12 November 2014 Coming up on Te Karere... A Taranaki tertiary institute is forced to pay back over $3m for one of its courses which was carried out wrongfully. Convicted drug offender Leeza Ormsby is set to be released from her prison in Bali. And the last Labour leadership debate. Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. Another tertiary institution running Maori programmes is under fire. This time it's the Western Institute of Technology Taranaki (WITT). After a lengthy investigation, it's been forced to pay back millions to the Government and cancel hundreds of qualifications. Reporter Raniera Harrison has more on the fallout. He has been left speechless. His and 346 other diploma students have had their Level 6 Maori Performing Arts qualifications from WITT recalled after an overpayment of $3.7m by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) for the course that was delivered between 2009-2011. Questions arose about the way in which the course was delivered after a report was commissioned by the TEC and the NZQA. Although the tertiary provider in question is yet to make contact with him he is still in the dark about whether his qualification is still valid. It's a dampener for a student who has been reconnecting with his heritage. Te Karere can reveal the Tumu Paetahi of WITT, Te Ngaruru Wineera, has resigned in the wake of the findings. Something the former student isn't surprised about. But for now, all that has been offered to the students is to return to the education provider to re-sit their papers under new teachers and a new direction. But that's not the biggest pain. Another big blow for Maori tertiary education, a remedy surely on its way. Raniera Harrison, Te Karere. Leeza Ormsby is set to be released from her prison in Bali today - with the latest on this breaking story is reporter Manawa Wright, Leeza Ormsby has been in a Bali prison since February. She was arrested after officers seized a joint from her handbag. Indonesian authorities tried unsuccessfully to impose charges that would have seen her jailed for up to 12 years, but she received a 10 month sentence after showing contrition and a history of drug use. She is set to be freed today, but as we go to air, that hasn't happened yet. Her release is imminent, what will happen when Leeza Ormsby walks out of prison? Even though she resided in Sydney for many years, she'll be deported back to NZ. We understand she'll be going to Wellington to stay with a supportive friend. You spoke with Leez Ormsby's whanau earlier, how are they feeling? Her family mothers' family has rejoiced hearing the news of her imminent release, however they are a little sad she has chosen to live in Wellington, away from her Te Arawa people. Ormsby was even invited to stay with her aunty and uncle who reside in Rotorua. They had hoped she would seek medical assistance from alcohol and drug rehabilitation centres in the area and get her life back on track. Thank you for the update, Manawa Wright. There's been angry reaction to Air New Zealand's decision to scrap services to several towns. Politicians and residents say it will have a detrimental impact on local economies and their quality of life. Oriini Tipene-Leach has more. Travelling to Whakatane. This aircraft is used by thousands travelling to and from the Bay of Plenty. Whakatane is one of three destinations set to have air services by these light aircraft provided by Air NZ cancelled next year. By removing their light aircraft from service Air NZ expects to be able to raise $300m to acquire larger aircraft that can fit more than 68 passengers. It means bigger aircraft but less flight services. Kerikeri will be the closest airport for communities in Northland. That's over an hour away from Kaitaia, and about three hours from Te Hapua. However the Far North has been given a lifeline, with a Tauranga business offering their aircraft. As for Westport however... For those travelling to the Bay of Plenty... there's no acceptable alternative yet. Oriini Tipene-Leach, Te Karere. Nanaia Mahuta says it is now up to the membership, the unions and caucus to make their choice on who is the best person to lead the Labour Party. The candidates had their last chance to convince members at a hui in South Auckland last night, but it seems there is no clear favourite. Irena Smith has more. Last pitches made to the party faithful in South Auckland. If members support what I will be bringing in terms of getting Labour's house in order the results will be good. If they don't then it probably means going back to the members and talking with them further. Grant Robertson was open in address. Andrew Little focused on the workers. David Parker wants to grow NZ's economy. All four contenders vowed to regain voters who swayed at the last election. Members will be thinking very carefully about the choice of leader in this leadership contest because support for the party dropped. Even though there are four capable candidates, only one will be appointed. We'll find out next Tuesday who the new leader is. Irena Smith, Te Karere. After the break, a new initiative looking at helping Maori women and whanau to grow their businesses. We speak to a Maori who lives in Hawai'i about the Kilauea lava flow which is destroying homes standing in its path. Maori women and their whanau are the focus of a new initiative designed to help grow and support their businesses. Maori Women's Development Inc and Te Runanga-a-Iwi-o-Ngapuhi have teamed up to launch today an official financial literacy and business hub called He Oranga. Pere Wihongi reports. Strengthening the mind. Giving business mind-sets to Maori women. Three days the groups have developed their ideas. Why? 5 scholarships will be awarded to 5 hard workers of the program. And the chance to attend the kiwi slam program. My main goal is to build my own business in weaving. My main goal is to build my own business in weaving. The programme will weave itself throughout the region firstly and then throughout the nation. This is a great initiative to support adults in communities. It's great that it's starting here and will spread throughout Northland. With no mucking around, it will begin in Manurewa next week. Pere Wihongi, Te Karere. It's serves as a reminder of the awesome power of nature. Hawai'i's Mt Kilauea, It's serves as a reminder of the awesome power of nature. Hawai'i's Mt Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, has been erupting continuously since 1983, but since June, it's been even more dangerous as the lava flow has cut a swathe through roads, homes and even a cemetery. Hinerangi Goodman caught up with a Maori who resides in the region and has witnessed the devastation first hand. This abandoned American home ignited after being surrounded by a stream of molten rock oozing down Mt Kilauea towards the small town of Pahoa, a lava flow which has constantly been on the move since the 60s, an indication of great anger and things not going right according to one of our own who has lived in Hawaii for some time. When the mountain erupts, it is an indication that the people have done wrong which then angers the guardian Pele. which then angers the guardian, Pele. Where Kilauea is situated Where Kilauea is situated is considered one of the most sacred places in Hawaii. Kilauea has shown her wrath for some time now, however during the last four months, has stepped up her pace and the lava flow has increased. I am very concerned because many of my friends live there in the area of Hilo, situated in the Eastern parts of the island close to Kilauea. The main problem concerns why no one takes heed of local cultural values because there are no ties between them and others who live in Hawaii including Americans and Asians. The situation is very different to that in place between Maori and Pakeha with the Treaty of Waitangi. In the 50's Hawaii became the 50th American State and fell under American rule. Now they are fighting for their total sovereign rule under their royal leadership status, however Barrack Obama and his congress are not listening. So what will it take to appease Kilauea, only time will tell. Hinerangi Goodman, Te Karere. Let's take another look at today's top stories. WWIT is to repay millions WWIT is to repay millions to the govt after one of their courses was mismanaged. Leeza Ormsby has been released from prison in Bali. And it's the last hurdle for MPs running for Labour s leadership. After the break, a new book of short stories for kids discovered on Facebook, and then we have the weather. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. Her stories for kids were discovered by Robyn Kahukiwa on Facebook, and Rangimarie Jollie is now only days away from having her first book published. It is collaboration with Kahukiwa and features an anthology of Maori short stories for kids with a modern twist. Peta Melbourne reports. At Titahi Bay Kohanga Reo, a teacher with a passion for writing decided to share her stories on Facebook, and unbeknown to her at the time, they were spotted by author Robyn Kahukiwa. Kahukiwa is an acclaimed author and artist in her own right, it was no wonder Rangimarie was ecstatic It was no wonder Rangimarie was ecstatic when she was asked to collaborate. These are some of the images Robyn Kahukiwa created for their stories. Rangimarie's writings were based on her relationships with children in her own family, but there was bigger driving factor. The book is called Blue Book and Other Stories, The book is called Blue Book and Other Stories, one of which is about Hinemoana written by Rangimarie which relates to her encouraging her daughter to love the sea. The book is written entirely in English, but by March next year, a copy will be released in Maori. Publishers will have the first copy completed in the next few days. Peata Melbourne, Te Karere. That's all we have for today. We're unable to provide subtitles. That's all we have for today. Kia ora tatou katoa. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Mangai Paho. Copyright TVNZ 2014.