16 March 2015 Coming up on Te Karere... Evacuations underway in the east coast as Pam whips her way around the country. Mana Whenua in Wellington agree to combine towns to make a 'super city'. And Paul Henare takes the reigns at the Tall Blacks. Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. As cyclone Pam pushed its way southwards, the eastern Bay of Plenty district received severe weather warnings. Strong winds and heavy rain forced roads, schools, and kohanga reo to close for the day. Let's cross over to Oriini Tipene-Leach. We're unable to provide subtitles. Thank you for the update Oriini Tipene-Leach. Another area on the east coast to be hit by cyclone Pam was Te Whanau a Apanui. Kereama Wright travelled to the eastern Bay of Plenty to check it out. Choppy waves lapping at the edge of their property. This is what the cyclone left behind in Hawai, approximately 3km outside of Opotiki. Danger warnings for the Bay of Plenty were raised to their highest level this morning when it was forecasted winds would reach 160 km/h and surf would reach up to 5m. Even though the wind strength hasn't reached the level predicted by forecasters, this tree was blown over onto a road outside of Ohope. These tree trunks have just collapsed onto the road. It is forecasted weather conditions will get worse tonight as the tide rises. However, residents who live by the coast Janet and her partner will be waiting here. Local emergency services remain on vigilant watch. Kereama Wright, Te Karere. Meanwhile Vanuatu is in a state of emergency, and a large clean up and recovery effort is underway. NZ has given $2.5m to help with aid but that is set to rise. Some of the island country's people have already begun to find ways to survive and get back to some normality. The big clean-up is underway. For Vanuatu's residents food and water are their main concern. They've lost their homes. Their crops gone. NZ and Australia have already sent assistance, however, it's still not clear how much damage this event has caused. UNICEF and World Vision workers are already in Vanuatu. They've taken these images showing the destruction caused by Pam. Locals are used to cyclones, but not ones of this magnitude. The main priority is to fix the amenities that can be. However, it's going to be a long time before life will return to normal for local families. Irena Smith, Te Karere. After the break, Mana Whenua in Wellington agree to combine towns to make 'super city'. A former Maori pro wrestler starts his own school in Perth. The local iwi of Wellington support the idea of a Super City Council, but they do have demands for the proposed govt body. Heta Gardiner has more. A city known for its windy weather. But it's blow back from Maori, when it comes to the Super City proposal, in the towns capital. That question has been put to us, and the runanga is in support of it. That question has been put to us, and the runanga is in support of it. This is a big endorsement, for the proposed Super City structure for all the councils in Wellington, a structure that follows what has already been established in Auckland. This is despite the apparent ignorance of some within the process The councils do consult effectively with Ngati Toa. One of the reasons Ngati Toa is so supportive of a Super City structure is that it will alleviate some of the communication issues they currently have. We have all seen the vast amounts of councils in this region. We have all seen the vast amount of councils in this region. We find it difficult to consult this council, and that council, it would be easier if there was just the one. But the will still be push for Maori seats. We of Ngati Toa support the notion of having Maori seats. We of Ngati Toa supports the notion of having Maori seats. Those pushing this proposal hope to gain traction in the coming months. Heta Gardiner, Te Karere. Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott is enduring widespread criticism after closing half of Australia's indigenous communities down, saying Aboriginal people who live in remote communities have made a lifestyle choice, and he's not willing to concede. Peata Melbourne has more. Government subsidies are being removed from over 150 remote communities in the Western Australia region. Those are the words of the Prime Minister that has left indigenous communities outraged and the feeling is becoming universal. Aborigines in Matagarup protested against the closure Aborigines in Matagarup protested against the closure when police moved into the area of Harrison Island in the weekend on horseback. Another protest was held in Melbourne in an effort to confront Tony Abbot, but as the PM told Fairfax media he isn't conceding on his words. It's an all too familiar tune that Maori here in Aotearoa have been hearing for years when choosing to stay in rural communities. Thursday March 19 a protest will be held in Alice Springs against community closures in front of Minister Nigel Scullion's office and will rally at parliament house. Peata Melbourne, Te Karere. Pro wrestling isn't everyone's dream but for some people living in Perth, it's all they think about. Nikora Tuhakaraina runs a pro wrestling school, and he's helping those realise their potential in the sport. Tuhakaraina was a wrestler in the states a few years ago, but due to a surgery mishap, he's now on a mission to help others live their dream. Anzac Pikia caught up with him in Perth. Some think it's all acting. In an outback town in Perth, you'll find Nikora Tuhakaraina's pro wrestling school. But they're adults not kids. Tuhakaraina has 20 plus students - two of them are Maori. Tuhakaraina has 20 plus students - two of them are Maori. Tuhakaraina has 20+ students - two of them are Maori. Tuhakaraina is famous in America for pro wrestling. It has been a dream of his since he was a kid. When he returned from the States in 2012, his back was sore, so he had it operated on. The operation went bad, leaving him wheelchair bound. Tuhakaraina trains budding pro wrestlers five nights of the week, And they really want to follow in Tuhakaraina's footsteps. Tuhakaraina trains budding pro wrestlers five nights of the week, helping people realise their dreams. Anzac Pikia, Te Karere. After the break, Paul Henare takes the reigns for the Tall Blacks. And then we have the weather. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. A familiar face in a not so familiar role. Paul Henare has just been named head coach for the Tall Blacks for the next two years. He's joined by another Maori, Pero Cameron, as assistant. And as Raniera Harrison reports, the duo will chart the team's course as it set its sights on a certain event in Brazil next year. An old dog heading in a new direction. 36 year old Henare named as Head Coach of the Tall Blacks. A former guard himself, and more recently, assistant coach of the side, he can now add the title of head coach to a long string of achievements. Henare is joined by Pero Cameron as assistant, which will see two Ngapuhi leading the national side. However And it's that same old difficulty quickly approaching his side. They'll have to beat Australia to represent Oceania, They'll have to beat Australia to represent Oceania, they've only just made it in. The challenge of responsibility has been laid, and there's no doubt Henare will pick it up going forward. Raniera Harrison, Te Karere. The NZ women's sevens won its third straight cup final in the world rugby sevens by smashing America in Atlanta today. Having dispatched the powerful Aussie team and playing at home, the us were expected to be a tough challenge for the NZ team. However, the team in black racked up a record score for a final with Portia Woodman bagging 5 tries. Final score NZ 52 - US 10. That's all we have for today. Kia ora tatou katoa. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Mangai Paho. Copyright TVNZ 2015.