18 October 2013 Coming up on Te Karere... Tainui's assets base continues to grow. The Maori Council is preparing to meet as they await the Crown's decision on Maori community health development. 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 is planning to meet as they await the Crown's findings expected in two weeks concerning the Maori community development. The council will decide the survival of the Maori Council. Peata Melbourne spoke with the council chair in Whangarei. The NZ Maori Council was established as a body of self-governance as agreed to by the National Government of that time. These days, the government wants to change that rule and they haven't even talked directly to us. So they're on their own tangent. of the Maori Council raising the question of the Government's Last month, Te Puni Kokiri consulted with communities on matters of the Maori Council raising the question of the Government's authority to make decisions on the Council's fate. We believe this is ours and the Government can't take that away from us, and now its seems that's exactly what they want to do. We say that's wrong. Questions have been raised concerning the council's relevance 50 years on from its inception, They're currently reviewing three claims, but with minimal resources and funding, it's a difficult road to traverse. At that time, there were eight or nine districts that were part of the Maori Council, it was aligned with the Maori Land Courts information. Now there are over 16 Councils, but the funding has remained the same. According to Paul, it is the Minister of Maori Affairs' responsibility to ensure those funds are maintained accordingly. But he admits there's much in house work to be done first. First we need to sort ourselves out. There should be around 20 District Councils, so we've approached the Urban Authorities to get involved and are asking them to sit down with us so we can work together. That leaving the Council to fend not only for themselves, but for other Maori issues at stake. Peata Melbourne, Te Karere. Under fire, Mayor Len Brown is remaining tight lipped as the scandal of his two-year affair with mistress Bevan Chuang deepens. Len Brown now faces internal scrutiny over whether he used council resources during his affair with Chuang. The Prime Minister turned up for his regular monthly meeting with the Auckland Mayor, but said neither the affair or resignation were under discussed. Meanwhile revelations that Len Brown and Chuang were caught in the act in the Ngati Whatua room continue to be the butt of jokes on social media sites. The Green Party have targeted SkyCity shareholders as part of the party's launch to protect problem gamblers. The Greens suggestions to minimise harm include pre-paid cards with set limits, a ban on direct advertising, and tougher regulations. Shareholders were confronted by co-leader Metiria Turei on the way to SkyCity's AGM this morning. Yesterday, Metiria Turei was kicked out of parliament's debating chambers after raising the ire of Speaker David Carter Yesterday, Metiria Turei was kicked out of parliament's debating chambers after raising the ire of Speaker David Carter by describing the government's SkyCity Convention Bill as a 'sleazy deal'. Tainui's economic worth continues to thrive. Tainui Group Holdings has doubled their shares in Hamilton's Riverview Hotel. Tainui Group Holdings now owns 82% of the hotel after buying up Hamilton District Council's shares for $12 million. All up, Tainui's networth stands at approximately $1 billion. All up, Tainui's networth stands at approximately $1 billion. Here's Oriini Tipene-Leach with this report. It's a deal Tainui Group Holdings has been gearing up for since it first invested in these four star hotels The share, which is just over 41%, pushes Tainui Group Holdings interests to control over 82% in Hamilton Riverview Hotel - the company behind the Novotel Tainui and Ibis Tainui. Add that to the assets held by Waikato-Tainui, Mike says the iwi's assets are worth around $925 million. And it seems it's only going to continue to grow once plans for a 500 hectare development come into play. Property has been the company's biggest core portfolio but it's looking to branch out. And it's all for better protection of its people. With an extra 12,000 people living in Hamilton and an hour and a half drive either way to Auckland or Tauranga, After the break, we hear from our sports commentator, and a carving exhibition with a point of difference. And now we talk sports with our resident expert And now we talk sports with our resident expert Tumamao Harawira. Tena koe, Tu. Robbie Fruen and Mils Muliaina have signed up for the Chiefs next year. Thoughts? We're unable to provide subtitles. Tumamao Harawira, thank you for your time. Now let's take a look at the Maori and Pacific Programmes TVNZ has to offer over the weekend. Tomorrow on Totes Maori. It's been six years since the Urewera Raids, but the pain lives on. It's been six years since the Urewera Raids, but the pain lives on. That's what hurts. On the day, every year I think back to that time On this day, every year I think back to that time and their despicable treatment of our children. Marae Investigates, Sunday, TV1. This is my home. I have another in Ruatorea, but this is the place where I grew up. A special exhibition named Matatoki is being prepared at the Rotorua Museum. Internationally renowned carvers, all trained in Rotorua, will display their works. Hinerangi Goodman spoke with two of the artists. Works of art carved and created by talented and internationally renowned carvers depicting contemporary and traditional Maori artworks, all the carvers were trained here in Rotorua. For these carvers from the South Island, this exhibition provides the opportunity to showcase their pieces such as this one depicting four whale strandings at Taramakau. While this one depicts the fallout from the earthquakes While this one depicts the fallout from the earthquakes which struck Christchurch. At this time all the exhibits are not yet in place, however, Matatoki will open to the public this Sunday and will run until March next year. Many accolades to all the artists for their hard work. Hinerangi Goodman, Te Karere. After the break, and then we have weather. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. One lucky concert goer had their dream come true when he got up close and personal with US singer, Beyonce. Since the week started, Shakaiah Perez has been posting dance videos up on YouTube with the hopes of gaining the attention of the superstar. Pere Wihongi reports. Fans of Beyonce are envious of this descendant from Ngati Porou and Ngati Tuwharetoa. Last night I touched the Queen, Beyonce. She hugged me, she kissed me and I sang by her side. And he's still in awe of it all. I'm so happy, so very happy, but now the dream is to stand as her backup dancer, so if I chase my dreams, hopefully she'll see me. Since Tuesday right up to now, Since Tuesday right up to now, Shakaiah has been posting dance clips to the internet and he's not new to the dance scene. He's performed for the Royal family and Sorority on the biggest hip-hop stage in the world. But for now, he's trying to get her attention. The first song we did was countdown, but that was just a trailer, The first song we did was Countdown, but that was just a trailer, following was Single Ladies, but we named it "Single Wahine" to put some Maori flavour in there. Now I'm uploading my last one, Crazy in Love that I've renamed, "My Dreams Answered". that I've renamed, "My Dreams Answered". Yes, that dream has been answered, but there's plenty more Beyonce-inspired aspirations to fulfil. Pere Wihongi, Te Karere. Kia ora tatou katoa. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ on Air. Copyright TVNZ Access Services 2013.