Coming up on Te Karere... Tuhoe edges closer to limited control of Te Urewera National Park. And how will Stan Walker fare against Lorde in the NZ Music Awards? Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. The Urewera-Tuhoe Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, settling Treaty claims and a new legal identity for Te Urewera, addressing what Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson described as some of the Crown's most appalling acts in our country's history. Peata Melbourne was in Wellington to capture the moment, Peata, Tuhoe came out in full force in Wellington earlier this year for the momentous signing of the deed, were there as many present at this first reading? No, there were only about 20 who were able to fit in the House because other iwi were also in attendance to hear the reading of their own bill, and also to support Tuhoe. The difference with this bill is that it will be split into two - Tuhoe and Te Urewera respectively, with the latter giving legal status to Te Urewera. I travel such a long way to reach distant Wellington. When I embrace you, Crown, I know it will destroy me. Wise words left lingering over 100 years ago by Tuhoe chieftainess, Mihi Ki Te Kapua. Legal matters have been addressed and we've gone down that path of completion last year. In 1954, Te Urewera National Park was taken by the Crown. Tuhoe's interest in the park was not recognised and they were not sought for input into its management. The injustice passed down from generation to generation. This legislation will also create a new legal identity for Te Urewera, so it's been put to Tuhoe and the new board of the Urewera if they'd consider a 'biosphere status'. There's no biosphere in NZ, but they do exist in other parts of the world. Though it doesn't entirely mitigate future challenges. Hopefully as a result of their work, this time the Crown will learn from its mistakes, and the Tuhoe Crown relationship will henceforth be very positive. Ngati Haua and Ngati Koroki Kahukura received their first bill readings. In their settlement, Ngati Haua will receive $13 million as redress and their sacred mountain, Maungakawa, located in Te Tapui scenic reserve, will be returned to them. Ngati Koroki Kahukura will receive $3 million and will be entrusted with Maungatautari scenic reserve. So there were a lot of Treaty matters addressed in Parliament today, Scotty. Thank you for your report, Peata Melbourne, Australian fire-fighters are still working desperately to try to contain a series of massive wildfires burning in mountains west of Sydney. It's almost a week since the fires took hold, and more than 200 homes have been destroyed. Fires continue to burn in the Blue Mountains just 100km west of Sydney. Trying to contain the blaze are thousands of fire-fighters, hundreds of fire engines and 90 aircraft. Air pollution in Sydney has reached dangerous levels as smoke and levels of ash blanket the city. The army of firemen have been concentrating on back-burning vegetation to try and reduce the fuel available for the fires, using bulldozing to dig containment lines, in an effort to merge two large fires into a single blaze that would be easier to control. Up to 200 farmers and business people rallied on the Hawke's Bay Regional Council today in support of the controversial Ruataniwha dam proposal. Local body elections saw four new councillors voted in with great concerns about the environmental effects of the irrigation scheme. For decades drought has been an issue in Hawke's Bay. Joining me now from our Wellington studio is the Hauraki-Waikato MP Nanaia Mahuta. Tena koe, Nanaia. Tuhoe are a step closer to having their settlement made legal, a new entity will be set up to oversee Te Urewera National Park, but nobody will own it. Why shouldn't Tuhoe own it? We're unable to provide subtitles. After the break, And why are all these toothbrushes being handed out in South Auckland? We've fixed the audio problem so let's go back to Hauraki-Waikato MP Nanaia Mahuta. Tena koe, Nanaia. We're unable to provide subtitles. Nanaia Mahuta, thank you. A treasured letter from afar, a photo of an ancestor, diary entries from a family war hero, many of us have similar mementoes stored away in cupboards and boxes. And now families of the Waiariki region are being encouraged to blow the dust off such treasures and preserve them. Reporter Kereama Wright has been learning how it's done. Treasures over a hundred years old now cherishable forever, thanks to the digital world. It's a programme that's being taken by the Whakatane District Museum to all parts of the region. The purpose - to digitise the collections of each family. This programme coincides with commemorations for WW1 which will be held in the New Year. The ancestors of some of these children will be recognised. Over 350 soldiers left from this region. About 20% of them were killed in action. Their remains were never returned. Hence the importance of this material for the descendants. But the images will remain, forever more. Kereama Wright, Te Karere. The programme will be in Taneatua tomorrow. The museum are encouraging everyone to bring their items in. Job losses look certain for posties, but not until June next year. The Government has released terms of a deed of understanding with NZ Post on changes to the postal service. Those changes could see mail deliveries in urban areas drop to three days a week, with rural areas maintained at five days a week. The Government says postal volumes are dropping around the world, and could cost upwards of $30 million without changes. Communities in South Auckland have started a new initiative to address rheumatic fever amongst local school children. Distributing toothbrushes at Nga Iwi Primary School was one project undertaken today. Pere Wihongi went to report. In these boxes is a way to prevent rheumatic fever and to keep our future's mouths safe and sound. Its cause, according to Turuki Hauora, stems from poverty. A single family will share the same brush amongst themselves. Every year nearly 50 children in South Auckland suffer rheumatic fever with heart disease being caused as a result. The diseases can be prevented through distributing these to school children. It is also advised that through brushing, the throat where the disease may lay dormant can be treated. It is important to remember that rheumatic fever in its early stages is easily treatable. If left untreated, the disease will have long-term consequences on the health of your child. Pere Wihongi, Te Karere. After the break, Lorde rules the charts, but can Stan Walker topple her at next month's NZ Music Awards? And then the weather. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. The NZ Music Awards finalists have been announced and Stan Walker will go head-to-head with latest musical sensation Lorde. So how will he go? Anzac Pikia with this report. Stan Walker has one real goal when he hosts the NZ Music Awards. He's just thankful to help out. Lorde, Stan Walker's main competition, is big in the States and is gathering momentum world wide. They're both in the categories for Single of the Year and People's Choice. But that doesn't bother him at all. Stan Walker has just finished opening for Beyonce's NZ concerts and he's still on cloud nine about their meeting. There's also a Maori category at the music awards and they're all women. They are Maisey Rika, Kirsten Te Rito, and Ngatapa Black for her album I Muri Ahiahi. The awards will be held at the end of next month in Auckland. Anzac Pikia, Te Karere. That's all we have for today. Turou Hawaiki. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ on Air.