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World class opposition won't be the only thing standing between New Zealand's top athletes and success at next year's Tokyo Olympics.

Next year's Games in Japan are expected to be the hottest in Olympic history.

It's a prediction that's had Kiwi officials working for three years on a strategy to ensure the performance of their athletes isn't overly impacted by the sweltering conditions.

And - as Clay Wilson and camera operator Dan Cook found out - it's a strategy they believe can provide New Zealand's best with a competitive advantage.

National MP Jami-Lee Ross is taking sick leave from Parliament to deal with what he describes as "personal health issues". The exact details are being kept private - but National's leader Simon Bridges says they're deeply personal, serious, and potentially embarrassing.

Family members of the five people killed in a car crash north of Taupo yesterday have started to arrive at Mokai marae. Our reporter Nita Blake-Persen and camera man Dan Cook went to see the mayor of Taupo, David Trewavas, who has been meeting with the family.