In Kiwi-Land a mid-election crisis unfolded when a former flying instructor from Auckland's Massey University's flying school at Ardmore aerodrome stole an aircraft at night and then proceeded to tell air traffic controllers he was intending to crash the machine into the CBD's Sky Tower - at 328m it's the tallest building south of the Equator and pride of the Kiwis

The Piper PA28 flew around in central Auckland airspace for about two hours before it crashed into the local harbour about 50m off Kohimarama Beach at around 2150hrs
 
The News Desk understands the 33 year-old pilot was involved in a domestic dispute earlier in the day - he was taken to Auckland City Hospital - condition OK