The Te Arawa Kapa Haka regional competition begins this weekend with 21 teams taking to the stage. The winner of this competition will enter Te Matatini, and with tickets sold out the organisers are expecting thousands of people to attend this event. The event managers and those charged with taking care of the stage are confident ahead of the event given their experience and the assistance of students who are eager to learn. Mere McLean reports live from Rotorua: Trevor Maxwell (Te Arawa), Piki Thomas (Papa tū waewae, kaiwhakahaere), Paetahi Mitchell (Te Arawa), Ihipera Haverkamp (Te Arawa).
155 New homes will be built across the regions by June of this year. Phil Twyford announced these targets which are aimed at reducing homelessness and removing pressure in the private rental market. An initiative in New Lynn will accommodate 300 people once completed and the opening of the site was celebrated by local Iwi and dignitaries today. This is one of the biggest construction projects Housing New Zealand has embarked on outside of the main cities and it aims to have tenants start moving in by the middle of 2018. Rukuwai Tipene-Allen reports: Phil Twyford (Minita Take Whare), Pita Pou (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi).
Fonterra has moved to strengthen its partnerships with Māori farmers after calling its first ever meeting to inform them of a new Māori strategy. They aim to provide them with better access to Fonterra systems and improved relationship amongst dairy producers. 214 Māori owned farms are in partnership with Fonterra, many of these are communally owned and deliver benefits to their communities such as employment and economic growth. Te Kuru Dewes reports: Daisy Noble (Kaipupuri Hea), Tiaki Hunia (Kaiwhakahaere Rautaki Māori, Fonterra).
Questions are being asked about the authenticity of Simon Bridges Māori heritage following his election to the leadership of the National party. His ties to Maniapoto come from his father, but he has no connection to his marae or knowledge of his pepeha. He has defended his lack of te reo skills, and says it makes him no less Māori. He says that Māori can expect him stand on a proud record of the National party doing what is right for Māoridom. He wishes to meet with more Māori leaders from throughout Aotearoa in order to be an effective leader of the opposition. Talisa Kupenga reports: Simon Bridges (Kaiārahi, Nāhinara).
An increased interest in harakeke funeral options has seen Kahungunu based Simplicity Bereavement Services exploring options for harakeke caskets and coffins. They are attempting to keep the price low so it can be accessible for all whanau, and the biodegradable and sustainable caskets are an eco-friendly option. The funeral home is seeking local weavers in the Kahungunu area who can assist in production. Aroha Treacher reports: Noel Morris (Kaiwhakahaere, Simplicity)
Lieutenant Alfred Preece has passed away at age 96 in his Chatham Islands home. He was the last living officer of the 28th Māori Battalion, having served for 3 years during World War 2 in North Africa and Italy. Wounded 3 times, he said that with the Battalion being drawn from around Aotearoa it was akin to the Foreign Legion. Preece always viewed the was as a waste of time and the lives of fine young men which should not be repeated. Alfred Preece.
Maori Television will broadcast the first ever weather segment from a Māori perspective at the end of this Te Kāea bulletin. It will give an insight into the Māori calendar and astrology for both Māori and non-Māori. Taroi Black reports: Kawe Roes (Kaiwhakataki),
Te Tai Tokerau will return to the National Touch Rugby championship after an absence of 15 years. The competition will now contains the most teams since it began over 20 years ago. The Northland team are excited to return and have entered three teams featuring players who were not even born last time Te Tai Tokerau played in the tournament. Eru Paranihi reports: Joe Rau (Kaiwhakahaere, Te Tai Tokerau), Amara Te Iringa (Te Tai Tokerau), Keti Marsh-Solomon (Kaitākaro o-mua).
The New Zealand Rugby Union has made the announcement that players in the New Zealand Black Ferns will receive professional contracts. The NZRU made a profit of over $33 million in 2017 and details of the women players contracts are still being negotiated.
Joelle King will be heading to the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. Her victory at the Cleveland Classic and finishing as runner up at the Windy City Open in Chicago means she is now placed number 7 in the world rankings.
Troy Garton will be boxing in the Commonwealth Games after entering the sport late in life. In 4 short years she has progressed from an amateur to representing New Zealand. Garton started boxing in a charity event held by Les Mills and found she had the talent and enthusiasm to take it further. Rāhia Timutimu reports: Troy Garton (Ngāti Hine), Terry Reid-Batchelor (Kaiako).