06 October 2014 Coming up on Te Karere... Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. Hekia Parata will remain Education Minister and Paula Bennett has new ministerial portfolios. The positions were announced today by Prime Minister John Key. Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell has also been made a minister, so what does he have planned for Maori in his new position? Here's Irena Smith. Sealing the deal for another three years. Te Ururoa Flavell is the new Minister of Maori Development, Minister for Whanau Ora and Associate Minister for Economic Development. Tariana Turia says Flavell needs to start working on Te Puni Kokiri. Marama Fox is his new partner, and she wants the co-leader position that Turia still holds. She's got Turia's support. Despite the benefits of becoming a minister, Flavell remains humble. Fox says her skills as a mum and worker for the community will keep her in good stead for the lion's den. At the end of this month the Maori Party will hold their AGM where Fox's role will be discussed. Irena Smith, Te Karere. The Electoral Commission says voting participation was up by almost 4% while Maori electorates saw an even bigger increase. However, around 600,000 people still didn't bother and that's being put down to a lack of education. Nationwide voting participation was up by 3.7%, and a rise of 7% for the Maori electorates. There are a number of factors that has contributed to the rise. The Rock Enrol campaign that enticed young voters to get on board is part of the success in getting first time voters to vote. She calls this one of the savviest and interesting elections, pulling in well-known figures to give fuel to the overall campaign. Despite that, 30,000 people turned up on the day to vote only to have their vote discounted. 63 people cheated and were referred to the police. Quarter of a million still weren't enrolled. Which then raises the question, do we value the vote we have enough? Creativity and another three years for groups like Rock Enrol to figure just how they intend to entice that 750,000 large group. Peata Melbourne, Te Karere. 18,000 homes are still without power in Auckland today following an early morning fire at a substation over the weekend. One affected party was the whanau of a local kohanga in Glen Innes. Manawa Wright reports. With no power in Glen Innes, alternative methods are sought. There's no hot water or electricity for this 87-year-old woman. In the early hours of Saturday morning, a substation fire in Auckland cut power to an estimated 40,000 homes. Even though this elderly woman is resilient, she has a message for the power company over the delay in getting power back online. This pensioner also has a word of advice for NZ. In conclusion, electricity company Vector informs Te Karere that affected households are in areas from Whenuapai, to Remuera and Glen Innes. All are expected to be online again by 5am tomorrow morning. Manawa Wright, Te Karere. Mokoia te reo Maori ki te ngakau is the name of language course dedicated to Ngati Whakaue iwi of Te Arawa. Tamatekapua meeting house is packed to the rafters with those hungry for the dialect of Ngati Whakaue. Although the national kura reo in Rotorua is well attended, this is the very first kura reo for Ngati Whakaue exclusively. In general, we following the model of kura reo, According to the latest census stats, of the 8000 odd Maori who affiliate to Ngati Whakaue, only 27% say they can hold a conversation in the Maori language. That's why this innitiative was high on the priority list. Among those hungry for the language was Tamati Coffee who's fresh out of his political campaign. Some came to bury their fear of speaking, others came with no Maori language what so ever. The course runs for the entire week, with the teachers aiming to hold it annually. Kereama Wright, Te Karere. After the break, The creator of the Whare Tapa Wha model of health more than 30 years ago is being honoured by two world-class universities. Sir Mason Durie received an honorary fellowship today from the NZ College of Public Health Medicine at the start of NZ's first ever population health congress in Auckland. Oriini Tipene-Leach with this report. Everyone in Aotea Centre stood to acknowledge this health expert who has advocated on health issues for more than 30 years, not only for Maori, but for all peoples around the world. This is the first of two honours to be awarded this week to Sir Mason Durie. He's heading off to Canada to be awarded his second honour. A great start for our inaugral population health congress. More than 600 international health experts are expected to attend the three-day congress to discuss all types of health issues, from smoking to child poverty and climate change. Issues to be taken to the Government in due time. Our health experts are now focused on collaborating so they are able to improve their ability to reverse the negative health statistics and deal with the health issues. This Wednesday is the last day of congress. Te Pou Matakana, the North Island Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency, is on the hunt for organisations with great Whanau Ora ideas. This could range from alcohol abuse programmes to housing whanau. The organisation can be a current Whanau Ora provider. Te Pou Matakana say the timeframe will be a month. $6m per year over three years is invested in the Whanau Ora contracts for the North Island. An inspirational performance from Englishman Sam Burgess helped South Sydney win their first rugby league premiership in 43 years after they beat the Bulldogs in a brutal NRL grand final in Sydney last night. In front of 84000 fans, rugby union-bound Burgess heroically played on after he shattered his cheek-bone in the very first tackle of the game. The big moment came when Sam's brother, George, broke the six-all. Three late tries to the Rabbitohs underlining the 30-6 win. Tears of joy for Burgess Tears of joy for Burgess and suspended Kiwi hooker Issac Luke. Burgess deservedly winning the Clive Churchill medal for Man of the Match. And just a short time ago, the NZ Warriors U20s side arrived at Auckland airport with an extra item of luggage - the Holden Cup. The Junior Warriors facing the Brisbane Broncos in the final secured their third title thanks to an impressive start. But stifling heat, injuries, and a fast finishing Broncos almost spoilt their title hopes. But the Warriors held on to win 34-32. After the break, Pukekohe locals get ready for Sonny Bill Williams. And then we have the weather. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. Let's take another look at today's top stories. John Key unveils his new-look cabinet with Te Ururoa Flavell gaining the portfolio of Maori Development. Thousands of Auckland residents are still without power after a fire at a power station over the weekend. The first kura reo dedicated to Ngati Whakaue started today. Counties Manukau Steelers unleashed their newest recruit on the ITM Cup by the name of Sonny Bill Williams. After only 10 days off following the Sydney City Roosters' exit from the NRL, Williams is back in Counties colours, Raniera Harrison caught up with the star and went out into the community to see how the fans are reacting to this big signing. Ready to get down to business. But is his new home ready for him? From the bright lights of Sydney City to humble Pukekohe, Sonny Bill Williams stepped out today as the newest member of the Counties Manukau Steelers, an addition that the Steelers faithful are obviously excited about. There's near on 28000 people in this area, and just as many more reasons why they are all excited about the arrival of Sonny Bill Williams. The last time Counties Manukau had stars of this calibre was the late 1990s with a young Jonah Lomu and Joeli Vidiri. Sporting this jersey may be a sign Sporting this jersey may be a sign Williams might get a run off the bench this Wednesday against Auckland. Raniera Harrison, Te Karere. That's all we have for today. Turou Hawaiki. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Mangai Paho. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Mangai Paho. Copyright TVNZ 2014.