEN'S TEAM HAVE BEATEN AUSTRALIA 17-7. SKIER ALICE ROBINSON'S RUN OF FORM CONTINUES, CLAIMING HER 15TH WORLD CUP PODIUM FINISH OF HER CAREER. THE 23-YEAR-OLD FINISHING SECOND IN THE FIRST OF TWO GIANT SLALOM WORLD CUP RACES IN ITALY THIS WEEKEND. ROBINSON 0.4 SECONDS BEHIND THE WINNER, ITALIAN FEDERICA BRIGNONE. STAYING CALM. THE WORK HAS BEEN DONE ABOVE. NOW IT'S JUST ABOUT GLIDING, LETTING THE SKIS DRIVE TO THE LINE. AND SHE GOES SECOND, ALICE ROBINSON. ROBINSON'S BACK AT THE START GATE TONIGHT FOR THE SECOND RACE. BLUSTERY WINDS HAVE MADE RECORDS A CHALLENGE AT THE INTERNATIONAL TRACK MEET IN CHRISTCHURCH, BUT KIWI SPRINTERS STILL DID THE DOUBLE. TIAAN WHELPTON ` WHO HAS AMBITIONS TO BREAK THE 10-SECOND BARRIER OVER 100M ` HOME IN 10.27 SECONDS. ZOE HOBBS ALSO WINNING BOTH THE 60M AND 100M SPRINTS, RUNNING A SEASON'S BEST, 11.23, IN THE LONGER EVENT. HARD. I'M NOT GONNA LIE. IT'S NOT FUN RUNNING INTO HEADWINDS. BUT I FELT LIKE THE END OF MY RACE WAS A LOT MORE STRONG THAN I'VE FELT IN PREVIOUS WEEKS. THE TRACK AND FIELD NATIONAL CHAMPS ARE IN DUNEDIN IN A FORTNIGHT. HOW'S THIS FOR A HEARTWARMING STORY? YOUR SON'S IN THE FINAL OF THE NATIONAL ROWING CHAMPS, SINGLE SCULLS, A FAMOUS BOAT IN A TOUGH FIELD. YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE TO WATCH, BUT SOMEHOW THE STARS ALIGN. IN THE END, A SPECIAL AND DRAMATIC DAY IN TWIZEL FOR FINN HAMILL (22) AND DAD ROB, HIMSELF A ROWING GREAT. JENNY SUO REPORTS. THE TWO BEST SCULLERS IN THE COUNTRY AT THE MOMENT ` HAMILL LOOKING TO DETHRONE MANSON. WORLD ROWING CHAMPION AND OLYMPIAN ROBBIE MANSON FIGHTING TO KEEP UP WITH WAIKATO'S FINN HAMILL. ROBBIE MANSON HAS DROPPED BACK. FINN HAMILL IS... THERE IT IS. AND FINN HAMILL HAS DONE IT. HE'S WON THE MEN'S PREMIER SINGLE SCULL. THAT WAS A RACE. THAT WAS A RACE, EH, MATE? ALTHOUGH THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A SECOND MAN ON HAMILL'S BOAT ` DAD ROBBIE. GOT IT. (CHUCKLES) THAT WAS THE BEST WAY TO WIN YOUR FIRST YEAR IN A SINGLE SCULL. THE PAIR VIRTUALLY INSEPARABLE IN THE GRUELLING BATTLE, HAMILL WITH THE FINAL PUSH, FINISHING 0.64 SECONDS AHEAD. I WAS REALLY GOING FOR IT, AND I COULD FEEL THAT` GETTING A LITTLE BIT TIGHT, BUT, UM, I THINK I DID PRETTY WELL TO STAY` TO STAY CONNECTED. MATE, YOU WERE SO IMPRESSIVE. OH... SO, SO IMPRESSIVE. THAT HURT A LOT. THAT MEANS A LOT COMING FROM ROWING LEGEND ROBBIE HAMILL ` 1994 WORLD ROWING CHAMP SILVER MEDALLIST, 1996 ATLANTA OLYMPIAN, AND THE FIRST WINNER OF THE ATLANTIC ROWING RACE. ARCHIVE: HAMILL, AN OLYMPIC ROWER FROM HAMILTON, AND STUBBS, AN AUCKLAND POLICEMAN, ROWED FOR TWO HOURS, SLEPT AN HOUR, THEN ROWED ANOTHER TWO HOURS FOR 41 DAYS. HE NOW SAILS THE WORLD BUT HAPPENED TO BE HOME FOR A SPEAKING EVENT. MATE, IT WAS SO SPECIAL. THE EPITOME OF SINGLE SCULLING FOR AN ATHLETE TO WIN THAT PREM SINGLE AND AGAINST SUCH AMAZING COMPETITION ` THE LEGEND ROBBIE MANSON. OH MAN. IT'S JUST VERY SPECIAL TO BE HERE. HE NORMALLY WATCHES HIS SON COMPETE FROM ABOARD HIS BOAT ` FINN BREAKING THE RECORD FOR THE FASTEST AROUND-THE-HARBOUR RACE IN HONG KONG IN NOVEMBER. THE NEXT MISSION... SO, THE GOAL IS L.A. 2028. OBVIOUSLY, WE'VE STILL GOT THREE YEARS TILL THAT HAPPENS. BUT THE DREAM WOULD BE TO DO THE FLAT WATER AND THE COASTAL. A FEW GOOD SPOTS THERE FOR DAD TO DROP THE ANCHOR AND WATCH THE ACTION. JENNY SUO, 1 NEWS. A GREAT YARN. A GREAT FAMILY WITH GREAT TALENT. THANKS. COMING UP ` ERIN'S HERE WITH YOUR WEATHER, AND MOST ARE IN FOR ANOTHER DECENT DAY. ON Q+A THIS SUNDAY ` THE WORLD ORDER IS BEING TURNED UPSIDE DOWN. WHAT WILL THE TRUMP TEAM'S MOVES MEAN FOR NEW ZEALAND'S TRADITIONAL PARTNERS? Q+A, 9am SUNDAY ON TVNZ 1 AND TVNZ+. Um, where's my phone? It's right there, son. No. I'm certain that's your phone. No. This is my phone. The one with the googly camera, no scratches. This is not my phone day Santa. This is mine boy frog. Not true gnome king. Is so Man-Witch. Elf lord. Elf lord. Mince and cheese. Mince and cheese. Not-ting. Yes it is. You could ditch that old dunger. There's a few ways I can get you a new one. Yes! this is your... Shhh... VOICEOVER: We've made it easy to get you a new phone, whenever you want. One New Zealand, let's get connected. NAU MAI HOKI MAI. WELCOME BACK. THE DAWN OF A MOSTLY FINE DAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY ` BLUE SKIES FROM RIGHT UP TOP, FURTHER SOUTH WAS COOLER AND MOSTLY CLEAR, AND MORE FINE IN THE MIDDLE. HERE IT IS FROM THE SATELLITE, SHOWING JUST A FEW SHOWER POCKETS TO THE SOUTH ISLAND TODAY. BUT A PRETTY STUNNING DAY OUT THERE. TAURANGA OUR HOT SPOT WITH 26 DEGREES. MANY IN THE NORTH ISLAND FINALLY GETTING A BREAK FROM THE MUGGINESS. THIS WAS HOW WE WERE LOOKING MOST OF LAST WEEK ` MANY REMAINING IN THE UPPER TEENS OVERNIGHT. BUT WITH THE SOUTHERLY WIND SHIFT, WATCH THE WHITE ` THAT'S THE AREAS DROPPING TO SINGLE DIGITS OVERNIGHT. REALLY GREW LAST NIGHT, AND TONIGHT WILL BE SIMILAR TOO. RAIN WISE, OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING A FEW SHOWERS WORKING UP THE SOUTH ISLAND. AND SOME JUST HAVE THE CHANCE OF A SPRINKLE IN THE NORTH TOO. BUT ANOTHER PRETTY DECENT DAY, JUST SOME CLOUD FOR MANY. STARTING OFF FINE UP TOP, THEN SOME CLOUD CREEPING IN WITH JUST THE CHANCE OF A SHOWER. IT SHOULD BE DRY FOR YOU, WHITIANGA, THOUGH, AND 25 FOR MOST. SOME CLOUDY TIMES, TAMAKI MAKAURAU AUCKLAND. A CHANCE SOME WILL SEE A MORNING SPRINKLE TOO. FINER SPELLS THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. 24 IS YOUR HIGH. THE CHANCE OF A MORNING SHOWER IN THE WEST OF THE CITY, HAMILTON. BUT ALL CLEARING TO A FINE AFTERNOON AND 25 DEGREES. EARLY MORNING CLOUD CLEARS FOR MOST HERE. A FEW PASSING CLOUDS FOR WHAKATANE, THOUGH, BUT A GORGEOUS DAY FROM THERE. AND 23 TO 25 DEGREES. WALL-TO-WALL SUN FOR YOU, TAURANGA, AND A TOP OF 25 DEGREES. GET OUT AND ABOUT EARLIER IN THE EAST. CLOUD BUILDS, WITH EVEN THE CHANCE OF A SPRINKLE IN THE AFTERNOON. 27, HASTINGS. DANNIVIRKE A LITTLE COOLER ` 23. A MAINLY FINE ONE IN THE WEST TOO ` JUST SOME MORNING CLOUD FOR LEVIN AND NEW PLYMOUTH, MAYBE A SPRINKLE TOO FOR... AND 24 FOR MOST HERE. A PRETTY DECENT SUNDAY FOR YOU, TE WHANGANUI-A-TARA WELLINGTON. JUST A CHANCE OF A MORNING SHOWER. AND A TOP OF 20. NELSON AND BLENHEIM STARTING OFF FINE, CLOUD BUILDING LATER. KAIKOURA AND WESTPORT SEE SHOWERS. THE AFTERNOON IS LOOKING BETTER, THOUGH, AND 23 FOR NELSON. SOME CLOUD AND A FEW SHOWERS ABOUT IN THE MORNING, OTAUTAHI CHRISTCHURCH. IT DOES START CLEARING, AND YOU'RE IN FOR LONGER FINE TIMES THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. 19 IS YOUR HIGH. SOME MORNING CLOUD, MAYBE THE ODD SHOWER TOO FOR ALL HERE. BUT THAT CLEARS TO A FINE AFTERNOON. THE CLOUD'S BACK IN THE EVENING ON THE EAST COAST, AMD 19 OR 20 DEGREES. A STUNNER IN QUEENSTOWN AND ACROSS THE REGION. NOTHING BUT SUN, SINGLE-DIGIT, COOL NIGHTS, AND A HIGH OF 22 FOR QUEENSTOWN. MORNING CLOUD AND A FEW SHOWERS FOR GORE AND INVERCARGILL, MAYBE OAMARU TOO, THEN JOINING THE REST IN A MUCH FINER AFTERNOON. AND 17 FOR MANY HERE. SOME GREY TIMES AND A FEW SHOWERS IN THE MORNING, OTEPOTI DUNEDIN. THEN SOME FINE BREAKS IN THE AFTERNOON. 19 IS YOUR HIGH. LOOKING AHEAD TO MONDAY ` AND IT'S A PRETTY SUNNY PICTURE. A LATE-DAY RAIN BAND ARRIVING TO THE LOWER SOUTH. THAT WORKS UP THE ISLAND ON TUESDAY. FINE IN THE EAST OF THE NORTH ISLAND. JUST A BIT OF CLOUD AND ISOLATED SHOWERS IN THE REST OF THE NORTH. WE DON'T WANT TO WISH SUMMER AWAY, BUT THE COOLER NIGHTS ARE A RELIEF. WE DON'T WANT TO WISH SUMMER AWAY, BUT THE COOLER NIGHTS ARE A RELIEF. VERY NICE. AND THAT'S 1 NEWS THIS SATURDAY. REMEMBER YOU CAN KEEP RIGHT UP TO DATE WITH ANY DEVELOPMENTS ON OUR STORIES TONIGHT ON OUR WEBSITE, 1NEWS.CO.NZ. FROM US, KIA PAI TE PO. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. CAPTIONS BY ALEX WALKER AND REBECCA SCHOLTZ. CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR.