24 October 2014 Coming up on Te Karere... Former head of Maori and Pacific Programmes at TVNZ speaks out about the demise of the department. The Government plans to settle all Treaty of Waitangi claims by 2017. Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. Opposition to TVNZ's plan to disestablish the Maori and Pacific Programmes Department continue on. Whai Ngata, one of the founders of the department in the 1980s, is worried that the mana of an important national treasure that has been collecting stories about Maori to broadcast for the general public to watch is not being treated with respect. It's the world's very first Maori documentary programme. It's now one of four TVNZ shows to be made by independent companies next year. TVNZ management began talks with funding agencies yesterday and are expected to begin talks with independent production companies next Tuesday. Te Mangai Paho are backing TVNZ's proposal. The changes are expected to take effect from early next year meaning, around 30 jobs will be gone by the end of this year. What's more, once the deal is done there will be no going back. Oriini-Tipene Leach, Te Karere. The proposal by TVNZ to outsource Maori and Pacific Programmes is a good thing - says a man who's been involved in broadcasting for 20 plus years. Manawa Wright reports. A new path is being undertaken for the Maori and Pacific Programmes Department at TVNZ, this broadcasting veteran isn't surprised. I saw this coming a long time ago. TVNZ are outsourcing programmes made by its Maori and Pacific Programmes Department to independent production houses. As Raerino sees it, even though this is a trying time for the approximately 30 staff who will be made redundant, he sees the business logic behind it all. If I put myself into their shoes and were a business man, I'd outsource as well. He says that this isn't the end for Waka Huia and Marae. When they get outsourced the administration costs will go as well. This is a positive for the state. In addtition to this, Raerino also says that what needs to be taken in to account is where the highest concentration of Maori broadcasters across the board are from. The majority come from Te Waiariki so I think production should come here. Raerino says that this is a great opportunity for independent Maori production houses to let them dream big. His message to TVNZ and Te Mangai Paul Hobbs, ONE News is that at the fore the programmes need to be Maori, by Maori and for Maori. They shouldn't be left to go into obscurity. The major question yet to be answered for this veteran broadcaster is, who will actually be successful with the responsability of these soon to be outsorced shows while still achieving the dreams and aspirations of te iwi Maori and to maybe also put some clarity to those staff who are going through a rough time of not knowing Manawa Wright, Te Karere. Police don't need to be armed. That's the view of Labour's Police spokesperson, Kelvin Davis. Davis says there's no compelling evidence to show the public or police would be safer if officers are armed. He added that arming police could be more dangerous as it would escalate conflicts into potentially lethal encounters. The government wants to progress and settle all Treaty of Waitangi claims by 2017. Treaty Minister Chris Finlayson says that doesn't mean he is trying to rush things but the Maori Development Minister says caution is needed around imposing deadlines. Irena Smith has more. It's a major goal to have iwi interests settled. However some of the barriers to this goal include iwi not wanting to deal with the Crown while other iwi are dealing with infighting. Chris Finlayson will work with the Minister for Maori Development who says the Government needs to be wary of the barriers to settling Treaty claims. Iwi rushing to settle so they don't get left behind is an area that needs to be treated sensitively as that can create issues. Flavell still maintains though the Government needs to settle claims in a timely manner and if they can't then they need to make allowances for that. The most important part when it comes to settlement negotiations is that they are completed thoroughly in an appropriate timeframe, unrushed. Treaty settlements need to be done thoroughly and properly. Because many iwi have settled or are close to settling, the Crown is still obligated to work collaboratively with iwi to honour settlements that have been made. It's a big task for the Ggovernment to get Maori on board It's a big task for the Government to get Maori on board with the timetable they've set; however, it's an even bigger one for the Government to settle everything to their own set timetable. Irena Smith, Te Karere. After the break, we catch up with Jenny-May Coffin and talk sports. And the Modern Maori Quartet's new album. The new Whanau Ora Minister Te Ururoa Flavell has started to reach out to the different Whanau Ora providers to ensure they're sticking to the plan to move forward together. So what is Flavell's plan for Whanau Ora? The benefit of Whanau Ora. Te Ururoa Flavell says he'll reach out to the different communities in the country and gain their feedback on how Whanau Ora can be better implemented. It's a relief to those who feel their voices are being heard. Flavell moves into the role of Whanau Ora Minister, following on from his predecessor, Tariana Turia. Though they're big shoes to fill, this community is warming up to him. But it wasn't all talk - the group had their concerns. He's only been at it for two weeks. In the months and years to come we'll see whether the new minister sinks of swims. Heta Gardiner, Te Karere. Another busy week and weekend of sport - there's the ITM Cup final tomorrow between Taranaki and Tasman; the All Blacks head to the US tomorrow; and of course the Kiwis open their Four Nations campaign tomorrow in Brisbane. Joining me now, sports commentator Jenny-May Coffin. J-May, do the Kiwis have a rare opportunity to beat the Kangaroo's tomorrow night? Wins against the Kangaroos are as rare as hen's teeth. It's been four years since we last beat Australia, a team that's claimed the last eight games against us. Here's the thing, Aussie are missing 14 players due to injury and personal reasons and a third of them would've been first choice picks. But hey, they still have Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith, so they're not complete bunnies. If the Kiwis are to have any chance they'll need to keep the intensity on for the full 80 minutes and keep their completion rate up as well. My heart says Kiwis, but let's be real. Even an understrength Kangaroos side is still dangerous. And what's happening with your Breakers basketball team - And what's happening with your Breakers basketball team - beaten last night 85-76 by unbeaten Cairns Taipans? They started off with a hiss and a roar with two wins, but have fallen off the wagon with two straight losses. Ok, Cairns are at the top of the table, but it's a concern for the Breakers who were average on their home court on the North Shore. Ultimately, Breakers need to sort themselves quickly with their fifth game in Woolongong on Sunday. I suppose we had better mention the cricket with the international season starting early. Yeah, first time matches have been played here in the month of October. The Black Caps lost the first ODI to South Africa by six wickets. Basically they were rusty and their top order was useless. The second ODI in Tauranga is on as we speak. The Black Caps chasing 283 for the win. Jenny-May Coffin, thank you for your time. Now let's take a look at the Maori and Pacific Programmes TVNZ has to offer over the weekend. The Modern Maori Quartet's released its latest album on iTunes today, the album is a compilation of the favourite tracks they performed on variety show, Happy Hour. We're unable to provide subtitles. Peata Melbourne, Te Karere. After the break, And then we have the weather. Here's Wellington. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. You may remember our intern Em-Haley Kukutai Walker who assisted Te Karere last year with our Wiki o te Reo Maori specials. Well now the rising star is better known as 'Plum' and has just released her latest single 'Wonderland'. Our reporter Pere Wihongi has the rest. A voice heard before on television. But now Em-Haley Kukutai Walker, known as Plum, wants her voice to be heard on radio stations. Since I was growing up I've always had a passion for singing. Plum's debut song 'Wonderland' was released last night. It's a song from her EP which will be released next year. I've seen that the people and this nation like the song. So hopefully they like it enough for me to continue. The winds also blew her into the Christchurch Women's Prison. An idea hoped to revive the inmates with her voice. Their state of mind and spirit, I'd hope, was lifted, and I did see seeds planted in to their minds. To also strengthen her own roots. She hopes the growth will reach beyond limits. For me, I want to be at stages like Beyonce. For me, I want to be at stages, like Beyonce. So Lorde, watch out! I'm coming for you, Plum is coming! Now the short term goal is for her EP to be released Pere Wihongi, Te Karere. That's all we have for today. Turou Hawaiki. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Mangai Paho. Copyright TVNZ 2014.