21 October 2014 Coming up on Te Karere... MPs take their place as Parliament opens. MPs take their place as Parliament opens. Auckland council look to close the gap between Maori. Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. Whanau Ora, land reform, and concluding Treaty settlements. These are some of the key Maori policies on the Government's agenda for next parliamentary term. The plans were confirmed today at the State Opening of the 51st Parliament. Political reporter Irena Smith reports. Tikanga Maori and Westminster traditions open the 51st Parliament. Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae outlined the Government's plans for the next three years. But despite the Governor-General's attempt to outline everything, parts pertaining to Maori were missed out. Such as making changes to the Maori Land Act and completing Treaty claims in the next three years. The 51st Parliament is now open with many aspirations ahead of its members. Irena Smith, Te Karere. Provisions for mana whenua cultural impact assessments in the Auckland Council's unitary plans have been faced with criticism. The Independent Maori Statutory Board chairman, David Taipari, says the provisions are no different to those of heritage built and those seeking to remove them. Cultural impact assessments have long been around, but in the last year the Auckland Council have made them part of the unitary plan - provisions that have seen resistance. Critics of the provision say it's undemocratic favouring one sector and one race, and some even frustrated at the requirement to consult with Maori. The IMSB have been influential in making the cultural impact assessments part of the unitary plan for the world's largest Maori populated city. A unanimous decision was made by the committee to adopt the plan and provisions itself. Even local iwi Ngati Whatua question the provision calling for more research to be done. Taipari insists the provisions are fair and robust. So far, 6000 applications have been made to the council, 200 of those have been referred on for cultural impact assessments, and out of that, 20 have been declined. And he hopes that other councils around the country can raise their benchmark to meet Auckland's. Peata Melbourne, Te Karere. There's been a new record level of immigrants to NZ. Statistics NZ says in the year ending September, NZ gained a net 45,400 - the highest ever yearly gain. The increase was partly due to growing student numbers, especially from India. And more NZ citizens are returning from Australia. After the break, the Maori All Blacks name their squad to tour Japan. The Maori All Blacks team to tour Japan was named today. The 27-man squad features 11 new caps. Otago Highlanders' loose forward Shane Christie of Te Atihaunui a Paparangi a descendant of Ngati Porou and Te Whanau a Apanui to captain the team. The Maori All Blacks will play two tests against Japan. However, the third match scheduled for Singapore has been cancelled. Heta Gardiner reports. Gearing up for battle. The 27 Maori that will be touring Japan to play their national side in the coming weeks has been named. The side will be led by Charlie Ngatai, the Taranaki mid-fielder. He will follow in the footsteps of some of the other well-known captains of the side, like former All Black Tanerau Latimer, and All Black blindside flanker Liam Messam. But with excitement comes some grim news. It has been announced that the fixture for Singapore has been cancelled, due to an unsafe playing surface. The coach feels that the strengths of the team, similar to years past, will rely on quick Maori feet. But beyond the on-field battering, there are more benefits for the players. The first game against Japan will be on November 1. Heta Gardiner, Te Karere. We're unable to provide subtitles. Former Wallabies rugby coach Robbie Deans is backing Michael Cheika to take over the now vacant role. Deans flew in this morning from his coaching job in Japan to publicise his new book around the country. He says that while he is sympathetic for the ousted Ewen McKenzie, New South Wales coach Chieka is the right man for the job. Deans hopes wallabies bad boy Kurtley Beale is retained long term. He says part of the on-going Australian issues are due to the union's tenuous financial position, along with players wrapped up in a celebrity culture. A young Maori family are amazed at the life changing improvements their disabled son has made through boxing. 10-year-old Tray Dee was born with a haematoma on the brain which has limited his use of the left side of his body since birth. Kereama Wright caught up with Tray Dee and his whanau today. We're unable to provide subtitles. Let's take another look at today's top stories. Whanau Ora, land development and Treaty settlements are just some of the issues on the Govt table for the coming year. Provisions for mana whenua cultural impact assessments in the Auckland Council's unitary plans have been faced with criticism. The Maori All Blacks squad to travel to Japan has been chosen. A cheap way to get high has landed three people in hospital. It's believed the trio sustained serious burns A cheap way to get high has landed three people in hospital. It's believed the trio sustained serious burns after an explosion from a 'huffing' session. Huffing is when people inhale vapour from solvents to get high, and there's grave concerns about Maori being exposed to the practice. Manawa Wright reports. We're unable to provide subtitles. Manawa Wright, Te Karere. After the break, a new record number of PhD graduates at Waikato University, and then we have the weather. '80S ACTION MUSIC Get down! Brandon! Brandon! Don't worry. I've got my vest. I'll just slip this on. (SIGHS) SCREAMS: No! SEAGULLS CRY To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. The Maori School at the Waikato University set a record of Maori PHDs graduating today, and one of the graduates is Japanese. and one of the graduates was Japanese. Maori doctoral graduates not only came from the School of Maori, but from all departments of the university, but as Potaka Maipi found out, Maori still face difficult odds. The descendants of Paikea haka in celebration of today's graduates. Friends from all over the world came today. This graduate from Asia got a doctorate from the School of Maori and Pacific Development. There are five doctorates from SMPD. Of 60 graduates in all today, most were Maori, but there were also many from other ethnicities, but the doctorates were the focus. This PHD graduate is from Ngati Raukawa. This PHD graduate is from Ngati Raukawa. The university celebrates their doctoral success, but there are still barriers for Maori students. The graduates of Waikato University. Potaka Maipi, 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.