MORE THAN 10,000 PUBLIC SERVANTS GO ON STRIKE DEMANDING PAY RISES THAT KEEP UP WITH THE COST OF LIVING. THE UK IS BANNING TRADE WITH ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS IN THE WEST BANK ` WILL OUR GOVERNMENT FOLLOW SUIT? A MAN WHO MURDERED HIS WIFE BEFORE ABANDONING THEIR 3-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN AUSTRALIA 17 YEARS AGO IS DENIED PAROLE ` WE TALK TO THE ONLY REPORTER GRANTED ACCESS TO THE HEARING. AND PRINCE GEORGE STARTS HIGH SCHOOL ` BUT IT'S A MUCH CALMER AFFAIR THAN HIS DAD'S FIRST DAY 30 YEARS AGO. CAPTIONS BY REBEKAH ADAMS AND LENA ERAKOVICH. CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR. WWW.ABLE.CO.NZ COPYRIGHT ABLE 2026 NAU MAI, HAERE MAI ` WELCOME TO THREE NEWS. THOUSANDS OF PUBLIC SERVANTS HAVE WALKED OFF THE JOB IN ONE OF THE BIGGEST STRIKES OF ITS KIND, DEMANDING BETTER PAY AND AN END TO WHAT THEY SAY ARE RELENTLESS CUTS. BUT THE GOVERNMENT SAYS THERE'S MORE THAN PAY AT PLAY, ACCUSING THE UNION OF USING INDUSTRIAL ACTION TO HELP CAMPAIGN FOR A CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT. SENIOR REPORTER JULIET SPEEDY HAS THE STORY. FROM WELLINGTON... WHAT DO WE WANT? ...TO AUCKLAND... FAIR PAY! ...CHRISTCHURCH... (CHEERING) AND ROTORUA, THOUSANDS OF GOVERNMENT WORKERS WALKING OFF THE JOB TO DEMAND BETTER PAY. WHEN WORKERS' RIGHTS ARE UNDER ATTACK, ALL: STAND UP. FIGHT BACK. WHEN 10,000 PUBLIC SERVANTS FROM ALL OVER NZ STAND TOGETHER, THE GOVERNMENT AND EMPLOYERS MUST LISTEN. PUBLIC SERVANTS FROM ACROSS THE BOARD, INCLUDING DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND THE MINISTRY FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. THEIR MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNMENT ` THEIR PATIENCE, LIKE THEIR PAY PACKETS, IS BEING STRETCHED. WHY DO YOU NEED BETTER PAY? WE DON'T GET PAID NEARLY ENOUGH FOR THE WORK WE DO. WE DESERVE A LIVING WAGE JUST LIKE MOST OF NZ, REALLY. EVERYTHING'S GOING UP IN PRICE, YOU WOULDN'T KNOW THAT, AND WE JUST WANT TO GET PAID WHAT WE FEEL WE DESERVE. WORKERS SAY BURNOUT AND CUTS IS PUTTING DEEPENING PRESSURE ON COMMUNITIES ACROSS NEW ZEALAND. THE DISPUTES THAT THEY'RE EMBROILED IN AT THE MOMENT, BECAUSE THEIR BARGAINING HAS REACHED AN IMPASSE, NEED TO BE RESOLVED, AND THAT THEIR REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS AROUND PAY AND CONDITIONS BEING MAINTAINED. BUT THE PUBLIC SERVICES MINISTER SAYS THERE IS MORE AT PLAY THAN PAY. PAUL GOLDSMITH IS ACCUSING THE PSA OF MAKING THIS PART OF A BROADER POLITICAL CAMPAIGN, POINTING TO THEIR OWN CAMPAIGN TO CHANGE THE GOVERNMENT. HE RESPECTS GOVERNMENT WORKERS' RIGHT TO STRIKE, BUT THAT TODAY'S ACTION IS POOR FORM. IT'S ACTUALLY UP TO THE GOVERNMENT TO DECIDE WHICH WAY THEY WANT TO TAKE THE COUNTRY. AT THE MOMENT, THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING THE COUNTRY DOWN A LINE OF AUSTERITY... DOWN A WAY OF THE WAY TO SOLVE THINGS ECONOMICALLY IS TO SPEND LESS ON THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT. PAY IS POLITICAL. THE WORLD OF WORK IS POLITICAL. ACT LEADER DAVID SEYMOUR SAYS THE PROTEST TIMING SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. THE PUBLIC SERVICE IS NEARLY 15,000 PEOPLE BIGGER THAN IT WAS 10 YEARS AGO. THERE WAS MASSIVE INFLATION AND PAYMENTS THROUGH THE LABOUR GOVERNMENT WHEN WE BORROWED $100B IN PUBLIC, NOW THEY'RE GOING ON STRIKE, EIGHT WEEKS BEFORE AN ELECTION, HANDING OUT FORMS SAYING, 'CHANGE THE GOVERNMENT.' OTHER PARTY LEADERS HAPPY TO MAKE IT POLITICAL. THIS IS A GOVERNMENT THAT DOESN'T RESPECT THE HARD WORK THAT YOU DO EVERY DAY, AND WE CANNOT AFFORD THREE MORE YEARS OF THEIR CUTS, AND GOING BACKWARDS. THIS GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST ANTI-WORKER GOVERNMENTS THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN MY LIFETIME. A PAY DISPUTE THAT'S NOW FIRMLY ENTANGLED IN AN ELECTION-YEAR POLITICAL FIGHT. AND NURSES FROM GISBORNE HOSPITAL'S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT ALSO WENT ON STRIKE THIS AFTERNOON. THEY WERE GIVEN A GUARD OF HONOUR BY HOSPITAL DOCTORS AS THEY WALKED OFF THE JOB FOR AN HOUR. THEY SAY GISBORNE'S ED HAS BEEN UNDERSTAFFED SINCE THE END OF LAST YEAR, AND ONGOING MEETINGS WITH MANAGEMENT HAVE BROUGHT NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE, DESPITE THE ED GOING INTO CODE RED MULTIPLE TIMES. WE NEED MORE NURSES AND WE NEED MORE NURSES NOW. WE CAN'T KEEP UP WITH DEMAND. OUR PATIENTS ARE SUFFERING. OUR COMMUNITY ARE SUFFERING. AND OUR NURSES ARE SUFFERING. CLARA DOLMAN-TUHOU SAYS UNSAFE STAFFING PUTS PATIENTS, HEALTH WORKERS AND THE COMMUNITY AT RISK EVERY DAY. TRAIN SERVICES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED ON AUCKLAND'S WESTERN LINE AFTER A SERIOUS INCIDENT. EMERGENCY SERVICES WERE CALLED TO BALDWIN AVE TRAIN STATION JUST BEFORE 3.30 THIS AFTERNOON. A WITNESS TOLD THREE NEWS A STUDENT HAD BEEN HIT. A TRAIN WAS STOPPED ON THE LINE, WITH POLICE TAPE SET UP IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS AND A TARPAULIN ATTACHED TO THE SIDE OF A CARRIAGE. SCORES OF MT ALBERT GRAMMAR STUDENTS WERE OUTSIDE THE STATION WAITING TO BE PICKED UP. LABOUR HAS ANNOUNCED A NEW POLICY, RELEASING ITS AI ACTION PLAN, WHICH INCLUDES A COPYRIGHT FRAMEWORK TO PROTECT CONTENT CREATORS. LEADER CHRIS HIPKINS SAYS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HAS HUGE POTENTIAL, BUT REGULATION IS NEEDED TO BOLSTER ONLINE SAFETY AND GIVE BUSINESSES GUIDANCE. THE GOVERNMENT ALSO ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF REGULATION TODAY, BUT WITH A PLAN TO LIBERATE HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES FROM RED TAPE. HERE'S POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT ZANE SMALL. FROM MINISTERS TO BARISTAS... I'M GOING TO MAKE IT A LONG BLACK. ...NATIONAL'S LOUISE UPSTON AND ACT LEADER DAVID SEYMOUR LEARNING THE ART OF ESPRESSO COFFEE ` THEIR SKILLS PUT TO THE TEST BY YOURS TRULY. OOH. IT'S GOOD! THE PAIR MAKING AN APPEARANCE AT TASCA CAFE IN NEWMARKET TO MARK THE COMPLETION OF THE GOVERNMENT'S HOSPITALITY SECTOR REVIEW. WE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT EASIER TO DO BUSINESS. SO, WHILE IT'S ALWAYS TOUGH TO MEET THE MARKETPLACE FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE HELD BACK BY YOUR OWN GOVERNMENT. THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO ACCEPT THE REPORT'S 24 RECOMMENDATIONS, FOR EXAMPLE IN FOOD REGULATION, A SHORT-TERM SUGGESTION IS TO: AND MORE LONG-TERM: WE REALLY WELCOME THE DIRECTION OF THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS. THEY REALLY ARE ADDRESSING A LOT OF LEGACY ISSUES. THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY IS WORTH $21.4B AND EMPLOYS MORE THAN 193,000 WORKERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, SO THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING TO DEVELOP A HOSPITALITY ACTION PLAN TO ENSURE THAT AGENCIES AREN'T OVERLAPPING AND APPLYING UNNECESSARY REGULATION TO BUSINESSES. SOMETIMES WHAT HAPPENS IS INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES DON'T APPRECIATE WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS RUNNING COUNTER TO WHAT ANOTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT IS DOING. LABOUR IS ALSO KEEN TO DEVELOP AN ACTION PLAN, BUT FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. AI's HERE, AND IT'S MOVING QUICKLY. IF GOVERNMENT DOESN'T TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE NOW, WE RISK LOSING OUR FUTURE TO THE BIG TECH COMPANIES. LABOUR WANTS TO ESTABLISH... AN OFFICE OF AI TO COORDINATE POLICY ACROSS GOVERNMENT, A COPYRIGHT FRAMEWORK SO CREATORS CONTROL AND ARE PAID FOR THEIR WORK, AND AN ONLINE SAFETY REGULATOR. THAT CAN BE MANAGED FROM WHETHER SOME APPS OR PRODUCTS ARE BANNED COMPLETELY, THROUGH TO A PENALTY REGIME. LABOUR SOUND LIKE THEY'RE TAKING AN APPROACH THAT THIS IS ALL BAD. THERE ARE RISKS WITH AI, BUT ACTUALLY, WE SHOULD BE LOOKING TO MAKE BETTER USE OF IT. LABOUR ALSO WANTS TO REQUIRE COMPANIES ESTABLISHING DATA CENTRES TO SECURE THEIR OWN RENEWABLE ENERGY SUPPLY. WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT IF DATA CENTRES ARE SETTING UP IN NEW ZEALAND, IT DOESN'T COME AT THE EXPENSE OF EVERY NEW ZEALAND CONSUMER EVERY TIME THEY PAY THEIR POWER BILL. CHRIS HIPKINS SAYS LABOUR ULTIMATELY WANTS TO HELP BUSINESSES NAVIGATE AI BY GUIDING THEM WITH REGULATION. WE RECOGNISE THAT SMALL BUSINESSES DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE BIG IT DEPARTMENTS WHO CAN PROVIDE THEM WITH GUIDANCE ON HOW AI CAN BENEFIT THEM, SO WE WANT TO FILL THAT VOID. THE GOVERNMENT ALSO WANTS TO HELP BUSINESSES BY SIMPLIFYING REGULATION. THE GUIDANCE MAKES IT EASIER FOR THE COUNCILS, WHICH, IN TURN, MAKES IT EASIER FOR THE HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES TO OPERATE. IT'S UP TO VOTERS TO DECIDE WHICH APPROACH IS THEIR CUP OF TEA ` OR ESPRESSO. AND, ZANE, YOU HAVE SOME DEVELOPMENTS ON PRE-ELECTION PUBLIC MEETINGS? CHRISTOPHER LUXON HELD A PUBLIC MEETING LAST NIGHT AND HAS ELECTORATE OF BOTANY, AND IT SEEMED TO GO PRETTY SMOOTHLY. I'M TOLD HE MAY DO MORE PUBLIC MEETINGS ON AN AD HOC BASIS. THERE SEEMED TO BE A BIT OF COMMOTION AT A MEETING IN THE CAPITAL. WE'VE GOT A CLIP OF SOME FOOTAGE THAT WAS UPLOADED TO SOCIAL MEDIA AND CHRIS HIPKINS RESPONDING. THE POLICE AND THE LABOUR PARTY IN CAHOOTS. THERE ARE ALWAYS A SMALL MINORITY WHO WANTS TO DISRUPT THINGS. WE ARE VERY MINDFUL OF THAT. CHRIS HIPKINS HERSELF IS GOING TO HOLD A PUBLIC MEETING IN WELLINGTON TONIGHT, SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW HE IS RECEIVED BY THE COMMUNITY. THE UK HAS BANNED TRADE WITH ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS IN THE OCCUPIED WEST BANK, WHERE IT SAYS 'SETTLER TERRORISTS' ARE CARRYING OUT 'ETHNIC CLEANSING'. ALMOST A DOZEN COUNTRIES HAVE ANNOUNCED SIMILAR MOVES, BUT NEW ZEALAND ISN'T ONE OF THEM. MOLLY SWIFT HAS MORE. PALESTINIANS IN THE WEST BANK DESPERATELY TRYING TO STOP THE EXPANSION OF ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS. (SHOUTING) THE UK NOW TAKING A STAND. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AGREES THAT THERE IS ETHNIC CLEANSING OF PALESTINIANS IN AREAS OF THE WEST BANK PERPETRATED BY SETTLER TERRORISTS. ABOVE ALL, WE SAY BRITAIN IS NOT SILENT IN THE FACE OF DEEP INJUSTICE, NOR IS IT POWERLESS. ITS WORDS MATCHED WITH ACTION. THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT FURIOUS, ORDERING THE CLOSURE OF THE BRITISH CONSULATE IN JERUSALEM. THE BRITISH MOVE IS MORALLY DISTORTED AND CONSTITUTES BLATANT INTERFERENCE IN THE AFFAIRS OF A SOVEREIGN STATE AND ITS ELECTORAL PROCESS. BUT THE UK IS NOT ACTING ALONE ` 11 OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE ANNOUNCED OR ARE CONSIDERING SIMILAR MEASURES, BUT NEW ZEALAND ISN'T ONE OF THEM. FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER WINSTON PETERS ISSUING HIS OWN STATEMENT, SAYING... BUT A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE MINISTER ADDED... INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS EXPERT PROFESSOR AL GILLESPIE SAYS NEW ZEALAND HAS USED TRADE BANS IN THE PAST. WE USED THEM IN THE 1980s AGAINST APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA, AND WE USED THEM RECENTLY AGAINST RUSSIA WITH REGARDS TO ITS ILLEGAL INVASION OF UKRAINE. IT'S NOT A QUESTION WHETHER ITS LEGALLY POSSIBLE. IT'S WHETHER IT'S POLITICALLY PALATABLE. THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT'S POSITION ON ISRAEL IS AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE COUNTRY. WE SHOULD BE SANCTIONING ISRAEL ALONG WITH LIKE-MINDED COUNTRIES, LIKE THE UK, CANADA AND FRANCE. THESE ARE OUR FRIENDS WHO ARE NOW SAYING WHAT ISRAEL IS DOING IS WRONG, AND THEY SHOULD BE SANCTIONED FOR IT ` NEW ZEALAND SHOULD BE JOINING THEM. THEY HAVE BEEN GUTLESS THIS ENTIRE TIME. WHERE THE HECK IS THEIR SPINE TO STAND AGAINST GENOCIDE? TO STAND AGAINST THE ETHNIC CLEANSING THAT HAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN DONE, ESPECIALLY IN THE WEST BANK. CLEARLY OUR GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED ABOUT SETTLEMENTS THAT BREACH INTERNATIONAL LAW. HOWEVER, NEW ZEALAND IS A TRADING NATION, AND WE DON'T GENERALLY USE TRADE BANS TO MAKE POLITICAL POINTS. TRADE BETWEEN NEW ZEALAND AND ISRAEL IS SMALL. AND THAT FROM THE SETTLEMENT IS PROBABLY VERY, VERY, VERY SMALL. BUT THIS IS NOT ABOUT WHAT IS EXCHANGED BETWEEN COUNTRIES. IT'S ABOUT SYMBOLISM, AND WHETHER YOU ACCEPT THE SITUATION OR NOT. ...AND NOW A DOZEN COUNTRIES ARE SAYING NO MORE. A MAN WHO MURDERED HIS WIFE AND THEN ABANDONED THEIR TODDLER OUTSIDE AN AUSTRALIAN TRAIN STATION HAS BEEN DENIED PAROLE. NAI YIN XUE, WHO IS NOW 72, STRANGLED HIS WIFE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007 BEFORE FLYING TO MELBOURNE, WHERE HE LEFT THEIR DAUGHTER (3) BEFORE FLEEING TO AMERICA. THE CASE MADE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES AS POLICE TRIED TO IDENTIFY THE GIRL. SHE BECAME KNOWN AS 'PUMPKIN' BECAUSE OF THE BRAND OF CLOTHING SHE WAS WEARING. STUFF'S CAT OWEN WAS THE ONLY REPORTER GRANTED ACCESS TO NAI YIN XUE'S PAROLE HEARING. KIA ORA, CAT. SO CAN YOU TAKE US BACK TO 2007 AND THE DETAILS THAT WERE SURROUNDING THE CASE AT THE TIME? YEAH. THAT'S RIGHT ` YOU SAID THAT NYAN ZHU STRANGLED HIS WIFE AN AN LIU, OR ANNIE LIU, AS SHE WAS KNOWN. IN SEPTEMBER 2007, HE STRANGLED HER WITH A NECKTIE AND IT TOOK HER ABOUT THREE MINUTES TO DIE. SHE HAD PREVIOUSLY SOUGHT A PROTECTION ORDER AGAINST HIM. HE'D BEEN ABUSIVE. HE'D` SHE AND PUMPKIN HAD FLED TO WELLINGTON BEFORE THEY RETURNED TO AUCKLAND, AND THAT'S WHEN HE KILLED HER AND PUT HER BODY IN THE BOOT OF HIS CAR. HE THEN TOOK PUMPKIN AND FLED TO AUSTRALIA AND LEFT HER AT A MELBOURNE TRAIN STATION. AS YOU SAID, SHE BECAME KNOWN AS 'PUMPKIN', BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING PUMPKIN PATCH CLOTHING, AND POLICE WERE TRYING TO IDENTIFY WHO SHE WAS. HE THEN FLED TO THE UNITED STATES, AND WAS CAPTURED BY MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA, AFTER THEY RECOGNISED HIM FROM A WANTED SIGN, AND HE WAS BROUGHT BACK TO NEW ZEALAND AND EXTRADITED TO FACE CHARGES FOR MURDER, AND WAS ULTIMATELY FOUND GUILTY OF AN AN LIU'S MURDER. SO WHAT DID HE HAVE TO SAY AT HIS PAROLE HEARING? SO THIS WAS THE EIGHTH TIME HE WAS BEFORE THE BOARD, AND HE SAID IT WAS A VIOLENT ACCIDENT IN KILLING HIS WIFE, AND IT HAD BEEN IMPULSIVE, AND HE NOW REGRETTED HIS ACTIONS, AND HAD BEEN SPEAKING WITH A PSYCHOLOGIST AND HAD COME TO TERMS WITH WHAT HE'D DONE. AND IT WAS A 'TERRIBLE CRIME', HE SAID ` 'A RIDICULOUS CRIME', HE SAID. AND HE HAD LEARNED HOW TO HANDLE HIS ANGER, AND WOULD NO LONGER BE VIOLENT AND CONFRONTATIONAL WHEN DEALING WITH OTHER PEOPLE. OK, HE HAS BEEN IN PRISON FOR 17 YEARS NOW ` WHY WAS HE ULTIMATELY DENIED PAROLE ON THIS OCCASION AS WELL? SO, DESPITE THERE BEING ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO HIM IN THE COMMUNITY, HE WAS STILL DEEMED AN UNDUE RISK BECAUSE THE BOARD COULDN'T` COULDN'T BE SURE THAT HE WOULD BE SAFE IN THE COMMUNITY WITHOUT SUPPORT. HE NEEDED SUPPORT ` AND HE'LL BE BACK BEFORE THE BOARD IN APRIL. OK, CAT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT UPDATE. REALLY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. LET'S TURN TO TODAY'S WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS WITH IMO NOW ` AND AUCKLAND CLAIMS TOP TEMPERATURE. IT DOES, SAM ` WELL, TECHNICALLY AND SPECIFICALLY, WHENUAPAI GETTING TO 18 DEGREES ` AUCKLAND AIRPORT RECORDED 17.8 ` AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION FOR THOSE OF YOU PLAYING ALONG AT HOME. WINDIEST AND NOT TOO WETTEST ` WETTEST IN THE FJORDS; CHILLIEST SINCE MIDNIGHT IN TWIZEL. IT'S GOING TO BE CHILLY TONIGHT AS WELL ` WE'LL EVEN SEE SOME SNOW. MORE ON THAT AFTER SPORT. COMING UP ` A NEIGHBOUR DESCRIBES HEARING SCREAMS FOLLOWED BY THREE BANGS, AS POLICE CONTINUE THEIR INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEATHS OF TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND A WOMAN IN ROTORUA. WE TALK TO AUCKLAND COUNCILLOR RICHARD HILLS ABOUT WHY BUYERS OF FAST-TRACK APPROVED DEVELOPMENTS COULD FIND THEMSELVES WITH REDUCED COUNCIL SERVICES. PLUS ` THE FUTURE KING STARTS HIGH SCHOOL AFTER BEING DROPPED OFF BY MUM AND DAD. THE TWO CHILDREN KILLED IN THEIR ROTORUA HOME WERE A 3-YEAR-OLD TODDLER AND AN 11-MONTH-OLD BABY. A NEIGHBOUR SAYS SHE HEARD SCREAMING THE NIGHT THEY DIED, FOLLOWED BY A SERIES OF POPPING SOUNDS, SIMILAR TO FIRECRACKERS. AVA WHITWORTH REPORTS. A POLICE PRESENCE REMAINS ON THIS OTHERWISE QUIET ROTORUA STREET AS DETECTIVES INVESTIGATE THE DEATHS OF THREE PEOPLE ` ALL BEING TREATED AS HOMICIDES. FOR ONE RESIDENT, THE FIRST SIGN THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG CAME AS SHE WAS TRYING TO SLEEP. LYNN DOAK SAYS SHE HEARD AN ANGRY ARGUMENT COMING FROM THE HOUSE ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE POLICE ARRIVED. IT WAS SO QUIET. IT WAS A REALLY QUIET NIGHT, AND... THE NEXT MINUTE I HEARD A MAN SHOUTING, ANGRY AS HELL. AND THEN A WOMAN WAS YELLING BACK AT HIM. AND WHAT CAME NEXT IS SOMETHING SHE SAYS SHE STILL CAN'T MAKE SENSE OF. SHE SCREAMED, AND I HEARD THREE POPS. IT JUST WENT 'BANG, BANG, BANG', LIKE THAT. AT THE TIME, LYNN THOUGHT THE NOISES COULD HAVE BEEN CHILDREN SETTING OFF FIRECRACKERS. AFTERWARDS, SHE SAID THE STREET FELL SILENT AGAIN. TODAY, POLICE HAVE REVEALED JUST HOW YOUNG TWO OF THE VICTIMS WERE ` AN 11-MONTH-OLD BABY AND A 3-YEAR-OLD CHILD. THEY SAY SPECIALIST STAFF ARE STILL WORKING THROUGH WHAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS AN EXTREMELY CONFRONTING SCENE, AND WARN AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS NATURE WILL TAKE TIME. THE MAN WHO WAS FOUND AT THE PROPERTY APPEARED IN ROTORUA DISTRICT COURT YESTERDAY, CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING A PERSON IN A FAMILY RELATIONSHIP. HE WAS REMANDED IN CUSTODY UNTIL OCTOBER 2ND. HE AND THE THREE VICTIMS HAVE INTERIM NAME SUPPRESSION. LYNN SAYS SHE ONLY REALISED THE SCALE OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED WHEN SHE WOKE THE NEXT MORNING. YEAH, I WAS IN A BIT OF A SHOCK, I THINK. AND IT'S THE DEATHS OF THE CHILDREN THAT HAVE STAYED WITH HER THE MOST. THOSE POOR LITTLE KIDS, THEY DIDN'T NEED THAT. THEY DIDN'T WANT THAT. THEY DIDN'T DESERVE THAT. THIS MORNING, LYNN RETURNED TO THE PROPERTY WITH FLOWERS. I HOPE EVERYBODY ELSE DOES TOO, COS NOBODY DESERVES THAT. POLICE SAY THEY ARE CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THE VICTIM'S FAMILY THROUGH THIS TRAUMATIC INCIDENT. ADDITIONAL REASSURANCE PATROLS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH GLENHOLME AND THE WIDER ROTORUA COMMUNITY AS DETECTIVES WORK TO ESTABLISH EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED ON MONDAY NIGHT. BUYERS ARE FASTTRACK APPROVED DEVELOPMENTS IN AUCKLAND COULD BE AUCKLAND COUNCIL IS INVESTIGATING ITS LEGAL OPTIONS AS IT FACES A HEFTY BILL OF UP TO $5 BILLION FROM 60,000 UNPLANNED HOMES. ARE YOU INVESTIGATING WHETHER YOU CAN CHARGE THESE HOMEOWNERS RATES BUT NOT GIVEN THE SAME SERVICES AS EVERYBODY ELSE? IF WE CAN'T DO THAT, IF WE CAN ACTUALLY HOLD OR DE-PRIORITISE SERVICES FOR THOSE AREAS. WERE TALKING ABOUT UNPLANNED DEVELOPMENTS. SO DEVELOPMENTS WERE GOING TO START FROM 2050. ANIMAL MANAGEMENT, ILLEGAL DUMPING. ARE YOU POTENTIALLY CREATING A TWO TIER SYSTEM THAT IS PUNISHING HOMEOWNERS SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY'VE BOUGHT FROM A FASTTRACK DEVELOPMENT? MANY AUCKLAND IS A LIVING IN AREAS THAT DON'T HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED DON'T HAVE THE SERVICES NEEDED. WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPLY OR PAY FOR THE SERVICES, SO WE WANT TO BE UPFRONT ABOUT THAT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AS THIS IN ESSENCE A MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNMENT WHICH IS ON THE ONE HAND SUPPORTING FASTTRACK, BUT ALSO SAYING COUNCILS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO CAP RATES. THE MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN CLEAR ` THEY STARTED TO LISTEN. RIGHT NOW WE CAN'T. THANK YOU FOR COMING IN AND EXPLAINING THIS FOR US. A DOG OWNER HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER SIX MONTHS AFTER A GRANDMOTHER WAS KILLED IN A DOG ATTACK IN RURAL NORTHLAND. MIHIATA TE RORE SUFFERED UNSURVIVABLE INJURIES AFTER SHE WAS MAULED BY THREE DOGS AT A RURAL KAIHU PROPERTY IN FEBRUARY. POLICE SAY A 43-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS ARRESTED IN AUCKLAND TODAY. A SECTION OF STATE HIGHWAY 1 NORTH OF WELLINGTON WAS CLOSED THIS MORNING, AFTER A PETROL TANKER CAUGHT FIRE. RESIDENTS NEAR THE PEKAPEKA EXPRESSWAY SAY THEY HEARD THREE BIG BOOMS, BEFORE THE TANKER'S CAB WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES JUST SOUTH OF THE OTAKI RIVER. FIRE AND EMERGENCY CONFIRMED FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO CONTAIN THE BLAZE TO THE CAB AND TRACTOR UNIT, PREVENTING IT FROM SPREADING TO THE FUEL BEING CARRIED IN THE TANKER. STATE HIGHWAY 1 BETWEEN WAIKANAE AND OTAKI WAS CLOSED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. COMING UP ` DONALD TRUMP CLAIMS HE WAS RESCUED FROM GROUND ZERO DURING 9-11, DURING AN EVENT COMMEMORATING THE VICTIMS. THE WORLD'S HIGHEST PAID PRIME MINISTER EXPLAINS WHY HE DESERVES A $2m PAY RISE. AND LATER IN SPORT, INJURED ALL BLACK TAMAITI WILLIAMS TALKS ABOUT HOW CLOSE HE CAME TO ENDING UP IN A WHEEL CHAIR. THIS IS THREE NEWS ` IF YOU'VE JUST JOINED US, HERE ARE OUR TOP STORIES SO FAR TONIGHT. THOUSANDS OF PUBLIC SERVANTS HAVE WALKED OFF THE JOB DEMANDING BETTER PAY AND AN END TO WHAT THEY SAY ARE RELENTLESS CUTS. AND THE UK AND 11 OTHER NATIONS HAVE ANNOUNCED TRADE BANS WITH ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS ON THE OCCUPIED WEST BANK ` BUT OUR GOVERNMENT WON'T BE JOINING THEM. NEW ZEALAND'S PERFORMANCE IN INTERNATIONAL TESTS FOR 15-YEAR-OLDS HAS STABILISED AFTER YEARS OF DECLINE. MORE THAN 760,000 STUDENTS FROM AROUND 90 COUNTRIES SAT THE PISA TESTS LAST YEAR ` KIWI TEENS RANKED NINTH IN READING, 10TH IN SCIENCE AND 16TH IN MATHS. HOWEVER, BOYS' PROFICIENCY IN READING CONTINUES TO FALL, WIDENING THE GAP WITH GIRLS AND DRAGGING DOWN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. EDUCATION MINISTER ERICA STANFORD SAYS ALTHOUGH NEW ZEALAND REMAINS ABOVE THE OECD AVERAGE ACROSS ALL THREE SUBJECTS, MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO LIFT PERFORMANCE. IT IS JUST OVER EIGHT WEEKS UNTIL VOTING DAY, AND AS WE SEE A SPIKE IN ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM POLITICAL PARTIES, THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION IS ALSO GETTING DOWN TO THE BUSINESS END OF ITS CAMPAIGN. THIS YEAR, THERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT CHANGES TO HOW YOU CAN VOTE. HERE IS REBECCA WRIGHT WITH CHAIR OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION SIMON MOORE TO EXPLAIN. SO THIS IS YOUR FIRST ELECTION? IT IS ` IT IS AS CHAIR OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION. AS CHAIR, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE ENTERPRISE? WELL, I MEAN, IT'S` IT'S HUGE. IT'S` IT'S AN ABSOLUTE BEHEMOTH. AND IN FACT, QUITE RECENTLY, I WAS TALKING TO THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL ELECTORAL COMMISSIONER WHO HAS A MILITARY BACKGROUND, AND SAID TO ME THAT A GENERAL ELECTION IS THE LARGEST DEPLOYMENT OF PUBLIC AND GOVERNMENT RESOURCES OUTSIDE WARTIME. THE PRIMARY FOCUS, I IMAGINE, IS GETTING PEOPLE ENROLLED TO VOTE. EXACTLY. AROUND 415,000 ADULTS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ARE NOT ENROLLED YET? NO, AND WE'RE SITTING AT THE MOMENT JUST UNDER 90% OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS ARE ENROLLED, BUT IT'S THAT LAST 10%, WHICH IS A REAL CHALLENGE, AND SITTING AMONGST THAT LAST 10% IS QUITE A LARGE COHORT OF THOSE AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 24, AND WE'VE GOT TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT TO THEM ` AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING. AND SO HOW DO YOU DO THAT? YOU KNOW, THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE, THAT'S A HUGE PERCENTAGE. WE'VE GOT A TIGHT ELECTION ` THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE UNENROLLED VOTERS ` THEY COULD HAVE A DIFFERENCE ON THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION IF THEY WERE ALL ENROLLED TO VOTE. OH, ABSOLUTELY. AND I MEAN, IT'S ALSO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE IN THAT AGE COHORT UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE PART OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, AN ESSENTIAL PART OF BEING IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IS` IS VOTING. AN OLD BLOKE LIKE ME SAYING, 'LOOK, ENROL,' THAT'S NOT GOING TO WORK. WE HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO THAT AGE GROUP CAN RESONATE WITH, AND` AND THAT'S HAPPENING. I MEAN, WE'RE POPULATING A LOT OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA. YOU'RE ON TIKTOK. WE'RE ON TIKTOK. WE'RE ON FACEBOOK. WE'RE ACTUALLY ON SOME OF THE GAMING PLATFORMS. NOW, THERE'S AN ADDED COMPLICATION THIS YEAR, BECAUSE THE RULES HAVE CHANGED AND PEOPLE MUST BE ENROLLED TO VOTE BY THE 25TH OF OCTOBER. SOME HAVE SAID THAT THIS WILL DISADVANTAGE THOSE PEOPLE WHO PERHAPS DON'T ENGAGE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS UNTIL LONGER. WHAT DO YOU FIND IT? WELL, YOU KNOW, THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION HAS TO OPERATE WITHIN THE LAW ` THAT IS NOW THE LAW. WE NEED TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT THAT IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS ELECTION, YOU'VE GOT TO BE ENROLLED. DO WE NEED TO MODERNISE OUR VOTING? CAN'T WE JUST ENROL PEOPLE WHEN THEY TURN 18, FOLLOW THEM, YOU KNOW, THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND SORT OF TAKE THAT THAT ADMINISTRATION AWAY? AND SORT OF TAKE THAT ADMINISTRATION AWAY? ABSOLUTELY. AND WE'RE WORKING ON THAT ` WE'VE GOT A PARALLEL WORK STREAM OF MODERNISATION, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT ` I'M NOT SURE THAT WE'LL EVER WANT TO GET AWAY FROM PAPER VOTES, BECAUSE PEOPLE ATTENDING AND ACTUALLY VOTING ON PAPER ` YOU KNOW, YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THE MODELS OF WHERE IT'S GONE WRONG OVERSEAS WITH THE ELECTRONIC VOTING, BUT WE CAN DO ELECTRONIC COUNTING ` THAT CAN EASILY BE DONE. PART OF THE MODERNISATION ` NOT ONLY DOES IT MAKE THE PROCESS FASTER, BUT, GENERALLY SPEAKING, IT MAKES IT MORE ACCURATE AND IT WILL MAKE IT CHEAPER. AND JUST FINALLY, IF YOU ARE NOT ENROLLED TO VOTE NOW, SIMON, WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE? ENROL BY THE 4TH OF OCTOBER, OR AT THE VERY LATEST, THE 25TH OF OCTOBER, BECAUSE IF YOU HAVEN'T ENROLLED BY THEN, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO VOTE, AND YOUR VOTE WON'T COUNT. PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS CLAIMED HE IS A SURVIVOR OF THE 9-11 TERROR ATTACKS AT AN EVENT HONOURING THE VICTIMS AND FIRST RESPONDERS. THIS YEAR MARKS 25 YEARS SINCE TERRORISTS HIJACKED FOUR PLANES, CRASHING THEM INTO THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE AND PENTAGON. AT A MEMORIAL EVENT IN WASHINGTON DC, TRUMP RECOUNTED A DISPUTED STORY ABOUT BEING NEAR GROUND ZERO IN THE AFTERMATH. TO FIREMAN, BIG STRONG GUYS, AND I AM NOT THE SMALLEST GUY IN THE WORLD, THEY GRABBED ME UNDER THE ARMS AND SAID GOTTA GET OUT OF HERE, AND LIFT ME UP, THIS IS NOT EASY TO DO, THEY LIFTED ME UP AND STARTED RUNNING WITH ME, AND I SAID I CAN HELP MYSELF. WHO SAY HE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN RECOVERY OR RESPONSE OPERATIONS. CONVICTED MUSHROOM KILLER ERIN PATTERSON HAS REPORTEDLY BEEN GRANTED ACCESS TO TAXPAYER-FUNDED OZEMPIC WHILE SHE IS BEHIND BARS IN AUSTRALIA. THE 51-YEAR-OLD IS SERVING A LIFE SENTENCE FOR MURDERING THREE FAMILY MEMBERS BY FEEDING THEM BEEF WELLINGTON THAT WAS LACED WITH DEATH CAP MUSHROOMS IN 2023. THE HERALD SUN IS REPORTING THAT PATTERSON WILL GET THE WEIGHT-LOSS JAB BECAUSE SHE'S IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT AND UNABLE TO EXERCISE. FRENCH POLICE ARE HUNTING A PAIR OF ART THIEVES WHO MADE OFF WITH TWO PAINTINGS BY RENOIR WORTH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THE GANG TARGETED A MUSEUM DEDICATED TO THE FAMOUS IMPRESSIONIST AT HIS FORMER HOME NEAR NICE. THEY TRIED TO STEAL FOUR PAINTINGS, BUT DROPPED TWO IN THE MUSEUM'S GARDEN AFTER THEY WERE DISTURBED. IT'S THE LATEST IN A STRING OF HIGH-PROFILE ART HEISTS, INCLUDING THE THEFT OF FRANCE'S CROWN JEWELS FROM THE LOUVRE LAST OCTOBER. THE WORLD'S HIGHEST-PAID PRIME MINISTER IS GETTING A BUMP IN SALARY OF NEARLY NZ$2M. SINGAPORE'S LEADER LAWRENCE WONG WILL NOW BE PAID $4.8M ` AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN 60%. HE SAYS THE PAY RISE IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO ATTRACT TOP TALENT INTO POLITICS. WONG HAS PROMISED TO DONATE HIS EXTRA EARNINGS TO CHARITY OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. OLLIE'S IN WITH SPORT ` AND TOUGH LUCK IF YOU'RE STILL AFTER WARRIORS TICKETS? TOUGH FOR SOME, ISN'T IT, I AM SURE SOME OF US WILL FIND A WAY TO GET TO MOUNT SMART, BUT THEY SOLD OUT IN MINUTES, BUT THE WARRIORS HAVE SUCH A LOYAL FAN BASE. THEY HAVE A FEELING THAT IT THEY HAVE A GENUINE CHANCE, I KNOW THAT SAY IT EVERY YEAR, THIS YEAR MIGHT BE DIFFERENT. WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THE BUILD-UP TO THE WARRIORS QUALIFYING FINAL NEXT, PLUS THE ALL BLACKS PROP WHO WAS TOLD HE MAY BE WHEELCHAIR-BOUND ` TAMAITI WILLIAMS REVEALS THE TRUE EXTENT OF HIS BACK INFECTION. AND LIV GOLF FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY, LEAVING ITS BIGGEST STARS IN LIMBO. SAVOUR EVERY MOMENT WITH SUZUKI AND THREE NEWS SPORT. THERE'S PLENTY OF BELIEF THIS CAN ACTUALLY BE THE WARRIORS' YEAR, WITH SATURDAY'S QUALIFYING FINAL AGAINST THE DOLPHINS SELLING OUT IN JUST MINUTES. WHILE 2026 HAS ALREADY BROKEN RECORDS, WITH THE WARRIORS WINNING 18 REGULAR-SEASON GAMES, THERE'S REASON TO BELIEVE THE BEST IS YET TO COME. GORDON FINDLATER HAS MORE. NOW CLARK. LOVELY BALL. AND REACHING OUT AND SCORING A TRY. THE WARRIORS' FORWARD PACK HAS BEEN A DOMINANT FORCE ALL YEAR. LOOKING FOR BARNETT! BUT IT'S NOT JUST EXPERIENCED HEADS LIKE MITCH BARNETT AND JAMES FISHER-HARRIS LEADING THE WAY. YEAH. YOU LOOK AT OUR YOUNG BOYS LIKE DE METRIC, LEKA, JACOB LABAN. FREAKS. WHILE THE YOUNG GUNS ALREADY SHOWED PROMISING SIGNS LAST CAMPAIGN, 2026 HAS SEEN THEM GO TO A NEW LEVEL, PREDOMINANTLY COMING ON AS IMPACT FROM THE INTERCHANGE. WARRIORS HIT THE LEAD! WHEN WE GET ON, I WOULDN'T SAY EASY, BUT WE GET THE FUN PART WHERE THE TEAM` THE OPPOSITION IS, LIKE, A LITTLE BIT MORE FATIGUE, AND WE GET TO COME ON FRESH, AND JUST HAVE FUN. I THINK WE'RE IN A GOOD SPOT THAT WE'VE GOT THAT BALANCE OF THAT YOUTH WHO AREN'T SCARED OR INTIMIDATED. THEN YOU'VE GOT GUYS WHO HAVE BEEN THERE A LOT, AND THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO DO. AT 30 AND 32, FISHER-HARRIS AND BARNETT ARE PERHAPS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE SETTERS FOR THE RISING STARS IN THE FORWARD PACK. BEST THING ABOUT THOSE TWO IS THEY'RE NOT GONNA DO IT. IF THEY SAY IT, THEY'LL DO IT AND BACK IT UP. THEIR JOB NOW TO LEAD THOSE WITH LITTLE FINALS EXPERIENCE INTO BATTLE AGAINST THE DOLPHINS. WE'VE GOT THE TOP TWO FINISH AND SEMI FINALS THE NEXT THING FOR US AND SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED FOR THAT CHALLENGE. I KNOW THE GROUP IS AS WELL. AND NO MATTER WHAT THE OUTCOME OF SATURDAY'S MATCH, THE LIKES OF LEKA HALASIMA, DEMITRIC VAIMAUGA, JACOB LABAN, EDDIE IREREMIA-TOEAVA AND TANNER STOWERS-SMITH WILL TAKE PLENTY OF LEARNINGS. YOU SEE 'EM PLAY AND YOU FORGET ALL THESE PLAYERS ARE UNDER 22, 23, AND IT'S CRAZY. SO, LIKE, THE BEST IS YET TO COME. THE WARRIORS HOPING THIS MAY BE NOT ONLY THEIR YEAR, BUT POSSIBLY THEIR DECADE AS WELL. INJURED ALL BLACKS PROP TAMAITI WILLIAMS HAS OPENED UP ON JUST HOW SERIOUS HIS BACK INJURY IS AS HE EDGES CLOSER TO A RETURN TO TRAINING. WILLIAMS HAS BEEN SIDELINED SINCE MARCH WITH A SERIOUS BACK INFECTION. SPEAKING TO THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE RUGBY PODCAST, WILLIAMS EXPLAINED HE HAD MRSA, A BUG WHICH EATS AWAY AT YOUR SPINE. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A TREE ON FIRE, LIKE THE INSIDE OF THE TREE BURNS FIRST ` THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT HAPPENED TO MY SPINE. ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THEY TOLD ME WAS THAT I MIGHT BE IN A WHEELCHAIR. WE LOVE RUGBY, BUT I LIKE WALKING TOO. I ALMOST GOT SEPSIS TWICE. THAT CAN KILL YOU. YEAH, IT CAN. WILLIAMS WON'T PLAY ANY RUGBY THIS YEAR, BUT IS AIMING TO RETURN FOR PRE-SEASON TRAINING WITH THE CRUSADERS AT THE END OF NOVEMBER. THE ALL BLACKS ARE CONFIDENT THEY CAN LEVEL THE GREATEST RIVALRY SERIES IN BALTIMORE THIS WEEK, WITH QUICK FIXES ALREADY IDENTIFIED. CHIEF AMONG THEM, FINISHING OPPORTUNITIES ` DESPITE A MOUNTAIN OF ENTRIES INTO THE SPRINGBOKS RED ZONE, ALL BLACK ERRORS ARE SEEING THEM WASTED. AFTER SIX WEEKS IN SOUTH AFRICA, THE ALL BLACKS HAVE SETTLED IN STATESIDE ` THE U.S. PROVIDING A MUCH-NEEDED CHANGE OF SCENERY, BUT NO CHANGE IN INTENT, DESPITE ANOTHER LOSS IN THE THIRD TEST. WE'VE GOT TO TURN THAT DISAPPOINTMENT INTO MOTIVATION. THERE SHOULD BE PLENTY OF IT IN BALTIMORE THIS WEEK ` WHILE THE ALL BLACKS CAN'T WIN THE SERIES WITH THE SPRINGBOKS, THEY CAN LEVEL IT AT 2-2, AND IN DOING SO AVOID THREE DEFEATS IN A ROW FOR THE FIRST TINE SINCE 2022. FOR THE FIRST TINE SINCE 2022. EVERY GAME IS A MUST-WIN IN THIS BLACK JERSEY IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, SO, THAT'S THE MINDSET THAT WE'RE GOING INTO WITH THIS WEEKEND. WHILE THE ALL BLACKS HAVE STRUGGLED WITH CERTAIN PARTS OF THE GAME ` THE SCRUM CHIEF AMONG THEM ` GENERALLY THEIR ATTACK IS ONE PART THAT HAS FUNCTIONED WELL. WHAT A BALL THAT IS! 12 LINEBREAKS AND FOUR TRIES IN THE THIRD TEST IN SOWETO ` AND 13 TRIES ACROSS THE SERIES IN TOTAL. BUT ATTACK COACH MIKE BLAIR WANTS TO SEE MORE OPPORTUNITIES STICK. IT'S NOT NIT-PICKING AS SUCH, BUT WE ARE SCORING TRIES, WE ARE CREATING LINEBREAKS, WE WANT TO CONVERT CERTAINLY ANOTHER COUPLE OF THEM, BUT WE'RE ARE ALSO AWARE THAT YOU CAN'T CONVERT EVERY ONE. WHAT'S FRUSTRATING THE ALL BLACKS IS THE AMOUNT OF TIMES THEY'LL ENTER SOUTH AFRICA'S 22, ONLY TO COUGH UP POSSESSION THROUGH ERRORS OR POOR DISCIPLINE. WE'RE AWARE THAT YOU'RE NOT GONNA FINISH EVERY OPPORTUNITY, BUT WE DON'T WANT THEM TO FINISH IN A TURNOVER, BECAUSE IF IT FINISHES IN A TURNOVER, WHAT'S HAPPENING IS IT GOES TO SET PIECE. IT SLOWS THE GAME DOWN A BIT. IT FEEDS THEIR STRENGTH. WITH REGULAR NUMBER 8 AND CAPTAIN ARDIE SAVEA SET FOR A SPELL ON THE SIDELINES WITH INJURY, WALLACE SITITI FIRMS AS A LIKELY STARTER THIS WEEK. HE'S CONFIDENT DESPITE BOTH SAVEA AND LUKE JACOBSON BEING ABSENT, THE LOOSE FORWARDS CAN FILL THE VOID. WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT WHEN IT'S TIME TO STEP UP, IT'S YOUR TIME TO STEP UP, AND WE'LL MAKE SURE WE HOLD EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE. WITH ONE MORE TEST BEFORE RETURNING HOME, THE ALL BLACKS ARE READY TO LEAVE IT ALL ON THE LINE IN BALTIMORE. THE U.S. OPEN LOOKS SET FOR ITS LATEST FINISH IN TOURNAMENT HISTORY WITH CARLOS ALCARAZ AND BEN SHELTON CURRENTLY LOCKED IN A FIVE-SET THRILLER. ALCARAZ WON THE FIRST SET IN A TIE-BREAKER BEFORE SHELTON FOUGHT BACK TO TAKE A 2-1 ADVANTAGE. THEN, AT ALMOST 2.30AM LOCAL TIME, ALCARAZ LEVELLED THE AFFAIR TWO SETS ALL. (CHEERING) THEY ARE GOING THE DISTANCE. THEY'RE CURRENTLY TIED 2-2 IN THE FIFTH SET. THE WINNER WILL PLAY FRANCES TIAFOE IN THE SEMIFINALS ` TIAFOE BREAKING SERVE LATE IN THE THIRD SET TO STAY ALIVE AGAINST FELLOW AMERICAN ALEX MICHELSEN, BEFORE GOING ON TO WIN 10-6 IN A FIFTH-SET MATCH TIE-BREAKER. MEANWHILE, IN THE WOMEN'S DRAW, WORLD NUMBER ONE AND DEFENDING CHAMPION ARYNA SABALENKA WAS ALSO PUSHED ALL THE WAY ` SABALENKA DEFEATING LINDA NOSKOVA 10-7 IN THE THIRD-SET MATCH TIE-BREAKER. SHE'LL MEET JESSICA PEGULA IN THE SEMIS. IF THE WRITING WASN'T ALREADY ON THE WALL FOR LIV GOLF, IT IS NOW, AFTER THE COMPANY OFFICIALLY FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY. IT'S LEFT THEIR MYRIAD OF STARS IN LIMBO, WITH THE BREAKAWAY TOUR'S FUTURE INCREASINGLY UNCERTAIN. IT COMES AFTER THE SAUDI PUBLIC INVESTMENT FUND PULLED ITS FINANCIAL SUPPORT AFTER THE FINAL EVENT OF THIS SEASON. LIV ISN'T GIVING UP HOPE, THOUGH, ANNOUNCING PLANS TO LAUNCH A NEW-LOOK LIV 2.0. CAN'T SEE IT HAPPENING. WHEN THE SAUDIS PULL THAT MONEY, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS. PRINCE GEORGE HAS STARTED ETON COLLEGE, FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HIS FATHER PRINCE WILLIAM AND UNCLE, PRINCE HARRY. AND, LIKE, MANY A NEW STUDENT ON THEIR FIRST DAY, HE WAS DROPPED OFF BY MUM AND DAD. ITV'S CHRIS SHIP REPORTS. THE FIRST DAY AT BIG SCHOOL IS OFTEN A DAUNTING ONE, MORE SO WHEN THE SCHOOL IS IT IN COLLEGE AND MORE SO WHEN THE NEW PUPIL WILL ONE DAY BE KING, FOR HIS PARENTS, THERE WAS JUST ONE PRIORITY PROTECTING GEORGE'S PRIVACY. ONE SINGLE CAMERA WAS PERMITTED TO FILM INSIDE THE SCHOOL AND THE PALACES OWN PHOTOGRAPHER TOOK PHOTO OF GEORGE AND THE FAMOUS COATTAILS UNIFORM. IT WILL SEEM VERY DIFFERENT FOR THE TIME WHEN GEORGE'S FATHER STARTED AT THE SCHOOL ` YOU COULD HARDLY CALL THE VIEWING AREA LOW-KEY. THE HOPE IS THAT GEORGE WILL BE TREATED LIKE ANY OTHER 13 YEAR OLD STARTING IN F BLOCK. IF THEY HAD HAD IT THEIR, WILLIAM AND KATE WOULD HAVE CHOSEN NO MEDIA PRESENCE, BUT RECOGNISING GEORGE'S POSITION AS SECOND IN LINE TO THE THRONE, THEY ALLOWED A LIMITED NUMBER OF CAMERAS. YESTERDAY'S OPEN LETTER SAID THAT THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX WERE NOT TO BE TREATED AS WORKING ROYALS, WHICH MAY IMPACT HARRY'S POLICE PROTECTION. IMO'S BACK NOW ` AND WE'VE GOT SOME ROAD SNOWFALL WARNINGS DOWN SOUTH OVERNIGHT? YES ` THOSE TEMPERATURES ARE BACK TO BEING CHILLY, CHILLY FOR PARTS OF THE SOUTH ISLAND. SO, ROAD SNOWFALL WARNINGS ` MILFORD AND CROWN RANGE ROADS, LINDIS, ARTHURS, AND PORTERS PASSES, LOOKING AT BRIEF SNOW SHOWERS OVERNIGHT, INTO THE EARLY HOURS OF TOMORROW MORNING, 4WHATEVER THE WEATHER BRINGS, HRV MAKES HOME FEEL BETTER. HRV ` BRINGING YOU THREE NEWS WEATHER. HAPPY WEDNESDAY ` THANKS FOR BEING HERE. THE BOTTOM OF THE COUNTRY WILL BE FEELING THE IMPACTS OF THIS NEW WEATHER SYSTEM. EVENTUALLY, THIS FRONT'S GOING TO HOP THE COOK STRAIT AND HIT THE NORTH ISLAND FROM TOMORROW, AND BEHIND IT IS A SOU'WESTERLY WHICH WILL PUSH TEMPERATURES DOWN ` HENCE THOSE ROAD SNOWFALL WARNINGS FOR THOSE MOUNTAIN PASSES. SO, SOME SNOW IN THE MIX AT THOSE HIGHER ELEVATIONS, PRETTY MUCH GIVING EVERYONE SOME RAIN OR SHOWERS ON ITS JOURNEY. BUT ONCE IT'S GONE, THE SUN WILL COME OUT. TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING FOR THE NORTH ISLAND IS GENERALLY LOOKING DRY. IT'S THE AFTERNOON WHEN THAT THING MAKES LANDFALL, BRINGING PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN, WHICH'LL LINGER OVERNIGHT INTO FRIDAY AS WELL. SHOWERS WILL START TO DEVELOP THROUGHOUT THE MORNING UP TOP, AFTERNOON FOR WHITIANGA, THEN ABOUT THIS TIME TOMORROW NIGHT, IT'LL BE RAIN WHICH COULD GET HEAVY. SHOWERS WILL ALSO START SPRINGING UP THIS WAY THROUGHOUT THE MORNING AS WELL, TURNING TO RAIN FOR A TIME IN TAUPO AND TOKOROA IN THE EVENING. OUT EAST, OVERCAST AND DRIZZLY DOWN THE BOTTOM, LOVELY AND SUNNY UP TOP, BUT AS THE DAY TRUCKS ALONG, THIS DRIZZLE TURNS TO RAIN, SPREADING NORTH IN THE EVENING. A FEW SHOWERS DEVELOPING TOMORROW FOR THE REST OF THE NORTH ISLAND, WHICH WILL ALSO TURN TO RAIN FOR A TIME FROM THE AFTERNOON, LINGERING INTO THE EVENING. THE RAIN IS GOING TO SPREAD UP THE WEST COAST QUITE FAST TOMORROW, LEAVING BEHIND SOME LOVELY, FINE, SUNNY WEATHER, LEAVING BEHIND SOME LOVELY FINE, SUNNY WEATHER, WITH THOSE SOU'WESTERLIES FROM THE MORNING. SIMILAR STORY ON THE OTHER SIDE ` THERE'LL BE EARLY RAIN SHOOTING UP THE ISLAND, ALL CLEARING TO FINE BY LATE AFTERNOON. THE SOUTHERLIES WILL BE STRONG AT TIMES, KEEPING THOSE HIGHS LOW. A COLD DAY FOR THE BOTTOM OF THE COUNTRY, WITH TONIGHT'S WET STUFF MOVING OFF AND AWAY AND MAKING ROOM FOR SOME LOVELY SUNSHINE. JUST SOME STRONG WESTERLIES ROUND SOUTHLAND TO KEEP AN EYE ON. DUNEDIN ` RAIN BEFORE DAWN, CLEARING TO A GREAT BUT CHILLY THURSDAY ` YOUR 10 DEGREE HIGH WILL FEEL LIKE 7. A RAINY MORNING FOR CHRISTCHURCH, TURNING TO A FINE AFTERNOON. STRONG SOU'WESTERS. YOUR 11 WILL FEEL LIKE 9. WELLINGTON ` THE RAIN AND STRONG SOUTHERLIES HIT YOU ABOUT LUNCHTIME THE WET STUFF WILL BE HEAVY FOR A TIME BEFORE CLEARING. FINE TO START IN HAWKE'S BAY, BUT CLOUD WILL INCREASE, AND THAT BAND OF RAIN WILL HIT AROUND THIS TIME TOMORROW. EVENING SOU'WESTERLIES. TAURANGA ` A MOSTLY OVERCAST THURSDAY FOR YOU WITH SHOWERS DEVELOPING IN THE AFTERNOON, LINGERING OVERNIGHT INTO FRIDAY. A FOGGY START IN KIRIKIRIROA HAMILTON, THEN SHOWERS KICK IN FROM LATE MORNING TURNING TO RAIN FROM LATE AFTERNOON. AUCKLAND ` SHOWERS FROM MID-MORNING WHICH WILL ALSO TURN TO RAIN FROM LATE AFTERNOON, WHICH COULD GET HEAVY AT TIMES. AS WELL SOME COOLER LOWS ACROSS SOUTHERN PARTS OF AUSTRALIA TOMORROW, WITH HIGH PRESSURE DOMINATING CONDITIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. IT'LL BE 30 DEGREES TOMORROW FOR BOTH SAMOA AND FIJI, WITH SUNSHINE ON THE CARDS FOR NIUE AND NEW CALEDONIA. BACK HOME, AND THIS SYSTEM'S MOVING PRETTY SWIFTLY, SO SHOULD MOSTLY CLEAR OUT ON FRIDAY. SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, LOOKING AT SOME ISOLATED SHOWERS IN THE NORTH AND WEST, BUT THE RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE OVER AUSTRALIA WILL START TURNING ITS ATTENTION TO US SO, OVERALL WE'RE IN FOR SOME SETTLED STUFF. AS FOR THE SOUTH ISLAND, STILL SOME MORE SHOWERS FILTERING THROUGH FRIDAY ALONG THE WEST COAST, WITH THOSE STRONG SOU'WESTERS STICKING AROUND HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND. SUCH A COOL SHOT FROM MAX THIS MORNING, OUT IN EAST AUCKLAND. THE SPOONBILLS, THE MIST, THE MORNING LIGHT ` CHEF'S KISS. I LOVE IT. THAT IS THREENEWS FOR TONIGHT ` THANKS FOR JOINING US. YOU CAN STAY UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON STUFF.CO.NZ I'M SAMANTHA HAYES ` KA KITE ANO ` I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW. CAPTIONS BY REBEKAH ADAMS AND LENA ERAKOVICH. CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR. WWW.ABLE.CO.NZ COPYRIGHT ABLE 2026