Hello, everybody. Rain has been tumbling down over the upper north, with the Coromandel Ranges trapping 165mm in 48 hours. Tauranga ` 84. Slips and surface flooding have closed roads, and MetService still has warnings in place for the north-east. Coming up, more rain and a big chunk of sunny country. Right now, it's 6 o'clock. Due to the live nature of ONE News we apologise for the lack of captions for some items. This is ONE News, with Wendy Petrie and Peter Williams. Tonight ` the battle to stub out smoking heats up. Why taking on tobacco giants could cost you, the taxpayer, millions. The grieving families of those killed at the Batman movie shootings are joined by the US president, as video emerges of the suspected gunman. Heavy rain continues to batter parts of the North Island, closing a major route and swelling rivers to dangerous levels. And simply magic... PEOPLE CHEER A warm welcome as netballers return home after making history against the Aussies. Kia ora, good evening. NZ taxpayers are facing millions in legal bills, as the battle with a global tobacco giant fires up. And potential compensation payments could even cost us more as the government tries to introduce plain cigarette packaging. The warning comes on the first day of the ban on publicly displaying tobacco products. For more, let's go live now to political reporter Michael Parkin in Wellington. THAT IS RIGHT AS OF TODAY ALL CIGARETTE PACKETS HAVE TO BE HIDDEN IN CABINETS LIKE THIS THE INDUSTRY SAYS IT WON'T WORKA DN IS PREPARED TO FIGHT Those opposed to smoking say plain packaging for cigarettes makes sense. We do know that kids are very attracted to the packages, and so they see the package as their badge of, uh, masculinity or badge of femininity. Um, showing their rebelliousness. The Government says smoking kills around 5000 NZers each year. It wants the country smoke-free by 2025, and it's calling for public submissions on plans to introduce plain packaging. But Government officials warn there's a high risk such a move would provoke a costly legal battle. We're reviewing all of our options at the moment. Our preference would be not to have to go down the legal path, but we may be forced to. The Ministry of Health has warned the Government that defending a case at the World Trade Organisation could cost taxpayers between $1.5m and $2m. But it could be up to $6m if there's a challenge from one of NZ's trade-agreement partners. Compensation payments could also be lumped on top of that. Well, of course it is always a concern, but the arguments that they are using about trade and multilateral agreements, um, in fact, don't warrant here in NZ. There are lots of things that we need to consider. I wouldn't say it's a slam dunk, by any chane ` that plain packaging will take place. But nor would I rule it out. Australia will introduce plain packaging in December, and is already embroiled in legal action. And tobacco companies say they'd fight over the same issues here. It would have an impact on our business because it would be taking away our valuable intellectual property, and that's why we are so concerned about the minister's proposal. Submissions close in October, and Tariana Turia hopes plain packaging can be introduced next year. So Michael, John Key was heading his bets on plain packaging in your report. So what are the chances it will happen? AS HE TOLD US TODAY NATIONAL HASNT FORMULATED A POSITION ON PLAIN PACKAGING YOU CAN SEE WHY HE HAS TO GIVE HIMSELF SOME WRIGGLE ROOM IN AUSTRALIA, THEY HAVE HAD TO SET UP A SPECIALIST LEGAL TEAM TO DEAL WITH IT IT COULD BE TOO RISKY HERE Thanks, Michael Parkin in Wellington. The push to get first-time investors buying shares in state assets like Mighty River Power has some in the finance sector worried. The government wants to make the process as easy as possible, but some experts are concerned that may mean a lack of vital advice for investment newcomers. Political editor Corin Dann's been looking at the issue. For Corey Nicholas (21), getting $1000 worth of shares in Mighty River Power is a no-brainer. It's a pretty big commitment for me to go in. I don't really want to run in half-corked. When the share sale goes ahead, the likes of Corey Nicholas can expect to be bombarded with a massive Government-backed information campaign. However, the financial markets watchdog says people should get help. We think that, uh, it would be a good idea for NZers to go and seek competent and professional advice from somebody who understands the risks and features of investing in shares. But leading financial market players are concerned that, with hundreds of thousands of Kiwis potentially lining up for shares, there won't be enough advisors to go around. There is no way that financial advisors in the major firms in NZ can spend an hour, an hour and a half, with all those people to deal with the whole financial affairs and then to give them advice on whether they should invest in Mighty River Power or not. The Financial Markets Authority says there are 2000 registered advisors across the country, while ANZ National says it has 130 advisors ready to help with the Mighty River Power sale. The Prime Minister agrees people should get advice, but he remains keen to give as many Kiwis as possible a share of assets like Mighty River Power. There will plenty of brokers and the likes who will be very keen to provide financial advice in this area. The Greens worry that John Key's sales pitch will confuse some investors into thinking the investment's government-guaranteed. The fact that the Government keeps going on and on about it would suggest to people that it's government-guaranteed, but it is not. And Labour's worried the loyalty bonus shares offer is likely to cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. What's going to happen is that share,... uh, the people who buy shares are going to have a loyalty scheme which were paid for by taxpayers. For Corey Nicholas, though, Mighty River Power represents what he hopes will be the start of long and fruitful investment career. Corin Dann, ONE News. Motorists and residents are being warned to take extra care tonight, as heavy rain lashes parts of the North Island. And the downpours are set to continue, with the authorities keeping a close eye on rising river levels. Flooding and slips have already cut off parts of State Highway 2 ` the main road between Auckland and Tauranga ` and sections of State Highway 26. Joanna Hunkin is monitoring the situation. RAIN PATTERS Bright lights on a very grey day. The Fire Service on their way to help another stranded motorist. Heavy rain began pelting the Coromandel early this morning. By lunchtime, this was the outlook ` floodwaters closed the Karangahake Gorge, with more rain still to come. But the wet weather wasn't unexpected. What we've got is a big, broad, wet trough over the North Island, dumping lots of rain in the high ground, i.e., the Coromandel Ranges, and hence the swollen and flooding rivers. Now, the heavy rain will continue for the next few hours, but overnight and tomorrow morning will ease right back. The heavy falls are now moving east towards the Gisborne Ranges. In Paeroa, motorists were redirected away from State Highway 2, but as the rain persisted, even alternate routes became impassable, leaving many stranded,... Go find a motel and bunk down. Supposed to get worse tonight. ...which has farmers on high alert. Rivers around the region are rising to dangerously high levels. Farmers are being warned to move stock to higher ground. RAIN PATTERS With rain warnings in place for the rest of the night, motorists are advised to postpone their journeys and check highway information before hitting the road. Joanna Hunkin, ONE News. US president Barack Obama has offered comfort to the community left devastated by the Colorado Theatre Massacre. And as the people of Aurora, Denver held a public memorial service, more details have emerged about the gunman's past. Our US correspondent Jack Tame reports. # Amazing grace... # In the Colorado twilight, a stunned community gathered to remember their dead. Veronica Moses Sullivan. ALL: Veronica Moses Sullivan. Alex Sullivan. The memorial honoured each of the 12 victims killed in Friday's massacre, but not once did anyone mention the name of the gunman who caused such mayhem and grief. And I refuse to say his name! CHEERING, APPLAUSE US president Barack Obama met some of the shooting's 58 survivors and the families of those who died. Although the perpetrator of this evil act, uh, has received a lot of attention over the last couple of days, that attention will fade away, and what will be remembered are the good people. Inevitable, though, is the question why. What motivated James Holmes (24) to kill and injure so many people? As more details of his attack emerged, a six-year-old video revealed a little about his past. His goals are to become a researcher and to make scientific discoveries ` that's a good start. In personal life, he enjoys playing soccer and strategy games, and his dream is to own a Slurpee machine. LAUGHTER The video released today shows the gunman at a summer camp at the age of 18, talking about his interests in science and video games. Gamers might feel like they have a superpower, and that might let them have more fun. (CHUCKLES) More terrifying detail too from the survivors of the attack. Stephen Barton initially thought it was a stunt. I, kind of, lost all feeling in my left arm, basically immediately when I got hit. So I was kind of worried that maybe it had been blown off or something or damaged in a serious way. Despite initial concerns about copycat attacks and movie theatre safety, people are still queuing for tickets to The Dark Night Rises. And for its opening weekend, the film grossed more than $200m at the box office. And as life at the movies continues, so too does the ever-present and seemingly never-changing debate over America's gun culture. But in his Colorado speech, Barack Obama made no firm commitment to reform gun ownership rules. In election year, it seems even the grief in Colorado can't bring tighter gun laws. Jack Tame, ONE News, New York. Police say they're slowly gathering more clues about the motivation behind the killing spree. For the latest on the investigation, here's the ABC's Pierre Thomas. The plan to massacre a crowd of innocent victims at a movie was unfolding flawlessly. There was fear and chaos as James Holmes fired again and again with an assault rifle that had a lethal drum magazine holding 100 rounds. But sources tell ABC News the Smith & Wesson high-powered rifle, Holmes' most deadly weapon, jammed. The carnage could have been worse. More people survived, in part, sources say, because Holmes was probably squeezing the trigger so quickly, the magazine malfunctioned. Holmes was ready for war; also armed with a tactical shotgun. And ABC News has learned the pistol police recovered in the theatre had an extended 40-round clip. Police are urgently seeking a motive and may have gotten a critical break in the case. Authorities recovered a computer from the suspect's booby-trapped apartment and, sources tell us, more evidence of his Batman obsession. ABC News has learned police discovered a variety of Batman paraphernalia, including a poster and a mask from the comic book series. Suspected gunman James Holmes is due to appear in court tomorrow. The people of Norway have been told to stay dedicated to an open and tolerant society as they marked the first annivesary of the massacre that claimed 77 lives. More than 50,000 gathered in the capital, Oslo, for a concert, where Bruce Springsteen made a surprise appearance. # We shall overcome... # some day. # Earlier, survivors and relatives of victims travelled to Utoya Island, where far-right extremist Anders Breivik gunned down dozens of teenagers on a summer camp. A NZ-born girl was among those killed. Breivik called the victims traitors for supporting a multicultural society. An engineering expert giving evidence at the Royal Commission has compared the way the CTV building collapsed in the February earthquake to the fall of the World Trade Centre in the 9/11 attacks. But Professor John Mander says the fault was not with the design of the CTV building. Rather, it had been weakened by the 2010 quakes and shouldn't have been occupied. Ali Pugh's been at the hearing. Just how the CTV building failed is being scrutinised at the Royal Commission. Today it's been compared to the catastrophic collapse of the World Trade Centre 10 years earlier. When you go back and look at that, it's strikingly similar to, um, CTV. Professor John Mander, testifying at the inquiry, says the Twin Towers collapse was a classic failure and fell in the same way as the CTV building. And it typically comes down in a racheting time fashion; from top to bottom. There's very little spill out to the side, and that's clearly a gravity collapse. But that's where the similarities end. He says the CTV building was prone to failure, weakened by damage from on-going seismic movements before the February earthquake. He says the building should never have been occupied after the September 7.1 quake. With the level of observed, as well as hidden damage, the CTV building should have been red stickered. He says assessors had a false sense of security following the September event and didn't exercise enough caution. I believe we should work and operate under the adage that these buildings are guilty until proven innocent. He's also slammed a crucial report by the Department of Building and Housing. that claims the concrete columns failed, contributing to the collapse. This conclusion is so vague, it is neither helpful nor insightful. He says the building did comply with code, and the fact it withstood early earthquakes is proof of that. Ali Pugh, ONE News. The final word on the death of the Kahui twins in Auckland will be released later this week, after court action was dropped late this morning. Lawyers for Chris Kahui were challenging coroner Gary Evans' original draft findings. But the case has now been dismissed at their request. It's understood the final findings now differ from the draft report. The twins' father was found not guilty of killing Chris and Cru (3 months) in 2008. No one else has ever been charged. The inquest into the death of a healthy newborn baby at Birth Care Auckland has put the spotlight on the dangers of sleeping with infants. A mother and baby, whose names are suppressed, came to the facility for post-natal care last January. After being breast-fed in her mother's bed overnight, the child was found pale and unresponsive. The mother had dozed off and a pathologist found her baby suffocated. If we can have a situation where mothers bed-share and do not go to sleep, then it's absolutely safe. But the problem is the reality, um, particularly at night, when mothers are tired. Studies have found 60% of Kiwi mums aren't aware of the risks of bed-sharing. Opposition to the Milford-Dart tunnel is gaining momentum, with more than 23,000 people signing a petition against the proposal. The bus tunnel is aimed at cutting down travel time from Queenstown to Milford. It would begin at the Dart River, near Glenorchy, and exit at the Hollyford Valley, near Milford Sound. Megan Martin reports. This pristine land could one day be more accessible. BIRD SONG It reduces the travel time from Queenstown to Milford by about 60%. He's talking about a proposed tunnel from Dart River near Queenstown to Hollyford Valley near Milford Sound. It's attracting increased opposition. There is an infrastructure that exists already to get people to see it. Over the top, and around about. We don't need to go underneath as well. A public meeting in Queenstown last night drew a crowd of 200. Their aim is simple. We'd like to stop the tunnel and stop these submissions through the national parks of these projects that really violate the whole idea of why we have national parks in the first place. They say the region's World Heritage status must take precedence. We must answer to the peoples of the world, not just NZ, in our decision-making process. The group also opposes a plan for a monorail from Lake Wakatipu to Lake Te Anau. What if this government's allowed to sell out our national resources to big business for what ` short-term gain, when these are World Heritage jewels. We've got an extreme green element that's parachuted into this debate. They are not for progress. They are not for better wealth creation out of tourism opportunities. Just who is right is now down to the Department of Conservation. They say a formal decision could still be months off. Megan Martin, ONE News. A Christchurch mountain biker who found himself in court after a video was posted on YouTube of him assaulting another cyclist has been fined $750 for the attack. 45-year-old Aaron William Dalton was charged with the Port Hills assault in April and has since attended an anger management programme. The video was captured and uploaded to the internet by Jordan Brizzell, the man who was assaulted. Still to come on ONE News ` the fight against a petrol giant's plans in the Bay of Plenty continue at a Tauranga court hearing. The Syrian government strikes back against rebels amid opposition claims of executions. And with only days to go until the London Games, the torch gets a ride on a city icon. Then at 7 ` couches, cupcakes and getting naked. The new breed of student protest in 2012. Bay of Plenty iwi are vowing to keep fighting deep-sea exploration in their region. The pledge comes as a fisherman goes before the court for his alleged role in a protest during the controversial exploration of the Raukumara Basin by Brazilian petrol giant Petrobras. Nicole Bremner was at the Tauranga District Court hearing. Greenpeace and local iwi joined forces to support local man Elvis Teddy at his summary hearing. No comment. The fishing boat skipper joined a protest flotilla to the Raukumara Basin last April. His vessel, The San Pietro, seen here almost under the bow of a large exploration vessel surveying the seabed for Brazilian oil company Petrobras. This recording from a crew member on Mr Teddy's boats. We wish to reiterate that this is not a protest. We are defending private waters and our rights from reckless government policies and the threat of deep-sea drilling. We believe that there is no safe deep-water drilling that can happen in NZ. It's just not worth the risk. In court, Mr Teddy faced one charge of operating his vessel unsafely and one of resisting arrest. The prosecution painting a black and white case. This case is about Elvis Teddy driving his ship in front of another ship. It's not about usurping any right to protest or the Rena, customary fishing rights or oil or Apanui. A police officer who has identity suppression told the court he set limits so the protest flotilla would keep a safe distance from the exploration ship. But its captain was forced to make repeated calls via marine radio to the flotilla, warning they'd breached the limits and were far too close. And whatever the judge decides about Elvis Teddy's actions, local iwi say he did the right thing for future generations. Nicole Bremner, ONE News. Opposition activists in Syria are claiming 20 unarmed men suspected of aiding Rebels have been executed in the capital Damascus. The allegations come as government troops launch a major offensive to regain parts of the city, while Rebels are reported to have taken several areas of the second city Aleppo. The BBC's Jim Muir reports. The Damascus skyline wreathed in smoke from heavy bombardment. This district in the west of the city is one of several where regime forces are battling to drive the rebels out. They succeeded in Qaboon in the north-east of the capital, at the cost of huge destruction. These troops are believed to be from the much-feared 4th Division, commanded by President Assad's brother, Maher. Mr Assad himself was meanwhile receiving his army chief of staff and giving him his orders. Presumably, they were to restore control in the capital and the second city, Aleppo, at all costs. MAN: Allahu Akbar! Like Damascus, Aleppo up in the north have been relatively untouched by trouble until last week. Now government forces are battling to dislodge rebels from several quarters they've taken over. In a straight fight, the lightly armed opposition fighters are little match for the regime's massive firepower. But they believe they're on the path of victory. (SPEAKS IN ARABIC) TRANSLATOR: The Free Syrian Army has succeeded in liberating most of the areas of the suburbs, and the way is now open for us to liberate the city of Aleppo and, from there, to liberate the rest of Syrian soil with God's will. GUNFIRE EXPLOSION, SCREAMING Certainly, the regime is not having it all its own way as fighting rages in many parts of the country. Refugees are spilling over the nearby border into Turkey, joining thousands already there. None of them knows when it will be safe to go home and who'll be in charge when they do. While in those camps, Turkish police have fired tear gas at stone-throwing Syrian refugees angry at a lack of food and clean water. The Chinese capital Beijing's been hit by its heaviest rain in over 60 years. Almost 40 people have been killed so far. and thousands have been evacuated from their homes. Roads became rivers, and more than 500 flights were cancelled or delayed. Also in the north-west of the country, the rains have killed at least four people. It's the opposite in Spain, where dry conditions and high winds have fuelled massive wild fires. Three people have been killed and almost 20 others injured. More than 400 personnel are fighting the blazes which have consumed almost 8000ha of land. Now for an update on the heavy northern rain. Where's it concentrated now? Western Bay of Plenty and Gisborne Hills now. Slipping slowly east and south. For weather, see onenews.co.nz Your Tuesday forecast after sport. Just ahead on ONE News ` the Whangarei sister act gearing up for their shot at an olympic dream. And if you're a BLT fan, you won't want to miss this one ` find out where to get the country's best bacon. Tonight on Close Up ` it's one of our most dangerous interceptions. How many deaths does it take for something to be done about it? They're spending money on other things that are apparently more important. What's more important than life? Plus ` getting naked and baking cupcakes. Is this what protest action looks like in 2012? Close Up at 7, TV ONE. The NZ Symphony Orchestra could be closed down. The Ministry for Culture and Heritage says audiences for classical music are declining. Among four options, the Ministry suggests getting rid of the national orchestra, which receives $13m of annual government funding. In its place, there could be city and regional orchestras. Today marks the start of Maori Language Week. This year's theme is arohatia te reo or 'cherish the language'. But 25 years after Maori was made an official NZ language, academic Rangi Mataamua say its status is still below what it should be. With the London Games starting later this week, the Olympic torch has reached new heights with a ride on the London Eye. Amelia Hempleman-Adams says it was exhilarating to hold the flame on one of the landmark's capsules. The 17-year-old is the youngest person to have skied to the South Pole. Well, first it was the Evers-Swindell twin rowers. Now it's the Harrisons ` the Kiwi sisters Sam and Charlotte competing together at the Olympics. The hockey stars are in London getting ready for their first game this weekend. Charlotte Whale met them before they left. They may look like glamour girls, but don't be fooled. These pink ladies pack a whole lot of punch Charlotte (22) and her sister Sam (19) are part of the 16-strong women's hockey squad. It's the siblings' first Olympics, but what they lack in experience they make up for in fight. We are ranked sixth in the world, so we will be punching above our weight, and well have to play very very well to get a medal, but we've definitely got the belief there. They're both dedicated athletes. They take the mickey out of each other a lot off the field and on the field, and they are pretty inseparable when we go away. The girls from Whangarei started playing together as kids. We used to play on the side of the road with our neighbours. We had a quiet street growing up. Now they're in the big league. In a sport that's known for good-looking talent, how do they handle the attention? Oh just, kind of, brush it off. (LAUGHS) We just, sort of, put our shin pads on and go out to play hockey. And to get rarked up before a game, the sisters have a tried and true ritual. We'll get some portable speakers out and put an iPod in and start playing a long. And sometimes Finally gets ripped out. # Finally it's happening to me. # Finally it is happening. With top teams Germany and Argentina in their pool it'll be tough, but they have the support of a very proud family. My mum and my little sister, particularly, she's really excited. She's probably gonna be in the crowd with her pompoms on. (LAUGHS) And, of course, a whole country cheering them on. Charlotte Whale, ONE News. And you can find more coverage on the Olympics on our website ` onenews.co.nz/olympics A small Canterbury butchery's taken the title for best bacon in NZ. A team of judges awarded the top prize to Ellesmere Butchery in Leeston, a country business with old-fashioned techniques. Mike Thorpe reports. Chris Brown is a firm believer that good things take time. That's why he takes the no-hurry approach. He reckons it becomes obvious once the bacon hits the pan. When you cook this stuff, it, uh, it'll actually caramelise itself and crisp up. It's not gonna stew. And that's because he draws the heavy liquid out before the bacons winds up on the shelf. So how much valuable weight is this bacon losing in the process? Don't even go there. (CHUCKLES) It'll probably scare me. But, uh, running a business, we want to make money, obviously, but we first and foremost want to put a good product out. His shop took a battering in the 2010 Darfield quake, but arguably, the most important building emerged unscathed. The smokehouse is fine. (CHUCKLES) The smokehouse is fine. It's been there for 20 years. It'll be there for a lot longer. (CHUCKLES) Canterbury has had its trotters on the Supreme Award every year since the competition began. Great news for locals, but he's prepared for national interests too. We've got a ton of bacon on hand at the moment. Um, there'd be more to come. Yeah, we can have it delivered by 9.30. It'll be on your plate by 10.30. Having wrapped up the 2012 award, the Ellesmere butcher already has his eyes on 2013, where he's looking to smoke the opposition all over again. Mike Thorpe, ONE News. Looking at our top stories tonight. The Government's been warned that defending a legal case at the World Trade Organisation over its plan for plain-packaged cigarettes could cost millions. Submissions for the plan close in October, and the packaging could be introduced by next year. Farmers are on high alert this evening in parts of the North Island as it's pelted with heavy downpours. Flooding has cut off parts of State Highway 2 between Auckland and Tauranga. Sections of State Highway 26 are also affected. Motorists and residents are being warned to take extra care tonight. Andrew's here with sport, and you can almost always guarantee drama at a golf major. We have the last few holes and how it all unfolded, or unravelled, next. The Big Easy makes it look all too easy, while others struggle, brought to their knees again. Plus, Kieran Read has to make the toughest call of all. And it's yellow of a different kind. So will there be more golden glory in London for the man known as Wiggo? TYRES SQUEAL MOURNFUL STRING MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES In a crash, whatever your speed, the car stops, but everything inside keeps moving. It's the same inside your body. MOURNFUL STRING MUSIC CONTINUES SNAP! Even with the best protection, you're still vulnerable. STEAM HISSES The dramatic twists and turns of top-class sport have been on display for us to see once again. This time it was at golf's open championship in England. The agony struck overnight leader Australian Adam Scott. The ecstasy came courtesy of a 42-year-old South African great who's broken a 10-year drought in the majors. Mark Hathaway has the pleasure and the pain. The sinking, gut-wrenching feeling most golfers will relate to. Adam Scott's major chance gone begging. The worst thing is he didn't have the British Open snatched from him ` he threw it away. Leading by four with six holes to play, the 32-year-old Aussie became the magnet for trouble. Up ahead, Ernie Els on his final approach. Two shots off the lead and just an outside chance. Get closer, as the crowd tries to hold it in there. Maybe it's because he's won the open before, but the Big Easy was as relaxed as his nickname suggests and lethal when it mattered It is good from Ernie Els. He still has a chance. Fearing a meltdown was imminent, Kiwi caddie Steve Williams tried to keep Scott shielded, but there's no hiding from the bunkers on the Royal Lytham course. And Scott wasn't the only one finding that out. Three back-nine bogeys dashed Tiger's chances, leaving just two names atop the leaderboard, and as Ernie Els waited on the practice green, Scott needed this to force a play off. No, there it is. Ernie Els wins. Congratulations, Ernie, and Adam Scott's going to be scarred for life. I'm very disappointed, but I played so beautifully for most of the week. I certainly shouldn't let this bring me down. Els almost regretfully accepting the Claret Jug, which could so easily have gone to his golfing comrade. We've had some great battles in the past. I feel very fortunate, and you're going to win many of these. You've got too much talent. Today was Ernie's day, though. He now joins just five other players to have won the British and US Opens twice. Mark Hathaway, ONE News. So Ernie Els is two under for the day, four birdies on the back nine. Adam Scott one shot back. A nightmare four bogeys in the last four holes. Tiger Woods shared third with Brandt Snedeker. Further back, Kiwi Steve Alker tied for 19th. He shot a final round one over 71. He picks up around $100,000. Victory parties are being planned in Tauranga and Hamilton for the victorious Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic netball team. The Magic arrived back from Melbourne this afternoon with the Trans-Tasman trophy in tow. Kimberlee Downs was there for the homecoming. CHEERING NZ's Trans-Tasman champions elated, exhausted and arriving home to well-deserved applause, as they realisation of what they've achieved begins to sink in. It feels fantastic, and it's absolutely amazing. Yeah, I think it would be awesome to go and sit and have a cuppa and realise, 'Wow. We did it.' This is a side that's finally bloomed, after twice coming up short in a final. Definitely a bonus to be on the other side, you know. You got better emotions and more positive. Let's not forget they were staring down the barrel. Languishing at the bottom of the table after four straight losses. Yesterday's victory epitomising the steely determination,... Strong take, Langman. ...fierce defence,... Oh, de Bruin. ...calm under pressure... That is a sweet, sweet shot. ...and' never say die' attitude that's come to symbolise their season. We fought so hard for it and to finally come out as the winners and especially on Aussie soil is just incredible. Also incredible for Irene van Dyk, who's faced personal battles of her own, with the death of her mother. It was a really emotional week and to finish it off with a win, it kind of made it worth it. Celebrations in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty sure to make it worth it too. The players far from partied out. In the back of our minds was the journey home, so I'm pretty sure this weekend will be probably a ripper. After such a momentous win, there's no doubt they deserve it. Kimberlee Downs, ONE News. And the sports feast carries on in the Waikato. Well over 14,000 tickets have been snapped up for the Chiefs-Crusaders Super Rugby semi-final this Friday night in Hamilton. That's just after one day of sales. Miserable weather didn't deter fans flocking for seats today. Meanwhile, the Chiefs know the Magic will be a hard act to follow. The Magic were awesome, weren't they? And big ups to those girls. The boys fully supported them over the last couple of weeks. We were lucky enough to get to one of their games, so, you know, hopefully Casey Williams can come down and she can bring her boots and she can hopefully wear my number. The Chiefs insist having a week off won't harm their chances on Friday. On the other hand, the battered and bruised Crusaders claim they'll be much better off On the other hand, the battered and bruised Crusaders claim they'll be much better off after their intense win over the Bulls at the weekend. The Crusaders are clicking into gear for their 14th semi-final appearance, but will the bodies hold up? Here's Blair Norton. Don't get your hopes up, Crusaders fans. Kieran Read won't be playing in red and black this Friday night. He's completely out, so it's really easy then. We can just get on with our preparation. His cracked rib is healing well, but not in time for Friday's semi-final. It was just a case of whether I could get through some game, but definitely in the best interests of the boys to rest this week. Read's not the only one feeling a bit gingerly. Around a third of the squad missing the team's flush session today, nursing aches and pains in the pool. Our guys are physically in good nick, so if the mind is right, the body will follow. The brutal Bulls encounter is being viewed as an advantage against the well-rested Chiefs. We've had an experience of post-playoff football this year. We've been in that sort of pressure situation, and I guess momentum's key this time of year. Targets the ball. Bang. In he goes. The Crusaders promise to lift up the intensity from the Bulls match to even greater levels against the Chiefs. Well, we have to. We definitely have to, I think, or else we come second and the season is over. I just think we'll just try and ramp it up. It's not really` There's no mad science about it. It's just about who wants it more. The forwards plan to muscle up to negate the Sonny Bill factor. If we stifle their set piece and stop it at the source, then he won't get a chance to do what he can do. Stop Sonny Bill, and the Crusaders are a good bet to improve their 76% win rate in Super semi-finals. Blair Norton, ONE News. Britain's first winner of cycling's Tour de France already has his sights set on another milestone. After just a few days' rest, Bradley Wiggins is going for gold in the Olympic time trial this weekend in London. There's little time to savour his historic win, confirmed on the Champs Elysees, in a very British affair. The BBC's Tim Franks was in Paris. There were still 80 miles for Bradley Wiggins to ride today on his freshly sprayed yellow bike. But the tradition on the tour is for the leader on the final day to remain unchallenged. After three weeks, 2000 miles, 22 mountain passes, the end was in sight and the prospect of a unique achievement for Britain. First, though, the sight of Briton doing what's become astonishingly familiar. Mark Cavendish may be the best road sprinter the world has seen. With his teammate Bradley Wiggins leading the peloton, Cavendish swung out for his fourth consecutive win of the most glamorous tour stage of them all. Britain for so long not a road-cycling nation is flexing its leg muscles. This sort of thing happens to other people. You never imagine it happens to you, so it's incredible, yeah. I mean, it's not the sort of thing you soak in at the time at think, 'God, this is amazing. 'What a wonderful occasion.' But I bet you look back in years to come and think, 'God, that was special.' And there's more. After waiting more than a hundred years for a man on the podium, Britain now has two. Standing on the left of the picture, Bradley Wiggins' teammate Chris Froome, who came in second on the tour. In a few days' time, we'll turn to the hunt for Olympic gold, but this summer it may be yellow which gleams the brightest. Not such good news for England in the cricket, though. South Africa's Hashim Amla has created history on day four of the first test at the Oval. The batsman with a sublime first-innings knock becoming the first South African to score a triple century. The crowd giving deserved applause. Hashim Amla ` your country salutes you. Your teammates salute you. The crowd here salutes you. Well done, young man. Amla finished unbeaten on 311. Jacques Kallis pitched for 182 not out. South Africa amassed 637/2 before the declaration. A disheartened England struggled to 102/4 at stumps in their second innings ` 150 runs behind the visitors with a day to play. Fernando Alonso's notched up his third victory of the Formula One season, winning a close-fought German Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver starting from pole at Hockenheim and managing to hold the lead despite intense pressure from Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button. CHUCKLES: Oh yes. Yes. Gracie, gracie, gracie. That was fantastic, I guess. The sign of victory, so tonight we are to party. The win sees Alonso extend his overall championship lead to 34 points, ahead of Red Bull's Mark Webber, who finished eighth in this morning's race. After the break ` the heavy rain's not done with us yet. Jim has your weather. Tonight on Close Up ` it's one of our most dangerous intersections. How many deaths does it take for something to be done about it? They're spending money on other things that are apparently more important. What's more important than life? Plus ` getting naked and baking cupcakes. Is this what protest action looks like in 2012? Close Up's here next, TV ONE. Hi, again. The rain conveyor's sloshing wet weather over Wellington-Bay of Plenty and now down over the Gisborne Hills. For weather, see onenews.co.nz And that's ONE News this Monday.