09 July 2012 Coming up on Te Karere... Will the Waitangi Tribunal halt asset sales until it resolves who owns water? until it resolves who owns water? Auckland Council's Maori Board got the $3 million it wanted. How will it be spent? Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. Maori have waded in to the battle to prevent the government selling off a stake in the country's four state-owned power companies. Maori leaders have launched a legal challenge at the Waitangi Tribunal in Wellington, over the ownership of water rights and geothermal assets. We cross now to Peata Melbourne who's covering the case. Around 200 people from around the country came to the opening day of the hearing. They came to listen to the Maori Council and others who believe that Maori own fresh water and have the right to manage it. A battle is brewing... These were the kind of words that were being said by representatives of different iwi of the country while presenting their case to the Waitangi Tribunal. What we are seeking is support. The government for the first time is starting to talk about the allocation of water rights, and the Maori Council say they are talking in a way which assumes there were no prior rights. I think the government are being wary of us, of Ngati Te Takinga of Te Arawa waka. They won't come near us because we know the whole history of our treasure. The claimants of Poroti Springs were the first to give evidence today saying their concerns over the sale of the assets is that government or interested buyers will not be prepared to talk to them in regards to their water, once again bypassing Maori. Consultation is key. But the government's stance has been the same, no one owns the water. And they are not bound by recommendations of the Tribunal to take action. I won't listen to that kind of talk because from when I was little, my grandparents have always said 'this is your water, look after it 'and take care of it for your benefit and the benefit of the iwi.' 9 iwi are expected to be heard today, and the last will give their evidence tomorrow. As I was speaking to Taipari Munro of Northland and David Hurihanganui of Ngati Te Takinga, they had no issues with sharing their water resources. However, consultation with iwi is a must. Government should consult with iwi for fear of creating conflict otherwise. Thank you Peata. That was Peata Melbourne, live from Wellinton. Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell joins us live from our Rotorua studio. Tena koe, Te Ururoa. We're unable to provide subtitles. Visit our website after 7pm to watch interview with subtitles. Te Ururoa Flavell, thank you for joining us. After the break, what's on the agenda for the Auckland Council's Maori Board? Former rugby league star Tawera Nikau has been fined $250 for assaulting his estranged daughter in February. Nikau was found guilty of grabbing his daughter, Heaven-Leigh Nikau, tightly by the throat and dragging her to the footpath in a street altercation outside the Huntly Police Station. Nihau's lawyer will appeal the conviction and the sentence. Tangi preparations are underway for a father of six who was killed along with his nephew in a head-on car crash near Whakatane. Katiana Kereopa was returning from his aunty's tangi with his nephew Turuki Kereopa on Saturday morning when they collided with the vehicle belonging to their cousin Tom Kupa. Mr Kupa is in a serious but stable condition at Tauranga Hospital. Hinerangi Goodman reports from the scene of the fatal crash. This is the stretch of SH2 at Nukuhou North where Turuki Kereopa and his uncle Katiana Kereopa were killed instantly after a collision with another vehicle. Moments after the collision, Tom Kupa an uncle to Turuki was taken to Tauranga Hospital. Sadly, all those who were involved in the accident Sadly, all those who were involved in the accident were related to each other. The cause of the crash is still being investigated by police. Hinerangi Goodman, Te Karere. The independent Maori statutory board held a meeting today to discuss a number of issues - one being the local government reform bill which allows the board to operate. Our reporter Anzac Pikia was at the meeting - Anzac Yes, they were discussing the contents of the bill and the board has decided to lay a claim against it. The started because of the law and it's the law that will ensure they survive. Some councillors were concerned at the $3.1 million the statutory board received for daily costs, but that has not phased the chairman at all. They've been working on their Maori strategy for a while and that's set to be launched in August along with the implementation of the audit review on the board. The board was established under the Local Government Act 2009 to ensure the council meets Treaty of Waitangi obligations and promotes issues of significance for Maori in Auckland. The Maori statutory board's report will be considered so that they and the wider public can see what the board has done as well as what still needs to be done, Scotty. Thank you Anzac, live from our Auckland offices. The government is to invest a further one million dollars into Maori trades training in Christchurch. Minister for Skills and Employment Steven Joyce says the initiative, "He Toki ki Te Rika" encourages young Maori to learn a trade through an apprenticeship type scheme. After the break, Sonny 'Bill' Williams - he's taking off his black jersey for good. and the weather. To sports now; Sonny Bill Williams is off to play rugby in Japan next year. He confirmed today that he's going to Japan to play with Panasonic. After that he hasn't signed anything, but wants to return to the NRL after the stint. Williams says he hopes to return to New Zealand to play for the All Blacks, but isn't confident he would win his spot back. The Silver Ferns are off overseas in preparation for the Olympics. There are eight Maori on the squad, two of whom are sisters who may come as a bit of a surprise. They are fair skinned, but the Harrison sisters are Maori. Charlotte and Sam Harrison are off to their first Olympic games with the NZ hockey team. Charlotte is the eldest of three sisters she was the one who alerted the Northland Maori hockey team that she had Maori lineage but they didn't quite believe her at first sight, and who could blame them. As well as them, Captain Kayla Sharland is of Rangitane descent and the team boasts five other Maori players including Melody Cooper, Gemma Flynn, Krystal Forgesson, Katie Glynn and Alana Millington. The Maori hockey team says they've all played in Maori tournaments. The team has left for Germany to play against Belgium, South Africa and Germany. There will be three warm-up games. The captain says it's important that the team is fit and ready for the games. Their Maori genes should see them through. Irena Smith, Te Karere. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.NZ. Let's take another look at today's top stories. An urgent hearing of the Waitangi Tribunal opens in Wellington with claimants insisting asset sales will erode Maori rights. The Maori Statutory Board's new strategy will be launched in February. Tawera Nikau will appeal his conviction and fine of $250 for assaulting his daughter. That's all we have for today. Turou Hawaiki. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ on Air. Copyright TVNZ Access Services 2012.