21 November 2014 Coming up on Te Karere... It's taken four years but finally Arahura Marae is finally opened. Should Maori be worried about NZ's relationship with China? And a few Maori artists come away with some VMA awards. Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. After nearly four years of construction Arahura Marae is now officially open. It's only the second marae on the West Coast, the first ever for Ngati Waewae. Oriini Tipene-Leach has this report. Modern and new... it sure is a dream home. Today, for me, we've been able to achieve what our late elders aspired to have who lost sight of that dream, establishing a meeting house and all that it entails. A dawn service initiated the opening of Tuhuru meeting house making it the second ever marae on the West Coast. We've never had a proper meeting house. So for me it's an opportunity to re-establish our Ngati Waewae tikanga and our reo. Before people would gather inside homes at Arahura. So having this meeting house is a big thing for us as Ngati Waewae. 5000 people affiliate to Ngati Waewae, however, only 100 live at home. The majority of them came, including their distant relatives. It cost more than $5m to build this special house. It's a marae that's been created with the current generation in mind. When you enter the house the house the lights flash and you think, 'Wow, these kowhaiwhai are unique'. Many events have already been planned for the marae... but the main purpose is... To be purified by the winds of Tawhirimatea. That's what my family and I have been told, we need to come home. We now have a meeting house that we can call our own. Oriini Tipene-Leach, Te Karere. Today regional mayors had a forum with China President Xi Jinping as a way of establishing better connections between the cities of both countries. Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon was there and he says it was a good opportunity for regions like the East Coast. Recognising the relationship between both countries. Meng Foon's advice for regional mayors is to learn from what he has done with working together with local iwi. There's only one thing left to do now to make what was talked about a reality. Meng also says Maori should consider learning Mandarin as it will open up opportunities for them. Irena Smith, Te Karere. The UN will be holding a conference with indigenous peoples about changes to pollination around the world. Two have been invited from the Tuawhenua Trust to share their experiences and practices in relation to the Urewera Forest. The Urewera Forest, beautiful to the eyes, but this ecosystem, and many others like it around the world, is in trouble. Bees, bats, birds are disappearing. They have a vital role in pollinating plants. This kuia who has grown up in Ruatahuna has witnessed change with her own eyes. These types of issues are affecting many ecosystems around the world. The UN has invited indigenous peoples from five different regions to come to Panama to share their experiences with what science is observing. More than 120 countries will be in attendance. There will be two representatives from the Tuawhenua Trust from Ruatahuna who will be making presentations. It's so we can help others. Lyver also says it's about educating scientists The challenge in the future will be to encourage governments around the world to take notice of the findings of the conference. Kereama Wright, Te Karere. Three years ago, Hato Petera launched a science academy to get more students into health sciences. It seems the initiative has paid off. Today the first students graduated and most of them will have decided to continue their studies at university going directly in to undergraduates degrees. Pere Wihongi has more. Te Umanga Oranga. A new life for all students. 95% of them going out in to the world are going to be studying in the field of health sciences. Three years since its inception and the results are strong for this science academy. This is a great concept for students and schools and it's also big for the health industry. An academy that's lead these students to enter straight in to undergraduate studies for health sciences. To help children, the people of NZ, especially Maori. And as a result, the juniors of the school are following suite. I love the field of medicine. Hopefully more males enter this industry. According to the students, they say... Wise beyond his years. Pere Wihongi, Te Karere. The McKenzie Trust have been researching philanthropy and grant sizes for more than two years and they have just released their findings. Research done for the betterment of the masses. According to research commissioned by the McKenzie Trust, $2.6b is given for philanthropy. Of that, 12% goes to Maori, a total that estimates to around $240m. Supporting Maori is something that the Mckenzie Trust is very familiar with. This year they received the International Funders for Indigenousness Peoples award, an acknowledgement of their efforts to support Maori. These people are optimistic that, this research, and their support of Maori will inspire others. The contents of the report will be released in the coming months. Heta Gardiner, Te Karere. After the break, Preparations are on the way for the Waitakere Family Sports Weekend. Players of Manu Samoa are calling for senior officials of Samoa Rugby Union to step down following claims of incompetence and lack of financial transparency. The Samoan players this week threatened to boycott the test match against England on Saturday. However, the Samoan rugby community remains divided over the actions of the players with former Samoan captain, Mahonri Schwalger, and ex-All Black Samoan international, Inga Tuigamala speaking out on the issue. The match at Twickenham will go ahead but the struggle between players and the union is far from over. And some of the All Blacks are supporting the Samoan players with the blessing of the NZRU, but the ABs have their own challenge to deal with. J-May, final test of the year against Wales on Sunday morning and they ABs will be wary of them. Wary because the All Blacks have struggled the past two years in their final game on tour. You'll recall last year it was a late Ryan Crotty try that just got them over the line against Ireland, and the year before they lost to England. So that, plus Richie McCaw's 100th test as skipper and they're fielding their strongest team possible. Poor old Wales don't stand a chance. I'm pleased to see TJ Perenara get another crack. This week I've spoken to former All Blacks Josh Kronfeld and Frank Bunce and both of them say that TJ should be given another opportunity because (a) they rate him as a player, and (b) last weekend he was supported by a player The organisers of the NRL Nine's continue to roll out the big guns for the 2015 tournament? Yip, there's talk that Freddie Fittler may play again - Nathan Hindmarsh and Darren Lockyer keen as well, but even bigger for Kiwi league fans; the bro Ruben Wiki is contemplating a run next year. But bad news if you were waiting for the uso to return. This afternoon the big fulla posted this on Instagram and Facebook (cause we're Facebook friends, Scotty): Yes, I should've taken his advice when I returned to club netball last year. Despite Ruben's absence it'll still be an awesome tournament. And is it true Kiwi boxer Shane Cameron will quit if he loses his bout on Saturday night? I spoke to him on Tuesday and he certainly wasn't entertaining the idea of losing, reiterating that he is staying positive. But at today's press conference he conceded that Saturday night will be his last if Kali Meehan beats him. It'll be a good night. So you picks? Wales vs Abs? That's all from us, thank you Jenny-May Coffin. Families are set to take part in the Waipareira sports challenge this weekend. A number of sports codes will be on offer to ensure all ages can take part. Manawa Wright has more Families in west Auckland prepare for Waipareira's sport competition extravaganza. It's a father and son duo that has entered in to the league 9s section of the event day. They hope with a bit of skill and good fortune they'll take the title. 400 sportsmen, sportswomen and children will fill Waitemata Rugby Club tomorrow. There will also be entertainment from some famous singer like Swiss. And Sammy J. Then it'll be from sports to entertainment for the family, it's an awesome event, free entry. It all kicks off tomorrow morning. Manawa Wright, Te Karere. After the break, Maori winners at the NZ Music Awards, To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. The biggest names in NZ music graced the red carpet for the industry's biggest night of the year, the Vodafone Music Awards. One would think there's no Maori category in this event, channel FOUR not broadcasting the award presentation. And it's not the first time. Social Media went wild. But behind the scenes, it was Rob Ruha who was awarded Best Maori Album of the Year. it was Rob Ruha who was awarded Best Maori Album of the Year. Tama Waipara snapping up the prize for Best Roots Album. It's the second year in a row Stan Walker has been nominated for People's Choice Award, this time claiming it. He negates the idea the Maori language has no place at this level in the music world. Hopefully next time at the awards the Maori category will be aired. Peata Melbourne, Te Karere. Now let's take a look at the Maori and Pacific Programmes TVNZ has to offer over the weekend. This week on Marae. When does a relationship between student and teacher become too close for comfort? Maori and Japanese ride the same cultural wave but will it reel in a slice of their market? That's all we have for today. Turou Hawaiki. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Mangai Paho. Copyright TVNZ 2014.