Coming up on Te Karere... Will the Maori Council's appeal in the battle for water rights hold up? Hekia Parata gets it wrong again, raising questions about her competence as the Minister of Education. A Maori elder receives a Maori facial tattoo with special significance. Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. The Maori Council will appeal the High Court decision over water rights. High Court Judge Justice Ronald Young ruled against the Maori claimants yesterday saying the Crown can sell off state assets. He stated there were no grounds to review the Govt's decision or actions under current law. He believed there was no connection between asset sales and Maori proprietary interests in water. And those asset sales wouldn't extinguish the Govt's obligations under the Treaty. The Maori Council's appeal will be difficult according to one lawyer because of the Court's inability to review Govt decisions that meet the law. Irena Smith has more. The task will be difficult but should they forge ahead. They fought for the cause but in the end the judge ruled that the courts do not have the power to overturn a Govt decision. So is the fight still worth it. Wi Pere Mita works in Treaty law and says the government has not been true to the principles of the Treaty. One of the principles of the Treaty says the government must consult with Maori on issues that affect them. Even though the government did consult with Maori, the terms weren't fare and nothing came of it. The Prime Minister says it's a waste of time and money to take this case to the court. It's expected to cost millions if it proceeds to the highest courts in the land. Defending this case is hard for any lawyer. There is a lot of work involved and it's costly. The clients aren't backing down so this means more money. The clients aren't backing down so this means more money. Irena Smith, Te Karere. One of the Maori Claimants is Tamati Cairns, One of the Maori Claimants is Tamati Cairns, the Chair of the Pouakani iwi collective. Tena koe Tamati... Are you surprised at the High Court's decision? We're unable to provide subtitles. Tamati Cairns, thank you for joining us. The High Court says the Crown wasn't required to engage with Waikato-Tainui about its plans to sell off state assets. But Tuku Morgan says the Kingitanga will continue with the battle to recognise Maori proprietary interests in water. He's been reappointed to Waikato's tribal executive Te Arataura as King Tuheitia's representative, and is driving the tribe's fight on Maori water rights. Today Tuku Morgan was at a close friend's wedding. The King's representative urged the Maori Council to continue to fight for water rights. The message from the King is that we must not surrender to the Govt over this issue. The newly elected Te Arataura member says Maori are united in theory but this needs to be put into practise. I don't know what the iwi leaders will do but we will not bow down to the Govt. We must not and will not give any authority to the Crown over this issue. The Crown's position is resolute and has been strengthened by the High Court decision against the Maori Council. Tomorrow is another day this will go to the Supreme Court. It started in High Court and we didn't get over the hurdle. Maori are certainly used to this kind of battle. Potaka Maipi, Te Karere. Education Minister Hekia Parata is incompetent and needs to go. That's the call of Mai Chen, the lawyer who successfully argued the case against the Minister's decision to close a residential girls' school. The Govt wanted students of Salisbury School in Nelson to move to a residential college for boys in Christchurch next year. But parents and the school board argued sending the girls to a co-ed school would put them at risk. The decision to close Salisbury Residential School was illegal. The Ministry of Education claimed there was no evidence to show that students from Salisbury's Girls would be at risk by attending a boy's residential school in Christchurch but Salisbury's School board disagreed. It's another blow for the Education Minister and her team because their competency is being questioned. The Minister said she will not appeal the decision. Peata Melbourne, Te Karere. After the break, We're at a hui celebrating the spiritual significance of today - the twelfth day of the twelfth month of 2012 and a Maori elder gets a tamoko with special significance. Welcome back. Labour is repeating its call for a referendum on state asset sales. State-owned Enterprises spokesman Clayton Cosgrove says the Government's plan was a train wreck from the outset and opinion polls prove that with 80% against asset sales. Joining me now is Labour MP Parekura Horomia. We're unable to provide subtitles. Parekura Horomia, thank you for joining us. Today is the twelfth day of the twelfth month of the year 2012 (12/12/12). Spiritualists believe it's a day that signifies faith and some are marking the day at an international gathering of healers hosted by the local Maori community of Waiohau, in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Honouring the Mana, Mauri and Wairua of others, as well as the Maori gods, was the central focus of this second gathering of healers worldwide. This is a time for us to gather and call on those who have departed, This is a time for us to gather and call on those who have departed, to come here today and to guide us the living. The spirits of our ancestors Tuhoe Potiki and Maui's descendants are here to protect and guide us with grace and aroha. An explanation adding more to the significance of this day. If we look at the name 'Tuhoe', or 'the mid way of the day', then we must celebrate it and all its significance. In today's troubled world of hatred and bad karma affecting many families, we forget one of the gifts handed down to us and that is to forgive and repay the bad with good. The hui will end on Friday. Hinerangi Goodman, Te Karere. When 70-year-old Selwyn Rawiri decided to get a Maori facial moko, he chose today - the twelfth day of the twelfth month at 12.12pm - as the date and time to do it. The former member of Maori showband, the Maori Volcanics, also had a special reason for the tattoo. Anzac Pikia has the details. Not just any old face tattoo. An acknowledgement to his ancestors at this hour on this day. His son is the taamoko artist. He was a member of the Maori Volcanics. He's composed lots of songs in the past. He composed one last year for the Rugby World Cup. He may have a new face tattoo but his spirit of singing remains. Anzac Pikia, Te Karere. After the break, we have tomorrow's weather. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. That's all we have for today. Turou Hawaiki. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ on Air. Copyright TVNZ Access Services 2012.