CAPTIONS BY JOHN GIBBS AND JESSIE PURU. CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR. WWW.ABLE.CO.NZ COPYRIGHT ABLE 2025 NAU MAI HAERE MAI, MALO E LELEI, WELCOME TO THREENEWS. THE FINANCE MINISTER GAVE HER PRE-BUDGET SPEECH TODAY, AND THE MESSAGE WAS CLEAR ` WINTER IS COMING. MORE CUTS ARE ON THE WAY TO GOVERNMENT SPENDING, AND THERE'S LESS MONEY TO FUND NEW INITIATIVES. IN HER WORDS, IT WILL BE A 'NO LOLLY SCRAMBLE BUDGET.' AND WHILE THOSE WORDS WERE STILL ECHOING, NEWS BROKE THAT FONTERRA COULD BE CUTTING 120 JOBS IN ITS DAIRY HEARTLAND OF WAIKATO. HERE'S SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT JENNA LYNCH. A 7AM CUPPA ON ON THE FACTORY FLOOR, COMPLETE WITH THE SPREAD OF PIGS IN A BLANKET ` WHO COULD ASK FOR MORE? YOU DO EVERYTHING. THE FINANCE MINISTER CHOOSING NOT TO DO HER BIG BUDGET SPEECH IN A BOARDROOM, RATHER A LOWER HUTT FACTORY. BECAUSE PLACES LIKE THIS ARE THE ENGINE ROOM OF THE NEW ZEALAND ECONOMY. AND THAT ECONOMY IS IN NEED OF A TUNE-UP. A FINANCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL STUDY RELEASED TODAY FOUND 55% OF NEW ZEALANDERS WORRY ABOUT MONEY DAILY OR WEEKLY. NO SURPRISE TO THOSE WE ASKED IN CHRISTCHURCH. I WENT TO THE SUPERMARKET LAST NIGHT TO JUST BUY SOME SNACKS, WHICH YOU KIND OF THINK ARE A CHEAP OPTION. AND I GOT TO THE CHECKOUT AND I PAID $40, AND I WAS LIKE, WHAT THE..? BUY A COUPLE OF THINGS AND WALK OUT, AND IT'S $100, YOU KNOW. LIKE, I SEAR I GOT FIVE THINGS. WHETHER IT'S LUNCHES FOR YOUR KIDS OR PAYING THE MORTGAGE OR INSURANCES, WHICH ARE MASSIVE, NOT MANY PEOPLE HAVE GOT DISPOSABLE INCOME LEFT FOR ENJOYING LIFE. I JUST THINK UNEMPLOYMENT IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST WORRY FOR MOST NEW ZEALANDERS. YEAH. THAT WORRY. HITTING HOME IN HAMILTON TONIGHT AFTER FONTERRA ANNOUNCED PLANS TO CLOSE ITS MILK POWDER PACKAGING PLANT IN TE RAPA ` 120 JOBS ON THE LINE. 120 MORE FAMILIES EXTRA WORRIED ABOUT MONEY TONIGHT. THE PAIN IS STILL RIPPLING THROUGH OUR COMMUNITIES. KIWIS FEEL IT, AND THE HIGHER PRICES, THEY STILL PAY FOR ALMOST EVERYTHING, AND HIGHER LEVELS OF UNEMPLOYMENT IN HIGHER LEVELS OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND IN SOME STRUGGLING LOCAL BUSINESSES. A SLUGGISH ECONOMY WITH GLOBAL UNCERTAINTY MAKING THE FINANCE MINISTER'S JOB THIS YEAR EVEN HARDER. LET ME BE BLUNT. IT'S NOT THE EASIEST TIME TO BE DELIVERING A BUDGET. COME MAY 22, THE FINANCE MINISTER WILL UNVEIL HER SECOND BUDGET. AND JUST AS WE'VE ALL RECOVERED FROM THE EASTER CHOCOLATE-INDUCED SUGAR HIGH, SHE'S TAKING CANDY OFF THE TABLE. I CAN CONFIRM TODAY THAT THERE WILL BE NO LOLLY SCRAMBLE IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET. THAT'S PERHAPS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. NICOLA WILLIS ANNOUNCING TODAY SHE'S CUTTING THE OPERATING ALLOWANCE ` THE NEW MONEY SHE'S ALLOWED TO SPEND BY OVER $1B. THE GOVERNMENT HAS REDUCED THE SIZE OF OUR BUDGET 2025 OPERATING ALLOWANCE TO $1.3B. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AN AUSTERITY BUDGET. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AN AUSTERITY BUDGET. DIDN'T WORK FOR THE UK. WON'T WORK FOR NEW ZEALAND. AT THE HALF-YEAR UPDATE JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS, TREASURY FORECASTS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SPEND $2.4B. IT ALSO NOTED THAT 1.6B OF THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN PRE-COMMITTED TO MAINLY HEALTH INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE $600M CANCER DRUG PROMISE. THAT MEANS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY COMMITTED TO SPENDING $300M MORE THAN IT SET ITSELF ASIDE TO SPEND. THEREFORE, ANY EXTRAS, WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS PROMISING, WILL NEED TO BE FUNDED BY CUTS. AND YES, THE FINANCE MINISTER SAYS SHE'S FOUND SOME. THE WAY WE'VE CREATED MORE ROOM IS THROUGH OUR SAVINGS AND REPRIORITIZATION PROGRAM. THAT'S GENERATED BILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THAT GIVES US THE ROOM TO MAKE THE INVESTMENTS THAT ARE REALLY NEEDED. WE CAN'T CUT OUR WAY TO GREATER PROSPERITY. WE CAN'T CUT THE HEALTH SYSTEM FURTHER. WE CAN'T CUT THE EDUCATION SYSTEM FURTHER. I CAN LOOK EVERY NEW ZEALANDER IN THE EYE AND SAY, YOUR HOSPITALS WILL BE GETTING MORE FUNDING; YOUR SCHOOLS WILL BE GETTING MORE FUNDING; THERE WILL BE INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE; THERE WILL BE INVESTMENT TO KEEP BUSINESSES GROWING, AND THERE WILL BE SOME TARGETED COST OF LIVING RELIEF. SO I CAN DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS IN A SMALLER OPERATING ALLOWANCE. AND SO IT'S RIGHT THAT I DO. THAT'S A LONG SHOPPING LIST FOR HER MAXED-OUT GOVERNMENT CHEQUEBOOK. SO, JENNA, THESE BUDGET CUTS. WILL WILLIS BE BRINGING A SCALPEL OR AN AXE? THAT IS THE MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION, THE FINANCE MINISTER SAID SHE FOUND BILLIONS IN SAVINGS, BUT SHE WOULDN'T SAY WHERE SHE HAD FOUND THEM. WHILE THERE WAS SOME EARLY SPECULATION IN NEXT YEARS BUDGET, ABOUT WHETHER THAT MIGHT BE SOME NEW MEASURES, PARTICULARLY AROUND A CHARITY TAX, THE FINANCE MINISTER AT A KIBOSH ON THAT, SAYING THAT SHE WOULD BE FINDING THE MONEY THROUGH CUTS. THE OTHER WAY IS THE GOVERNMENT LOOKING FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMS TO CUT, AND THAT IS THE MORE POLITICALLY RISKY WAGE GO ABOUT THAT, LIKE WHEN THE GOVERNMENT CUT THE FIRST HOME BUYERS GRANT, AND WHILE WINSTON PETERS IS ANYWHERE NEAR THIS BUILDING GOING ANYWHERE NEAR SUPERANNUATION OR THE RETIREMENT AGE WILL BE A NO GO, AND THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER NICHOLAS WILLIS WILL BRING A SCALPEL TO THE WOOD CHOPPING BLOCK OR AN AXE TO THE OPERATING TABLE WELLINGTON MAYOR TORY WHANAU HAS ANNOUNCED SHE IS NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION. SHE SAID LABOUR'S ANDREW LITTLE ENTERING THE RACE HAD 'CHANGED THE GAME' AND INSTEAD SHE'LL RUN FOR COUNCIL IN THE MAORI WARD. ZANE SMALL REPORTS. TORY WHANAU TURNING THE SOD TO MARK THE BEGINNING OF WORK ON WELLINGTON'S GOLDEN MILE. THIS IS THE FIRST DAY OF TRUE TRANSFORMATION OF COURTENAY PLACE. BEHIND THE SCENES THOUGH, IT WAS A TURNING POINT IN HER CAREER, BECAUSE JUST A DAY LATER IN A SOCIAL MEDIA POST, SHE DECLARED ` A DECISION SHE TO AVOID 'A GREEN VS LABOUR NARRATIVE'. IF THERE WASN'T ANOTHER VIABLE CANDIDATE, I WOULD STILL RUN. BUT, I LOOK UP TO ANDREW LITTLE; I THINK HE'S A GREAT POLITICIAN, AND HE CAN MAKE A VERY FINE MAYOR. KIND WORDS FOR THE FORMER LABOUR LEADER, WHO ENTERED THE MAYORALTY RACE EARLIER THIS MONTH, EVEN AFTER HE SAID THIS ` THE COUNCIL IS OUT OF TOUCH AND NEEDS DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP. WHEN YOU LOOK AT BIG TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS LIKE THE GOLDEN MILE, LIKE WATER INVESTMENT WHICH, HAS PUSHED OUR RATES UP QUITE SIGNIFICANTLY, THAT'S GOING TO GENERATE FRUSTRATION AND NEGATIVITY TOWARDS THE PERSON REPRESENTING THEM. WHANAU STARTED OUT AS THE GREEN PARTY'S CHIEF OF STAFF IN PARLIAMENT. IN 2022, SHE RAN FOR MAYOR AS AN INDEPENDENT, ENDORSED BY THE GREENS, AND WON, BECOMING THE CAPITAL'S FIRST MAORI MAYOR ` A TITLE THAT WOULD CHANGE HER LIFE. BEFORE YOU WERE TORY THE STAFFER IN PARLIAMENT BEHIND THE SCENES. NOW YOU'RE THE FACE OF THE CITY. YES, IT HAS BEEN A HUGE ADJUSTMENT, AND I DID UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPACT THAT IT WOULD HAVE, YOU KNOW, WALKING DOWN THE STREET AND PEOPLE RECOGNISING ME. IN 2023, WHANAU WAS RECOGNISED AND FILMED AT A RESTAURANT, WHERE SHE WAS ACCUSED OF SKIPPING THE BILL. SHE LATER ADMITTED TO BEING 'TIPSY' BUT DENIED ASKING A WAITER, SHE LATER ADMITTED TO BEING 'TIPSY' BUT DENIED ASKING A WAITER, 'DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?' AFTER BEING CUT OFF. I'M 40. I'M SINGLE. I LOVE OUR HOSPITALITY SCENE. AND EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS I LIKE TO HEAD OUT WITH MY MATES AND HIT A COUPLE OF BARS. A FEW MONTHS LATER... WELLINGTON MAYOR TORY WHANAU HAS ADMITTED SHE HAS A DRINKING PROBLEM. AND THEN CAME THE REACTION. THE MAYORALTY ISN'T A JOB FOR SOMEONE WITH ACTIVE ADDICTION ISSUES. I'VE BEEN VERY AUTHENTIC THIS WHOLE TIME. IN 2024, WHANAU SUFFERED A POLITICAL BLOW. THE COUNCIL ENDED NEGOTIATIONS TO BUY THE LAND BENEATH THE RUN-DOWN READING CINEMA FOR $32M ` MONEY THE CINEMA WOULD USE TO REDEVELOP THE BUILDING. WHANAU STRONGLY ADVOCATED FOR THE DEAL, BUT IT SPARKED DEBATE OVER CORPORATE WELFARE. HER PUSH TO SELL THE COUNCIL'S STAKE IN THE CITY'S AIRPORT ALSO FELL OVER. HOW THE WHOLE READING THING WAS HANDLED, HOW THE AIRPORT WAS HANDLED, I FEEL LIKE I COULD HAVE READ THE ROOM A LITTLE BETTER, PERHAPS. THE DECISION NOT TO SELL THE AIRPORT SHARES LEFT THE COUNCIL WITH A FINANCIAL HOLE IN ITS LONG-TERM PLAN OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THE BEEHIVE STEPPED IN AND APPOINTED A CROWN OBSERVER. IT'S NOT SOMETHING WE TAKE LIGHTLY. THEY ARE AN ELECTED COUNCIL. I DO STILL THINK THAT IT WAS AN OVERREACH. WHANAU ALSO CAME UNDER PRESSURE FOR MAKING THIS CLAIM AMID THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS. I JUST SOLD MY CAR TO HELP PAY THE BILLS. A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOKED AT THAT AND WERE LIKE, 'TORY WHANAU EARNS 190 GRAND. DOES SHE REALLY NEED TO SELL HER CAR?' I MEAN, DID YOU ACTUALLY NEED TO SELL YOUR CAR TO PAY THE BILLS? NO, I ACTUALLY DIDN'T. WHANAU NOW INTENDS TO RUN FOR WELLINGTON COUNCIL'S MAORI WARD AT THE LOCAL ELECTIONS IN OCTOBER. I'M CONFIDENT I CAN GET ELECTED AGAIN TO COUNCIL. I'LL HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE OF BEING THE MAYOR IN MY BACK POCKET. I CAN SUPPORT THE NEXT MAYOR, AND I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO DIGGING INTO THE ISSUES THAT I REALLY CARE ABOUT. TORY WHANAU ` TURNING THE SOD, OR IN THIS CASE, TURNING A NEW LEAF IN POLITICS. TO CANADA NOW ` WHERE MARK CARNEY'S LIBERAL PARTY HAS DONE WHAT JUST WEEKS AGO MANY WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IMPOSSIBLE AND WON THE ELECTION. IT'S A REMARKABLE REVERSAL IN FORTUNES FOR JUSTIN TRUDEAU'S SUCCESSOR, WHO MANY BELIEVE OWES HIS WIN TO DONALD TRUMP, AFTER A SURGE IN CANADIAN ANGER TOWARDS THE U.S. SENIOR CORRESPONDENT LISETTE REYMER REPORTS. MIDNIGHT CELEBRATIONS FOR MARK CARNEY ` THE ANTI-TRUMP NOW WITH TRUMP TO THANK, BY POLITE CANADIAN STANDARDS, AT LEAST, FOR THIS STUNNING POLITICAL COMEBACK. PRESIDENT TRUMP IS TRYING TO BREAK US SO THAT AMERICA CAN OWN US, THAT CAN NEVER AND WILL NEVER HAPPEN. THE 60-YEAR-OLD RIDING A SURGE IN NATIONALISM TO VICTORY. WE HAVE CALLED A LIBERAL GOVERNMENT WITH MARK CARNEY AS CANADA'S 24TH PRIME MINISTER. IT'S A RESULT THAT APPEARED IMPOSSIBLE JUST A MONTH AGO. A DECADE UNDER JUSTIN TRUDEAU HAD LIBERAL LETHARGY PEAKING, AND THE CONSERVATIVES WERE CRUISING INTO POWER. WHO IS VOTING FOR CHANGE?! BUT WITHIN A MONTH, A SEWN-UP ELECTION WAS UNPICKED. THE LEFT GOT A NEW LEADER, AND THE RIGHT HIT TROUBLE WITH TRUMP ` THE THIRD MAN OF CANADIAN POLITICS. CANADA SHOULD BECOME THE 51ST STATE. THE U.S. PRESIDENT HAS DOMINATED THE ELECTION WITHOUT EVEN BEING ON THE BALLOT. EVEN AS VOTING BEGAN TODAY, THE U.S. PRESIDENT TOOK TO TRUTH SOCIAL TO CLAIM THE BORDER BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS IS ARTIFICIALLY DRAWN AND URGED CANADIANS TO ELECT A MAN WHO HAS STRENGTH AND WISDOM TO MAKE CANADA THE CHERISHED 51ST STATE OF AMERICA. THE TRUMP FACTOR HAS PROVEN TO BE CARNEY'S TRUMP CARD ` THANK YOU. CASTING HIS OWN BALLOT UNDER A SOMBRE CLOUD TODAY, HIS CAMPAIGNING WAS CUT SHORT BY THE RECENT CAR-RAMMING TRAGEDY IN VANCOUVER ` ATTENDING A VIGIL FOR THE VICTIMS ON ELECTION EVE. # AMAZING GRACE... BUT THE FORMER GOVERNOR OF THE BANK OF CANADA HAS PLEDGED TO STAND UP TO WASHINGTON AND FIGHT BACK. WE HAVE TO LOOK OUT FOR OURSELVES AND ABOVE ALL WE HAVE TO LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER HIS OPPOSITION ` CONSERVATIVE LEADER PIERRE POILIEVRE ` HAS OFTEN BEEN COMPARED TO TRUMP AND PUSHED A 'CANADA FIRST' SLOGAN. GET OUT AND VOTE. APPEALING TO THE PORTION OF HIS BASE WHO ARE PROUD TRUMP FANS. MARK CARNEY, IF WE GOT HIM, WE'RE DONE, WE'RE DEAD. MARK CARNEY, IF WE GOT HIM, WE'RE DONE, WE'RE DEAD. YOU'RE DEAD? WE'LL BE A THIRD-WORLD COUNTRY. BUT FOR MOST, CANADA'S MEDDLING NEIGHBOUR HAS PROVED TOO RISKY, AND POILIEVRE'S GRAND ADVANTAGE AS THE CANDIDATE OF CHANGE COLLAPSED IN STAGGERING FASHION. THE SUDDEN NEED FOR VOTERS TO DEFEND THEIR SOVEREIGNTY ENOUGH TO FLIP THEIR FAVOUR. HOW COULD YOU NOT BE CHANGED BY SOMEONE THREATENING YOUR COUNTRY? WHEN YOU PUT A CLOWN IN A PALACE, IT DOESN'T MAKE HIM KING; IT MAKES THE PALACE A CIRCUS. HE'S BROUGHT CANADIANS TOGETHER. I SEE IT AS A POSITIVE EFFECT. IT'S NOT YET KNOWN IF CARNEY HAS WON A MAJORITY GOVERNMENT, BUT CANADIANS ARE CLEARLY RALLYING AROUND THE FLAG WITH THEIR VOTE. A WARNING ` OUR NEXT STORY CONTAINS IMAGES THAT SHOW THE HORRIFIC REALITY OF WAR. IT'S THE STORY OF ONE BOY (6) BUT IS EMBLEMATIC OF SO MANY CHILDREN CAUGHT UP IN THE CONFLICT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS. UNICEF SAYS MORE THAN 16,000 CHILDREN HAVE BEEN KILLED, ACCOUNTING FOR 31% OF THE DEAD. ANOTHER 34,000 ARE THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN INJURED. AMONG THEM, ALI FARAJ, WHO WAS ` IN AN INSTANT ` THRUST FROM HIS HOME BY AN ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE AND LEFT ALONE AMID THE REMAINS OF HIS FATHER AND SISTER. ITV'S JOHN IRVINE REPORTS. LAST WEEK. ALI FARAJ WAS ONE OF SIX. TODAY HE'S AN ONLY CHILD. WHEN OUR CAMERAMAN ASKED THE LITTLE BOY HOW HE GOT HIS INJURIES, HE REPLIED, 'I FLEW.' AND HE WASN'T GETTING HIMSELF MIXED UP WITH HIS SUPERMAN TOY. THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE DIRECT HIT ON THE CHILD'S FAMILY HOME ` A HIGH-FLOOR APARTMENT ON YARMOUK STREET IN GAZA CITY. THE EXPLOSION KILLED ALI'S FIVE SIBLINGS, HIS FATHER, HIS GRANDPARENTS, TWO AUNTS, TWO UNCLES AND SEVEN COUSINS. IT ALSO SENT HIM FLYING. IN THIS PICTURE, YOU CAN SEE, AT A FAR LOWER LEVEL, THE ROOF OF THE NEIGHBOURING BUILDING, WHICH IS WHERE THE BOY LANDED. AND THIS IS THE SIX-YEAR-OLD ON THAT VERY ROOF SECONDS AFTER THE BLAST. WE'VE BLURRED THE IMAGE OF HIS DEAD FATHER LYING BEHIND HIM. HE WAS ON HIS DAD'S KNEE WHEN THE BOMB HIT. THE LOCAL JOURNALIST RECORDING THESE PICTURES THEN FOCUSES ON THE REMAINS OF ONE OF ALI'S SISTERS ` IMAGES WE HAVE ALSO OBSCURED. THE JOURNALIST MAKES THE POINT THAT IT'S DIFFICULT FOR ANYONE TO REACH LITTLE ALI, WHO IS DOING WHAT HE CAN TO ATTRACT ATTENTION. THE REPORTER CONCLUDES BY SAYING THAT THE HARROWING SCENE IS THE RESULT OF AN ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE. 'I WAS WAVING MY HANDS BECAUSE I WANTED MY MUM TO COME AND GET ME. 'SHE WAS ON THE STAIRS AND SHE SPOTTED ME. 'SHE TOLD THE CIVIL DEFENCE MEN THAT HER SON ALI IS HERE. '"HE'S HERE."' WE FILMED AND SPOKE TO ALI WITH THE PERMISSION OF HIS MOTHER ` THE ONLY OTHER SURVIVOR. TRANSLATOR: THEY TELL ME I DIDN'T EVEN EMERGE FROM MY OWN APARTMENT. I CAME OUT OF A DIFFERENT ONE. I WAS THROWN INTO ANOTHER APARTMENT. AS I WAS GOING DOWNSTAIRS, I SAW ALI ON THE ROOF OF THE NEXT-DOOR BUILDING. MY HUSBAND WAS BESIDE HIM, AND MY DAUGHTER BLOWN TO PIECES. SOME MEN CAME TO RESCUE ME, AND I TOLD THEM MY SON WAS THERE AND ALIVE. THEY WENT TO GET HIM, AND I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. I FOUND MY WHOLE FAMILY IN PIECES. I SAID MY FAREWELLS TO BITS OF FLESH. WE ASKED THE IDF WHY THEY ALMOST WIPED OUT THIS FAMILY. AND IN A STATEMENT, THEY SAID IT WAS A STRIKE ON A 'HAMAS TERRORIST'. THEY ADDED THAT BEFOREHAND, STEPS WERE TAKEN TO MITIGATE POTENTIAL HARM TO CIVILIANS, INCLUDING THE USE OF 'PRECISE MUNITIONS, 'AERIAL SURVEILLANCE AND ADDITIONAL INTELLIGENCE.' BEFORE LEAVING THE HOSPITAL, OUR CAMERAMAN ASKED ALI WHAT HE WANTS TO BE WHEN HE GROWS UP. 'I WANT TO BE AN ENGINEER. I WISH THE WAR WOULD END, 'AND I WISH FOR ALL THE TOYS IN THE WORLD, HE REPLIED.' THIS TIME LAST WEEK, THE BOY AND HIS MOTHER WERE MEMBERS OF A LARGE FAMILY. TONIGHT, THEY HAVE EACH OTHER AND NO ONE ELSE. IMOGEN'S HERE WITH WHAT HAPPENED TODAY WEATHER-WISE, AND IT WAS THUNDERSTORMS FOR NORTHLAND? YEAH, NORTHLAND HAD TWO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS THROUGHOUT THE DAY ` ONE BETWEEN 2.30 AND 3.30PM, AND THEN AGAIN FROM 4.30 UNTIL 5.30. AND WITH THOSE WAS SOME TORRENTIAL RAIN. KAITAIA AIRPORT RECORDED 62.8MM, AND CAPE REINGA GOT 73.8MM. AND SURPRISE, SURPRISE, MORE WET STUFF IS ON THE WAY. I'LL HAVE THOSE DETAILS AFTER SPORT. STILL TO COME ON THREE NEWS ` VLADIMIR PUTIN ANNOUNCES A THREE-DAY CEASEFIRE, BUT UKRAINE IS CALLING FOR A MUCH LONGER PAUSE. A GROUP DUBBED THE 'GRANDPA ROBBERS' GOES ON TRIAL IN PARIS, ACCUSED OF STEALING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF JEWELLERY FROM KIM KARDASHIAN. AND A MAJOR NEW STUDY LINKS ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS TO THOUSANDS OF PREMATURE DEATHS. POWER SUPPLIES HAVE BEEN RETURNING IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL AFTER LARGE PARTS, INCLUDING THE CAPITALS MADRID AND LISBON, WERE HIT BY A HUGE OUTAGE TODAY. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WERE CAUGHT UP IN THE CHAOS AFTER THE MASS BLACKOUT BROUGHT MANY AREAS TO A STANDSTILL, WITH TRAINS STOPPING, PLANES GROUNDED, INTERNET AND MOBILE PHONE SERVICES CUT, TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND ATMS DOWN, AND SOME ROUTINE HOSPITAL OPERATIONS SUSPENDED. HERE'S ITV'S JOHN RAY ON THE UNPRECEDENTED BLACKOUT. IT WAS THE DAY THAT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT THAT A MOBILE PHONE WAS ONLY ANY USE AS A TORCH ` A DAY THAT THE TRAINS AND MUCH ELSE STOPPED WORKING, WHEN THE 21ST CENTURY SEEMED TO HEAD TO THE EXIT, ALONG WITH PASSENGERS EVACUATED FROM MADRID'S METRO. DARKNESS FELL SHORTLY AFTER NOON. A MASSIVE POWER CUT HIT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE, DISRUPTED THE INTERNET AND TOOK SWATHES OF SPAIN AND PORTUGAL OFFLINE. IT STOPPED PLAY AT THE MADRID OPEN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP... IT WAS AN EARLY START. ...WHERE WORLD NUMBER TWO COCO GAUFF WAS SILENCED... ...NOT GET A LOT OF SLEEP... (SPEAKS INAUDIBLY) ...AS THE SOUND SYSTEM FAILED. THERE WERE TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON THE BLINK, ROADS CLOGGED. MOTORISTS URGED TO LEAVE THEIR CARS AT HOME. IN BILBAO, IN THE NORTH OF SPAIN, A CABLE CAR STUCK HALFWAY UP A HILL WHILE PASSENGERS WALK BACK DOWN. AND IN ALICANTE IN THE SOUTH, TOURISTS WERE STRANDED. IN PORTUGAL, METRO STATIONS WERE DARK AND DESERTED. AND LISBON AIRPORT ` CLOSED AND CHAOTIC. MANY WERE THE TRAVELLERS TRYING, AND FAILING, TO GET HOME. BACK IN MADRID, THE REGIONAL PRESIDENT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND PUT THE ARMY ON STANDBY. THE PRECISE CAUSE STILL SEEMS OBSCURE, BUT THE PORTUGUESE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL RULED OUT SABOTAGE. NO, THEY DON'T HAVE ALREADY IDENTIFIED THE CAUSE, BUT THERE ARE NO EVIDENCE THAT THAT WAS ANY CYBERATTACK. POWER COMPANIES ARE STILL WORKING TO RESTORE SUPPLIES TONIGHT AND CONFIDENCE IN A SYSTEM THAT FAILED SO SUDDENLY AND SO SPECTACULARLY, AND HAS LEFT SO MANY IN THE LURCH. AMID SIGNS DONALD TRUMP'S PATIENCE IS STARTING TO WANE, VLADIMIR PUTIN HAS ANNOUNCED A 72-HOUR CEASEFIRE IN HIS WAR WITH UKRAINE NEXT WEEK. IT WILL COINCIDE WITH THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOVIET UNION'S VICTORY OVER GERMANY IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR. IN RESPONSE, UKRAINE CALLED FOR A MONTH-LONG CEASEFIRE. ITV'S ROBERT MOORE REPORTS. THIS MAY PROVE A CRITICAL WEEK IN THE WAR THAT HAS RAGED FOR OVER THREE YEARS. AND AS THE FIGHTING CONTINUES WITH JUST INCREMENTAL GAINS FOR RUSSIAN FORCES, THE QUESTION IS WHETHER DIPLOMACY CAN FINALLY TAKE CENTRE STAGE. AND AS DONALD TRUMP HITS THE 100-DAY MARK OF HIS SECOND TERM... IF I WERE PRESIDENT, THIS WOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED. ...THAT CAMPAIGN PROMISE OF HIS TO END THE CONFLICT ON DAY ONE... IF I'M PRESIDENT, I WILL HAVE THAT WAR SETTLED IN ONE DAY ` 24 HOURS. ...HAS EMERGED AS ONE OF THE PRESIDENT'S GREATEST FOLLIES. NO WONDER THAT YESTERDAY HE WAS EXPRESSING FRUSTRATION. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT MISSILES WERE FLYING, BY RUSSIA, BUT THAT MISSILES WERE FLYING. VERY DISAPPOINTING. WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES. WELL, I WANT HIM TO STOP SHOOTING, SIT DOWN AND SIGN A DEAL. AND WE HAVE THE CONFINES OF A DEAL, I BELIEVE, AND I WANT HIM TO SIGN IT AND BE DONE WITH IT AND JUST GO BACK TO LIFE. TODAY, THE WHITE HOUSE INSISTED THE PRESIDENT HAS NOT GIVEN UP ` HIGHLIGHTED BY THAT IMPROVISED WEEKEND MEETING WITH VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY IN THE VATICAN. GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. AND HIS SPOKESWOMAN SAYS DELIVERING A CEASEFIRE REMAINS A KEY AMBITION FOR DONALD TRUMP. HE IS EXUDING A LOT OF EFFORT AND TIME INTO THIS BECAUSE HE WANTS TO BE A PEACEMAKER PRESIDENT, WHICH HE WAS IN HIS FIRST TERM. HE INTENDS TO DO THAT AGAIN. AND THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT SITUATION AND CONFLICT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP INHERITED FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN, WHO ALLOWED THIS WAR TO START IN THE FIRST PLACE. BUT HE'S FOCUSSED ON SOLVING THIS PROBLEM. IN 10 DAYS' TIME, THERE WILL BE THE ANNUAL VICTORY DAY PARADE IN RED SQUARE. THIS YEAR, MARKING THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRIUMPH OVER NAZI GERMANY. TO COMMEMORATE IT THIS YEAR, PRESIDENT PUTIN HAS ANNOUNCED A THREE-DAY CEASEFIRE IN UKRAINE, SAYING HE EXPECTS THE GOVERNMENT IN KYIV TO FOLLOW SUIT. BUT OFFICIALS IN UKRAINE PUT LITTLE VALUE ON THESE KREMLIN OFFERS, SAYING THAT THE CEASEFIRE THAT WAS MEANT TO TAKE HOLD OVER EASTER WAS WIDELY BREACHED BY THE RUSSIANS. EVERY DAY THE HUMAN COST OF THIS WAR INCREASES. TODAY IN KYIV, THEY WERE BURYING THE DEAD FROM LAST WEEK'S MISSILE ATTACKS ON THE UKRAINIAN CAPITAL. IT CAN BE NO SURPRISE THERE IS SUCH DEEP-SEATED SCEPTICISM OF MOSCOW'S INTENTIONS. FOLLOWING THAT VATICAN MEETING, UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS SENSE THAT DONALD TRUMP'S SUPPORT FOR RUSSIA'S NARRATIVE OF THE WAR HAS BEGUN TO FRAY, AND THEY HAVE RESPONDED TO THE KREMLIN'S OFFER OF A CEASEFIRE BY DEMANDING IT BEGIN IMMEDIATELY, AND NOT IN 10 DAYS' TIME. COMING UP ` WE'VE LONG KNOWN THEY'RE NOT GOOD FOR US, BUT ARE ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS CAUSING PEOPLE TO DIE BEFORE THEIR TIME? AND STEVEN ADAMS BREAKS UP A FIGHT, BUT WAS IT ENOUGH TO SEE HIM NAMED THE NBA'S BEST TEAM-MATE. THIS IS THREE NEWS. IF YOU'VE JUST JOINED US, HERE ARE OUR TOP STORIES SO FAR TONIGHT. NICOLA WILLIS HAS PROMISED A 'NO LOLLY SCRAMBLE' BUDGET ON THE SAME DAY AS FONTERRA ANNOUNCES 120 JOBS COULD GO IN WAIKATO. NINE MEN AND ONE WOMAN HAVE GONE ON TRIAL IN FRANCE ACCUSED OF ROBBING KIM KARDASHIAN AT GUNPOINT BACK IN 2016. THE REALITY STAR WAS LEFT TIED UP IN THE BATHROOM OF HER PARIS HOTEL AS THE ROBBERS MADE OFF WITH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF JEWELLERY. RISHI DAVDA REPORTS. GALVANISED BY THE GLITTER OF HER �4 MILLION ENGAGEMENT RING ` THE DIAMONDS KIM KARDASHIAN DISPLAYED ONLINE ALLEGEDLY ENTICED A GROUP OF AGEING FRENCH THIEVES. REPORTER: BONJOUR. (MURMURS INDISTINCTLY) ARRIVING AT COURT TODAY, IT'S CLAIMED THE GANG, KNOWN BY THE LOCAL MEDIA AS THE GRANDPA ROBBERS, TARGETED THE STAR DURING PARIS FASHION WEEK IN 2016. DRESSED AS POLICE, THEY ENTERED HER HOTEL, TIED HER UP AT GUNPOINT AND STOLE �8 MILLION IN JEWELLERY. TEN ARE STANDING TRIAL, TWO OF THEM HAVE ALREADY ADMITTED TO BEING INVOLVED, INCLUDING THIS MAN NICKNAMED 'OLD OMAR.' KIM, WHO WAS MARRIED TO RAPPER KANYE WEST, HAD BEEN TO PARIS A NUMBER OF TIMES BEFORE THE HEIST. OTHER HIGH PROFILE CASES IN THE FRENCH COURTS MEANS IT'S TAKEN NEARLY A DECADE FOR THE TRIAL TO BEGIN. FOLLOWING THE ALLEGED ROBBERY AT THE LUXURY APARTMENTS BEHIND ME, IT TOOK KIM KARDASHIAN A NUMBER OF YEARS BEFORE SHE FELT SAFE TO RETURN TO PARIS. SHE IS EXPECTED TO TESTIFY AS PART OF THIS COURT CASE, FORCED TO RELIVE SOME OF THE MOMENTS IN WHICH SHE SAID SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO DIE. ...THREW ME ON THE BED. AND I WAS LIKE, 'THIS IS IT.' THE STAR HAS PREVIOUSLY OPENED UP ABOUT THE ORDEAL ON HER FAMOUS FAMILY'S REALITY SHOW. SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN SURPRISINGLY CANDID ABOUT THE THEFT IS YUNIS ABBAS, CONFIRMING HIS INVOLVEMENT AND PUBLISHING A BOOK CALLED I KIDNAPPED KIM KARDASHIAN. TRANSLATOR: WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT HER, BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW WHO SHE WAS. I WAS TOLD A FAMOUS PERSON, THE WIFE OF A RAPPER, I WAS TOLD. THAT'S ALL THE INFORMATION I HAD UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING. THEN I HEARD ON TV, AND THE INFLUENCER AND SUCH AND SUCH, THAT'S WHEN I UNDERSTOOD WHO IT WAS. KIM'S DUE TO GIVE EVIDENCE IN MAY WHEN, AS WITH EVERYTHING SHE DOES, THE WORLD WILL BE WATCHING. THERE ARE FRESH CONCERNS TONIGHT OVER THE HEALTH IMPACTS OF EATING ULTRA HIGH PROCESSED FOODS. RESEARCHERS CLAIM 8,000 PREMATURE DEATHS IN THE UK EVERY YEAR COULD BE LINKED TO EATING PRODUCTS SUCH AS BREAKFAST CEREALS, FIZZY DRINKS AND CRISPS. CHARLIE FROST HAS MORE. WHEN LAUREN POTTS DECIDED TO SWAP MASS-PRODUCED MEALS FOR HOME COOKED ONES, SHE QUICKLY FELT THE BENEFITS. I FELT A LOT LESS SLUGGISH, ERM, A LOT LESS BLOATED. LIKE I JUST GENERALLY FELT, LIKE, A BIT MORE ALERT. BUT DESPITE THE GAINS, CUTTING OUT ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS ISN'T AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS. THEY'RE EVERYWHERE IN EVERYTHING THAT WE EAT, PRETTY MUCH. BUT WHILE THEY MAY BE ABUNDANT, NEW RESEARCH SHOWS THEY COULD BE INCREASING OUR RISK OF PREMATURE DEATH. FOODS LIKE PASTEURISED MILK, BACON, AND CHEESE ARE PROCESSED, MEANING THEY'VE BEEN CHANGED. THIS STUDY LOOKED AT ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS, OR 'UPFs,' LIKE CEREAL, SUPERMARKET BREAD AND CAKES AND READY-MEALS. THEY CONTAIN INGREDIENTS YOU WOULDN'T USE IN HOME COOKING ` THINGS LIKE EMULSIFIERS, COLOURINGS, OR ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS. THE STUDY FOUND THAT FOR EVERY 10% OF YOUR DIET WHICH IS MADE UP OF UPFs. YOUR CHANCES OF DYING BEFORE YOU'RE 75 INCREASE BY 3%. IN THE UK, 53.4% OF FOOD WE EAT IS ULTRA PROCESSED. SCIENTISTS HAVE LINKED THAT TO NEARLY 18,000 EARLY DEATHS EACH YEAR IN THIS COUNTRY. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FOOD COMPANIES IS CLEAR. NOW THEY KNOW THAT THERE'S AN INCREASED RISK OF PREMATURE DEATH AND AN INCREASED RISK OF DIET-RELATED DISEASES WHEN EATING INDUSTRIALLY FORMULATED FOOD PRODUCTS. WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO CHANGE THAT. BUT SOME EXPERTS SAY THE STUDY HASN'T PROVEN WHY UPFs ARE LINKED TO POOR HEALTH, AND QUESTION WHETHER IT'S BECAUSE OF PROCESSING OR BECAUSE THEY OFTEN CONTAIN HIGHER LEVELS OF FAT, SUGAR AND SALT. IT'S NOT CLEAR IN TERMS OF THE SCIENCE THAT IT'S REALLY ULTRA PROCESSED FOOD THAT IS THE BAD GUY HERE, BUT EVEN IF IT WERE TRUE, IT'S QUITE A SMALL EFFECT. AND THERE'S OTHER FACTORS AT PLAY, LIKE HOW MUCH YOU EXERCISE AND HOW MUCH YOU HAVE TO SPEND ON FOOD. THERE'S NO GETTING AWAY FROM THE FACT THAT IT DOES TAKE UP TIME. IT IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE MORE EXPENSIVE. I THINK THERE'S A BALANCE TO BE FOUND WHERE MAYBE YOU DO IT SOME OF THE TIME, BUT NOT ALL OF THE TIME. SO LIKE WITH MOST THINGS, PERHAPS MODERATION IS THE BEST POLICY. OLLIE'S IN NOW WITH SPORT, AND BIG COMEPTITION IN THE BLACK FERNS SQUAD? CERTAINLY IN THE OUTSIDE BACKS AS WELL. THAT IS A GOOD THING IN A WORLD CUP BEFORE YOU BRING PORTIA WOODMAN BACK INTO THE MIX. YOU CAN GUARANTEE SHE WILL BE THERE OF COURSE AND RUBY TUI. BUT A GREAT YOUNG CORE OF PLAYERS COMING THROUGH. WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE BLACK FERNS FIRST CAMP OF THE YEAR NEXT. PLUS, HAS THE NRL GONE TOO FAR WITH ITS CLAMPDOWN ON HEAD HIGHS? WARRIORS COACH ANDREW WEBSTER WEIGHS IN. AND STEVEN ADAMS BATTLES IT OUT WITH AN NBA ALL-TIME GREAT TO BE NAMED THE LEAGUE'S TOP TEAM-MATE. (ENGINE REVS) Oh. OK, turn off the car. (PHONE RINGS) GIRL: Dad! Hey, man. Long time no talk. Yeah, just... I'm teaching Samara how to drive. (BRIGHT MUSIC) Hi! Could you do something for me? SONG: # Oh, baby, you... # Thanks. # You've got what I need # You got everything I need # You're like medicine to me... # VOICEOVER: Wonderful stories enter our stores every day. Find your wonderful. New World. (SHOES TAPPING) (KEYBOARD TYPING) Wow. Hey J, this project might need a bit of... zhuhzhing. Holler back, Warren. Please let me know your thoughts. Best regards. Warren? (MUSIC PLAYS) VOICEOVER: One minute you're doing a little DIY. The next you've done too much. With Tower, you can save $75 on every new comprehensive car or contents insurance policy. Ts&Cs apply. Got a minute? Get a quote. (DYNAMIC MUSIC) THREE NEWS SPORT WITH SUZUKI, SUPPORTING OUR FUTURE STARS WITH WHANAU AWHINA PLUNKET. THE BLACK FERNS ARE RELISHING THE INCREASED COMPETITION FOR PLACES AS THEY BEGIN THEIR BUILD-UP TO THEIR WORLD CUP DEFENCE LATER THIS YEAR. A SURGE OF YOUNGER TALENT HAS PUT THE SENIOR PLAYERS ON NOTICE, AS ALLAN BUNTING BEGINS TO REDUCE HIS SQUAD AHEAD OF THEIR FIRST TEST IN LESS THAN A FORTNIGHT. ALLAN BUNTING HAS PLENTY TO KEEP HIS EYES ON AT THE FIRST BLACK FERNS CAMP OF THE YEAR. SENIOR PLAYERS FEELING THE PINCH AS THE NEXT GENERATION KEEP THEM ON THEIR TOES ` SELECTION THIS YEAR FAR FROM GUARANTEED. YOU'VE GOT TO BE ABSOLUTELY PUSHING YOUR LIMIT TO GET THAT JERSEY TO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE AND THE HONOUR TO GET THAT JERSEY. NO ONE OWNS IT, RIGHT? RUBY TUI HAS EARNED IT RATHER THAN OWNED IT FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS. BUT SHE'S ALSO HAD A FRONT-ROW SEAT AS A YOUNG CORE OF TALENT HAVE PROVED THEIR WORTH IN SUPER RUGBY AUPIKI. I FEEL FOR THE COACHES. IT'S A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD. IT'S NOT A NICE THING TO HAVE TO PICK PEOPLE, BUT THEY'VE GOT A HEADACHE ON THEIR HANDS BECAUSE EVERYONE IS PUTTING UP THEIR HANDS. ONE OF THOSE IS BLUES FULLBACK BRAXTON SORRENSEN MCGEE. THE 18-YEAR-OLD WAS A STANDOUT IN SUPER RUGBY AUPIKI AND WAS DULY REWARDED WITH A CALL-UP TO THE FIRST BLACK FERNS SQUAD. NEW ASSISTANT COACH RICKY FLUTEY ALREADY LIKING WHAT HE'S SEEING. SHE'S AN OUTSTANDING TALENT. SHE'S FIGHTING HARD AND COMPETING FOR A JERSEY JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. BUT FOR ALL THE EXCITEMENT AND INTRIGUE AROUND THE NEXT GENERATION, WORLD CUPS ARE WON WITH EXPERIENCE. 22 MEMBERS OF THE SQUAD FROM THEIR TRIUMPH THREE YEARS AGO REMAIN TODAY ` BOOSTED BY PORTIA WOODMAN-WICKLIFFE'S DECISION TO COME OUT OF RETIREMENT. I SAID TO HER YESTERDAY, 'IT'S SO NICE TO SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN, SIS.' IT'S REALLY BEAUTIFUL TO HAVE OLD FRIENDS COME BACK. AND THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE, DONE THAT ARE FEELING THE EXCITEMENT AS THEY OFFICIALLY BEGIN THEIR MARCH TOWARDS THEIR WORLD CUP DEFENCE. YESTERDAY WAS VERY INTENSE, AND I REMEMBER ONLY FEELING THAT FEELING THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO AT THE LAST WORLD CUP. IT WAS REALLY COOL TO GET THAT FEELING BACK AND SEE THE GIRLS. WE'RE REALLY A BIG STEP AHEAD ALREADY. A PLACE THE BLACK FERNS HOPE THEY CAN STAY WHEN THEY ARRIVE IN ENGLAND IN JUST A FEW MONTHS. HE PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN PROPELLING THEM INTO SUPER RUGBY'S TOP SIX, AND THE HURRICANES ARE SET TO HAVE THE SERVICES OF BILLY PROCTOR FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS. PROCTOR'S SIGNED AN EXTENSION WITH THE HURRICANES AND NEW ZEALAND RUGBY, KEEPING HIM IN THE CAPITAL UNTIL 2027. HAVING SHOWN HIS CLASS OVER THE WEEKEND, THE 'CANES CAN'T OVERSTATE HOW CRUCIAL PROCTOR IS TO THEIR SUCCESS. HE IS PROFESSIONAL. THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN REALLY GOOD AND I THINK EVERYONE SAW ON THE WEEKEND OF THE LAST YEAR WHY HE WAS SELECTED AS AN ALL-BLACK. THE HURRICANES WILL BE HOPING FOR MORE OF THE SAME THIS WEEKEND WHEN THEY HOST THE TOP OF THE TABLE CHIEFS ON SATURDAY. THE BLUES PROBLEMS HAVE GONE FROM BAD TO WORSE WITH MARK TELEA HANDED A THREE WEEK SUSPENSION FOR A DANGEROUS TACKLE. TELEA HAD HIS YELLOW CARD UPGRADED TO RED FOR THIS TIP TACKLE ON REDS WINGER TIM RYAN DURING THE BLUES' LOSS ON FRIDAY. THE SUSPENSION MEANS IF THE BLUES MISS THE PLAYOFFS, TELEA WILL ONLY HAVE ONE GAME LEFT FOR THE SIDE BEFORE DEPARTING FOR JAPAN NEXT SEASON. WARRIORS HEAD COACH ANDREW WEBSTER HAS WEIGHED IN ON THE DANGEROUS TACKLE DEBATE. 18 PLAYERS WERE SIN-BINNED IN THE NRL OVER THE WEEKEND, 15 OF THEM FOR COMING INTO CONTACT WITH A PLAYER'S HEAD. BUT WEBSTER SAYS DANGEROUS TACKLE RULING WELL AFTER THE FACT ARE EFFECTING THE FLOW OF THE GAME AND WANTS TO SEE CHANGES TO THE WAY PUNISHMENTS ARE HANDED DOWN. LUCY THOMSON REPORTS. LESS THAN TWO MINUTES INTO THEIR GAME AGAINST THE KNIGHTS, MARATA NIUKORE HAD EARNED HIMSELF 10 IN THE BIN. IT'S DIRECT CONTACT, STRAIGHT TO THE HEAD WITH MODERATE FORCE AGAINST SHOULDER. ON REPORT. HE'S IN THE BIN. (CROWD JEERS) NIUKORE LATER RECEIVING A FINE FOR THE CARELESS HIGH TACKLE. ONE OF 11 PLAYERS TO COP ONE OVER THE WEEKEND WITH ANOTHER SIX SUSPENDED. HE BRACES FOR IMPACT, SORENSEN. AND WHILE ANDREW WEBSTER SAYS BIG HITS OFTEN WARRANT IMMEDIATE ACTION, IT'S THE LESS SEVERE ENCOUNTERS WHICH HE SAYS ARE HOLDING UP THE GAME. I JUST DON'T LIKE HOW IT GOES BACK. IF IT HAPPENS TWO SETS LATER AND NO ONE EVEN KNOWS THAT SOMETHING'S OCCURRED AND THEN THE BUNKER FIND IT, JUST FEELS LIKE IT LOSES THE FLOW OF THE GAME. OH, THIS IS FOR SOMETHING EARLIER. FONUA POLE HAS BEEN SIN BINNED FOR A HIGH TACKLE EARLIER IN THE SET. OUR PRODUCT COMPARED TO RUGBY UNION IS WHERE, LIKE, HIGH 50 60 MINUTES WHILE IN PLAY, AND THEY'RE ROUGHLY 30. AND THAT'S WHAT OUR PRODUCT'S SO GOOD AT THE MOMENT. AND THEN WHEN YOU GO BACK AND THERE'S CONFUSION FOR THE FANS ON WHAT ACTUALLY WAS THAT FOR? WEBSTER BELIEVES THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO PENALISE THE PLAYER AND THE TEAM. IF THE PLAYER IS FINE AND THE GAME UNFOLDS AND THEN YOU THINK IT'S WRONG, THEY SHOULD JUST PUT THEM ON REPORT AND THEN SUSPEND THEM IF IT'S THAT BAD. NRL CHIEF EXECUTIVE ANDREW ABDO HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE FRUSTRATION FROM PLAYERS, COMMENTATORS AND FANS ALIKE. WE'RE NOT GOING TO APOLOGISE OR TAKE A BACKWARDS STEP FOR PROTECTING PLAYERS FROM HEAD-HIGH SHOTS. HOWEVER, WHAT I WILL SAY IS THAT WE'VE SEEN A COUPLE OF AREAS. WE'VE SEEN A COUPLE OF JUDGEMENT CALLS THAT PERHAPS WEREN'T CORRECT AND IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THAT, AND WE'LL ADJUST, AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL SEE IMPROVEMENTS NOW IN THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW. THE NRL NOT BACKING DOWN ON ITS POLICY TO PROTECT PLAYERS, BUT COMMITTED TO FINDING A BALANCE TO ENSURE THE GAME DOESN'T LOSE ITS IMPACT. JUST NINE DAYS AFTER BECOMING THE YOUNGEST DEBUTANT IN THE INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE, VAIBHAV SURYAVANSHI (14) HAS PULLED OFF A RECORD-BREAKING CENTURY. IN JUST HIS THIRD MATCH, THE TEEN SMASHED HIS WAY TO THE SECOND FASTEST CENTURY IN THE TOURNAMENT'S 18 YEAR-HISTORY, NOTCHING UP A HUNDRED RUNS OFF JUST 35 BALLS. 94 RUNS CAME OFF BOUNDARIES. THRASHING, FLASHING PLAY. NO. THAT IS UP IN THE AIR. BEAUTIFULLY HURT FOR SIX MORE. AFTER REACHING THE MILESTONE, SURYAVANSHI WAS OUT THREE BALLS LATER FOR 101. STEVEN ADAMS HAS BEEN NARROWLY PIPPED BY THE WARRIORS' STEPH CURRY FOR THE NBA'S BEST TEAMMATE AWARD, WITH CURRY EARNING 66 FIRST PLACE VOTES TO ADAMS' 46. AND IT WAS CURRY WHO AGAIN GOT ONE UP OVER ADAMS ON THE COURT TODAY WITH THE WARRIORS WINNING GAME FOUR OF THEIR FIRST ROUND PLAYOFFS MATCH-UP, 109-106. DESPITE THE LOSS, ADAMS STILL PLAYED A CRUCIAL HAND IN THE ROCKETS' FIGHT-BACK. ADAMS WILL OPEN AND MUST. HE CHECKED IT BY ADAMS. STEPHEN ADAMS AGAIN. THE WARRIORS LEAD THE SERIES 3-1, GAME 5 IS BACK IN HOUSTON ON THURSDAY. IT'S BEING REPORTED THE WORLD FAMOUS WREXHAM FOOTBALL CLUB IS COMING TO NEW ZEALAND. THE WELSH CLUB OWNED BY HOLLYWOOD STARS RYAN REYNOLDS AND ROB MCELHENNEY IS EXPECTED HERE IN JULY TO PLAY EITHER AUCKLAND FC OR WELLINGTON PHOENIX IN A FRIENDLY. WREXHAM WAS RECENTLY PROMOTED TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP ` THE SECOND TIER OF ENGLISH FOOTBALL. IT WAS THEIR THIRD CONSECUTIVE PROMOTION SINCE THEIR FAMOUS OWNERS TOOK OVER. I THINK WE MAY ALREADY ON THE HUNT FOR TICKETS FOR THAT ONE. I THINK WE WILL BE GETTING IN LINE. GET THEM TO AUCKLAND FC IT'S A BIG NIGHT FOR SINGER MARLON WILLIAMS, WITH THE WORLD PREMIERE OF THE FILM DETAILING HIS JOURNEY TO MAKING A TE REO MAORI LANGUAGE ALBUM. AVA WHITWORTH FILED THIS FROM THE RED CARPET. TONIGHT IT IS ALL ABOUT CELEBRATING MARLIN WILLIAMS IN HIS LONG JOURNEY TO CREATING HIS FIRST ALBUM IN MAORI. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THIS JOURNEY. WHAT HAS IT BEEN FOR YOU? I HAVE A HARD TIME WATCHING MOVIES AS IT IS SO IT IS GOING TO BE PRETTY SURREAL. IT HAS BEEN SUCH A LONG PROCESS THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE TO SINK IN. AND THE FILM SHOWS YOUR JOURNEY OF RECKONING WITH MAORI. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOU? IT IS AN ONGOING PROCESS. WHAT IT HAS SHOWN ME AS THERE ARE SO MUCH TO LEARN. THIS DOCUMENTARY SHOWS ARE SO MANY SIDES OF YOU. WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN PEOPLE TAKE AWAY FROM THIS? JUST HOW HUMAN THE EXPERIENCES OF GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS. IT IS FULL OF MISTAKES. IT IS A VERY HUMBLING THINGS I THINK PEOPLE CAN READ INTO IT THAT IT IS AN OPEN WORLD FOR THEM. IT HITS A CINEMAS ON MAY 1. IT HAS BEEN OUT SINCE APRIL. IF YOU CAN'T TELL BY THE BUZZ THAT IS HAPPENING TONIGHT, IT IS NOT ONE FOR YOU TO MISS. GO CHECK IT OUT. JAMES CROSS, ONE OF THE STARS OF THE KIWI DOCUMENTARY JAMES AND ISEY, HAS DIED AFTER A BATTLE WITH CANCER. JAMES AND ISEY, BY DIRECTOR FLORIAN HABICHT, FOLLOWED THE KAWAKAWA SON AND MUM AS THEY PREPARED FOR ISEY'S 101ST BIRTHDAY PARTY IN THE BAY OF ISLANDS. ISEY RECENTLY HAD HER 106TH BIRTHDAY, AND JAMES WAS ALSO HEAVILY INVOLVED IN ORGANISING THAT PARTY. IT'S A 50-50 RELATIONSHIP. THAT'S IT, GO AWAY! AND THE OTHER ONE! ONE MORE ON THIS ONE. YOU CREATED JAMES, THOUGH, ISEY! POPPED HIM OUT, AND THAT'S IT! (CACKLES) 'NEK MINUT! JAMES, IF YOU COULD TAKE ONE THING FROM THIS LIFE TO THE NEXT...? IT'LL BE... MY MUM. JAMES CROSS'S FUNERAL WILL BE AT OTIRIA MARAE IN MOEREWA THIS THURSDAY. IMOGEN'S BACK WITH THE WEATHER, AND IT'S A FULL ON COUPLE OF DAYS ON THE CARDS. YES. THERE'S A GOOD HANDFUL OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS COMING INTO PLAY ACROSS BOTH ISLANDS.. NORTHLAND STILL HAS A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN PLACE TILL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. TOMORROW, THERE'S A HEAVY RAIN WARNING FOR GISBORNE.. AND HEAVY RAIN AND STRONG WIND WATCHES IN WELLINGTON. THERE'S ALSO A STRONG WIND WATCH ALONG THE WEST OF THE SOUTH AND HEAVY RAIN FORECAST ALONG THE EAST, AND CHILLY TEMPERATURES. I'LL HAVE ALL THE DETAILS NEXT. VOICEOVER: What a time to be into period drama with Spark Mobile. Introducing the new Subway Signature Menu. It's all... Oh, hey Andy, whatcha doing? Bit busy Hame, just the new Subway ad. Oh right. No, go for it. Yeah, OK... It's all your favourites, with specially chosen ingredients for just the right amount of juicy, melty, cheesy, crispy, tangy, smoky, saucy, all-round cravey awesomeness. That's great Andy. Now just finish with saying "It's your shortcut to Tasty Town my friends." Is that coming from you or from subway? That's from all of us mate! VOICEOVER: What a time to be into Earth with Spark Mobile. WILD WEAWTHER IS A GOOD REMINDER TO CHECK YOUR EMERGENCY CHECK LIST. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE FOOD WATER BATTERIES AND CHARGERS AMI, BRINGING YOU THREE NEWS WEATHER. NAU MAI ANO, WELCOME BACK. A LOW IS DEEPENING EAST OF CENTRAL NEW ZEALAND TOMORROW, LINGERING THROUGH THRUSDAY AND FRIDAY, BRINGING WITH IT STRONG, COLD, SOUTHERLY WINDS AND RAIN TO PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, WHICH IS WHY WE'VE GOT ALL THOSE WATCHES AND WARNINGS. A REMINDER, THERE'S STRONG WIND WATCHES ALONG THE WEST COAST TOMORROW AND MALBOROUGH SOUNDS, WITH HEAVY RAIN OUT EAST AND POTENTIAL SNOW ALONG ARTHUR'S AND PORTER'S PASS TOO. AND THERE'S A HEAVY RAIN WARNING FOR GISBORNE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT, AND WILD WEATHER FORECAST IN THE CAPITAL FROM WEDNESDAY EVENING. STILL PLENTY OF RAIN AROUND FOR ALL UP TOP, WHICH COULD GET HEAVY THROUGHOUT THE DAY, BUT IT'S LOOKING LIKE THINGS WILL EASE ALL ROUND BY THE AFTERNOON. TAURANGA AND WHAKATANE COULD HAVE THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING, AND EVERYONE'S IN FOR RAIN, WHICH COULD GET HEAVY AT TIMES. EASTERLY AND SOUEASTERLY WINDS. GISBORNE COULD SEE UP TO 100MM BETWEEN MIDNIGHT TONIGHT AND LUNCHTIME TOMORROW, SO DO AVOID LOW-LYING AREAS IF YOU CAN. EVERYONE ELSE IS ALSO IN FOR RAIN. AND THE WET WEATHER CONTINUES FOR THE REST OF THE NORTH ISLAND TOO. THINGS COULD EASE FOR MOST IN THE AFTERNOON, BUT THAT'S WHEN IT'LL START GETTING HEAVY IN WELLINGTON, AS THOSE RAIN AND WIND WATCHES COME INTO PLAY. STRONG WIND WATCHES IN PLACE FOR BULLER, GREY, AND WESTLAND DISTRICTS, AND NELSON LAKES TOO. THERE COULD BE GUSTS UP TO 100KMPH, AND ALSO RAIN IN THE MORNING. MORE WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN PLACE HERE. HEAVY RAIN OF UP TO 180MM ALONG THE COAST AND IN CHRISTCHURCH, AND A STRONG WIND WATCH FOR MARLBORUGH SOUNDS. SOUTHERLIES FOR ALL. THE DEEP SOUTH IS THE DRIEST OF US ALL, ONLY THE CHANCE OF SHOWERS AROUND FOR SOME. THERE WILL BE RAIN IN OAMARU, BUT IT SHOULD BE DRY IN INVERCARGILL AND STEWART ISLAND. MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH THE CHANCE OF A SHOWER OR TWO FOR DUNEDIN TOMORROW. SOUTHERLY WINDS, AND A HIGH OF 12. RAIN WITH HEAVY FALLS IN CHRISTCHURCH, STARTING FROM EARLY MORNING, WITH FRESH SOUTHERLIES. 13 IS YOUR HIGH. IT'LL BE A WET START FOR WELLINGTON, WITH THE RAIN BECOMING HEAVY IN THE AFTERNOON, AND STRONG, STRONG SOUTHERLIES ARE EXPECTED. HAWKE'S BAY IS IN FOR OCCASIONAL RAIN, CLEARING AT NIGHT. EASTERLIES EASING IN THE AFTERNOON, A HIGH OF 20. MORNING RAIN WITH POSSIBLE THUNDERSTORMS FOR TAURANGA, TURNING TO SHOWERS BY MIDDAY, BUT THEY COULD REMAIN HEAVY. HAMILTON, YOUR RAIN DEVELOPS BEFORE DAWN, TURNING TO SHOWERS AGAIN AROUND LUNCHTIME, AND AGAIN, POSSIBLY REMAINING HEAVY. AND AUCKLAND YOU'LL ALSO HAVE RAIN TURNING TO SHOWERS, SOME OF IT HEAVY, SOUEASTERLIES CHANGING NORTHERLY IN THE MORNING. FINE IN PERTH AND ALICE SPRINGS, OTHERWISE OVERCAST WITH SHOWERS IN AUSTRALIA. AND ANOTHER MOSTLY WET DAY IN THE PACIFIC AS WELL. THERE'S STILL PLENTY OF UNSETTLED WEATHER TO COME AS THAT DEEP LOW CONTINUES TO PUSH A STRONG, COLD SOUTHERLY FLOW OVER US. THERE'LL STILL BE RAIN AND SHOWERS LINGERING AROUND THE NORTH ISLAND FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK AND INTO SATURDAY, AND INTO SATURDAY.. BUT THINGS SHOULD START TO EASE OVER THE WEEKEND AS A RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS IN FROM THE WEST ON SATURDAY. HEAVY RAIN IS STILL ON THE CARDS FOR CANTERBURY, AND MARLBOROUGH THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, SCATTERED SHOWERS ON THE CARDS FOR EVERYWHERE ELSE AS THE WEEK WRAPS UP.. SATURDAY IS LOOKING LIKE THERE'LL BE MORE FINE WEATHER THAN NOT FOR THE SOUTH ISLAND, BUT THERE IS OF COURSE PLENTY OF TIME FOR ALL THAT TO CHANGE. I WOULD SUGGEST KEEPING AN EYE ON THINGS ONLINE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. WITH ALL THE WATCHES AND WARNINGS, IT'S BETTER TO BE UP TO DATE THAN CAUGHT OUT, AND THANKS TO JOHAN FOR CAPTURINGS THIS MORNING'S SUNRISE IN HOWICK! THAT IS THREENEWS FOR TONIGHT. THANKS FOR JOINING US. YOU CAN STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS AND INFORMATION ON stuff.co.nz I'M LAURA TUPOU. PO MARIE, I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW.