MORENA. WELCOME INTO BREAKFAST. IT'S FRIDAY THE 14th OF MARCH. ANYBODY ELSE STOKED IT IS FRIDAY? HECK, YES. MICHELLE IS THERE WITH THE MCLARENS DRIVERS. SHE IS LIVING HER BEST LIFE IN THE PIT LANE. SHE IS TALKING TO ALL OF THE BIG DOGS. WE WILL CATCH UP WITH HER JUST AFTER 8 O'CLOCK. NICE THAT LIAM LAWSON WILL GET HIS BIG SHOT WITH RED FULL. IT IS SO CLOSE TO HOME. APPARENTLY IT WILL BE 38 DEGREES AND MELBOURNE FOR THAT RACE. COMING UP ON THE SHOW THIS MORNING ` HAVE THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF DONALD TRUMP'S RETURN TO THE WHITE HOUSE LEFT YOU FEELING LIKE YOU NEED A DRINK? WELL, YOU'RE NOT ALONE. AS THE TRADE WAR ACROSS AMERICA'S NORTHERN BORDER ESCALATES, A CANADIAN BREWER HAS COME UP WITH THE PERFECT SOLUTION ` A 1461 PACK OF BEER. YES, ONE FOR EVERY DAY OF TRUMP'S SECOND STINT IN POWER. WE'LL SPEAK TO THE BREWERY AND ASK HOW THE TARIFFS ARE AFFECTING ITS BUSINESS. ALSO AHEAD ` COULD THIS BE THE 'PURRFECT' CRIME? THERE'S A CAT BURGLAR ON THE PROWL IN CHRISTCHURCH. JASPER THE KLEPTOMANIAC CAT HAS BEEN STEALING SOCKS AND OTHER ITEMS FOR YEARS. ACTUALLY, I HAVE HEARD OF THIS CAT. THE HAUL IS SO BIG, HIS OWNERS HAVE SET UP A FACEBOOK PAGE TO RETURN THE FELINE'S FLEECED ITEMS. THIS IS BRILLIANT. PLUS, FORGET RUGBY SEASON ` THERE'S STILL PLENTY OF CRICKET TO BE PLAYED. WE PREVIEW THE BLACKCAPS' HOME SERIES AGAINST PAKISTAN. PLUS, CAN THE WHITE FERNS CONTINUE THEIR DOMINANT FORM AGAINST SRI LANKA? ACTUALLY, WE'RE ALSO GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE NETBALL TO POINTER THAT HAS COME INTO THE ANZ PREMIERSHIP THIS YEAR. THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IT IN AUSTRALIA FOR THE LAST YEAR OR TWO, ANOTHER THEY ARE BRINGING IT INTO NEW ZEALAND. MAKING IT RAIN FROM WAY DOWNTOWN. MAKING IT RAIN. RIGHT NOW IT'S 6 O'CLOCK. HERE'S JENNY-MAY WITH YOUR NEWS. THANKS, CHRIS. IN RESPONSE TO THE U.S-PROPOSED CEASEFIRE DEAL, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SAYS HE AGREES THERE SHOULD BE AN END TO FIGHTING IN UKRAINE. SPEAKING TO MEDIA THIS MORNING, HE SAYS ANY PEACE PLAN SHOULD LEAD TO 'ENDURING PEACE', BUT IT MUST ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF THE CRISIS. U.S. ENVOY STEVE WITKOFF IS IN MOSCOW TO DISCUSS A 30-DAY CEASEFIRE DEAL, ONE WHICH UKRAINE HAS ALREADY ACCEPTED. IT COMES AS THE NATO CHIEF IS SET TO MEET WITH U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP LATER TODAY. AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE HAS WEIGHED IN ON A VIDEO OF AN AMERICAN INFLUENCER TAKING A BABY WOMBAT AWAY FROM ITS DISTRESSED MOTHER. IN THE NOW DELETED CLIP, SAM JONES CAN BE SEEN PICKING UP THE JOEY AND RUNNING TO A CAR AS THE MOTHER CHASES AFTER THEM. IT'S SPARKED SIGNIFICANT CRITICISM, AND A PETITION CALLING FOR HER TO BE DEPORTED HAS COLLECTED MORE THAN 10,000 SIGNATURES. AND, YOU KNOW, I SUGGEST TO THIS SO-CALLED INFLUENCER... MAYBE SHE MIGHT TRY SOME OTHER AUSTRALIAN ANIMALS. TAKE A BABY CROCODILE FROM ITS MOTHER AND SEE HOW YOU GO THERE. WOW, WHIL. WHAT? IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS ARE NOW REVIEWING JONES' AUSTRALIAN VISA. THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY. HALF OF SOUTH DUNEDIN BUILDINGS ARE AT RISK OF FLOODING WHICH WILL ONLY RISE IF NOTHING IS DONE. TWO NEW REPORTS RELEASED TODAY HAVE FOUND DUNEDIN'S FLOODING RISK WILL INCREASE TO 70% WITHIN THE NEXT 75 YEARS UNLESS ACTION IS TAKEN. SEVEN OPTIONS WERE PROVIDED TO THE COUNCIL IN THE RELEASE, RANGING FROM 'DOING NOTHING' TO 'BUILDING BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE 'AND WATER WAYS AROUND THE CITY'. OUR CHRISTCHURCH REPORTER WILL HAVE MORE ON THIS SHORTLY. THE NIGHTS ARE PUT BACK TO BACK WINS, TAKING DOWN THE DOLPHINS 26-12. THERE WERE THREE TRY ASSISTS AND FIVE TACKLE BREAKS. HE HAS GOT IT AGAIN. HE SEES PACE. THEY COLLECT MORE POINTS. THE OPENING ROUND WERE DISRUPTED BY CYCLONE ALFRED AND ADDED A TRY. THE DRUGS KEEP THE GAME ALIVE, BUT COULD NOT FIND ANOTHER WAY THROUGH THE NIGHT'S DEFENCE. ALSO, THE WARRIORS ARE PLAYING TONIGHT AT 8 PM. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE MARKETS. (FUNKY MUSIC) AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` MAINLY CLEAR SKIES FOR MOST OF THE NORTH ISLAND. HOWEVER, PATCHY PERIODS OF CLOUDS THROUGHOUT THE DAY FOR GISBORNE AND A PARTLY CLOUDY DAY FOR THE CAPITAL. 26 THE HIGH FOR KIRIKIRIROA HAMILTON. 24 FOR WHANGAREI. THE SUN IS SHINNING FOR THE TOP OF THE SOUTH ISLAND. PARTLY CLOUDY FURTHER DOWN WITH SHOWERS SPREAD ACROSS THE FIORDLAND AND BULLER REGIONS. 25 THE HIGH FOR BLENHEIM. LET'S SEE WHAT ELSE IS MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING WITH OUR TEAM OF REPORTERS AROUND THE COUNTRY. CHARGES HAVE BEEN LAID AS INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE INTO A CONCERNING EMAIL SENT TO SCHOOLS IN AUCKLAND. LUCY BENDELL JOINS US. WHAT'S THE LATEST, LUCY? GOOD MORNING. A 20-YEAR-OLD IS EXPECTED TO APPEAR IN THE DISTRICT COURT TODAY CHARGED WITH THE POSSESSION OF A FIREARM. POLICE SEARCH OF PROPERTY YESTERDAY AFTER AN INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED AFTER THREATENING EMAILS WERE SENT TO 2 AUCKLAND SCHOOLS. POSTAL SCHOOLS BOTH WERE REPORTEDLY PLACED INTO A LOCKDOWN FOLLOWING THOSE EMAILS. POLICE QUICKLY WANTED TO BEGIN THE INVESTIGATION TO GIVE REASSURANCE BACK TO THE SCHOOLS, SURVEY TRACKS THE INITIAL EMAIL BACK TO A MANGERE EAST ADDRESS. THEY ISSUED AN SEARCH WARRANT AND PLACED A MALE AND FEMALE INTO CUSTODY. POLICE WARN THAT OTHER CHARGES ARE EXPECTED TO BE LAID AS A RESULT OF THIS WARRANT, AND THEY DO SAY THAT THIS IS AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATION, SO FURTHER COMMENT IS LIMITED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, LUCY. NOW IT'S TIME TO CHECK IN WITH OUR WELLINGTON REPORTER JAMES FLEURY. JAMES, WAIRARAPA POLICE BELIEVE A MAN WANTED IN RELATION TO FIRES AT SIX MASTERTON CHURCHES IS LIKELY GETTING HELP TO HIDE. MORENA. THESE ARE SIX THE CHURCH FIRES AND ALSO AN ADDITIONAL FIRE IN A NET BY BUSINESS TOOK PLACE ON THE EARLY HOURS OF FEBRUARY 22. THE DAMAGE RANGED FROM MODERATE TO SIGNIFICANT, WITH SOME OF THESE SEARCHES COMPLETELY GUTTED FROM THE INSIDE, WHICH WAS EXTREMELY DEVASTATING FOR THE COMMUNITY. THREE DAYS AFTER THESE FIRES, POLICE ISSUED A WARRANT FOR THE ARREST OF 44-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL MCRAE, BUT WEEKS LATER, THEY ARE STILL UNABLE TO FIND HIM. THEY ARE CONFIDENT THAT THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE COMMUNITY WHICH IS HELPING HIM HIDE OR A GROUP OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHICH IS HELPING HIM HIDE, AND THEY ARE CONFIDENT THAT HE IS HIDING SOMEWHERE IN THE WAIRARAPA REGION. THEY WANT THESE PEOPLE TO COME FORWARD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THEY ALSO WANT TO HEAR FROM ANYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY WHO HAS TRACKED THE MOVEMENTS OF A GREEN FORD FOR STEVE, ESPECIALLY IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THIS FIRE AND IN THE DAYS AFTERWARDS WHEN IT WAS A BANNER JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER. THANK YOU SO MUCH, JAMES. CHARLOTTE MULDER HAS MORE ON THE NEW REPORT ON THE FLOOD RISK IN SOUTH DUNEDIN. MORENA, CHARLOTTE. WHAT MORE CAN YOU TELL US? MORENA. TWO REPORTS AS SAID BEFORE WERE RELEASED TODAY BY DUNEDIN'S FUTURE PROGRAM, WHICH SHOW THAT NOT ONLY IS HALF OF DUNEDIN SOUTH'S BUILDINGS AT RISK OF FLOODING RIGHT NOW, BUT THAT NUMBER IS ONLY SET TO INCREASE TO 70% IN THE NEXT 75 YEARS OF NOTHING IS DONE. IT COMES AFTER DUNEDIN WENT INTO A STATE OF EMERGENCY LAST YEAR, AND ABOUT 100 PEOPLE WERE EVACUATED FROM THEIR HOMES DUE TO FLOODING AND LANDSLIPS. THE TWO REPORTS SHOWED THAT ABOUT SEVEN OPTIONS WERE GIVEN TO COUNCILS. THEY ARE RANGING FROM ABOUT SETTING AND DOING NOTHING TO BUILDING BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE, STREAMS, WATERWAYS, AND TAKING PEOPLE OUT OF HARMS WAY. THAT DOES NOT MEAN TO SAY THAT DUNEDIN COUNCIL WILL NOT BE DOING ANYTHING FOR THE MEANTIME. THEY WILL BE PUTTING $29 MILLION TOWARDS THREE PIPE PROJECTS, WHICH WILL BE DECREASING THAT FLOODING RISK BY ABOUT 10% TO 20%, WHICH IS, OF COURSE, NOT ENOUGH, BUT AT LEAST IT IS A START. THOSE TWO PROJECTS, REPORTS, THAT WERE BEING RELEASED TODAY, THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE MAKE SINCE 2020, SO THEY HAVE BEEN GOING FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, AND THEY WILL BE GETTING PUT TO BOTH THE OTAGO REGIONAL COUNCIL NEXT WEEK AND THE DUNEDIN CITY COUNCIL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT, CHARLOTTE. A CAR SMASHED UP, ANOTHER STOLEN ` BOTH OWNED BY THE PARENTS OF CHILDREN LIVING WITH CANCER. THE VEHICLES HAD BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE THE CHRISTCHURCH CANCER FOUNDATION. THIS IS THE STATE ONE OF THE CARS WAS LEFT IN ` SHATTERED GLASS EVERYWHERE. AND AS THE FOUNDATION GEARS UP FOR ITS ANNUAL STREET APPEAL, SHORTLY WE'LL SPEAK TO THE CANCER FOUNDATION'S CEO MONICA BRIGGS WHO IS IN STUDIO, BUT FIRST WE'RE JOINED BY ASHBURTON MUM ASHLEE LUFF. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING. I AM SO SORRY THIS HAPPENED TO YOU. IT IS A REALLY CRAPPY THING TO HAPPEN. CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED? WENT UP TO CHRISTCHURCH AS USUAL WITH A FEVER, SO EMERGENCY, ALWAYS PARK AT THE CANCER SOCIETY, SO IT WAS QUITE LATE IN THE AFTERNOON. I WAS AT THE NEXT MORNING AND HAD A PHONE CALL FROM THE CANCER SOCIETY JUST SEEING IF IT WAS MY CAR PARK THERE, AND IT WAS, AND SHE SAID IT HAS BEEN STOLEN. I ALMOST LAUGHED, BECAUSE WHAT IS NEXT? HOW DID THAT FEEL? PRETTY FRUSTRATING. WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAVE A VEHICLE? OLLIE HAS GOT CANCER. AND A FEVER CAN BE LIFE-THREATENING. OBVIOUSLY, WE ARE OVER AN HOUR AWAY, AND A FEVER CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY OR NIGHT, AND I HAVE TO GET IN THE CAR AND BE IN THEIR WITHIN AN HOUR. YOU MENTIONED THE FRUSTRATION WHEN YOU FIRST FOUND OUT. BUT YOU HAVE ALSO HAD A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO REFLECT AS WELL ON WHAT HAPPENED AT THAT TIME. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THOSE THAT DID THIS TO YOUR VEHICLE? PROBABLY CANNOT SAY THAT ON TV. I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THEY ARE THINKING WHO THE OWNERS ARE ALL WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH, AND, I MEAN, THEY ARE NOT THINKING AT ALL. HOW MUCH SUPPORT HAVE YOU HAD? HEAPS. THEY ARE SO AMAZING. WE LOVE GABBY FROM THE CANCER SOCIETY. SHE IS OUR MAIN LADY. I THINK THAT MORE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THEM. AS A PARENT, I CAN'T IMAGINE THE SITUATION THAT YOU FIND YOURSELF IN. WHAT YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT IT IS LIKE FOR YOU AND AS A FAMILY GOING THROUGH THIS WITH YOUR BOY? I DON'T EVEN THINK THAT THERE ARE WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH. JUST A NIGHTMARE. A NIGHTMARE. I DON'T THINK YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND UNLESS YOU WALK THE PATH OF CANCER WITH YOUR CHILD, I SUPPOSE. WHICH MAKES SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED TO YOU, YOUR VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED INSIDE THE HOSPITAL CAR PARK, MAKES IT SEEM EVEN MORE UNFAIR. YES. SOMETHING YOU WOULD ONLY READ ABOUT. (CHUCKLES) YOUR BOY HAS GOT HIS BIRTHDAY ON MONDAY. YES. HE WILL BE SIX. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE DOING TO CELEBRATE? WELL, HE IS ON CHEMO AT THE MOMENT AND HIS STEROID DOSE, SO WHEN HE IS ON THE STEROIDS, HE IS PRETTY MOODY, SO I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH OF A GOOD MOOD HE WILL BE ENTERED CELEBRATE. BUT WE WILL DO SOMETHING. I SO APPRECIATE YOU HAVE SO MUCH GOING ON AT THE MOMENT, AND TO BE WITH US HERE ON BREAKFAST, TO GIVE US EVEN JUST A TOUCH OF AN INSIGHT OF WHAT IS HAPPENING FOR YOU AS A MUM AND AS A FAMILY. WE SO APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. AGAIN, I AM VERY SORRY THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO YOU. THANK YOU. NOW WE HAVE MONICA BRIGGS FROM THE CHILD CANCER FOUNDATION. YOU LISTEN TO HER. HOW DEVASTATING IS THAT FOR A FAMILY THAT IS GOING THROUGH SO MUCH ANYWAY HAVE THIS HAPPEN ON TOP OF EVERYTHING? IT IS JUST DEVASTATING. IT IS SUCH AN INTENSE JOURNEY WHEN A FAMILY HAS THE CHILD DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER. IT LITERALLY TURNS THEIR LIVES UPSIDE DOWN. OFTEN A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY HAS TO GIVE UP WORK TO STAY WITH THE CHILD IN THE WARD, WHICH IS LIKE MONTHS AND MONTHS, AND THERE IS ENORMOUS STRAIN AND CHALLENGES, AND MOST OF US COULD NOT IMAGINE IT. AND THEN WE HAD TWO FAMILIES AFFECTED IN THE EARLY HOURS OF WEDNESDAY MORNING. ONE, AS YOU HEARD FROM ASHLEY WHOSE CAR WAS STOLEN, AND HER CAR WAS SMASHED IN, AND OTHER FAMILY HAD A CHILD IN INTENSIVE CARE, AND THE STAFF WERE JUST ABSOLUTELY HEARTBROKEN AND DID EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO TRY AND HELP THE FAMILIES IN THAT SITUATION. SO IT IS JUST REALLY, TOTALLY ROUGH. ASHLEY STRUGGLED TO FIND THE WORDS TO BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN HOW THAT WAS FOR HER FAMILY TO HAVE THAT VEHICLE STOLEN, WHICH THEY USE BECAUSE THEY LIVE JUST OVER AN HOUR AWAY FROM THE HOSPITAL, TO HAVE THAT STOLEN AT A TIME LIKE THAT. MANY PEOPLE WILL BE WATCHING THIS. THEY WILL BE ANGRY, FIRST OF ALL, FOR WHAT HAPPENED, BUT ALSO THEY WILL SAY, HOW CAN I HELP? SO HOW CAN PEOPLE HELP? LOOK, THE TERRIBLE THING THAT HAPPENED TO THESE TWO FAMILIES, IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, AND YOU NEVER WANT IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT IT IS ON STREET APPEAL TODAY AND TOMORROW, SO WE ALSO SEE THE INCREDIBLE GENEROSITY OF NEW ZEALANDERS IN OUR JOB AS WELL, SO WE HAVE GOT HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS UP AND DOWN THE COUNTRY GIVING ABOUT 5000 VOLUNTEER HOURS OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS, SO I WOULD SAY TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, IF YOU SEE US OUT THERE, PLEASE GIVE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN. GO TO OUR WEBSITE, OR TEXT BREAKFAST TO 3457 TO GIVE AN INSTANT DONATION. WE DO RELY ON THIS TO GIVE ADDITIONAL WRAPAROUND SUPPORT TO THESE FAMILIES. IF PEOPLE CANNOT HELP FINANCIALLY, WHAT ARE OTHER WAYS THAT THEY COULD? IF THEY GET IN TOUCH WITH US THROUGH OUR WEBSITE, WE ARE OFTEN LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH EVENTS AND IN OTHER WAYS, SO THEY CAN COME AND VOLUNTEER FOR US, AND THEY CAN HELP OUT WITH THE STREET APPEAL. WE HAVE ALSO GOT 20 MAYORS UP AND DOWN THE COUNTRY TAKING PART OUR FIRST MAKE ME A CHALLENGE FOR THE STREET APPEAL. IT IS JUST FANTASTIC TO SEE THE PUBLIC GETTING IN BEHIND TO HELP HOWEVER THEY CAN. BEAUTIFUL. WE SO APPRECIATE YOU. I AM NOT SURE EVENTUALLY AS THE REFEREE HAS GONE, BUT YOU KNOW SHE GOT HER CAR BACK? SHE IS HERE. YES, I AM. DID YOU GET YOUR CAR BACK? I GOT A FUNGAL FROM THE POLICE THE FOLLOWING NIGHT, AND IT WAS JUST FOUND SMASHED UP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SO THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS TOWED IT, AND THEY ARE LOOKING INTO IT, BUT I AM UNSURE IF IT WAS WRITTEN OFF OR HOW MUCH DAMAGE THERE IS. HOPEFULLY WE CAN SORT THAT OUT. HAVE YOU GOT TRANSPORT? YES, BORROWING MY MOTHER-IN-LAW'S CAR. GO THE MOTHERS-IN-LAW. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUR BOY FOR HIS BIRTHDAY ON MONDAY. THANK YOU. AND, MONICA, THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. E WHAI AKE NEI ` THE THIEF THAT'S BEEN SWIPING SOCKS IN CHRISTCHURCH. NEXT, WHAT COULD BE BEHIND THIS CAT'S KLEPTOMANIAC BEHAVIOUR? # WHAT WE NEED IS A GREAT BIG MELTING POT. # BIG ENOUGH TO TAKE THE WORLD AND ALL IT'S GOT. # STIR IT FOR 100 YEARS OR MORE. # HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING ` RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SAYS THAT THE FIGHTING WITH UKRAINE NEEDS TO END, BUT THERE ARE STILL ISSUES THAT NEED RESOLVING BEFORE THE A CEASEFIRE CAN PROCEED. A VIDEO OF AN AMERICAN INFLUENCER TAKING A BABY WOMBAT AWAY FROM ITS DISTRESSED MOTHER HAS CAUSED OUTRAGE IN AUSTRALIA, WITH MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE SIGNING A PETITION TO DEPORT HER. AND TWO NEW REPORTS RELEASED TODAY HAVE FOUND DUNEDIN'S FLOODING RISK WILL INCREASE TO 70% WITHIN THE NEXT 75 YEARS UNLESS ACTION IS TAKEN. JASPER IS A KLEPTOMANIAC CAT WHO RUNS A CRIME RING IN CHRISTCHURCH. HE STEALS SO MUCH FROM HIS SUMNER NEIGHBOURS, HIS FAMILY HAVE HAD TO SET UP A FACEBOOK PAGE SO PEOPLE KNOW WHERE THEIR BELONGINGS, MAINLY SOCKS, HAVE DISAPPEARED TO. LISA DAVIES WENT TO MEET THE THIEF HIMSELF. THIS IS MORE OF A SMUG SHOT THAN A MUG SHOT. SO CAN YOU JUST SHOW ME THE SCALE OF THE CRIME WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE? (LAUGHS) (CHUCKLES) OK. OH MY GOSH. YEAH, THAT'S THE LATEST HAUL ANYWAY. YOU SEE, JASPER'S GOT FORM. HE'S A FELINE FELON. THIS REALLY AMUSES ME ` THE STOLEN SOCK. DO YOU THINK HE CAN READ? (BOTH LAUGH) I WOULDN'T PUT IT PAST HIM. HE'S A VERY SMART CAT. HE STARTED LOOTING WHEN HE WAS JUST 6 MONTHS OLD. HE'S NOW 6. HOW MANY WOULD HE BRING BACK A DAY? PROBABLY ABOUT EIGHT OR NINE. A DAY. A DAY. RHIAN ROBERTS IS ONE OF HIS MANY VICTIMS. YOU KNOW, I'VE EVEN MANAGED TO MAKE A PAIR. OH, AWESOME. (BOTH LAUGH) WELL, I SUPPOSE WE ALL APPRECIATE THE SINGLE-SOCK PHENOMENON, BUT IN OUR HOUSE, JUST OVER THERE, IT WAS LITERALLY TAKING ON A WHOLE NEW LEVEL. HELLO, JASPER. DO YOU THINK HE FEELS PROUD OF THIS? I THINK SO, YEAH. I DON'T THINK HE SHOULD FEEL PROUD ABOUT IT. JASPER, I THINK, IS VERY PROUD OF BEING A FAMOUS CAT. (GIGGLES) I CAN TELL BY HIS LITTLE GRIN. BUT WHEN ASKED ABOUT HIS CRIMES... (JASPER PURRS) ...THIS PURRING PERPETRATOR HAD NO COMMENT. IT'S A 'PURRFECT' SITUATION FOR HIM, ISN'T IT? YEAH. (LAUGHTER) HEARD THAT JOKE MORE THAN ONCE. HIS THIEVING IS WELL-DOCUMENTED. MY MUM CAME UP WITH A BOOK. AND HIS UNCLE ILLUSTRATED IT. BUT JASPER'S NOT ALL BAD ` HE BRINGS A LOT OF JOY TO HIS FAMILY. NOT SO MUCH JOY TO THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE LOST THEIR SOCKS, BUT... (LAUGHS) THEY'VE STARTED A FACEBOOK PAGE... (EXCLAIMS, LAUGHTER) ...TO LET THEIR NEIGHBOURS KNOW WHERE THEIR BELONGINGS HAVE GOT TO. LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE, JASP. AND SET UP THIS BOX AT THEIR FRONT GATE TO RETURN HIS ILL-GOTTEN GAINS, BUT JASPER IS UNREPENTANT. (INTRIGUING MUSIC) BEFORE WE EVEN LEFT, HE WAS CASING OUT HIS NEXT BREAK-IN. FOR MORE, WE'RE JOINED BY ANIMAL BEHAVIOURIST DR ELSA FLINT. GOOD MORNING. I KNOW YOU ARE NOT A BODY LANGUAGE EXPERT, BUT HE LOOKS LIKE QUITE AN ANGRY CAT. I THINK HE JUST HAS THAT SORT OF FACE. IS THIS NORMAL BEHAVIOUR FOR A CAT? IT IS FAIRLY COMMON. AND SOME ARE MORE EXTREME THAN OTHERS. WHY ARE THEY SO DISPOSED TO DO THE SORT OF THING? IT IS A FORM OF PREDATORY BEHAVIOUR. THAT IS WHAT WE THINK, ANYWAY. IT IS COMMON FOR CATS TO BRING BACK PRAY TO THEIR TERRITORY, SO THESE CATS ARE FOCUSING ON OTHER THINGS, SO THEY ARE NOT BRINGING MICE AND INSECTS BACK, BUT THEY ARE BRINGING SOCKS. UNDERWEAR OFTEN AND VARIOUS OTHER THINGS. PROBABLY PREFERABLE TO THE MICE AND RATS AND OTHER THINGS. WHERE ARE THEY GETTING THEM FROM? ARE THEY PICKING THEM OFF CLOSE LIVES? NO, THEY TEND TO GO INTO WINDOWS AND GET THEM FROM PEOPLE HOUSES. HOW CAN YOU STOP CATS FROM DOING THIS? YOU CAN MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THEM OCCUPIED AROUND THE TIMES THEY WOULD NORMALLY BE OUT HUNTING, BECAUSE THAT IS GENERALLY WHEN THEY WOULD DO IT. EARLY MORNING AND THE LATE EVENING. AND PROVIDE THINGS LIKE TREATS, SO SOMETHING FOR THEM TO FOCUS ON THAT AS A FOOD ITEM, AND THEY'RE A LITTLE TREAT ACTIVITY BALLS THAT THEY CAN BET AROUND AND GET THE TREATS OUT AND EAT THEM, AND BRING OTHER TOYS AND AT THAT TIME AS WELL. JUST A MASSIVE NUMBER OF TOYS ON THE MARKET THAT CAN KEEP THEM OCCUPIED AND HAPPY. BUT IF YOUR CAT IS LIKE JASPER AND HAS THE ADRENALINE RUSH, MAYBE HE IS NOT GOING TO DO IT. I THUNK IT'S JUST GOING TO THIEVE SOCKS? PROBABLY, YES. SOME OF THEM ARE MORE FOCUSED ON SOFT TOYS AS WELL, WE HAD ONE YEARS AGO, AND THE POOR LADY, SHE USED TO GO TO THE LOCAL MARKET, AND SHE WOULD TAKE A RUBBISH SACK FULL OF TOYS THAT THE CAT HAD BROUGHT HOME, PUT IT OUT ON A TABLE SO PEOPLE COULD COME AND COLLECT THEIR TOYS. IS IT LIMITED TO SOFT THINGS? OR DO THEY GO FURTHER AFIELD? THEY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO GET OTHER THINGS AS WELL, BUT MOSTLY IT IS FABRIC, SOFT TOYS, AND SOCKS ARE VERY COMMON AND POPULAR. BUT THEY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO BRING HARD OBJECTS BACK AS WELL. IS IT A BEHAVIOUR THAT IS QUITE SPECIFIC TO CATS? YES. SO YOU WILL NOT GET DOGS DOING IT? SOMETIMES THEY WILL, BUT IT IS MORE LIKE IF THEY FOUND A BONE ON THE ROAD. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING AND TALKING ABOUT THIS. JASPER JUST HAD A VERY MISCHIEVOUS LOOK IN HIS EYE. INDEED. OTHERWISE THEY BRING HOME THINGS LIKE RATS. YOU WANT THEM BRINGING HOME RATS? AS LONG AS THEY ARE DEAD, I DO NOT CARE. YOU JUST HAVE TO WATCH THAT THEY DO NOT EAT SOCKS AND GET OBSTRUCTED. THAT IS THE THING WE DID NOT MENTION. YES, THANK YOU. ME U TONU MAI ` WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK AFTER THE BREAK WITH YOUR 6.30 NEWS. PLUS, HOW A CANADIAN BREWERY HAS COME UP WITH A UNIQUE WAY TO COPE WITH THE GROWING GLOBAL TRADE WAR. HOKI MAI ANO, WELCOME BACK, IT'S JUST GONE 6.30. IN RESPONSE TO THE U.S-PROPOSED CEASEFIRE DEAL, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SAYS HE AGREES THERE SHOULD BE AN END TO FIGHTING IN UKRAINE. SPEAKING TO MEDIA THIS MORNING, HE SAYS ANY DIPLOMATIC TALKS SHOULD LEAD TO 'ENDURING PEACE' BUT IT MUST ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF THE CRISIS. U.S. ENVOY STEVE WITKOFF IS IN MOSCOW TO DISCUSS A 30-DAY CEASEFIRE DEAL, ONE WHICH UKRAINE HAS ALREADY ACCEPTED. IT COMES AS THE NATO CHIEF IS SET TO MEET WITH U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP LATER TODAY. A MAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH A FIREARM OFFENCEWHAT IS AFTER CONCERNING EMAILS WERE SENT TO TWO AUCKLAND SCHOOLS. POLICE CONFIRM THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING AFTER WAIUKU COLLEGE AND RUTHERFORD COLLEGE WERE BOTH REPORTEDLY PLACED IN LOCKDOWN YESTERDAY. THE MAN (20) WILL APPEAR IN THE MANUKAU DISTRICT COURT TOMORROW AND POLICE EXPECT MORE CHARGES TO BE LAID. HALF OF SOUTH DUNEDIN BUILDINGS ARE AT RISK OF FLOODING, WHICH WILL ONLY RISE IF NOTHING IS DONE. TWO REPORTS RELEASED TODAY HAVE FOUND DUNEDIN'S FLOODING RISK WILL INCREASE TO 70% WITHIN THE NEXT 75 YEARS UNLESS ACTION IS TAKEN. SEVEN OPTIONS WERE PROVIDED TO THE COUNCIL, RANGING FROM 'DOING NOTHING' TO 'BUILDING BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE 'AND WATER WAYS AROUND THE CITY'. UEFA IS SET TO REVIEW ITS PENALTY RULES AFTER A CONTROVERSIAL VAR DECISION DURING A CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURE BETWEEN ATLETICO MADRID AND REAL. ATLETICO'S JULIAN ALVAREZ WAS DEEMED TO HAVE TOUCHED THE BALL TWICE DURING THIS PENALTY KICK AFTER HE SLIPPED, PROMPTING VAR TO STEP IN AND CHALK IT OFF. REAL WENT ON TO WIN 4-2 IN THE SHOOTOUT. THE EUROPEAN GOVERNING BODY IS NOW LOOKING TO SPEAK WITH FIFA AND FOOTBALL'S LAW-MAKING BOARD TO REVIEW A POTENTIAL RULE CHANGE IF DOUBLE-TOUCH CONTACT IS UNINTENTIONAL. HE SUPPOSEDLY HIT... WELL, WHO CARES? YOU CAN ONLY KICK IT ONCE. BUT THEY DIDN'T SHOW THIS FOOTAGE AT THE MATCH. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE MARKETS. WHAT IS THAT TRYING TO SOLVE, THOUGH? ('CAN'T GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD' REMIX) AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` MAINLY CLEAR SKIES FOR MOST OF THE NORTH ISLAND. HOWEVER, PATCHY PERIODS OF CLOUDS THROUGHOUT THE DAY FOR GISBORNE AND A PARTLY CLOUDY DAY FOR THE CAPITAL. 26 THE HIGH FOR HAMILTON, 24 FOR WHANGAREI. THE SUN IS SHINNING FOR THE TOP OF THE SOUTH ISLAND. PARTLY CLOUDY FURTHER DOWN WITH SHOWERS SPREAD ACROSS THE FIORDLAND AND BULLER REGIONS. 25 THE HIGH FOR BLENHEIM, 18 IN DUNEDIN. A RARE BLOOD MOON WILL BE SEEN ACROSS ALL OF NEW ZEALAND TODAY. THE ECLIPSE WILL BE VISIBLE AFTER 8pm, WITH WEATHER PLAYING THE BIGGEST FACTOR IN WHETHER YOU CAN SEE THE RED-HUED MOON. HEATHER KEATS FROM METSERVICE JOINS US NOW. MORENA. ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SEE THIS BLOOD MOON? MAYBE, MAYBE NOT, A COUPLE OF FACTORS. THE WEATHER LOOKS NICE BUT IT'S ABOUT THE TIMING OF IT. AS A TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE EARTH IS BETWEEN A SUN AND MOON AND THE LIGHT FROM THE SUN BENDS AROUND US AND IT DIRECTS ONLY THE RED LIGHT ONTO THE SURFACE OF THE MOON, HENCE THE COLOUR BLOOD MOON. LOOKS AT ITS MOST SPECTACULAR IS WHEN THE MOON IS RISING AT ABOUT 7:45 PM. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE SUN IS SETTING, SO WE COULD STILL HAVE THIS GUY KIND OF WASHED OUT FROM THAT TWILIGHT LIGHT FROM THE SUN, BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU SHOULDN'T BE LOOKING FOR IT BECAUSE IT WILL STILL LOOK SPECTACULAR, AND IN TERMS OF CLOUD COVER, IT LOOKS LIKE A PRETTY GOOD NIGHT FOR IT. PLACES MOST UNLUCKY WILL BE THE WEST COAST OF THE SOUTH ISLAND, MAY BE NORTHLAND, BUT POTENTIALLY THE CENTRAL PLATEAU AND WELLINGTON. I LOVE IT. LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. SO THAT'S BETWEEN 745 AND 830, TONIGHT. WHAT ABOUT THIS WEEKEND? PRETTY GOOD, ACTUALLY. WE HAVE A FAVOURITE FORECAST WORD WHICH IS SETTLED. SO LOOKING OKAY BUT THERE IS ONE VERY LOW KEY WITH A FEATURE MOVING UP THE SOUTH ISLAND THAT WILL APPROACH THE SOUTHWEST TOMORROW, SHIMMY UP AND HAVE A BIT OVER CENTRAL NEW ZEALAND. SO THERE WILL BE SOME SHOWERS, AND THERE WILL BE NORWEST FLOWS, SO THERE WILL BE A NICE WARM BREEZE FOR THOSE IN THE SOUTH ISLAND. WHAT ABOUT OUR TEMPERATURES? WE NOTICED EVERYTHING IS STARTING TO DROP A LITTLE BIT. AUTUMN IS DEFINITELY IN THE AIR. THAT'S SOUTHERLY IN THE SOUTH HAS BEEN QUITE BRITTLE. BUT DON'T GIVE UP ON SUMMER QUITE YET. TODAY OR TOMORROW WE'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT 27 FOR HASTINGS AND ALEXANDRA AND THEN ON MONDAY, WE ARE BACK TO 30 IN HASTINGS. WE'RE LOOKING OKAY IN TAMAKI MAKAURAU. THE WARRIORS IS A GOOD ONE, BECAUSE IF YOU ARE IN THE WEST STAND, YOU MIGHT SEE THE BLOOD MOON/ MIGHT BE GOOD. WHAT DO WE SAY, UP THE WAHS? THANK YOU, HEATHER, AN ALLY. ALSO, HOMEGROWN RESERVES ARE SHUT OUT. *HOMEGROWN A SHOUT OUT IT IS THE LAST TIME HOMEGROWN WILL BE IN WELLINGTON. NO RAIN ON THE FORECAST SO I THINK A GOOD WAY TO END A BIT OF AN ERROR AND WELLINGTON. BRILLIANT, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU IN. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. ME U TONU MAI ` AS DONALD TRUMP'S TRADE WAR ESCALATES, HOW ONE CANADIAN BREWERY HAS COME UP WITH A CREATIVE SOLUTION TO HELP TAKE THE EDGE OFF. # THOSE WERE THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE. # OH, YEAH. Hi! Could you do something for me? # You've got what I need... # Thanks. # You got everything I need # You're like medicine to me... # VOICEOVER: Wonderful stories enter our stores every day. Find your wonderful. New World. VOICEOVER: Pizza Hut's Cheesy Bites, 22 cheese filled bites around a pizza with more cheeeese. (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING) (INDISTINCT CHATTER) Whoa! Oh hi Mr. Stevenson. You're having a cheese dream, bro. We're inside your brain right now. Yeah, it's pretty weird aye. This is quite high up! VOICEOVER: # PUT YOUR ARMS AROUND ME, BABY. # I JUST WANT # TO FLY. KIA ORA ANO, WELCOME BACK. HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING ` RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SAYS THAT THE FIGHTING WITH UKRAINE NEEDS TO END, BUT THERE ARE STILL ISSUES THAT NEED RESOLVING BEFORE A CEASEFIRE CAN PROCEED. TWO NEW REPORTS HAVE FOUND DUNEDIN'S FLOODING RISK WILL INCREASE TO 70% WITHIN THE NEXT 75 YEARS UNLESS ACTION IS TAKEN. AND A FURRY THIEF IS STEALING HIS SUMNER NEIGHBOURS' SOCKS, WHICH HAS CAUSED HIS PARENTS TO START A FACEBOOK PAGE JUST SO PEOPLE KNOW WHERE THEIR STUFF HAS GONE. (CHUCKLES) (CHUCKLES) AS TENSIONS ESCALATE BETWEEN THE U.S. AND ITS CLOSEST TRADING PARTNERS, YOU'D BE FORGIVEN FOR REACHING FOR A DRINK. WELL, ONE OF CANADA'S OLDEST BREWERIES IS OFFERING THE PERFECT SOLUTION. FORGET A SIX-PACK ` HOW ABOUT A 1461 PACK? A CANADIAN LAGER FOR EVERY DAY OF DONALD TRUMP'S PRESIDENCY. THE PRESIDENTIAL PACK WILL SET YOU BACK AROUND $4300. EARLIER, WE SPOKE TO MOOSEHEAD BREWERIES' DIRECTOR OF MARKETING KAREN GRIGG AND STARTED BY ASKING HER ABOUT HOW SHE CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA. YEAH. SO OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE IN SOME TROUBLED TIMES WITH MR PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS THREATS ON CANADA AND TARIFFS. SO AS WE'RE WATCHING OUR CANADIANS OBVIOUSLY STRESS DURING A VERY DIFFICULT TIME, WE THOUGHT, WHAT CAN WE DO AS A CANADIAN BRAND, YOU KNOW, BORN THE SAME YEAR AS CANADA, TO MAKE PEOPLE MAYBE SMILE A LITTLE? SO WE THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT DO WE NEED TO SURVIVE THIS PRESIDENCY? WE THOUGHT MAYBE A BEER A DAY WOULD HELP. I MEAN, IT'S AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF BEER IN THIS PRESIDENTIAL PACK ` 1461 CANS. CAN YOU PUT INTO CONTEXT HOW MUCH THAT IS IN TERMS OF SIZE? YEAH. SO THAT IS A ONE BEER A DAY FOR FOUR YEARS, INCLUDING THE LEAP YEAR NEXT YEAR. AND THE CRATE OF BEER IS ALMOST 4ft BY 4ft AND WEIGHS 1900 POUNDS. WOW. SO, WHO IS ORDERING THIS? WHO HAS ENOUGH ROOM IN THEIR HOUSE TO STORE THIS? WELL, WHEN WE WENT LIVE, IT WAS ONLINE SHOP. WE DIDN'T KNOW WOULD ANYONE BUY THIS, BUT WITHIN 11 MINUTES, THE FIRST ORDER CAME THROUGH. WE HAD THOUGHT MAYBE WE WOULD SELL FIVE, BUT THEN QUICKLY WITHIN 24 HOURS, WE SOLD FIVE AND SOLD OUT. SO WE ADDED ANOTHER FIVE. WE'VE SOLD OUT OF THAT. AND NOW WE HAVE A WAITLIST APPROACHING 200 PEOPLE. WOW. I MEAN THIS HAS GONE QUITE BIG, RIGHT? I'VE SEEN THIS HAS HAD SOME MEDIA INTEREST FROM BEYOND YOUR BORDERS. YES, PICKED UP ALL AROUND THE WORLD, INCLUDING YOUR YOUR COUNTRY AS WELL. IT'S BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY EXCITING AND POSITIVE. AND WE'VE BEEN GETTING MESSAGES, YOU KNOW, POSITIVE MESSAGES FROM EVEN THE UNITED STATES. OUR FANS, MOOSEHEAD FANS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE JUST HAVING FUN WITH IT AS WELL, SO IT'S JUST BEEN REALLY POSITIVE. I MEAN, FROM THE OUTSIDE, WE LOOK AT THIS AND WE THINK, HOW CAN CANADA AND THE U.S. BE AT ODDS AT THE MOMENT? THIS DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT. NO. WE'VE ALWAYS HAD A GREAT RELATIONSHIP, WHETHER IT'S TOURISM AND TRADE OF PRODUCTS BACK AND FORTH. IT SEEMS MAYBE THERE IS A` YOU KNOW, THE FACTS ARE MAYBE NOT RIGHT. IN THIS CASE, WITH REGARDS TO MR TRUMP AND WHAT HE'S THINKING CANADA IS DOING TO HIS COUNTRY. SO WE'RE JUST IN COMPLETE SHOCK, TO BE HONEST. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I KNOW WE'RE FRIENDLY PEOPLE, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO OUT WITHOUT A FIGHT. AND SO IN OUR CASE, A MOOSEHEAD'S CASE, WE THOUGHT WE CAN FIGHT BACK WITH SOME BEER. I MEAN, A MARKETING DIRECTOR FOR A BREWERY SOUNDS LIKE A DREAM JOB. AND THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO SORT OF TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION, RIGHT? HOW MUCH INTEREST HAS IT GENERATED IN YOUR COMPANY? YEAH, SO SINCE LAST FRIDAY, WE'VE HAD ALMOST 80 MILLION IMPRESSIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND INTERVIEW AFTER INTERVIEW, SO IT'S BEEN TREMENDOUS. I THINK THE BEST PART OF IT ALL, NOT JUST FOR MOOSEHEAD, A CANADIAN COMPANY, BUT FOR ALL CANADIAN PRODUCTS THAT ARE MADE IN THIS COUNTRY, WE'RE IN THE SPOTLIGHT, AND OUR CANADIANS ARE NOW MORE AWARE THAN EVER AND SUPPORTIVE OF SUPPORTING CANADIAN BRANDS. SO FOR US, IT'S BEEN TREMENDOUS TO HAVE PEOPLE LOOK AT MOOSEHEAD, YOU KNOW, A SIX-GENERATION, FAMILY-OWNED BREWERY AND APPRECIATE WHAT IT HAS TO OFFER. SO FOR OUR BRAND AND OUR COMPANY, THIS HAS BEEN A BIG MOMENT. YEAH. TELL ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT MOOSEHEAD, BECAUSE OLDEST INDEPENDENT BREWERY IN ST JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK. IT'S GOT A NICE, SPECIAL STORY. YEAH. SO WE ARE IN OUR SIXTH GENERATION OF FAMILY OWNERSHIP. THE OLAND FAMILY. WE WERE BORN THE SAME YEAR OF CANADA, 1867, BY A WOMAN. HER NAME WAS SUSANNA OLAND. AND THE COMPANY HAS GONE THROUGH TREMENDOUS OBSTACLES. AND SO I THINK WE CAN RELATE TO THE SITUATION THAT'S HAPPENING NOW. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE AN INTERNAL MOTIVE CALLED COURAGE TO DO. WE BELIEVE THAT OBSTACLES OR OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOW THE WORLD WHAT WE'RE CAPABLE OF. AND THAT'S WHAT DRIVES US AS EMPLOYEES. SO WE'RE TAKING THAT, YOU KNOW, COURAGEOUS SPIRIT, AND WE'RE JUST ENCOURAGING CANADIANS TO KEEP FIGHTING, OBVIOUSLY STILL BE OURSELVES, BUT WE WANT TO SHOW THE AMERICANS THAT WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT REVERSE TARIFF THREATS. WE'RE WILLING TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO HAVE THESE TARIFFS BROUGHT BACK DOWN. SERIOUS ABOUT THAT, BUT ABLE TO DO IT WITH THE SENSE OF HUMOUR. I LOVE IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. KAREN GRIGG FROM MOOSEHEAD BREWERIES FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING. THANKS FOR HAVING ME. A DINNER BE A CALENDAR BEFORE, BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFERENT BEERS LEADING UP TO BECAUSE MUST, BUT TO HAVE THE SAME BEER FOR YEARS WILL BE QUITE A COMMITMENT. I WOULD STILL OPEN UP A CAN AFTER FOUR YEARS. I DON'T THINK IT WOULD HAVE THE SAME FRESHNESS. ANYWAY, THE STORY OF THE MORNING. THIS IS BONKERS, ABOUT THE US INFLUENCE IN AUSTRALIA WHO STOLE THE BABY ONE BUT FROM ITS MOTHER. THE MOTHER IS CHASING AFTER HER, AFTER THIS HUMAN BEING, TAKING AWAY HER BABY. AND LOOK AT HER. CAN'T SAY TO THOSE OF YOU WATCHING, BECAUSE I COULDN'T WATCH IT, THE BABY WENT BACK TO ITS MUM. IT IS BECAUSE A BIT OF AN UPROAR IN AUSTRALIA, AS IT SHOULD. CAN YOU IMAGINE IF IT HAPPENED IN NEW ZEALAND AND AN INFLUENCE IT OFF WITH A LITTLE KIWI, IT WOULD BE NATIONAL. BUT WE GOT THE REACTION FROM THE PRIME MINISTER. I SUGGESTED THE SO-CALLED INFLUENCER, MAYBE SHE MIGHT TRY SOME OTHER AUSTRALIAN ANIMALS. TAKEN MAY BE COPIED FROM ITS MOTHER AND SEE HOW YOU GO THERE. WOW. IS THAT IN THE TOO-FAR BASKET? CAN WE NOT SHOW THIS FOOTAGE? I MEAN, WHAT AN IDIOT. THAT MAKES ME ANGRY. THE STRESS OF THAT POOR WOMBAT MOTHER! IT'S THAT CLOUT FOR THE SO-CALLED INFLUENCER. WILL REVISIT THAT STORY LATER. E HAERE AKE NEI ` THERE'S STILL PLENTY OF GAMES LEFT IN THE CRICKET SEASON. WE'RE TALKING SPORT, NEXT. # ABRACADABRA... (UPBEAT MUSIC) IT IS VERY AWKWARD WITH THAT LONGSHOT. WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO ANYWAY? A CONTROVERSIAL RULE CHANGE FOR THE ANZ NETBALL PREMIERSHIP AND AN EXCITING DAY FOR CRICKET LOVERS, WITH WHITE FERNS TAKING ON SRI LANKA IN THE T20 SERIES. SUZANNE MCFADDEN IS HERE TO TELL US ALL ABOUT IT. MORENA. SO GOOD TO HAVE YOU WITH US. MORENA, JENNY-MAY. LET'S TALK ABOUT THE WHITE FERNS. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? THE BLACK CAPS HAVE COME HOME FROM THE CHAMPIONS TROPHY FINAL TO PLAY FIVE DOUBLEHEADERS WITH THE WORLD CHAMPION T20 WHITE FERNS. SEE WHAT I DID THERE? YES, I DO. IT IS GOING TO BE A FANTASTIC SERIES FOR THE WHITE FERNS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE PLAYED T20 THEORY SINCE THEY WON AT THE WORLD CUP IN DUBAI IN OCTOBER. AND THEY ARE GOING TO PLAY THREE GAMES AGAINST SRI LANKA, AND THE FIRST ONE IS TONIGHT, AND THEN THREE AGAINST AUSTRALIA WHILE THE BLACK CAPS PLAY FIVE GAMES AGAINST PAKISTAN. IT IS AN INTERESTING LINEUP FOR THE WHITE FERNS. IT IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE SAW AT THE WORLD CUP LAST YEAR. WE HAVE SOPHIE, THE CAPTAIN, TAKING A WELL-BEING BREAK. AMELIA KERR, THE ICC WORLD WOMEN'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR, IS PLAYING IN INDIA, AND THERE HAS BEEN A WHOLE RAFT OF UNFORTUNATE INJURIES THAT HAVE HIT THE TEAM THIS SUMMER, AND AT LEAST FIVE PLAYERS ARE OUT. BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT PACE BOWLER ROSEMARY IS BACK FROM AN ELBOW INJURY, SO SHE WAS THE THIRD-HIGHEST WICKET TAKER IN DUBAI. AND SO SHE IS GOING TO LEAVE A LOT TO THEIR STRIKE ATTACK. AND IT HAS ALSO OPENED THE DOORS TO SOME YOUNG PLAYERS, WHICH IS GOING TO BE REALLY EXCITING AS WELL. ENGINES OF THAT, WHAT IS THE EXPECTATION ON THE WHITE FERNS GOING INTO THOSE TWO THEORIES? ON ONE HAND, IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BLOOD SOME PLAYERS, BUT COMING OFF THE SUCCESS AND TO BUY, THERE IS A HUGE EXPECTATION ON THEM AS WELL. ABSOLUTELY. THEY HAVE COME OFF AND ODI SERIES WHEN AGAINST SRI LANKA. WE KNOW THAT THEY CAN PLAY. THE TOUGHEST OPPONENT WILL BE AUSTRALIA, AND I THINK THAT WE JUST HAVE TO KIND OF EXCEPT THAT WE ARE BLOODING NEW PLAYERS. THE LIKES OF LAURA DEVON SHIRE, A 22-YEAR-OLD BETH WOMEN FROM CENTRAL DISTRICTS, WHO HAS HAD TO TAKE TIME OFF WORK AS A FINANCIAL ASSURANCE ADVISOR. SO IT IS GOING TO BE REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THEY STAND UP. WE SAW GEORGIA PLIMMER SCORE A CENTURY IN THE ODI, SO WE KNOW THAT THESE PLAYERS ARE CAPABLE. IT IS JUST GIVING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY. GIVING THEM EXPOSURE. AND AS A SPECTATOR, YOU CAN APPRECIATE THAT. THE FACT YOU HAVE YOUNGER PLAYERS COMING THROUGH, AND IT ALWAYS ADDS A DIFFERENT DYNAMIC TO A TEAM. NOW IS THE TIME TO GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITIES AND SERIES LIKE THIS. CAN WE TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE NETBALL PREMIERSHIP, WHICH I THINK HAS BEEN QUITE VISIBLE, EVEN THOUGH I KNOW IT DOES NOT START UNTIL APRIL. BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD A LOT OF CHATTER AROUND WHAT IS ACTUALLY GOING ON APART FROM THIS NEW RULE THAT IS GOING ON, WHICH IS THE TWO POINTER. WHAT HAS THE RECEPTION BEEN LIKE FOR THAT TWO-POINT GOALS IN THE LAST FIVE MINUTES OF A QUARTER? IF YOU LOOK AT SOCIAL MEDIA, IT IS QUITE MIXED. BUT IF YOU TALK TO PLAYERS AND COACHES, I THINK THEY HAVE BEEN EXPECTING THIS. SO THEY HAVE HAD TIME TO GET THEIR HEAD AROUND IT. AUSTRALIA INTRODUCED THE TWO-POINT SHOT BACK IN 2020, AND I REMEMBER THINKING AT THE TIME, WHAT KIND OF NOVELTY IS THIS? THIS WILL NOT LAST. BEING A TRAGIC TRADITIONALIST, WE WILL NOT ADOPT THAT HERE. BUT NOW I CAN TOTALLY SEE WHY. THE GAME NEEDS TO BE A BIT MORE INNOVATIVE. IT IS A COMPETITION WITH SO MANY OTHER WOMEN SPORTS NOW, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE THREE WORLD CUP'S WE HAD HERE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. SO THEY HAD TO DO SOMETHING. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IT? I LOVE IT. I HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE AUSTRALIAN LEAGUE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND I THINK IT IS A DIFFERENT DYNAMIC AND EXCITEMENT. AND I ALSO BELIEVE THAT A COMPETITION LIKE THAT FOR AUSTRALIA HAS REALLY BROUGHT ALONG THEIR SHOOTERS IN TERMS OF HAVING THAT LONGSHOT. WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY ONE LIKE THAT REALLY FOR A WHILE. I AM ALL ABOUT IT. HAVE YOU MOVED ON FROM YOUR TRADITIONALIST VIEW OF IT? YES, I HAVE MOVED ON. THERE IS A POINT OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US AND THE AUSTRALIANS AND THE UK WHO ARE BRINGING IT INTO THEIR SUPER LEAGUE AS WELL. OUR TWO-POINT ZONE IS 3.5 M AWAY FROM THE GOALPOST, WHERE THE AUSTRALIANS ARE 3 M. WE ARE TAKING IT A BIT FURTHER OUT. THAT IS DIFFERENT. THEY ARE ALSO BRINGING IN A COACHES BOX, WHICH IS GOING TO BE REALLY INTERESTING. AS A FORMER COACH, YOU WILL KNOW, IT IS TO ENCOURAGE COACHES TO STAND UP INSIDE THIS BOX, KIND OF LIKE THE BASKETBALL COACHES WHO PACE UP AND DOWN THE COURT. THEY CAN STAND THERE AND YELL AT THEIR PLAYERS. YES! I KNEW YOU WOULD LOVE THAT ONE. IT IS A BIT MORE ENTERTAINING. I KNOW THAT IT MAY LOOK LIKE WE ARE MOVING TOO CLOSE TO BASKETBALL, BUT I JUST THINK SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE. SOCIALLY. I AGREE. ALWAYS GOOD TO CHAT WITH YOU. APPRECIATE YOU ON A FRIDAY MORNING. HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND. WE WILL SEE YOU AND A COUPLE OF WEEKS. THANK YOU. HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND AS WELL. COMING UP ON THE SHOW THIS HOUR ` CALLS ARE GROWING FOR ACTION AFTER A GIRL WAS STRUCK AND KILLED BY A TRAIN IN MATAMATA, THE SECOND STUDENT THAT'S BEEN KILLED ON THE SAME STRETCH OF RAILWAY. THE GOVERNMENT'S MAKING ITS PITCH TRYING TO GET PARTNERS ONBOARD FOR SOME BIG INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. DID IT GET ANY NIBBLES ON DAY ONE? ALSO AHEAD, THE UNIQUE SKILLS NEEDED TO BE CROWNED THE BEST NATIONAL EXCAVATOR OPERATOR IN THE COUNTRY. YOU ARE GOING TO DIG THIS ONE, JENNY-MAY. RIGHT NOW, IT'S 7 O'CLOCK. HERE'S JENNY MAY WITH YOUR NEWS. THANKS, CHRIS. THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT SAYS HE AGREES THERE SHOULD BE AN END TO FIGHTING IN UKRAINE. BUT ANY PEACE DEAL MUST ADDRESS THE 'UNDERLYING CAUSES' OF THE CONFLICT. SPEAKING TO MEDIA THIS MORNING, VLADIMIR PUTIN SAID THE IDEA OF A CEASEFIRE IS 'GOOD' BUT THERE ARE ISSUES TO DISCUSS. U.S. ENVOY STEVE WITKOFF IS IN MOSCOW TO NEGOTIATE A 30-DAY CEASEFIRE DEAL, ONE WHICH UKRAINE HAS ALREADY ACCEPTED. ONE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS EXPERT SAYS THERE WILL BE DISAGREEMENT OVER WHAT THE 'UNDERLYING CAUSES' OF THE CONFLICT ARE. MR PUTIN AND HIS FOREIGN MINISTER RUSSIA HAS ILLEGALLY INVADED ITS NEIGHBOUR. MR PUTIN AND HIS FOREIGN MINISTER HAVE INDICATED` GIVEN NO INDICATION THAT RUSSIA IS GOING TO GIVE UP THE TERRITORY THAT IT'S ILLEGALLY SEIZED FROM ITS NEIGHBOUR, WHICH IS ABOUT 20% OF UKRAINE. MEANWHILE, THE RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTRY SAYS IT HAS RETAKEN CONTROL OF A MAJOR TOWN IN THE WESTERN KURSK REGION. A MAN IS SET TO APPEAR IN THE MANUKAU DISTRICT COURT TODAY AFTER SENDING THREATENING EMAILS TO TWO AUCKLAND SCHOOLS, SENDING THEM INTO LOCK-DOWN. THE 20-YEAR-OLD IS BEING CHARGED WITH THE UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM AFTER POLICE FOUND IT AT HIS PROPERTY. POLICE HAVE CONFIRMED INVESTIGATIONS ARE ONGOING. IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS ARE REVIEWING AN AMERICAN INFLUENCER'S AUSTRALIAN VISA AFTER A VIDEO EMERGED OF HER TAKING A BABY WOMBAT AWAY FROM ITS DISTRESSED MOTHER. IN THE NOW-DELETED CLIP, SAM JONES CAN BE SEEN PICKING UP THE JOEY AND RUNNING TO A CAR AS THE MOTHER CHASES AFTER THEM. IT'S SPARKED SIGNIFICANT CRITICISM, AND A PETITION CALLING FOR HER TO BE DEPORTED HAS COLLECTED MORE THAN 10,000 SIGNATURES. TO SPORT, AND JOSEPH PARKER COULD GET ANOTHER SHOT AT A WORLD TITLE WITH HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OLEKSANDR USYK ORDERED TO START NEGOTIATIONS TO DEFEND HIS WBO BELT. THE UKRAINIAN WILL HAVE 30 DAYS TO REACH TERMS FOR A MANDATORY TITLE DEFENCE. IT COMES AFTER PARKER'S SCHEDULED BOUT AGAINST IBF CHAMPION DANIEL DUBOIS WAS CALLED OFF FOLLOWING THE BRIT'S WITHDRAWAL DUE TO ILLNESS. DUBOIS DECLINED TO RESCHEDULE THE FIGHT, INSTEAD HOPING FOR A RETURN CLASH WITH USYK. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE MARKETS. (FUNKY MUSIC) AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` MAINLY CLEAR SKIES FOR MOST OF THE NORTH ISLAND. HOWEVER, PATCHY PERIODS OF CLOUDS THROUGHOUT THE DAY FOR GISBORNE AND A PARTLY CLOUDY DAY FOR THE CAPITAL. 26 THE HIGH FOR KIRIKIRIROA HAMILTON. 24 FOR WHANGAREI. THE SUN IS SHINNING FOR THE TOP OF THE TE WAIPOUNAMU, THE SOUTH ISLAND. PARTLY CLOUDY FURTHER DOWN WITH SHOWERS SPREAD ACROSS THE FIORDLAND AND BULLER REGIONS. 25 THE HIGH FOR BLENHEIM. 18 IN DUNEDIN. A BLESSING'S BEEN HELD FOR A MATAMATA COLLEGE STUDENT WHO WAS FATALLY STRUCK BY A FREIGHT TRAIN AFTER SCHOOL ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. KIWIRAIL SAYS THE DRIVER IS NOW ON LEAVE. THERE'S GROWING CONCERN OVER SAFETY IN THE AREA. IT'S THE SECOND TIME A STUDENT'S BEEN STRUCK ON THIS SECTION OF RAILWAY AFTER AN INCIDENT IN 2012. OUR BAY OF PLENTY REPORTER JORDYN RUDD SENT THIS FROM MATAMATA. THIS IS THE SECTION OF THE RAILWAY IN MATAMATA WHERE A COLLEGE STUDENT WAS FATALLY STRUCK ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. POLICE SAID, DESPITE RECEIVING MEDICAL ATTENTION, THE YOUNG FEMALE DIED AT THE SCENE. MATAMATA IS A COMMUNITY IN QUIET SHOCK AND SADNESS. IT'S THE SECOND STUDENT KILLED CROSSING THE TRACKS IN ALMOST 13 YEARS, WHEN A YEAR 11 STUDENT DIED IN JULY OF 2012. PEOPLE WERE SAYING THAT SOMETHING NEEDED TO CHANGE, WHETHER IT WAS ME, FIXING, EVEN JUST AWARENESS. IN THE TIME THAT I'VE BEEN HERE, I'VE SEEN AT LEAST TWO STUDENTS CROSS THE TRACKS. A BLESSING OF THIS SITE WAS HELD THURSDAY MORNING, ATTENDED BY WHANAU, FRIENDS, STUDENTS AND THE MAYOR WHO LAID FLOWERS IN REMEMBRANCE. MATAMATA COLLEGE ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING IT REMAINS OPEN AND IS OFFERING PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS IT. AN INVESTIGATION IS NOW UNDERWAY, WITH POLICE MAKING ENQUIRIES ON BEHALF OF THE CORONER, AND ANY WITNESSES ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME FORWARD. AND MATAMATA PIAKO MAYOR ADRIENNE WILCOCK JOINS US NOW. MORENA. CAN I JUST ASK YOU ` WE HEARD ABOUT THE BLESSING THAT TOOK PLACE THERE. HOW HAS THE COMMUNITY RESPONDED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS? IT IS ALWAYS A SHOCK WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS. AND AS A MOTHER, YOUR HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY AND THE COMMUNITY. WE ARE A STRONG RURAL COMMUNITY, AND WE COME TOGETHER, SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER, AND IT IS GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME TO HEAL. WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS? IS THERE GOING TO BE A TIME FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THOSE FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS? I THINK THAT IS ALREADY HAPPENING. AS A COMMUNITY, WE ALL PULL TOGETHER AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER. THE SCHOOL HAS TAKEN A VERY PROACTIVE STEP WOULD SUPPORTING THEIR STUDENTS AND THE EXTENDED COMMUNITY. I DON'T THINK PEOPLE REALISE THE IMPACT OF THIS INSTANCE. IT DOES STRETCH OUT TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. TALK TO ME A BIT ABOUT THAT. IT IS A BIG SCHOOL COMMUNITY THAT IS GOING TO BE AFFECTED. HOW WIDELY DOES THE SORT OF REVERBERATE? WE ARE A SMALL DISTRICT. THERE ARE PEOPLE IN MORRINSVILLE AND TE AROHA WHO WILL ALSO BE CONNECTED TO THE FAMILY. IT BRINGS BACK MEMORIES FROM 2012 WHEN A YOUNG STUDENT LOST HIS LIFE. LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT. IT IS THE SECOND INCIDENT THAT IT HAPPENED AT THE SAME STRETCH OF RAILWAY. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? AND HOW QUICKLY CAN WE GET TO A SITUATION WHERE IT IS SAFER THERE? I WAS NOT ON COUNCIL IN 2012. MY CHILDREN HAD ACTUALLY LEFT COLLEGE BY THAT TIME, AND I AM A RURAL PERSON SO I DO NOT HAVE A STRONG MEMORY OF WHAT OCCURRED THEN, AND NOT BEING ON COUNCIL, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT WORK WAS DONE TO UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION. THIS TIME AROUND, I AM AWARE THERE IS A CORONIAL ENQUIRY, SO THAT IS A REALLY IMPORTANT FORMAL PROCESS TO FOLLOW, WHICH WE DO NOT TAKE APART AND, OBVIOUSLY. BUT I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH KIWI RAIL AND IN THE TA, BECAUSE THE ENVIRONMENT THERE IS VERY BUSY. AND THERE ARE 800 STUDENTS COMING OUT OF THE SCHOOL, AND THE RURAL BUSES, SO IT IS A REALLY BUSY ENVIRONMENT ON A STATE HIGHWAY WITH A RAILWAY NEXT TO IT. I GUESS IT IS A PROCESS THAT WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE A PRACTICAL APPROACH. I AM KEEN TO UNDERSTAND IF THERE ARE SOME REAL PRACTICAL MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY THERE. OUR REPORTER WHO WAS THERE FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME YESTERDAY SAW TWO STUDENTS CROSSING THE RAILWAY. THIS IS AFTER THE INCIDENT. WHAT DOES THAT SAY TO YOU ABOUT THE URGENCY OF GETTING SOMETHING DONE THERE? THIS HAS BEEN A CROSSING THAT HAS BEEN HERE` AN INFORMAL CROSSING THAT HAS BEEN USED FOR MANY YEARS. I KNOW MY KIDS AND THEIR FRIENDS CROSSED THERE THAT LIVED IN TOWN. I AM NOT WANTING TO DISTRACT FROM WHAT HAS ACTUALLY HAPPENED, BUT THERE IS A PROCESS THAT WE CAN FOLLOW OF OUR STAFF TO LOOK BACK AND SEE WHAT CORRESPONDENCE WE HAVE HAD. I AM NOT AWARE OF THE CORRESPONDENCE THAT WAS RECORDED IN THE HERALD IN 2023, THAT COUNSELLOR BEING CONTACTED. IT DID NOT COME ACROSS MY DESK. I AM JUST REALLY TRYING TO TAKE A PRACTICAL APPROACH HERE AND SEE WHAT` THERE PROBABLY WILL BE SOME IMPROVEMENTS THAT CAN BE MADE, BUT I CANNOT CAST ASPERSIONS ON THAT. I AM NOT AN EXPERT, BUT I AM KEEN TO SEE SOME SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS MADE. I SUPPOSE THE POINT THERE IS REALLY ABOUT THE FACT THAT IF SOMETHING HIKED THIS HAS HAPPENED ON WEDNESDAY AND THE FOLLOWING DAY, IT IS STILL GOING ON, SURELY THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING FLAG TO SAY, WE JUST NEED A PERIOD WHERE WE EITHER CLOSE IT OFF IF THAT IS PRACTICAL TO DO ALL WE DO SOMETHING SO THAT PEOPLE CAN BE PUT AT EASE. PEOPLE HAVE USED THIS FOR A LONG TIME. PEOPLE WILL BE THINKING BACK FEELING SICK TO THEIR STOMACH THINKING THE KIDS ARE RUNNING OVER THE RAILWAY. IT IS THE TOKOROA BRANCH, AND I CANNOT TAKE YOU HOW MANY GO THROUGH. THERE ARE A FEW A NIGHT THAT I CAN HEAR. IT IS JUST A FREIGHT LINE. IT DOES NOT HAVE PASSENGERS. IT IS NOT A CITY RAIL LINK. IT IS SPORADIC. BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE AN AWARENESS. AND WHAT IMPROVEMENTS CAN WE MAKE? THAT IS WHERE I WILL MEET THE STAKEHOLDERS. THE COLLEGE WILL BE INVOLVED IN THIS AS WELL, BECAUSE THIS IS GOT TO HAVE A COMMUNITY APPROACH TO IT. PEOPLE CROSS RAILWAY LINES ALL OF THE TIME. IT RUNS RIGHT THROUGH OUR TIME, AS DOES THE HIGHWAY, AND PEOPLE CROSS THEM ALL THE TIME, WHETHER IT IS SAFE OR NOT, AND PEOPLE CHOOSE TO DO WHAT THEY DO. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING. I KNOW IT IS A TOUGH TIME, NOT JUST FOR PARENTS, BUT FOR ANYONE THAT IS IN THE REGION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING. I AM AWARE THAT DOING AN INTERVIEW LIKE THIS, JUST OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH THE FAMILY FIRST AND FOREMOST OF THIS YOUNG GIRL. AND ANYONE WHO WAS AROUND AT THAT TIME OF THE INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED AS WELL. OUR THOUGHTS AND LOVE ARE WITH YOU. NOT FORGETTING THE TRAIN DRIVER AS WELL. A VERY YUCK SITUATION. STAY WITH US ` WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK AFTER THE BREAK. HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING ` RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SAYS THAT THE FIGHTING WITH UKRAINE NEEDS TO END, BUT THERE ARE STILL ISSUES THAT NEED RESOLVING BEFORE A CEASEFIRE CAN PROCEED. A VIDEO OF AN AMERICAN INFLUENCER TAKING A BABY WOMBAT AWAY FROM ITS DISTRESSED MOTHER HAS CAUSED OUTRAGE IN AUSTRALIA, WITH MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE SIGNING A PETITION TO DEPORT HER. AND THE NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS HAVE PUT TOGETHER BACK-TO-BACK WINS TO OPEN THEIR NRL SEASON, TAKING DOWN THE DOLPHINS 26=12. UP THE WAHS. IT'S NOT OFTEN YOU GET TO SEE SOMEONE SLAM DUNK A BALL OR POUR A CUP OF TEA WITH A DIGGER. 12 OF THE COUNTRY'S MOST TALENTED AND PRECISE EXCAVATORS WILL BATTLE IT OUT TODAY FOR THE NATIONAL TITLE. AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE COMPETITION'S 31-YEAR HISTORY, THREE WOMEN ARE IN THE FINALS. ONE OF THEN IS TANYA CLAXTON, HAWKE'S BAY EAST COAST REGIONAL CHAMP. SHE JOINS US NOW. MORENA! CONGRATULATIONS. ARE YOU READY, YOU GOOD TO GO? I'M READY, I'M NERVOUS BUT GOOD TO GO. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT YOU'RE QUIETLY CONFIDENT. I TRIED TO BE CONFIDENT, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S A COMPETITION AT THE END OF THE DAYS OF THE NERVES KICK IN, AND THERE ARE 12 RELATED OPERATORS HERE SO. I WAS JUST HAVING A CHAT WITH MY CO-HOST CHRIS AND SAYING THAT YOU TRY THOSE ONES IN THE SANDPIT AND I'M USELESS AT THAT, AND HE YOU ARE WITH THIS BIG MACHINE AND YOU ARE ASKING IT TO DO VERY MINUTE MOVEMENTS. HOW TOUGH IS IT TO MANOEUVRE ONE OF THESE THINGS? UM, THAT BIG MACHINES BUT I HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR QUITE A LONG TIME NOW, SO IT'S SOMETHING YOU GET USED TO, LIKE A CAR OR A TRUCK. YOU KNOW THE SIZE AND THEY ARE NOT THAT HARD TO MANOEUVRE, AT EDGELEY QUITE AMAZING WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THEM. EVERYONE IS ON THEM WHO'S GOT THE SKILLS, WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO AT THE NATIONALS? DID SOME PONDS, DID SOME HOLD, PLAY CONNECT FOUR, WHICH IS GOING ON BEHIND ME, POUR CUPS OF TEA ICE CREAM... HOW MUCH TIME AS YOU HAVE TO PUT INTO TRAINING FOR THIS THING? I DON'T KNOW ABOUT TRAINING, I JUST GO TO WORK AND DO MY JOB. I DO A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT THINGS EVERY DAY. I LOVE IT. I SAID IN THE INTRODUCTION THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE COMPETITION AT THREE WOMAN MADE IT THROUGH, DOESN'T FEEL SPECIAL IN ANY WAY TO BE ONE OF THOSE THREE WOMEN? IT DOES, IN A WAY. IT'S QUITE NICE THAT THERE ARE THREE OF US HERE REPRESENTING THE WOMEN, BUT IT DOES FEEL A BIT WEIRD, BUT I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH MEN FOR THE LAST 23 YEARS IT IS NOT THAT DAUNTING TO ME, BUT BEING HERE IS BECAUSE IT'S A COMPETITION, SO IT'S NICE THAT THERE ARE THREE OF US TO GET OUT THERE AND SO THAT WE CAN DO IT AS WELL. YES, YOU HAD THE REGIONALS, WHAT ENCOURAGED YOU TO STRIVE FOR NATIONALS? I HAVE DONE THE REGIONALS A COUPLE OF TIMES. I WANT A COMPETITIVE PERSON SO NO MATTER WHAT I DO, WHETHER IT IS LITTLE SPORT, I TRY TO SEE HOW FAR I CAN GET, SO TO GET HERE IS QUITE A NICE ACHIEVEMENT. NICE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT YOU STARTED OUT AS A DRESSMAKER AND THEN YOU MAKE THE SWITCH TO CONSTRUCTION, BUT YOU HAVE BEEN IN IT FOR ABOUT 23 YEARS. WHY DID YOU MAKE THE TRANSITION? I'M NOT QUITE SURE HOW I MADE THE TRANSITION. I JUST DID THE JOB AFTER I FINISHED YOU NEED TO SAVE SOME MONEY TO GO BACK TO LONDON, BUT I SORT OF GOT STUCK HERE AND VARIETY AND WHERE IT CAN TAKE YOU, I WAS LUCKY TO BE WORKING OVERSEAS IN FIJI BUILDING A WHARF ON MACHINERY, SO I DON'T KNOW, I AM A GREATER PERSON SO THAT SEWING IS NO DIFFERENT TO ME, JUST DIFFERENT MACHINES. I LOVE IT, WHAT DO YOU WIN? I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE. EVEN BETTER. IT'S ABOUT TESTING IS UP TO BE A COMPETITIVE PERSON AND YOU ARE PROVING IS UP TO DO THAT. YES, I AM PRETTY MUCH TESTING MYSELFM SO I AM PRETTY MUCH AS COMPETING AGAINST MYSELF, THAT'S HOW I'VE GOT TO LOOK AT IT. HOW MANY... THINGS DO YOU HAVE TO DO, TASKS ARE YOU REQUIRED TO DO? UM... WITH GOT AN HOUR ON THE TIME REMINDERS TO PLAY GAMES. I DON'T REMEMBER HOW MANY TASKS WE HAVE TO DO TODAY, BUT LOTS OF LITTLE ONES LIKE SLAMDUNK, ICE CREAM. SO WE HAVE GAMES TO PLAY PLUS MANY JOBS ON EACH MACHINE ` THE BIG DIGGER AND THE LITTLE DIGGER. TANIA, IT IS CHRIS HERE IN THE STUDIO, I HAVE A TECHNICAL QUESTION ` AT THESE DEALERS THAT HE IS ALL THE TIME, EVERY DAY, BECAUSE I IMAGINE, WHEN YOU SEE A DIGGER IN ACTION... IS IT THE OPERATOR, OR TO THE HYDRAULICS AND NEED TO BE LUBRICATED TO ENSURE THERE IS A SMOOTH MOVEMENT TO THEM? YES, WELL, I HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH OVER THE YEARS TO JUMP ON QUITE A LOT OF MACHINES, AND THEY ARE NOT ALL THE SAME, TO BE FAIR. HATACHIS ARE QUITE SMOOTH. BUT THERE ARE SOME THAT ARE QUITE JERKY AND SLOW. BUT I KNOW THESE ONES ARE SMOOTH SO THAT SHOULD HELP EVERYBODY/ YOU WANT TO BE THE BAD WORKMAN THAT BLAMES NETTLES, BUT THAT COULD BE WORKING AGAINST YOU, DIDN'T IT? POTENTIALLY. YOU HAVE BEEN BRILLIANT FOR US THIS MORNING. OLD MATE IN THE BACKGROUND BUT A LITTLE BIT HOHA AND STORMED OFF ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AGO. THAT THEY LOST THE NEXT FOUR AND STORMED OFF IN A RAGE. YOU GO, GIRL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO WE HAVE CLAXTON FROM THE HAWKE'S BAY, GEORGIA WHO WAS FROM CANTERBURY WESTLAND AND LYDIA FROM MARLBOROUGH. YOU GO, GIRLS. TO GOING FROM BEING A SEAMSTRESS TO EXCAVATING... # YOU KNOW I KNOW HOW WE'LL HAVE THE 7.30 NEWS IN JUST A MOMENT, BUT FIRST ` AN AMERICAN INFLUENCER ` WHO TOOK A BABY WOMBAT FROM ITS MOTHER AND UPLOADED THE FOOTAGE TO SOCIAL MEDIA ` MAY HAVE HER AUSTRALIAN VISA CANCELLED. SAM JONES POSTED A VIDEO OF HER HOLDING THE WOMBAT WHILE LAUGHING AND RUNNING AWAY FROM ITS DISTRESSED MOTHER. THE BBC'S KATY WATSON HAS MORE. THE BABY WOMBAT HAS BEEN RETURNED. MAN: CAUGHT A BABY WOMBAT. (LAUGHS) SHE DID IT FOR THE LIKES, BUT INSTEAD CAUSED AN OUTRAGE ACROSS AUSTRALIA. LOOK AT THE MOTHER. IT'S LIKE` OH! CHASING AFTER HER. KNOWN AS SAM JONES ON SOCIAL MEDIA, THE AMERICAN WHO DESCRIBES HERSELF AS A WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST, SHOWED THIS JOEY OFF TO HER MANY FOLLOWERS, MUCH TO THE DISTRESS OF BOTH THE BABY AND ITS MOTHER. I CAUGHT A BABY WOMBAT. SHE'S SINCE DELETED THE VIDEO AND SAID SHE DIDN'T HARM THE WOMBAT, AND ONLY HELD IT BRIEFLY. BUT CRITICISM OF HER ACTIONS HAS COME RIGHT FROM THE TOP HERE. THEY ARE GENTLE, LOVELY CREATURES. TO TAKE A BABY WOMBAT FROM ITS MOTHER, AND CLEARLY CAUSING DISTRESS FROM THE MOTHER, IS JUST AN OUTRAGE. AND, YOU KNOW, I SUGGEST TO THIS SO-CALLED INFLUENCER, MAYBE SHE MIGHT TRY SOME OTHER AUSTRALIAN ANIMALS, TAKE A BABY CROCODILE FROM ITS MOTHER AND SEE HOW YOU GO THERE. TAKE ANOTHER ANIMAL THAT CAN ACTUALLY FIGHT BACK, RATHER THAN STEALING A BABY WOMBAT FROM ITS MOTHER. WOMBATS ARE NATIVE TO AUSTRALIA, AND THEY'RE A LEGALLY PROTECTED SPECIES HERE. AUSTRALIA HAS VERY STRICT RULES ABOUT ITS ANIMALS. ACCORDING TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND BIOSECURITY ACT, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO UNREASONABLY HANDLE AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE UNLESS YOU HAVE A REAL BELIEF THAT THEY ARE INJURED OR IN, YOU KNOW, REQUIRING EXPERT, UM, TRAINED CARER ASSISTANCE OR VETERINARY ASSISTANCE. BUT THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO WAY THAT SHE COULD HAVE BEEN IN ANY DOUBT THAT PICKING UP A WOMBAT IN THAT WAY WAS CAUSING THAT EXTREME STRESS, NOT ONLY TO THE JOEY, BUT ALSO TO THE MOTHER. BUT THE FACT THAT THEY'RE BOTH LAUGHING ABOUT IT SHOWS THAT THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO CONCERN FOR THE WELFARE OF EITHER THE MOTHER OR THE JOEY. THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING INTO WHETHER THIS VIDEO BREACHES CONDITIONS OF HER VISA. THE HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER SAYING HE COULDN'T WAIT TO SEE THE BACK OF HER. JUST SO YOU KNOW, THE BABY ONE THAT DID GET BACK TO THE MOTHER. WHICH IS ALL THAT MATTERS. WHEN IT COMES TO NATIONAL ANIMALS, NEW ZEALAND IS NOT IMMUNE TO THE SORT OF THING. REMEMBER THE KIWI IN MIAMI zoo? RON MCGILL. HE WAS GOOD PEEPS. REMINDS ME. WE NEED TO CHECK IN HOW THE KIWI IS GOING ON WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SANCTUARY THEY WERE BUILDING. WE COULD GO THERE, TO MIAMI? THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT SAYS HE AGREES THERE SHOULD BE AN END TO FIGHTING IN UKRAINE, BUT ANY PEACE DEAL MUST ADDRESS THE 'UNDERLYING CAUSES' OF THE CONFLICT. SPEAKING TO MEDIA THIS MORNING, VLADIMIR PUTIN SAID THE IDEA OF A CEASEFIRE IS 'GOOD' BUT THERE ARE ISSUES TO DISCUSS. U.S. ENVOY STEVE WITKOFF IS IN MOSCOW TO NEGOTIATE A 30-DAY CEASEFIRE DEAL ` ONE WHICH UKRAINE HAS ALREADY ACCEPTED. IN A MEETING WITH NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL MARK RUTTE, U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYS PUTIN'S STATEMENT IS PROMISING, BUT INCOMPLETE. WE HOPEFULLY ARE GOING TO BE IN A GOOD POSITION SOMETIME TODAY TO HAVE A GOOD IDEA. WE KNOW WHERE WE ARE WITH THE UKRAINE AND WE ARE GETTING GOOD SIGNALS OUTSIDE OF RUSSIA AS TO WHERE WE ARE WITH RUSSIA, AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL DO THE RIGHT THING. HE ALSO SAID HE WOULD QUOTE 'LOVE' TO MEET WITH PUTIN. MEANWHILE FRANCE HAS THREATENED TO FIGHT BACK AFTER TRUMP PROPOSED A 200% TARIFF ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION. FRANCE IS THE TOP WINE EXPORTER TO THE U.S., SHIPPING USD$2.5b LAST YEAR. THE FRENCH TRADE MINISTER SAYS HE WON'T GIVE INTO THREATS AND BLAMED TRUMP FOR ESCALATING A TRADE WAR HE, QUOTE, 'CHOSE TO UNLEASH.' HALF OF SOUTH DUNEDIN BUILDINGS ARE AT RISK OF FLOODING WHICH WILL ONLY RISE IF NOTHING IS DONE. TWO REPORTS RELEASED TODAY HAVE FOUND DUNEDIN'S FLOODING RISK WILL INCREASE TO 70% WITHIN THE NEXT 75 YEARS UNLESS ACTION IS TAKEN. SEVEN OPTIONS WERE PROVIDED TO THE COUNCIL, RANGING FROM 'DOING NOTHING' TO 'BUILDING BETTER INFRASTRATURE AND WATER WAYS AROUND THE CITY'. THE NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS HAVE PUT TOGETHER BACK TO BACK WINS TO OPEN THEIR NRL SEASON TAKING DOWN THE DOLPHINS 26-12. FULLBACK KALYN PONGA AT THE HEART OF THE CLINICAL VICTORY WITH THREE TRY ASSISTS AND FIVE TACKLE BREAKS. THERE'S PONGA AGAIN. PONGA, HE BEATS AVERILLO. IN HIS SPACE. THEY DO GRAB FOUR POINTS! THE DOLPHINS, WHOSE OPENING ROUNDS WERE DISRUPTED BY CYCLONE ALFRED, ADDED A TRY IN THE 67TH TO KEEP THE GAME ALIVE, BUT COULDN'T FIND ANOTHER WAY THROUGH THE KNIGHTS DEFENCE. IMPORTANT GAME TONIGHT. THE WARRIORS. WHO ARE THEY PLAYING? I DON'T KNOW, AND I DON'T CARE. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE MARKETS. AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` MAINLY CLEAR SKIES FOR MOST OF THE NORTH ISLAND. HOWEVER, PATCHY PERIODS OF CLOUDS THROUGHOUT THE DAY FOR GISBORNE AND A PARTLY CLOUDY DAY FOR THE CAPITAL. 26 THE HIGH FOR KIRIKIRIROA HAMILTON. THE SUN IS SHINNING FOR THE TOP OF THE TE WAIPOUNAMU, THE SOUTH ISLAND. PARTLY CLOUDY FURTHER DOWN WITH SHOWERS SPREAD ACROSS THE FIORDLAND AND BULLER REGIONS. 18 IN DUNEDIN. ME U TONU MAI ` ONE OF WORLD FOOTBALL'S BIGGEST TROPHY'S IS IN THE COUNTRY. WE'LL CHECK IT OUT AFTER THE BREAK. FINE APART FROM SOME EVENING CLOUD. HAMILTON. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT. 26, FINE, LIGHT WINDS TODAY. LET'S GO TO WELLINGTON. CLOUDY PERIODS, NORTHERLIES DEVELOPING IN THE MORNING, ON TRACK FOR A HIGH OF 20. AND CHRISTCHURCH. FINE APART FROM SOME MORNING CLOUD. YOU ARE HEADING FOR THE HIGH OF 20. HEADING TO DUNEDIN NOW. CLOUDY PERIODS FOR YOU. YOU ARE ON TRACK FOR A HIGH OF 18. HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING. FRANCE HAS THREATENED TO FIGHT BACK AFTER U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP PROPOSED A 200% TARIFF ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION. THERE ARE CALLS FOR ACTION AFTER A TEENAGE GIRL WAS FATALLY STRUCK BY A FREIGHT TRAIN ON HER WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL. AND ` A FURRY THIEF IS STEALING HIS NEIGHBOURS SOCKS, PROMPTING HIS PARENTS TO START A FACEBOOK PAGE TO REUNITE THE STOLEN PROPERTY WITH ITS RIGHTFUL OWNERS. ONE OF CANADA'S OLDEST BREWERIES IS OFFERING THE PERFECT SOLUTION TO THE GROWING TRADE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES. FORGET A 6-PACK ` HOW ABOUT A 1461-PACK? A CANADIAN LAGER FOR EVERY DAY OF DONALD TRUMP'S PRESIDENCY. THE PRESIDENTIAL PACK WILL SET YOU BACK AROUND $4300. EARLIER, WE SPOKE TO MOOSEHEAD BREWERIES' DIRECTOR OF MARKETING KAREN GRIGG AND STARTED BY ASKING HER ABOUT HOW SHE CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA. WE ARE IN SOME TROUBLED TIMES WITH MR PRESIDENT TRUMP, AND HAS THREATS ON CANADA AND TARIFFS, SO AS WE ARE WATCHING CANADIANS STRESSED AND IN A DIFFICULT TIME, WE THOUGHT WHAT CAN WE DO AS A CANADIAN BRAND TO MAKE PEOPLE SMILE A LITTLE BIT? WHAT DOING NEED TO SURVIVE THIS PRESIDENCY, WE THOUGHT MAYBE A BEER TODAY WOULD HELP. IT'S AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF BEER. 1461 CANA. THAT IS ONE BEAR A DAY FOR FOUR YEARS. THAT IS 4' X 4' AND WEIGHS 1900 POUNDS. WE DIDN'T KNOW IF ANYONE WOULD BUY IT, BUT WITHIN 11 MINUTES THE FIRST ORDER CAME THROUGH. WE THOUGHT WE WOULD SELL FIVE, BUT WITHIN 24 HOURS WE SOLD FIVE AND SOLD OUT SO WE ORDERED ANOTHER FIVE AND SOLD OUT, NOW WE HAVE A WAITLIST OF 200 PEOPLE. THERE IS MEDIA INTEREST FROM BEYOND YOUR BORDERS. IT'S BEEN PICKED UP ALL AROUND THE WORLD, INCLUDING YOUR COUNTRY AS WELL, IT'S BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY EXCITING AND POSITIVE AND WE HAD TO GETTING MESSAGES, POSITIVE MESSAGES FROM EVEN THE UNITED STATES. FROM THE OUTSIDE, WE THINK HOW CAN CANADA AND THE USB AT ODDS AT THE MOMENT. THIS DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT. WE'VE ALWAYS HAD A GREAT RELATIONSHIP, WHETHER IT IS TOURISM, A TRAIT OF PRODUCTS BACK AND FORTH, IT SEEMS MAY BE THE FACTS ARE NOT RIGHT IN THIS CASE, REGARDING TRUMP AND WHAT HE IS THINKING CANADA IS DOING TO HIS COUNTRY, AND WE ARE JUST IN COMPLETE SHOCK, TO BE HONEST. WE ARE FRIENDLY PEOPLE BUT WE WON'T GO OUT WITHOUT A FIGHT. WE CAN FIGHT BACK WITH SOME BEER. AND MARKETING DIRECTING FOR A BREWERY SOUNDS I COULD DREAM JOB AND THE SENSE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION. HOW MUCH INTEREST HAS IT GENERATED IN YOUR COMPANY? WE HAVE HAD ALMOST 80 MILLION IMPRESSIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND INTERVIEW AFTER INTERVIEW, SO IT'S BEEN TREMENDOUS. WE ARE ON THE SPOTLIGHT AT THE MOMENT. IT'S BEEN TRUE MENDIS TO HAVE A LOOK AT MOOSE HEAD, 16 ORATION FAMILY OWNS. AND APPRECIATE WHAT IT HAS TO OFFER. FOR OUR BRAND IN OUR COMPANY, THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT MOMENT. TELL ME A BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR COMPANY. WE ARE ON OUR SIXTH GENERATION FAMILY OWNERSHIP. WE WERE BORN THE SAME YEAR AS CANADA, 1867, BY A WOMAN, AND THE COMPANY HAS GONE THROUGH OBSTACLES AND WE HAVE AN INTERNAL MOTIVE CALLED COURAGE TO DO, AND THAT'S WHAT DRIVES US AS EMPLOYEES, SO WE ARE TAKING THAT COURAGEOUS SPIRIT AND ENCOURAGING CANADIANS TO KEEP FIGHTING, OBVIOUSLY STILL BE OURSELVES, BUT WE WANT TO SHOW THE AMERICANS THAT WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT OUR REVERSED TARIFF THREATS AND WE ARE WILLING TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO HAVE THESE TARIFFS BROUGHT BACK DOWN. I LOVE YOU CAN DO IT WITH A SENSE OF HUMOUR. THANK YOU FOR JOURNING US. ON IT'S LESS THAN 100 DAYS UNTIL THE FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP KICKS OFF. AMATEUR NEW ZEALAND CLUB AUCKLAND CITY WILL REPRESENT OCEANIA NOT TO BE MISTAKEN BY A-LEAGUE TEAM AUCKLAND FC THIS WEEKEND THE TOURNAMENTS TROPHY TOUR STOPS IN TAMAKI MAKARAU ZION DAYAL JOINS US LIVE GOOD MORNING ZION, GOOD MORNING CHRIS. BEAUTIFUL MORNING. EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL, THIS TROPHY. THIS IS THE FIEF OF CLUB WORLD CUP TROPHY. I DON'T THINK I'VE SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. THANK YOU BOYS VERY MUCH FOR JOINING ME THIS MORNING. LOOK AT THIS. IT IS QUITE INCREDIBLE. THIS TROPHY I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE. EVEN BETTER IN PERSON. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT YOU GUYS ARE THE ONLY AMATEUR CLUB PLAYING IN THIS CLUB WORLD CUP. THEY KNOW YOU'RE REPRESENTING OCEANIA. IT'S A WORLDWIDE TOURNAMENT. WE ARE COMPETING AGAINST 31 OTHER GREAT CLUBS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. IT'S A PRIVILEGE AND AN HONOUR TO BE THERE AND REPRESENT OCEANIA AND MAKE EVERYONE PROUD. YOUR FIRST GAME AS MID-JUNE, AND I LOOK AT YOUR DRAWER AND YOU PLAY THE WEST COAST RANGES AND MUNICH. WHEN YOU THINK OF THE PROSPECT OF PLAYING A CLUB LIKE THAT, WHAT'S THAT MEAN? I DON'T THINK IT WILL HIT HOME UNTIL WE GET OUT THERE AND SHAKE THEIR HANDS. WERE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO BE LIKE IN THE INTENSITY IS GOING TO BE A WHOLE LOT HIGHER THAN WHAT WE'RE USED TO. WE WILL GIVE IT OUR BEST SHOT. THE TEAMS THAT YOU'RE UP AGAINST THE ON MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND ARE LOOKED AFTER SO NICELY, TELL ME ABOUT THE GUYS IN YOUR TEAM AND OUTSIDE OF FOOTBALL, MOST OF THEM HAVE JOBS OR GO TO UNIVERSITY. IT'S HARD TO GET LEAVE ALL THE TRIPS OUR CLUB DOES AN EAR, SO WE GET FOUR WEEKS LEAVE A YEAR FROM WORK, SO IT'S DIFFICULT TO GO ON ALL THESE TRIPS ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE QUALIFY FOR A LOT OF THEM. THAT'S THAT. YOUR PARTNER IS NOT TO HAVE BECAUSE YOU'RE WORKING UP SO EARLY. PUTTING ON THE HARD YARDS, THAT'S FOR SURE. HE TASTED SOME SUCCESS IN 2014, AND FOR A CLUB LIKE AUCKLAND CITY, WHAT IS IT LIKE TRYING TO TAKE ON AND OVERCOME THESE BIG TEAMS? WE ALL LOVE THE GAME, WE'LL PLAY THE GAME, IT IS A LONG PROCESS, WE ARE REALLY PROUD OF THE EFFORTS OF THE TEAM AND THE PLAYERS AND THE STAFF THAT HAVE DONE THAT, AND YOU ARE COMING UP AGAINST THE BEST TEAMS IN THE WORLD, BUT AS LONG AS THE GUYS ENJOY THE TOUR, THE DIFFICULTY IS WHEN THE FIRST WHISTLE GOES, BUT WE ARE TRYING TO BE A STEPPING STONE FOR PLAYERS TO MOVE ON IN THEIR CAREERS, SOME OF THEM WILL GO ON TO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS, SOME WILL KEEP THIS MEMORY FOR EVER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US. 10 KG AS THE TROPHY. THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES LOVEs GOLD. AND SION, IF YOU WERE THERE, IN HIS THOUGHTS ON THE GAMES COMING UP, HE ALMOST QUALIFIED FOR THE WORLD CUP. THE ALL WHITES COMING UP, YOU ARE COMING DOWN TO WELLINGTON? HIGE FOR THE COUNTRY TO QUALIFY, WE ARE BLESSED. ARE ALL WEIGHTS GAVE START NEXT WEEK AND THEN OVERSEE THESE BOYS PLAYING IN THE FIFA TOURNAMENT AND MAY. THE GREAT RUN. THEY NEARLY SET UP A DATE WITH REAL MADRID. IVAN WAS VOTED AS THE THIRD-BEST PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENTS. SO THERE IS A GREAT PICTURE OF HIM STANDING THERE WITH OTHER GREAT PLAYERS. WHILE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SPORTS, E WHAI AKE NEI ` THE GOVERNMENT'S BIG INVESTMENT SUMMIT IS UNDERWAY NEXT. DID IT GET ANY BITES ON THE OPENING DAY? # MONEY CHANGES EVERYTHING. IT'S DAY TWO OF THE GLOBAL INVESTMENT SUMMIT IN AUCKLAND, WHERE TOP INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS HAVE GATHERED TO HEAR THE GOVERNMENT SELL NEW ZEALAND'S ECONOMIC POTENTIAL. PM CHRISTOPHER LUXON HAS PITCHED AOTEAROA AS A PLACE TO 'SHELTER FROM THE GLOBAL STORM'. THE QUESTION IS ` WHO'S PREPARED TO SHOW US THE MONEY? JOINING US NOW IS BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT KATIE BRADFORD. KATIE, THE PM AND FINANCE MINISTER NICOLA WILLIS WERE ON THE CHARM OFFENSIVE YESTERDAY ` HOW DID THEY GO? HOW CAN YOU NOT WANT TO INVEST CASH IN NEW ZEALAND WHEN YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL VIEW LIKE THIS. THEY ARE CERTAINLY SHOWING OFF THE BEST OF NEW ZEALAND BY BEING DOWN AT AUCKLAND'S WATERFRONT FOR THESE COUPLE OF DAYS. LOOK, I THINK IT IS WORKING FROM THE INVESTORS WE SPOKE TO YESTERDAY. THEY DID SEEM IMPRESSED. WE HAVE SEEN A ROLLCALL OF MINISTERS TALKING ABOUT THE PORTFOLIOS, BUT OF COURSE YOU NEED TO SEE THE CASH. THEY NOT GOING TO SIGN DEALS TODAY. IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT INVESTMENT IN GOVERNMENT AND THINGS LIKE ROADS, BUT I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE SOME DEALS BEING DONE BEHIND THE SCENES POTENTIALLY TO INVEST WITH IWI ON PROJECTS, AND DATA CENTRES. IT DOES HAVE GOOD ECONOMIC POTENTIAL FOR NEW SOUND. ZEALAND. CAN YOU REMIND OUR AUDIENCE, WHO'S ATTENDING THIS GATHERING AND WHO'S PRESENTING? OVER 100 COMPANIES ARE REPRESENTED. THEY ARE WORTH $6 TRILLION. WOULD WE NOT LIKE A LITTLE BIT OF THAT? THEY HAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO INVEST, AND YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT PENSION FUNDS, BIG CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES, FROM 14 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. WE HEARD FROM THE ITALIAN COMPANY YESTERDAY, FROM A QUEENSLAND CONSORTIUM YESTERDAY, A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE ARE IN THOSE GROUPS. I DID FIND IT INTERESTING THAT ESSENTIALLY THEY ARE MAINLY HEARING FROM THE GOVERNMENT MINISTERS. 14 GOVERNMENT MINISTERS ALL UP. THE ONLY NON-GOVERNMENT MINISTERS THEY ARE HEARING FROM ART ARE AN IWI PANEL. A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE IMPRESSED WITH THEM. THEY WILL ALSO HAVE FROM LABOURS FINANCE POST PERSON ALSO. THEY WILL ALSO HAVE FROM LABOURS FINANCE SPOKE PERSON ALSO. IT FEELS A LITTLE BIT LIKE A NATIONAL PARTY CONFERENCE. AND WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA TODAY? IT IS CRUCIAL THAT THEY ARE HEARING FROM THE OPPOSITION PARTY BECAUSE A BIG THING WE HEAR WITH INFRASTRUCTURE AND INVESTMENT IS THAT BIPARTISANSHIP. WHAT PEOPLE HATE AND WHAT CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES AND INVESTORS HAD, AT THAT CHOPPING AND CHANGING WE SEE IN PROJECTS. BOTH LABOUR AND NATIONAL ARE GUILTY OF IT. NATIONAL GOT RID OF LIGHT RAIL AND SCRAP SOME OF LABOURS PROJECTS. LABOUR HAS DONE IT IN THE PAST ALSO. WHAT THEY ARE REALLY CLEAR ON IS THAT THEY WANT TO KNOW THERE IS A PIPELINE OF PROJECTS OVER THE NEXT 30 YEARS. THEY WANT TO KNOW THAT THE NEXT GOVERNMENT WILL NOT COME IN AND TEAR IT ALL UP. WHAT YOU ARE HEARING FROM LABOUR IS THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO GO WITH THAT BIPARTISANSHIP. WHAT THEY ARE NOT SO KEEN ON IS PRIVATISING PRISONS AND SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS. THEY THINK THEY SHOULD BE RUN BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THAT'S WHERE THINGS WILL GET A BIT INTERESTING. THEY SAY THEY WILL NOT SCRAP DEALS. WE WILL HAVE FROM A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT MINISTERS AND CHRIS BISHOP WILL GIVE US A BIT MORE DETAIL ON A SECOND HARBOUR CROSSING HERE IN AUCKLAND. BEYOND THE FORMAL SIDE OF THE SUMMIT, THE NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES ARE REALLY IMPORTANT, AREN'T THEY? ALWAYS AT THE SUMMIT THAT IS WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT. THERE WAS A GALA DINNER LAST NIGHT. UNFORTUNATELY I CANNOT TAKE YOU WHAT FOOD OR WINE WAS THERE, OR WHO SAT NEXT TO HER, BECAUSE WE ARE NOT ALLOWED AT MANY OF THESE THINGS. THERE ARE LOTS OF THINGS HAPPENING THIS MORNING AS WELL. THIS IS HOW PEOPLE MEET EACH OTHER AND LOTS OF MINISTERS WILL BE MEETING WITH INVESTORS. IWI WHEN MEETING WITH INVESTORS AS WELL. IWI WERE MEETING WITH INVESTORS AS WELL. IT IS ABOUT BEING IN THE ROOM IN THE SITUATION. THIS IS BEING PAID FOR BY THE TAXPAYERS. $1 MILLION THIS IS COSTING. THE GOVERNMENT'S AIM IS THAT THAT WILL MORE THAN PAY ITSELF OFF IN THE MEDIUM AND LONG-TERM. JOINING US FROM WHAT LOOKS LIKE A GORGEOUS MORNING IN AUCKLAND CITY THIS MORNING. THANKS, KATIE. DO YOU NOT GET A FOOD AND WINE MENU? WE'RE GETTING SOME SNACKS FOR THE MEDIA. WE NEED SOME SNACKS. WE SAT THERE IN A MEDIA ROOM SHUT AWAY FROM EVERYTHING ELSE. WE ARE TRYING TO DO THE BEST WE CAN. THE SNACKS ARE VERY IMPORTANT FOR THESE LONG DAYS. STILL TO COME ON THE SHOW THIS MORNING ` GET READY TO START YOUR ENGINES ` THE FORMULA 1 ROADSHOW HAS ROLLED INTO MELBOURNE, WITH KIWI LIAM LAWSON CENTRE STAGE. WE'LL CROSS TO MELBOURNE AS THE DRIVERS GET READY TO HIT THE CIRCUIT. FIDDLE DE DEE ` AUCKLAND'S QUEEN STREET WILL BE A MASS OF GREEN THIS WEEKEND TO CELEBRATE ST PATRICK'S DAY. WE'LL CHECK OUT WHAT FESTIVITIES ARE ON OFFER. PLUS ` HOMEGROWN IS SET TO ROCK WELLINGTON FOR THE FINAL TIME. WE'RE LIVE IN THE CAPITAL AHEAD OF ITS BIG LAST HOORAH. IT'S 8 O'CLOCK ` HERE'S THE NEWS. THE CHINESE EMBASSY HAS ACCUSED WELLINGTON'S TOP SPY OF LYING, AFTER HE MADE COMMENTS ON SECURITY RISKS POSED BY BEIJING IN THE PACIFIC. IN THE SPEECH LAST WEEK, ANDREW HAMPTON CLAIMED THE DOOR HAS BEEN OPENED FOR CHINA TO SIGN STRATEGIC DEALS WITH PACIFIC NATIONS THAT LINKED 'ECONOMIC AND SECURITY COOPERATION'. THE CHINESE EMBASSY CLAIMS THE COMMENTS ARE COMPLETELY BASELESS AND ALL FABRICATION. A LEADING INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS EXPERT SAYS THE REACTION SUGGESTS CHINA IS NOW LESS AFRAID TO STAND UP AGAINST THE WEST. THE CHINESE REACTION REFLECTS GROWING INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE, AND THE BELIEF THAT THE UNITED STATES IS ACTING IN A WAY WHICH IS UNDERMINING THE WESTERN ALLIANCE. SO, I THINK WE'RE GONNA GET MORE OF THIS GOING ON. MEANWHILE, DEFENCE MINISTER JUDITH COLLINS SAYS SHE HAS FULL CONFIDENCE IN NEW ZEALAND'S INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES. THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT SAYS HE AGREES THERE SHOULD BE AN END TO FIGHTING IN UKRAINE BUT ANY PEACE DEAL MUST ADDRESS THE 'UNDERLYING CAUSES' OF THE CONFLICT. U.S. ENVOY STEVE WITKOFF IS IN MOSCOW TO NEGOTIATE A 30-DAY CEASEFIRE DEAL ONE WHICH UKRAINE HAS ALREADY ACCEPTED. IN A MEETING WITH NATO'S SECRETARY-GENERAL AT THE WHITE HOUSE U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAID PUTIN'S STATEMENT IS PROMISING, BUT INCOMPLETE AND HE HOPES RUSSIA DOES 'THE RIGHT THING' A MAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH A FIREARM OFFENCE, AFTER CONCERNING EMAILS WERE SENT TO TWO AUCKLAND SCHOOLS. POLICE CONFIRM THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING, AFTER WAIUKU COLLEGE AND RUTHERFORD COLLEGE WERE BOTH REPORTEDLY PLACED IN LOCK-DOWN YESTERDAY. THE MAN (20) WILL APPEAR IN THE MANUKAU DISTRICT COURT TODAY, AND POLICE EXPECT MORE CHARGES TO BE LAID. TO SPORT ` JOSEPH PARKER COULD GET ANOTHER SHOT AT A WORLD TITLE, WITH HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OLEKSANDER USYK ORDERED TO START NEGOTIATIONS TO DEFEND HIS WBO BELT. THE UKRAINIAN WILL HAVE 30 DAYS TO REACH TERMS FOR A MANDATORY TITLE DEFENCE. IT COMES AFTER PARKER'S SCHEDULED BOUT AGAINST IBF CHAMPION DANIEL DUBOIS WAS CALLED OFF, FOLLOWING THE BRIT'S WITHDRAWAL DUE TO ILLNESS. DUBOIS DECLINED TO RESCHEDULE THE FIGHT, INSTEAD HOPING FOR A RETURN CLASH WITH USYK. AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` MAINLY CLEAR SKIES FOR MOST OF THE NORTH ISLAND. HOWEVER, PATCHY PERIODS OF CLOUDS THROUGHOUT THE DAY FOR GISBORNE AND A PARTLY CLOUDY DAY FOR THE CAPITAL. 26 THE HIGH FOR KIRIKIRIROA HAMILTON. 24 FOR WHANGAREI. THE SUN IS SHINING FOR THE TOP OF THE TE WAIPOUNAMU, THE SOUTH ISLAND. PARTLY CLOUDY FURTHER DOWN WITH SHOWERS SPREAD ACROSS THE FIORDLAND AND BULLER REGIONS. 25 THE HIGH FOR BLENHEIM. 18 IN DUNEDIN. GET READY MOTORSPORT FANS THE FORMULA 1 SEASON IS JUST DAYS AWAY. AND LINING UP FOR PERENNIAL PACE SETTERS RED BULL RACING FOR THE FIRST TIME AND TEAMING UP WITH 4 TIME WORLD CHAMP MAX VERSTAPPEN WILL BE PUKEKOHE'S OWN LIAM LAWSON. SPORTS REPORTER MICHELLE PRENDIVILLE IS IN MELBOURNE COVERING THE GRAND PRIX FOR 1 NEWS AND JOINS US NOW. MORENA. YOU ARE LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE. ALL EYES ON LIAM, YOU SPOKE WITH HIM A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO. GOOD MORNING. I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT, LOOK AT THIS CROWD. WE ROCKED UP THINKING THAT NO ONE WOULD BE HERE THIS MORNING. AND WE WERE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED. THERE ARE HUNDREDS HERE, ALL TRYING TO LINE UP. THE GATES OPEN AT 9 O'CLOCK. BUT THEY WILL BE SPRINTING IN TRYING TO GET A LOOK AT THE DRIVERS WHEN THEY ARRIVE. I CAUGHT UP WITH LIAM EARLIER THIS WEEK, AND HE IS IN THE ZONE. HE IS READY FOR THIS. THE PRESSURE IS CERTAINLY ON, EVERYONE IS TALKING UP THAT HE NEEDS TO MATCH MAX'S PACE. AND LOOKS AS IF THIS IS WHERE HE BELONGS. HE LOOKS VERY AT EASE. HOW IS HE HANDLING THE HYPE? HE IS VERY COOL AND CALM. WE WENT TO 1 OF THE FAN EVENTS AND THEY BROUGHT HIM OUT. FANS ARE CRYING AND SCREAM WHEN THEY SEE HIM. HE IS LAPPING IT UP AND HE IS VERY COOL CALM AND COLLECTED. WE WENT UP AND TALK TO HIM, IN BEAUTIFUL SUITE IN A HOTEL. HE HAS BEEN TOLD HE NEEDS TO CHASE CHAMPIONSHIPS. THE MESSAGE IS VERY SIMPLE FOR HIM. IT WILL BE A DIFFERENT EXPECTATION ON HIM BECAUSE HE IS USED TO RACING IN A MED PACK, BUT BEING IN ONE OF THOSE TOP FOUR TEAMS HE IS EXPECTED TO BE AT THE FRONT OF THE PACK OR UP AMONGST THOSE TOP DRIVERS. YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE ONLY 20 DRIVERS ON THIS GRID, AND WE HAPPEN TO HAVE A NEW ZEALANDER AND ONE OF THOSE TOP SPOTS. RACING FOR ONE OF THE MOST DOMINANT TEAMS IN FORMULA ONE HISTORY. I LOVED YOUR STORY LAST NIGHT WITH LANDO NORRIS. MCLAREN HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN NEW ZEALANDER'S HEARTS. ARE THEY STILL FAVOURITE TO TAKE UP THE TITLE ONCE AGAIN? THEY DEFINITELY ARE THE FAVOURITES. THAT IS BASED ON THE PRESEASON TESTING. THEY CAME OUT THE FAVOURITES THERE. WE LOVE TO SUPPORT MCLAREN AS WELL BECAUSE THEY ARE NAMED AND FOUNDED BY NEW ZEALAND MOTORSPORT LEGEND BRUCE MCLAREN. LANDO RAISED IN NEW ZEALAND IN 2016 AND WON THE NEW ZEALAND GRAND PRIX. WHEN I SPOKE TO HIM HE SAID TO US THAT HE WAS A BREAKFAST OF YOU ARE BACK IN THE DAY, AND HE WANTED TO GIVE THE BREAKFAST VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT OF A SECRET. HE WANTED TO SHARE WITH US HAS BREAKFAST MEAL. ALL THE PINEAPPLE AND. I NORMALLY PUT SOME PEANUT BUTTER IN. LET'S PUT SOME SPINACH IN. LID ON. WE ARE OFF! IT IS ACTUALLY ALL RIGHT. SO, THAT IS LANDO NORRIS' SPECIAL SMOOTHIE HE WILL BE DRINKING THIS WEEK AT THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX. I KNOW YOU ARE A SUCKER FOR MERCHANDISE, CHRIS, AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW THAT THAT WAS MCLAREN TEAMING UP WITH NUTRIBULLET. THERE ARE NO TOPS FOR LIAM LAWSON. THEY HAVE NOT ARRIVED IN TIME. DISAPPOINTINGLY, THEY ARE SELLING SERGIO PEREZ MERCHANDISE. HE IS THE GUY LAWSON REPLACED. IT HAS JUST NOT ARRIVED IN A TIME. FANS ARE HAVING TO MAKE THEIR OWN TOPS TO SUPPORT LIAM. NOT GREAT ON THAT FRONT. USUALLY MY FIRST PORT OF CALL IS TO HEADED STRAIGHT TO THE MERCHANDISE STORE. JENNY MAY HAS THE SAME BREAKFAST AS LANDO. ELITE ATHLETE VIBE. PEOPLE ARE SO PUMPED HERE. IT IS SUPERHOT HERE. IT IS MAYBE ABOUT 16 DEGREES RIGHT NOW. FROM 9 O'CLOCK, THE FANS SPRINT TO THE MELBOURNE MALL, AND THAT IS WHERE THE DRIVERS WALK. IT IS A TWO MINUTE WALK. THEY ARE BOLTING AT JUST TO GET A FRONT ROW SEAT. THE DRIVERS WILL ONLY BE ROCKING UP AT 11 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING. AT 6 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING. IT IS A LONG WAIT AHEAD, BUT NOBODY WANTS TO MISS THIS. IT IS PRACTICE DAY TODAY, SO THEY WILL GET TO SEE DRIVERS IN THE CAR AROUND THE TRACK. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US. LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE IN MELBOURNE. LOVING YOUR WORK OVER THERE. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR STORIES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. THANK YOU, GUYS. THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD AS SOME FROZEN FRUIT. LEFT OVER FRUIT. I DON'T THINK HE WOULD DO LEFT OVER FRUIT. YOU MIGHT WITNESS A SEA OF GREEN FLOOD DOWN QUEEN STREET OVER THE WEEKEND, WITH THOUSANDS SET TO FILL THE STREETS FOR THE ST PATRICKS DAY FESTIVAL! LUCY BENDELL IS OUT AND ABOUT TO CHECK OUT WHAT'S GOING ON. GOOD MORNING, BENDER. GOOD MORNING. CELEBRATIONS HAVE STARTED EARLY HERE AT THAT IRISH CLUB. CELEBRATIONS ARE HAPPENING ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY THIS WEEKEND. HERE IN AUCKLAND, WE HAVE A HUGE SAINT PATRICK'S DAY FESTIVAL, WHICH HAS BEEN GOING FOR 30 YEARS CELEBRATING IRISH CULTURE HAVE. FOR THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE OUR OWN GRAND MARSHALL JOINING US. THANK YOU SO MUCH. TELL ME ABOUT THE FESTIVAL AND HOW EXCITED YOU ARE. THE FESTIVAL IS HUGE. IT TAKES PLACE IN THE MIDDLE OF AUCKLAND AND THERE IS TRADITIONALLY ABOUT 30,000 PEOPLE THERE. YOU WILL SEE 50, 60 FLOATS AND A LOT OF THE IRISH COMMUNITY PARADING. AS THE GRAND MARSHALL, I WILL BE PARADING DOWN AND THERE WILL BE A HUGE SEA OF GREEN BY ME. WE LOVE TO SEE PEOPLE THERE. WE ENTERED THE PARADE AT THE BOTTOM OF QUEEN STREET AND THERE WILL BE A BIG PARTY WITH MUSIC, FOOD. THERE WILL BE DANCING AS WELL. TELL ME ABOUT THE IRISH COMMUNITY HERE IN NEW ZEALAND AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS. WE CANNOT GET FURTHER AWAY FROM HOME, AND IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT THE IRISH COMMUNITY IS REALLY CLOSE. THERE ARE A LOT OF US, AND WE ARE FROM THE TOP OF THE COUNTRY TO THE BOTTOM. MOST PEOPLE THINK THAT WE DON'T KNOW EACH OTHER BUT THERE IS A MASSIVE CONNECTION WHERE WE CAN ALL KNOW EACH OTHER. IT IS BEAUTIFUL THAT YOU GET A WEEKEND LIKE THIS TO CELEBRATE THIS. YOU DO IT QUITE OFTEN BECAUSE YOU STARTED THE GROUP BEHIND US AND YOU HAVE ABOUT 2000 WOMEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND YOU GUYS ALL GET TOGETHER. TELL US ABOUT THIS GROUP AND WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU. WE SET UP THE GROUP AND 2018 AND IT WAS A GROUP OF LIKE-MINDED FIRST GENERATION IMMIGRANTS THEY COME TO THE COUNTRY, WE HAVE ALL GROWN UP WITH A SIMILAR CULTURE SO WE GET EACH OTHER. SO, WE HAVE JOINED THE GROUP. WE FIND MEMBERS IN THE QUEUE TO THE SUPERMARKET AND IN THE PARK. THE MINUTE WE TALK TO ANOTHER IRISH WOMAN WE BRING THEM INTO THE GROUP. IN THE GROUP THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT SUPPORT AND WE HAVE GROWN A LIFE OF OUR OWN. IT IS SUCH A GOOD SUPPORT FOR EACH ONE OF US THAT HAVE IMMIGRATED. YOU GUYS WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW YOUR KIDS ARE ALL COUSINS. IT IS A HUGE FAMILY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO SEE THAT. I WANT TO HEAR A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES IN TRADITIONS SEEN IN NEW ZEALAND AND IRELAND. NEW ZEALAND LOOKS A LITTLE BIT LIKE IRELAND IN TERMS OF BAG SCENERY AND THE VEGETATION. THEN YOU HAVE A LOT OF THE TRADITIONS AND I THINK WE FEEL A LITTLE BIT CLOSE TO THE MAORI TRADITIONS BECAUSE OF THE LANGUAGE AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT GOES WITH IT. BACK HOME, THE DUBLIN PARADE IS ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE. THERE IS A LOT OF SIMILARITIES AND WE FIND THAT WE ARE MORE AT HOME THERE AND WE MIGHT BE ANYWHERE ELSE. WHAT ABOUT SOME DIFFERENCES. THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND US. WHEN WE SAID A JOKE THE FIRST TIME THAT WE HAVE TO SAY IT A SECOND TIME. THE DIFFERENCES ARE NOT SO MUCH. I DON'T THINK THERE ARE TOO MANY DIFFERENCES. EVERYBODY STILL ENJOYS GETTING OUT AND CELEBRATING, AND ENJOYING LIFE. IT IS VERY FAMILY FRIENDLY HERE. THERE ARE PLENTY OF EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTRY. THERE ARE SOME IN CHRISTCHURCH. THERE ARE SOME IN NELSON, AND ALSO SOME AT THE AUCKLAND IRISH CLUB. THERE ARE FAMILY DAYS HAPPENING. AND SHOUT OUT TO THE BEAUTIFUL DANCERS BEHIND ME. THEY ARE REPRESENTING NEW ZEALAND IN DUBLIN AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS SOON. THAT IS AWESOME, BENDER. THE DANCERS THAT HAVE DANCED THE ENTIRE CROSS. THEY UNDERSTOOD THE ASSIGNMENT. LOOK AT THEM. WELL DONE, WELL DONE. YOU DID SOME IRISH DANCING? YES, WITH A LITTLE CAPE ON. A LITTLE WHITE DRESS. NOBODY NEEDS TO SEE IT, THOUGH. WE WILL CLOSE THE SHOW WITH THAT LATER ON. ME U TONU MAI ` THERE'S PLENTY MORE HAPPENING AROUND AOTEAROA THIS WEEKEND. THE COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD'S NEXT. # PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER. # HEY, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING ` FRANCE HAS THREATENED TO FIGHT BACK AFTER U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP PROPOSED A 200% TARIFF ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION. THE CHINESE EMBASSY HAS ACCUSED WELLINGTON'S TOP SPY OF LYING AFTER HE MADE COMMENTS ON SECURITY RISKS POSED BY BEIJING IN THE PACIFIC. A VIDEO OF AN AMERICAN INFLUENCER TAKING A BABY WOMBAT AWAY FROM ITS DISTRESSED MOTHER HAS CAUSED OUTRAGE IN AUSTRALIA WITH MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE SIGNING A PETITION TO DEPORT HER. ITS TIME FOR OUR COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD WHERE WE POP AROUND THE COUNTRY TO SHOWCASE EVENTS HAPPENING NEAR YOU THIS WEEKEND. IF YOU LIKE FUNKY FLIGHTS AND BLUES SKIES THEN HAVE WE GOT A GREAT ADVENTURE FOR YOU. 'BALLOONS OVER WAIKATO' IS TAKING TO THE SKIES FOR A WEEK LONG EVENT STARTING FROM TUESDAY NEXT WEEK WHERE YOU WILL GET TO EXPLORE INSIDE A HOT-AIR BALLOON... TO TELL US ALL ABOUT IT IS BALLOONS OVER WAIKATO TRUST CHAIRMAN STEVE GOW ` MORENA! WE DON'T USE THIS WORD VERY OFTEN, ICONIC, BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT 26 YEARS OF BALLOONS PUTS IT INTO THAT CATEGORY. HOW BIG IS THIS EVENT? GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON THE SHOW. IT IS HUGE. IT IS A FANTASTIC COMMITTEE EVENT. WE ARE PRETTY PROUD THAT WE HAVE BEEN GOING FOR 26 YEARS NOW. IT IS AN EVENT THAT IS OWNED BY THE BALLOONS WAIKATO TRUST. IT IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC. WE REACH AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE INTERACT WITH IT OVER THE COURSE OF THE WEEK. IT IS JUST GLORIOUS. IF YOU ARE ANYWHERE ACROSS THE WAIKATO ` IT IS JUST GLORIOUS/ JUST GLORIOUS. WHAT KIND OF EVENTS ARE HAPPENING? IT OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF TUESDAY MORNING. EVERY MORNING AT 7 AM RIGHT THROUGH THE COURSE OF THE WEEK THERE WILL BE BALLOONS LIFTING. THERE WILL BE OTHER LOCATIONS AS WELL. THERE WILL BE A BASKET BURN AT THE BASE. WE ARE ALSO GETTING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY. WE GETTING TO TOKOROA. WHERE CONSCIOUS THAT NOT EVERYBODY CAN GET TO US SO WE GO OUT TO THEM AS WELL. TELL ME ABOUT THE WALK-THROUGH BALLOON EXPERIENCE HAPPENING AT GARDEN PLACE. NOT EVERYONE CAN GET UP AND CLOSE TO A BALLOON. THE BALLOON IS LYING ON THE GROUND, PRETTY MUCH INFLATED, SO PEOPLE CAN WALK INSIDE IT. IT IS GREAT FOR KIDS TO EXPERIENCE. A LOT OF FUN. IT RUNS THROUGH TO SATURDAY. IT CULMINATES WITH THE ZURU NIGHT GLOW. PEOPLE CAN GO TO YOUR WEBSITE? THAT IS THE BEST PLACE TO GO. AND HAS THE FULL SCHEDULE, WHAT IS HAPPENING, WHAT THE TIMES ARE, AND GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF HOW YOU CAN INTERACT WITH THE WHOLE EVENT OVER THE COURSE OF THE WEEK. ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR. LOVELY TO TALK TO YOU. FOR THOSE WHO WANT A TRIP TO MIDDLE EARTH, YOU MIGHT NOT NEED TO LOOK TOO FAR. NEW ZEALAND STAGE AND SCREEN COMBAT SCHOOL HAS BEEN RUNNING COMMUNITY MOVIE NIGHTS WITH YOUR FAVOURITE HOBBITS, WIZARDS AND ELVES. BUT THERE'S A TWIST. TO TELL US ALL ABOUT IT IS ORGANISER AND OWNER ALEXANDER HOLLOWAY. GOOD MORNING YOU GOOD THING. YOU NEED TO BREAK THIS ALL DOWN TO MAKE. YOU NEED TO BREAK THIS ALL DOWN FOR ME. I STARTED A MEDIAEVAL SCHOOL HERE IN AUCKLAND. WE DO ALL SORTS OF KIDS CLASSES, ADULT CLASSES, TEAMBUILDING THINGS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES. ARCHERY, AXE DRYING, SWORD FIGHTING AND WE DO LOTS OF COMMUNITY EVENTS AS WELL. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS BEEN REALLY POPULAR IS OUR MOVIE NIGHTS. WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE LORD OF THE RINGS, EXTENDED VERSIONS, OVER THE LAST THREE WEEKS. YOU GET TO COME DOWN, DRESS UP IF YOU WANT TO, BRING A BEANBAG. BYO ` HAVE A FEW DRINKS, WHATEVER. SOUNDS A BLAST. YOU SAID IT IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE POPULAR. DO YOU HAVE TO BUY A TICKET, HOW DOES THIS RUN? IT IS COMPLETELY FREE. WE JUST DO THINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY. WE RUN COMMUNITY EVENTS ON TOP OF EXISTING EVENTS. WE DO MEDIAEVAL EVENTS. WE DO ARMAGEDDON. THE EASTER SHOW. WE RUN POP-UP RENAISSANCE FAIRS. THERE ARE PRIZES FOR THE BEST DRESSED. AS YOU WANT AN NERDY NIGHT WITH SOME FELLOW NERDS COME DOWN. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE SCHOOL. I BEEN DOING THIS FOR OVER A DECADE NOW. I HAVE BEEN TEACHING KIDS CLASSES, ADULT CLASSES, CORPORATE EVENTS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, STAG AND HEN NIGHTS. ALL SORTS OF COOL STUFF. THE HOLIDAY PROGRAMS ARE SUPER POPULAR BECAUSE THE KIDS GET TO COME DOWN TO OUR MEDIAEVAL DUNGEON, WHEN WE DO SWORD FIGHTING, AXE THROWING. THEY GET A MEDIAEVAL EXPERIENCE FOR A WEEK OR TWO. IT IS REALLY, REALLY FUN. IT LOOKS A LOT OF FUN. WHEN DOES THE MOVIE NIGHT START AND HOW DO PEOPLE GET INFORMATION ABOUT IT? 7 O'CLOCK THIS SATURDAY IN THE EVENING. WE DO A VOTE JUST BEFORE WE START WHETHER WE WANT TO DO THE EXTENDED VERSION OR THE REGULAR VERSION. ONE IS THREE HOURS LONG AND THE EXTENDED VERSION IS FOUR HOURS LONG. WE DO A LITTLE VOTE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO WATCH. TURN UP IN A BIRKENHEAD. OUR ADDRESS IS ON THE WEBSITE. YOU DON'T NEED TO BUY TICKETS ` JUST TURN UP. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING ON THE COSTUME AS WELL. SO GOOD. AT THE TECHNOLOGY DOES NOT WORK FOR OUR NEXT CROSS WE WILL JUST COME BACK TO THE LORD OF THE RINGS. IF YOU'RE A FAN OF SOME SCRUMPTIOUS AND MOUTH-WATERING MEATBALLS, YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO BE IN HASTINGS. HASTINGS DISTRICT COUNCIL IS PUTTING ON THEIR VERY OWN MEATBALL FESTIVAL TODAY. ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S MOST WELL KNOWN CHEFS, PETER GORDON, IS INVOLVED, AND HE JOINS US NOW. MORENA! LOVELY TO SEE YOU. HOW MANY MEATBALLS CAN YOU HAVE IN A MEATBALL FESTIVAL? GOOD MORNING, CHRIS. YOU CAN HAVE LOADS. THERE ARE 23 DIFFERENT MEATBALLS GOING TO BE SOLD TODAY. THE STREET WILL BE PACKED WITH MEATBALLS, AND AS YOU CAN SEE HER, THE WHOLE CITY HAS BECOME FESTIVAL CENTRE. THERE ARE LOTS OF DIFFERENT FLAVOURS. VEGETARIAN, PORK, BEEF, LAMB, ET CETERA. I LIKE THE SOUND OF A PAUA MEATBALL. HOW DOES IT MAINTAIN A MOISTURE ` WHAT IS THE SECRET? WHAT WILL BE INTERESTING HERE IS THAT BECAUSE IT IS ONE THING, THE MEATBALL, AND THIS HERE IS A DUTCH MINCED ONE. I HAVE NEVER TRIED IT BUT IT IS THE THING WHICH KICKED OFF THE MEATBALL FESTIVAL HERE IN HASTINGS. KEEP IT MOIST, KEEP IT FLAVOURSOME. SIZE ` ARE NOT SURE BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT COMPARED THE SIZE OF OUR MEATBALLS BUT THERE WILL BE SMALLER ONES AND BIG ONES. THIS IS OUR ONE. THIS IS A WAGYU BEEF MEATBALL. THIS IS A DUTCH MEATBALL. WHAT I AM PUTTING ON HERE IS STRAINED YOGHURT. THE MEATBALL GOES IN. WE HAVE SOME OF THIS PICKLED RED ONION VIBE. THEN WE HAVE SOME SALSA VERDE. CRISPY SHALLOTS. THEN CURRY LEAVES. IT IS QUITE A FANCY MEATBALL. BUT LOOK AT THAT, IT IS QUITE GOOD, RIGHT? PETER, HAVE YOU EVER TRIED AN IKEA MEATBALL? I HAVE, ACTUALLY. THEY ARE FINE, BUT THESE ARE BETTER. CAN I GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO EIT. THE STUDENTS HAIR BEHIND ME HAVE BEEN AMAZING. THEY ARE ROLLING 1000 MEATBALLS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. LOVELY TO SEE YOU, AND ENJOYED THE FESTIVAL THERE. IT LOOKS FANTASTIC. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WHAT'S HAPPENING NEAR YOU NEXT WEEKEND? LET US KNOW. MARKETS, EVENTS, FESTIVALS ` HEAD TO whatsonbreakfast.co.nz. A MURI I NGA WHAKATAIRANGA ` YOUR 8.30 NEWS, SPORT AND WEATHER. PLUS, WELLINGTON PREPARES TO FAREWELL ONE OF ITS BIGGEST MUSIC FESTIVALS. A LEADING INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS EXPERT IS CALLING FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO SPEND MORE ON DEFENCE, AS CHINA'S INFLUENCE IN THE PACIFIC EVOLVES. IT COMES AFTER THE CHINESE EMBASSY ACCUSED WELLINGTON'S TOP SPY OF LYING, AFTER HE MADE COMMENTS ON SECURITY RISKS POSED BY BEIJING IN THE PACIFIC. IN A SPEECH LAST WEEK, ANDREW HAMPTON CLAIMED THE DOOR HAS BEEN OPENED FOR CHINA TO SIGN STRATEGIC DEALS WITH PACIFIC NATIONS THAT LINKED 'ECONOMIC AND SECURITY COOPERATION'. UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO'S ROBERT PATMAN SAYS NEW ZEALAND NEEDS TO DO MORE TO BACK UP ITS STATEMENTS. THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE WANT CONFRONTATION WITH CHINA. WE DON'T. BUT CHINA IS OFTEN IMPRESSED MORE BY ACTIONS THAN BY WORDS, AND WE HAVE TWO DO MORE TO INDICATE THAT WE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO OUR SECURITY CONCERNS BOTH REGIONALLY BUT ALSO INTERNATIONALLY. MEANWHILE, DEFENCE MINISTER JUDITH COLLINS SAYS SHE HAS FULL CONFIDENCE IN NEW ZEALAND'S INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES. THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT SAYS HE AGREES THERE SHOULD BE AN END TO FIGHTING IN UKRAINE BUT ANY PEACE DEAL MUST ADDRESS THE 'UNDERLYING CAUSES' OF THE CONFLICT. U.S. ENVOY STEVE WITKOFF IS IN MOSCOW TO NEGOTIATE A 30-DAY CEASEFIRE DEAL, ONE WHICH UKRAINE HAS ALREADY ACCEPTED. IN A MEETING WITH NATO'S SECRETARY-GENERAL AT THE WHITE HOUSE, U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAID PUTIN'S STATEMENT IS PROMISING BUT INCOMPLETE, AND HE HOPES RUSSIA DOES 'THE RIGHT THING' MEANWHILE, FRANCE SAYS IT'S COMMITTED TO PROTECTING ITS EXPORTERS AFTER TRUMP PROPOSED A 200% TARIFF ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION. FRANCE IS THE TOP WINE EXPORTER TO THE U.S., SHIPPING USD$2.5B WORTH LAST YEAR. THE FRENCH TRADE MINISTER SAYS HE WON'T GIVE INTO THREATS AND BLAMED TRUMP FOR ESCALATING A TRADE WAR HE, QUOTE, 'CHOSE TO UNLEASH.' BACK HERE, A MAN IS SET TO APPEAR IN THE MANUKAU DISTRICT COURT TODAY AFTER SENDING THREATENING EMAILS TO TWO AUCKLAND SCHOOLS, SENDING THEM INTO LOCK-DOWN. THE 20-YEAR-OLD IS BEING CHARGED WITH THE UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM AFTER POLICE FOUND IT AT HIS PROPERTY. POLICE HAVE CONFIRMED INVESTIGATIONS ARE ONGOING. UEFA IS SET TO REVIEW ITS PENALTY RULES AFTER A CONTROVERSIAL VAR DECISION DURING A CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURE BETWEEN ATLETICO MADRID AND REAL. ATLETICO'S JULIAN ALVAREZ WAS DEEMED TO HAVE TOUCHED THE BALL TWICE DURING THIS PENALTY KICK AFTER HE SLIPPED, PROMPTING VAR TO STEP IN AND CHALK IT OFF. REAL WENT ON TO WIN 4-2 IN THE SHOOTOUT. THE EUROPEAN GOVERNING BODY IS NOW LOOKING TO SPEAK WITH FIFA AND FOOTBALL'S LAWMAKING BOARD TO REVIEW A POTENTIAL RULE CHANGE IF DOUBLE TOUCH CONTACT IS UNINTENTIONAL. AND FINALLY, AN AMERICAN INFLUENCER HAS BEEN MET WITH ALMOST UNIVERSAL BACKLASH AFTER SHE POSTED A VIDEO OF HER TAKING A BABY WOMBAT AWAY FROM ITS DISTRESSED MOTHER. IN THE NOW DELETED CLIP, SAM JONES CAN BE SEEN PICKING UP THE JOEY AND RUNNING TO A CAR AS THE MOTHER CHASES AFTER THEM. A PETITION CALLING FOR HER TO BE DEPORTED HAS COLLECTED MORE THAN 10,000 SIGNATURES, WITH EVEN AUSTRALIA'S PRIME MINISTER TAKING THE TIME TO WEIGH IN ON THE CONTROVERSY. AND, YOU KNOW, I SUGGEST TO THIS SO-CALLED INFLUENCER, MAYBE SHE MIGHT TRY SOME OTHER AUSTRALIAN ANIMALS. TAKE A BABY CROCODILE FROM ITS MOTHER AND SEE HOW YOU GO THERE. IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS ARE NOW REVIEWING JONES' VISA, AND AUSTRALIA'S HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER SAYS HE'D BE SURPRISED IF SHE EVER TRIES TO ENTER THE COUNTRY AGAIN. AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` MAINLY CLEAR SKIES FOR MOST OF THE NORTH ISLAND. HOWEVER, PATCHY PERIODS OF CLOUDS THROUGHOUT THE DAY FOR GISBORNE AND A PARTLY CLOUDY DAY FOR THE CAPITAL. 26 THE HIGH FOR KIRIKIRIROA HAMILTON. 24 FOR WHANGAREI. THE SUN IS SHINNING FOR THE TOP OF THE TE WAIPOUNAMU, THE SOUTH ISLAND. PARTLY CLOUDY FURTHER DOWN WITH SHOWERS SPREAD ACROSS THE FIORDLAND AND BULLER REGIONS. 25 THE HIGH FOR BLENHEIM. 18 IN DUNEDIN. FOR 18 YEARS, HOMEGROWN HAS ROCKED THE CAPITAL. BUT THIS YEAR IS THE LAST TIME THE MUSIC FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD IN WELLINGTON. ABBEY WAKEFIELD JOINS US LIVE NOW FROM THE WATERFRONT WHERE THE STAGE IS SET FOR A BIG COUPLE OF NIGHTS. MORENA, ABBEY. GOOD MORNING. WELLINGTON IS ABOUT TO GET INCREDIBLY LIT THIS WEEKEND. HOMEGROWN STARTS TONIGHT AND DRAX PROJECT IS TOMORROW. IS GOOD TO BE HERE. 530 IN THE MORNING DOWN HERE AND WE ARE HAPPY TO BE HERE. WHAT DOES HOMEGROWN MEAN TO YOU GUYS? HOMEGROWN IS ACTUALLY REALLY PART OF OUR STORY, BECAUSE WE STARTED OFF PLAYING AT THE FREE STAGE, I THINK WE'VE PLAYED HERE THREE TIMES NOW, SO THIS WILL BE A FOUR. IT'S THE PROGRESSION OF OUR BAND. WE'VE ALSO BEEN PUNTERS HERE. I CAME HERE WHEN I WAS 16. YOU CAN GET IN WHEN YOU'RE 16. I GOT MAD AT MY FRIEND BECAUSE HE DRANK ALCOHOL AND I WAS LIKE, DON'T DO IT, DON'T DO IT, AND HE DID IT. LET MEANS A LOT TO THE CAPITAL. THE WELLINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS IT BRINGS A NEARLY $3 MILLION FOR THE CAPITAL'S BUSINESSES HERE, AND IT BRINGS IN 15,000 PEOPLE FROM OUT OF TOWN, WHAT DOES IT MEAN THE LOCAL ARTISTS? IT GIVES PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPOSE THEMSELVES TO PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY. IF YOU ARE PLAYING AT A 300 PERSON VENUE EVERY MONTH IN WELLINGTON, PEOPLE ONLY SEEING YOU IF YOU ARE LIVING HERE. IT GIVES YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO BREAK OUT OF THE LOCAL SCENE. WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT TO NIGHT? I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE EVER SEEN SAXOPHONES ON FIRE, IS THAT SOMETHING OF SEEN BEFORE? IS THAT SOMETHING YOU'RE GOING TO DEBUT ON BREAKFAST? THE PYRO TEAM IS IN HERE RIGHT NOW, BUT THERE MAY BE SOME SPECIAL EFFECTS TOMORROW NIGHT. YOU GUYS STARTED BUSKING ON COURTNEY PLACE. HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE PLAYING TO THE WHOLE CAPITAL THIS WEEKEND? PROBABLY A LOT OF THEM HAVE WALKED PAST US BACK ON THE DAY, FLICKED US A COUPLE OF COINS. WE PLAYED TWO YEARS AGO, AND THAT WAS A MASSIVE THING FOR US, JUST TO BE ABLE TO PLAY IN WELLINGTON, YOU KNOW, OUR HOME CITY. THIS IS GOING TO BE THE LAST ONE IN WELLINGTON, SO I DON'T KNOW, IT FEELS KIND OF SPECIAL. IS THERE ANY CHANCE YOU COULD PLAY A SOMETHING THIS MORNING ON THE SAXOPHONE? YES, WELL IT IS THERE. WHAT DO YOU WANT? SOMETHING THAT JENNY MAY AND CHRIS CAN DANCE TO. SOMETHING TO DANCE TO. ANYTHING. BY THE WAY, I'VE GOT A LAN YARD ON. (PLAYS FUNKY TUNE) WAKE UP WELLINGTON. DRAX PROJECT IS ON. HE IS A VERY TALENTED MAN. I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I SAW THEM. THEY WERE OPENING FOR ED SHEERAN. WE HAD THESE GUYS ON THE SHOW FOR CHRISTMAS END OF YEAR SHOW. E WHAI AKE NEI ` CAMERON JOE IS ON A BOAT. MORENA, CAM. ALL ABOARD, BECAUSE IF YOU'VE EVER WANTED THE LUXURY OF DRIVING A BOAT WITHOUT HAVING TO FORK OUT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS, WE MIGHT HAVE THE ANSWERS FOR YOU. HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING ` THERE ARE CALLS FOR ACTION, AFTER A TEENAGE GIRL WAS FATALLY STRUCK BY A FREIGHT TRAIN ON HER WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL. TWO NEW REPORTS HAVE FOUND DUNEDIN'S FLOODING RISK WILL INCREASE TO 70% WITHIN THE NEXT 75 YEARS UNLESS ACTION IS TAKEN. AND, A PURRR-PETRATOR IS STEALING HIS NEIGHBOURS SOCKS, PROMPTING HIS PARENTS TO START A FACEBOOK PAGE TO REUNITE THE STOLEN PROPERTY WITH ITS RIGHTFUL OWNERS. OWNING YOUR OWN BOAT IS A LUXURY MOST OF US CAN ONLY DREAM OF. BUT A NEW OPTION HAS JUST ARRIVED IN AUCKLAND, GETTING OUT ON THE WATER A LITTLE BIT EASIER. FREEDOM BOAT CLUB IS LETTING ANYONE SIGN UP AND HIRE A BOAT WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE. REPORTER CAMERON JOE IS OUT IN WAITEMATA. HARBOUR TO FIND OUT MORE. AHOY, CAM! YOU DO YOU HAVE MUCH EXPERIENCE YOURSELF? I DON'T HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE AT ALL. BUT WE ARE HERE, AND I'M ABOUT TO DRIVE A BOAT. WE ARE JUST PAST THE AUCKLAND HARBOUR BRIDGE, THE SUN IS OUT, CLEAR SKIES, NO BETTER TIME TO BE OUT. WE ARE OUT ON ONE OF FOUR BOATS THAT ANYONE CAN DRIVE AND GIVE A GO WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE. THIS IS BECAUSE AUCKLAND'S FREEDOM BOATS CLUB HAS JUST HAD TOUCHED DOWN HERE. TO EXPLAIN, WE ARE JOINED BY OPERATIONS MANAGER ZAC. EXPLAINED TO ME WHAT THE CLUB IS ABOUT AND HOW YOU BOUGHT IT IN NEW ZEALAND. IT'S A BOATING CLUB THAT STARTED IN FLORIDA IN 1989, AND WE'VE JUST LAUNCHED IT HERE IN AUCKLAND. WE ARE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GET OUT ON THE WATER, WE HAVE A BIG BOATING NATION, WE WANT TO GET PEOPLE OUT ON THE WATER WITHOUT THE HASSLE OF OWNING A BOAT. WE DO THE CLEANING, FEELING, AND THE MAINTENANCE. THEY JUST TURN UP, USE THE BOATS AND ENJOY THEMSELVES. I DO KNOW THAT YOU DON'T NEED A BOATING LICENSE HERE IN NEW ZEALAND TO DRIVE A RECREATIONAL VESSEL, SO HOW ARE YOU MAKING SURE YOUR CLUB MEMBERS ARE SAYING SAFE ON THE WATER? YOU DON'T NEED A BOATING LICENSE IN NEW ZEALAND, BUT FOR OUR CLUB MEMBERS, WE ENSURE THE SAFE PRACTICES BY HAVING A DAY SKIPPER. WE DO WHAT WE CALL A NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION. GETTING THEM OUT ON THE WATER, PRACTICAL TRAINING, TEACHING THEM EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE OUT THERE. THAT FREEDOM BOAT CLUB, WE OFFER UNLIMITED TRAINING AT NO COST TO OUR MEMBERS, SO INSURES WE ARE SAFE AND COMPETENT BOATIES. WE HAVE FOUR VOTES IN TOTAL, WE HAVE TWO FISHING BOATS AND TO SEE RAY'S. THEY ALL HAVE 250 HP OUTBOARD'S. WE DO DEBILITATING WITH YOU EARLIER, SO WE'LL JUST IMPLEMENT A BIT OF THAT TRAINING. WE DID TRAINING* WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO FIRST? WE WILL PUT THE BOAT INTO GEAR. I CAN HEAR IT GOING. AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO THE INCREASE THAT THROTTLE SLOWLY. AWESOME, SO WE ARE HEADING TOWARDS THE SKY TOWER. ALL RIGHT, ALREADY! WE HAVE A FERRY BEHIND US. WE HAVE TO WATCH OUT FOR THAT ONE. WHICH SIDE A STARBOARD AGAIN? WHAT WAS THAT? HE IS FOCUSING. SHOULD I LAUNCH TOWARDS THE BRIDGE? I'LL SPEED UP. THERE WE GO. GIVE IT A BIT OF THRUST. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS CAN HEAR ME. IF YOU GUYS WANT TO CHECK THESE GUYS OUT, HOPEFULLY YOU'RE BETTER DRIVER THAN ME CAMERON JOE. WE WILL NEED SOMEBODY TO TAKE SOME PICTURES FOR INSTAGRAM AFTER THIS. WINDSWEPT HAIR OUT ON THE WATER. DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN WE PERMED HIS HAIR? E WHAI AKE NEI ` CHRISTCHURCH IS GEARING UP FOR A SPECIAL EVENT THIS WEEKEND, CHARLOTTE MULDER'S ON THE CASE. HELLO TEAM. IT'S LOOKING VERY FUN. I WOULD SAY TWO MINES IS ONE OF THE BEST FESTIVALS IN NEW ZEALAND. IT'S COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK. A CHRISTCHURCH FESTIVAL IS LEADING THE WAY FOR NEW ZEALAND EVENTS BY OFFERING FREE TICKETS TO THOSE ACCOMPANYING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. THE TWOMINDS FESTIVAL WILL SEE AROUND 1500 PEOPLE DESCENDING ON SPENCER BEACH HOLIDAY PARK THIS WEEKEND, FEATURING A RANGE OF HOUSE AND DRUM N BASS MUSIC. FEATURING A RANGE OF HOUSE AND DRUM N BASS MUSIC. WE SENT OUR CHRISTCHURCH REPORTER CHARLOTTE MULDER DOWN TO CHECK OUT THE VENUE. GOOD MORNING, CHARLOTTE. GOOD MORNING, TEAM. PREPARATIONS ARE UNDERWAY FOR TWO MINDS TODAY. I JUST MADE THAT RHYME. I HAVE WITH ME TO WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO WILL BE INVOLVED WITH THE FESTIVAL THIS YEAR. I AM GOING TO BRING YOU HEADFIRST TO THE GENERAL MANAGER. CAN YOU START US OFF BY TALKING ABOUT WHAT INSPIRED THIS IDEA OF FREE COMPANION TICKETS? WE WANT THE FESTIVAL TO BE A PLACE FOR EVERYBODY. SO, WE WANTED TO REMOVE AS MANY BARRIERS AS WE COULD FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES, TO COME ALONG AND ENJOY THE FESTIVAL. WE WANT THEM TO COME AND EXPERIENCE THE FESTIVAL. I LOVE THAT. IT IS NOT JUST THE FREE COMPANION TICKETS. YOU HAVE OTHER THINGS IN PLACE FOR THOSE WITH BOTH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES? WE STARTED OFF BY CREATING A DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY HUB, SO PEOPLE COULD GET THE INFORMATION BEFORE THEY COME TO THE EVENT. WE ALSO DID A FULL AUDIT WITHIN OUR SITE, AND WORK WITHIN A BUDGET, TO IMPROVE THINGS THE BEST WE COULD, AND WE WANT TO KEEP IMPROVING THAT YEAR ON YEAR, TO ADD MORE FEATURES. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH WORLDWIDE FESTIVALS. HAS THAT INSPIRED YOU, OR OPEN YOUR EYES, TO HOW BEHIND NEW ZEALAND IS IN INCLUSIVITY? NEW ZEALAND DOES NOT HAVE STANDARDS IN PLACE. WHEN YOU BUILD A BUILDING, YOU HAVE TO ADHERE TO THE BUILDING CODE. WHEN YOU ARE IN A GREEN SPACE, THERE ARE NO STANDARDS TO MEET. WE WANT TO SET THE BAR FOR THOSE STANDARDS AND WORK TOGETHER WITH OTHER FESTIVALS TO IMPROVE ACCESS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE ALL PEOPLE AND FESTIVALS? IT IS A FORM OF ESCAPISM, SEEING A MOVIE, SOMETHING LIKE THAT, FESTIVALS ARE ANOTHER WAY OF ESCAPING. WE KNOW HOW MUCH GOING TO A FESTIVAL CAN IMPROVE WELL-BEING, IT CAN CONNECT THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY IS ABLE TO DO THAT, AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT` A BARRIER THAT PEOPLE FACE. PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE DISABILITIES ARE NOT AWARE OF THAT ALL THE TIME. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT EVERYBODY IN OUR COUNTRY CAN BE INCLUDED IN WHAT WE'RE DOING. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. I'M GOING TO BRING YOU OVER TO LILLIAN WHO AS A DISABILITY ADVOCATE. ARE YOU GOING TO BE COMING TO THE FESTIVAL? I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST FESTIVALS. IT IS FOR EVERYONE AND NOT JUST. IT IS REALLY COOL. WE WERE ALSO SAYING BEFORE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN TO A COUPLE OF FESTIVALS BEFORE. THERE HAS NOT BEEN AS GREAT. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT PEOPLE IN THE DISABLED COMMUNITY MIGHT FACE IF THEY JUST CAME TO A NORMAL FESTIVAL WITHOUT ANY OF THESE INCLUSIVE THINGS? SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WOULD BE NOT KNOWING IF THERE ARE STEPS, BATHROOM ACCESS AS WELL, NOT KNOWING IF THERE ARE DISABLED TOILETS, ENTRY TO THE BARS AND EVEN ENTER THE FESTIVAL. IT CAN BE QUITE NARROW SOMETIMES. IT IS QUITE HARD TO GET IN SOMETIMES. TWO MINDS ARE DEFINITELY PAVING THE WAY FOR NEW ZEALAND FESTIVALS. IF YOU ARE NOT GETTING UP TO ANYTHING THIS WEEKEND AND CRUSHED IT, THEY DO STILL HAVE TICKETS AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE. MAKE SURE YOU DO CHECK IT OUT. IT IS MEANT TO BE AN ABSOLUTE CRACKER OF A WEEKEND. DEFINITELY CHECK IT OUT. NICE, CHARLOTTE. TE MATATINI DROP THEIR ALBUM TODAY. HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND. CAPTIONS BY KITTY WASASALA, JULIE TAYLOR, MAIA CARR HEKE AND FRANK GORE. CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR.