Coming up on Te Karere... A Bay of Plenty forestry worker is dead after being hit by a felled tree. Are the safety standards for forestry workers good enough? Te Mangai Paho wants broadcasters to lift their language game, so are they going to fund this show? And these taonga went under the hammer last night, how much did they go for? Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. Bay of Plenty forestry workers are reeling after their co-worker and friend, Robert Arapeta Epapara (23), was hit and killed by a falling tree. A special karakia was held where the man died at Hauparu Bay near Lake Rotoiti. Our Waiariki reporter Kereama Wright has been at the scene. Karakia was held this morning at the scene where Robert Epapara was fatally struck down by a felled tree. A son and a father, he worked at Lake Rotoiti as a forestry worker. His co-workers were there when the accident occurred and it was clear to see they were devastated by the tragedy. It's all gone wrong and there's nothing to be said as these workers grieve the loss of a dear co-worker and relative. At around 2.30pm yesterday, it was announced that Epapara was crushed by a tree while they were chopping blue gum trees down in this hilly block of land known as Waione in Rotoiti. It's a big shock because he was so young. He was the youngest in the crew and they say he was eager, heard working and determined. I'm here at the entrance to the marae where the accident took place yesterday. His colleagues say they only just moved to this block this week. Now it's up to OSH to investigate and find out what went wrong. In addition to the concerns of the region, the NZ Council of Trade Unions are angry that this is the third forestry death of the year, and the 24th from 2008. They say it's high time for a review of processes in the forestry industry to mitigate these types of accidents. Thank you Kereama Wright. And to the Kinleith Forest the search for clues continue police are adamant the answer to who killed George Taiaroa lies within the community. The road worker was gunned down while operating a stop-go sign on Tram Road near Tokoroa last week. Checkpoints were put up yesterday around the area, where police checked more than a thousand cars. Police have identified more witnesses to the fatal shooting however Detective Inspector Tim Anderson says police are still looking for the driver of a blue Jeep Cherokee. He says someone in the community must know the person who was driving the vehicle. The death of forestry worker Robert Epapara raises questions about the safety standards of the forestry industry. It's the third death this year including 19-year-old Eramyha Eruera Pairama who died in January. Forestry is one of the major industries on the East Coast, Ikaroa Rawhiti MP Parekura Horomia joins us now. Tena koe, Parekura. Forestry was touted as the answer to unemployment for our people how safe do you think it is? We're unable to provide subtitles. Parekura Horomia, thank you for joining us. Taitokerau MP Hone Harawira has been out and about in Christchurch today highlighting some social issues that are having an effect on the community. From school closures to high rents. Despite it not being his electorate he says it's about helping his people everywhere. He is a staunch supporter for the pool and low income earners, and now he is trying to help the people of Christchurch. $500 a week for a one bedroom that's far more expensive than Auckland rents. Harawira says this is the electorate of South Island Maori member Rino Tirikatene, he's been asked to come here by people who have links to his electorate in the north. I would like to see a management board set up so that the rents are capped and owners cannot charge high rents like this. He is also here to discuss education issues with schools like Phillipstown who will be merging with another school. They are tired of fighting against the government to keep those schools who are doing a good job open. From what I can see, they are doing a good job, but the government just isn't prepared to listen. He is a man who knows how to drive an issue, and if Harawira also brings a few more supporters for his Mana Party, then that's a bonus. Irena Smith, Te Karere. BREAKING NEWS. We're unable to provide subtitles. After the break, the Auditor-General's office was called on to justify its report on Labour MP Shane Jones at a parliamentary committee this morning. Peata Melbourne's in Wellington with the latest. What are Te Mangai Paho expecting from broadcasters? The office of the Auditor-General was brought in to explain the report on Shane Jones' allegations of misconduct in granting Yong Min Yang NZ residency. Our reporter Peata Melbourne was there to hear what was said, so let's cross over to Wellington where she's waiting to speak with us. Peata, is this case done and dusted? It seems that's the end of the investigation. Shane Jones was estranged from his party under a cloud of allegations of misconduct in allowing Bill Liu into the country. Although the contents of the report remains private, it's no secret that he's been cleared of all blame, although Winston Peters is of another opinion. The opposition could not shut Peters out today, but as for Shane Jones, despite the mud his name's been dragged through, tonight, he's throwing a party themed after Lazarus, a character in the Bible whom Jesus brought back to life. How about the Mondayisation Bill where's that at the moment? The bill is still with the Select Committee, but it will come under debate in the chamber, and will close at 6:30pm. The last reading may take place on April 17. Hekia Parata reportedly passed last night in an interview with Chris Hipkins... Here's the question put to Hekia Parata at about 3pm yesterday... But at about 10pm last night, Hekia returned and apologised. And she knew that after the issue with Lesley Longstone, cries for her resignation were rife. There's no end to the challenges that lay ahead for Hekia Parata and the Ministry of Education, Scotty. That's all for now. Thank you. Te Mangai Paho wants broadcasters to focus on the quality of Maori language content while they fund shows like The GC with minimal language content. Anzac Pikia has more. Te Mangai Paho is looking at improving the Maori language in television programming. Some are up there, but some worry us. Some are up there, but some worry us. Tomorrow, it will be known whether or not Te Mangai Paho will fund this programme. It's not for this board to agree on the one model because Maoridom is so diverse. The producer who made it and other programmes isn't too fussed. If it doesn't get funding, I'm not too concerned because the first series really stirred people up in NZ. He was one fortunate enough to be present at TMP's strategy meeting. It's awesome being able to get our ideas out to Te Mangai Paho about our language. Although we haven't really ironed that side out yet, the main thing is that we're talking to the right people who produce these programmes. Te Mangai Paho was setup by the government to promote te reo and our culture within broadcasting. The government gives us $52 million to distribute to those who apply. Why? So that the language be heard by all. Anzac Pikia, Te Karere. ECPAT NZ Child Alert is deeply concerned at reports of an increase in the number of under-aged sex workers in South Auckland and calls for increased protection of the young men and women involved. All children need to be safeguarded from being exploited in this way. ECPAT NZ Child Alert's research has shown that commercial sexual activity involving children occurs across the country in rural areas, towns and cities. Young sex workers are more likely to have been sexually abused, have left or are pushed out from home very early. In many cases they are forced into prostitution as they have no other way of getting money to buy drugs, accommodation, and food. Some are seeking emotional contact and companionship. If you watched the story about the auctioning of taonga Maori yesterday, we have an update on what they sold for. Although the auction house estimated the kahukiwi would go for $80,000, it sold for $40,000. The photo of Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana on his visit to japan sold for $530, and the taiaha for $8000. After the break, the weather. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. That's all we have for today. Kia ora tatou katoa. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ on Air. Copyright TVNZ Access Services 2013.