15 October 2014 Coming up on Te Karere... Nanaia Mahuta labels herself the underdog in the Labour leadership race. John Key is pressing ahead with his desire for a new flag. And the Maori All Blacks unveil their new jerseys. Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. Nanaia Mahuta says she's the underdog for the Labour leadership and she likes that label. The veteran Hauraki-Waikato MP believes being Maori is an advantage, and is looking forward to connecting with women and Maori in the unions and Labour Party. Te Karere caught up with her in her Turangawaewae today. Her constituents played a big part in her decision to enter the race. This move is to honour their support. Nanaia Mahuta has returned to her home ground, and she's got one thing on the agenda. To lift the spirits of our party, to take our issues to the table, to turn around and acknowledge their support. She's no newbie. She first entered the house in 1996. Eighteen years later, she stills holds the Hauraki-Waikato seat for a sixth term, and voters in her electorate believe it's time to chase the leader's role. The unions are happy. Mahuta needs to implement the lessons learnt at home, and the value of face-to-face communication to lock down the union vote. The unions are there as a voice for workers, and many support the Labour Party. It will be a hard road to victory, but no doubt she'll have the support of many at the frontline. Irena Smith, Te Karere. John Key is pressing ahead with his desire for a new flag. He outlined a two-step referendum on the issue at the RSA's national conference in Wellington. The future for the descendants of Te Aro Pa. Hopefully the descendants come back here, to this house, to this trust. This is the plan for this papa kainga, situated at Evans Bay in Wellington. This was the wish of the 1000 land owners, who have an ancestral connection to the land. 13 houses will be built, and those that whakapapa back to the land will be given more consideration. And the hopes that it will eventually reach further. Maybe one day the wider community will be involved, like the wider reaches of Taranaki. The Government's affordable housing initiative has helped the trust. Families that wouldn't otherwise be able to purchase this land may be able to through this initiative, with the help of the government and the trust. And the land isn't cheap, sitting right on the water's edge. It is hoped that this initiative brings its people back to Evans Bay. The map is still being developed, but there won't be much down time. It will be a little more than a year, and these houses will all be destroyed, and the new Pa Kainga will be erect. Building is expected to start in April. Heta Gardiner, Te Karere. He was meant to uphold the law, today he admitted to breaking it. Former policeman Peter Pakau pleaded guilty to a range of offences including the manufacture and supply of methamphetamine. The 37-year-old was a constable in the West Auckland region for six years, and it was revealed in court that he was dealing drugs on the job. Peata Melbourne has more. Close to tears as Peter Pakau enters the court to face 14 charges laid against him. In 2012 the Police were tipped off with allegations against him, In 2012 the police were tipped off with allegations against him, and it wasn't long before they d discovered and it wasn't long before they'd discovered Pakau was working with members of the Head Hunters in criminal activities. His wife who was also facing one related charge was a worker at the Waitemata District Health Board as an Alcohol and Drug Councillor. She had little to say today. She has since pleaded guilty to receiving money made in one of her husband's drug deals. She's still free to return to their home, but Peter Pakau now waits behind bars until November when he'll be sentenced. Peata Melbourne, Te Karere. Direct flights from Sydney to Rotorua will be scrapped next year. Rotorua District Council has been paying Air NZ a subsidy to bring international flights to the city since 2009. Last year alone, it paid out $1 million. But it's clear the venture has not generated the desired return on investment. An initiative which began with many believing to be headed for success, but as it progressed, the numbers didn't stack up which led to the funding being pulled. The Chief Executive of Rotorua Airport says obviously, there was some disappointment. According to sources, one councillor had been opposed to the Air New Zealand pay-out for years, and said Council funding should've stopped some time ago if it was not commercially viable. Since the beginning more than $9 million have been spent. Although the trans-Tasman flights have been discontinued, Rotorua Airport remains. Hinerangi Goodman, Te Karere. After the break, John Key continues on his mission for a new NZ flag, and professional performing artists mentor aspiring students. John Key is pressing ahead with his desire for a new flag. He outlined a two-step referendum on the issue at the RSA's national conference in Wellington. And as Oriini Tipene-Leach reports, the PM has put forward his preference for a particular design. In his address to the RNZRSA National Conference today, the PM brought up again the flag. Back in March, John Key said he would reveal his plans for the flag after the elections. He did so today. Even now, the Prime Minister is partial to the silver fern on a black field for the next national flag. But he seems to be coming around to this design, in-keeping with the style of the current flag. Veterans have always been against the idea because they fought and died for the current flag. Yes, the country remains divided. The Prime Minister has called on govt parties to elect a representative to discuss the issue. If the plan is passed, two elections will be held, one at the end of the year, and one in April 2016. one at the end of the new year, and one in April 2016. Oriini Tipene-Leach, Te Karere. A mix of amateur and professional arts talent will be on show tonight at Aotea Square. Manawa Ora is a new programme where professional performing artists mentor aspiring students. Pere Wihongi has more. From dark backgrounds. To now, stepping into the spotlight. Although the struggles that have faced these youth in the past. their hearts have been lifted again by entering 'Manawa Ora', a program pairing the youth with special tutors. Crystal Tarati partaking in the youth program. She is grateful to be under the guidance of internationally famous singer Ladi 6. The program started two weeks ago. Its main goal, to grow interest within the youth for education, employment and life in general. employment, and life in general. Students will take the stage for the first time tonight Students will take the stage for the first time tonight and will perform every night until Friday. But for Tarati, her future goals are set. What more can you ask from that. Pere Wihongi, Te Karere. Maori history passed down orally in te reo, through to print to iPad, and now it is being translated into Malaysian. Maori history passed down orally in te reo, through to print to iPad, and now it is being translated into Malaysian. The story of Rangi and Papa, renowned bi-lingually, and now in Malaysian. The short-term goals have been realised by translating these oral histories into Malaysian. It has the potential of broadening the audience to over 400 million. It's a collaboration between Kiwa Digital and Makiha, and although it may look like fun, the true aim is language revitalisation. GRAB The long-term goal is to spread the stories across the Pacific. The first eBook will be launched in Malaysian in December. Wharerau and Makiha have informed me that the Mayan's of Mexico have also expressed interest in the programme. Manawa Wright, Te Karere. After the break, the Maori All Blacks' new clothes, To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. The Maori all blacks 2014 jersey, unveiled today, pays respect to Japanese culture, while also providing a fresh design to showcase the proud heritage of the team. The Maori all blacks embark The Maori All Blacks embark on a two-match tour to Japan later this month. They play japan in early November, and they'll end the tour in Singapore against the Asia Pacific Dragons' in mid-November. Tomorrow night, rising heavyweight boxing star, Joseph Parker takes another step towards the dream of a heavyweight title. In his way, is opponent Sherman 'The Tank' Williams. But as Raniera Harrison reports, an undercard bout is drawing lots of interest too. It promises to be a no holds barred grudge match between two giants, one a descendant of Ngati Maniapoto, the other, a brother of an All Black legend. Jospeh Parker flexing his guns. Ready to throw around in the ring tomorrow night. It was the final weigh-ins before the Heavyweight Explosion boxing event tomorrow, before the Heavyweight Explosion boxing event tomorrow, and main event hometown hero Joseph Parker says and main event hometown-hero Joseph Parker says his work behind the scenes will finally be revealed tomorrow night against Sherman 'The Tank' Williams. For Parker, it's been a journey of putting on size before getting in the ring. However, it has been quite the opposite for another boxer. Taking the ring seven months ago, the scales were a daunting encounter for Dave 'The Buttabean' Letele, but today... He's lost 69kgs and he's beat the bulge. He's looking to do the same against the older brother of All Black legend Jonah Lomu. Although Lomu was keeping his cards close to his chest before tomorrow. The talk was coming thick and fast from Letele, who has a record of 3-0. This boxing champion has a lot of work ahead of him in order to beat Williams. The matches are all set to be held in West Auckland tomorrow from 8pm. Raniera Harrison, Te Karere. That's all we have for today. Kia ora tatou katoa. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Mangai Paho. Copyright TVNZ 2014.