Earlier 20/20 stories 

November 15 - Guerrilla Marc(eting)
He's New Zealand's top celebrity who's courted controversy throughout his career. Now Marc Ellis wants to grab world headlines, as he embarks on a brand new business, but has he gone too far? 20/20's Pete Cronshaw talks with him about the motivation behind the biggest gamble he's ever taken, and what makes him tick.
Click here to watch the Guerilla Marc(eting) video

Once Bitten
The Great White shark's been protected in New Zealand waters now for more than a year, and despite critics fears, so far there's been no increase in attacks. But when they do bite it always leads to big headlines and an even bigger bloodlust to track them down and take revenge. 20/20's Pete Cronshaw talks with a former hunter turned protector - a man who was nearly killed by the sharks, but now wants others to see them as the harmless creatures he believes they are. And he catches up with a man who believes he's invented a device that will keep all of us safe at sea.
Click here to watch the Once Bitten video

Nov 1 - Labour of Love
They married knowing that they'd never be able to have a child of their own, after an emergency surgery left her unable to carry a baby. But Jeff and Karen still secretly hoped that somehow they'd be given the opportunity to become parents. Then came an incredible offer - Karen's boss said she'd carry their baby as a surrogate. Pete Cronshaw takes us on an emotional rollercoaster, as the couple, experience their first pregnancy together - and then face the hurdles in attempting to adopt their own biological offspring.
Click here to watch the Labour of Love video

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Update - We receieved this letter from a 20/20 viewer regarding the Labour of Love story:

Dear 20/20 team,
I have just watched your Labour of Love story with genuine admiration.  I too, was a gestational surrogate for a lovely Christchurch couple.  Unlike the couple in your story, I didn't know them prior to deciding to be a surrogate.  But I got to know them very well. On 6 November 2006 I gave birth to their genetic son, Benjamin. Ben has just turned one and is taking his first steps.
I believe that there is a whole lot of potential surrogates in New Zealand, just waiting for the chance to help an infertile couple. I created www.surrogacy.co.nz to assist in matching surrogates to intended parents.
Your reporter said that surrogacy is not recognised in New Zealand - that is not true.  Surrogacy is recognised in New Zealand and in fact a live birth from surrogacy is extremely common. I am really glad that both sides of the surrogacy (surrogate and IP's) shared their story.  Surrogacy deserves to be shouted from the roof tops.
Thank you,
Lorinda Robinson


Oct 25 - Sensing spirits
Mediums and channellers are seemingly everywhere at the moment - finding an increasing audience on television, and fuelling a deepening obsession with those who can apparently contact the dead. It's an issue that's divided one rural town, with an appearance by an international medium splitting Matamata. 20/20's Paul Hobbs went along to find out whether there's really something to fear from those who claim they can connect with the other side.
Click here to watch the Sensing Spirits video

Update: Channeller Francis Evans, who featured in our Sensing Spirits, wanted to make a statement regarding the story that went to air.  

"I salute the 20/20 team for telling a difficult story. Cutting the tapes to tell it unfortunately also cut the message. The message is that that world stands on a knife edge from the ignorance and delusions of business, governments and academics. The observable truth is that any message given without an authoritative name, position or qualification will be assessed only by its inherent believability. To believe that those with 'secret' information know the truth leads to gullibility and to eventual tyranny. To have an academic comment as if they are the final arbiter is to show the level to which intellectuals and consultants are raised without any kind of knowledge, experience or expertise whatsoever."

Oct 11 - Hot Wheels
They wear fishnets, short skirts, and have names like Skate the Muss ... but it wouldn't pay to make the mistake of thinking these Roller Derby women are anything less than hardcore. It's a sport that's just starting to hit its straps in New Zealand and is, as one competitor says, a chance to be theatrical, sexy, feminine, and aggressive. Hadyn Jones checks out all the bruising action on the rink, and finds out what's behind their passion for roller derby.
Click here to watch the Roller Girls video

A documentary about Roller Derby is currently being produced by Pretty Brutal Productions. For more information on roller derby go to www.piratecityrollers.com email Monica at piratesandpinups@gmail.com 
If you are in Wellington and want to get involved in roller derby a 20/20 viewer may be able to help you out - contact   WellingtonRollerDerby@gmail.com
Interested viewers in Christchurch can email rollergurlkristel@yahoo.com

 Oct 4 - The Fall Guy
Ben Brown is an athlete on the edge. His extreme kayaking feats are as breathtaking as the cascades he rides. The 28-year-old Kiwi has made a name for himself paddling waterfalls that common sense and conventional wisdom relegate to scenic attractions. It's dangerous stuff, real dangerous - last year, a relatively simple stunt left him with a broken back. The horrific injury, which was caught on camera, seriously challenged his confidence. But as Pete Cronshaw discovered it will take more than a broken back to kill this kayakers career.
Click here to watch the  Fall Guy video
Click here to watch Pete Cronshaw taken on a seven metre waterfall video


Sept 27 - My Two Grooms
It is a highly controversial radio promotions stunt - and many of us can't imagine why you would put your future happiness in the hands of strangers - but one young woman trusts it will find her a Kiwi husband. 20/20's Paul Hobbs has been there from the very beginning - first as the burgeoning pool of women was whittled down to the successful would-be bride, then as a nationwide manhunt got underway to find the men dying to say I Do. The Edge has run two very successful wedding competitions in the past, but this time there's a twist. As Chantelle walks down the aisle, she'll face two would-be grooms - and must make her choice - sight unseen. Is this a step too far? Will she marry, or become the ultimate runaway bride? 20/20 brings you the all the action on the day, as well as the fireworks and drama leading up to her choice.
Click here to watch the  My Two Grooms - part 1 video
Click here to watch the  My Two Grooms - part 2 video
Click here to watch the  full wedding ceremony video
Click here to watch the  reception video
Click here to watch the  bridesmaids discuss Chantelle's decision video


Sept 20 - Taxing times
He thought he was due a refund from the IRD - they saw it differently. For four years Dave Henderson was scrutinised - went through bankruptcy, was investigated by the police, and told he owed nearly a million dollars to the tax man. Only after an inquiry, did the IRD admit he owed them nothing, and instead handed him a cheque. It was an experience he says nearly broke him, but he's now back on top, handling a billion dollar development, and with a film about to be released on his amazing story. He talks candidly about life's lessons to Hadyn Jones.
Click here to watch the  Taxing Times video

Sept 13 - Grand Theft Auto
Ever had your car broken into and experienced the frustration and anger? Ever had your car knicked and suffered that excruciating sense of violation? Every year about 25,000 New Zealanders have their cars stolen either by joyriders or the crims who operate chop shops to sell stolen parts. What are the cops doing about it? Well they show us, even though they admit they are losing the battle. 20/20's Paul Hobbs is in on an armed police raid to recover stolen cars, we see a stolen car disappear and we watch as the justice system deals to a convicted car chopper.
Click here to watch the  Grand Theft Auto video

Sept 6 - Double take
All Black Captain Richie McCaw is one of the most high profile men in the country. Many women adore him, and if he lifts the Rugby World Cup, most men will want to shout him a beer. But if you thought you'd had a close encounter with him, you might be wrong. 20/20 investigates the age-old saying that somewhere in the world, we all have a double, and comes up trumps with Richie's. Natalie Crook also tracks down two strangers, from opposite ends of the world, who frequently fool others, and finds her very own doppelganger.
N.B. This video is no longer available online

August 15 - Growing Pains
You know times are changing when 10-year old girls routinely have two cellphones, surf the net like pro's and know more about Britney Spear's breakdown than you do. But what is the world teaching our kids? In the rush to grow up are we entering an age where they don't have a childhood? Hadyn Jones spoke to Lorie Clark who's completed a Masters thesis looking at how pop culture affects young girls. She fears in their rush to grow up, many are bypassing childhood.
20/20 put young girls to the test, and find some surprising results on who's making an impact on their lives.
Click here to watch the  Growing Pains video

August 9 - Scary Mary
It's a high-octane testosterone-fuelled world when you're a star Motocross rider but Kiwi Mary Perkins has always stood out in the crowd. She's the only woman to tour with the Crusty Demons, who are considered amongst the best in the world. Their incredible feats have to be seen to be believed.

20/20's Pete Cronshaw was there when one of Mary's death-defying leaps nearly turned to tragedy. You'll be amazed at her courage, and her recovery.
Click here to watch the  Scary Mary video

August 2 - Skin Deep
New Zealanders like to think that people of all sizes, beliefs and colours are welcome here. But in the South Island a series of violent attacks on young Asians suggests otherwise. In May two Nelson skinheads were sentenced to eight and 12 months jail on charges of assault, and assault with intent to injure after a vicious attack on a group of Korean teenagers. Daniel Kitto and Harry McCormack were caught on camera as they beat up four students, in broad daylight, sitting outside a Nelson dairy. McCormack told police he didn't like Asians so wanted to hurt them. Kitto, said he joined in to prove something to his mates. Police say Nelson is no worse than anywhere in the country, but Paul Hobbs discovered there's a lot of hate ready to spill out when you scratch the surface.
Click here to watch the  Skin Deep video

May 31 - Loose Change
Adam Baird is a 21-year-old with a big dream. This wheeler dealer is determined to turn a $2 coin into a house. Taking a leaf from an American entrepreneur who paved the way, Baird is sure he can make the deals that will crack the ultimate swap. 20/20's Hadyn Jones is there for the tough negotiations along the way.
Click here to watch the  Loose Change video

Adam has set up a website where he will provide updates on his progress towards a house click HERE

May 24 - Haunted House?
Haunted houses, do they really exist? Or are they just inhabited by haunted people. 20/20 hit the road with a group of paranormal investigators. By day they are relatively ordinary folk but by night, they seek out the alleged victims of bone-chilling, spine-tingling hauntings and search for evidence of paranormal activity. As Pete Cronshaw discovered they also spend a lot of time trying to avoid getting spooked themselves.
Click here to watch the  Haunted House video

If you would like to know more about the spooks paranormal investigations team check out the website www.spooks.net.nz