News, sport and weather.
A New Zealand businessman who recently opened a new business in Vietnam attended by Trade Minister Phil Goff has been revealed as a deadbeat Dad by his wife, who claims he abandoned her and their children 12 years ago. Phil Vine (One News); Maggie Stalker (Former Wife); Hamish Stalker (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam); Peter Dunne (Revenue Minister).
Police have admitted they never knew illegal firearms were such a problem, following a massive raid on homes nation-wide yesterday that found a large number of illegal guns. Jacobina Plummer (One News); Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead (Hamilton Police); Philip Alpers (Gun Control Expert).
Retailers expect Christmas Shopping to be even bigger this year than last. Tony Reid (One News); Stuart Yorston (The Warehouse); James Nelson (Westfield St Lukes Shopping Centre); Simon Tong (Paymark Chief Executive).
The coup in Fiji has led to large discounts being offered by tourist operators desperate to avoid making massive losses. John Stewart (One News); John McGuinness (Flight Centre); Jim Sherlock (Resort Owner); Lindy Christian (Gullivers Travel Group).
US President George W. Bush is expected to call for a larger US Army, and send most new troops to Iraq. Tim Wilson (One News); George W. Bush (US President).
A look at the big stories of the year for 2006, including the death of the Maori Queen and subsequent funeral; Rob Hewitt's survival after being stranded floating in the ocean for three days; the murder of youth Liam Ashley in a corrections van; Hameet Sooden returning to Auckland after 118 days in captivity in Iraq; attempts to get a Waterfront Stadium built in Auckland for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Mark Torley (One News.