14 April 2016 Coming up on Te Karere... The Maori Language strategy Te Matawai goes through its final reading. Also the Minister of Maori Development announced this afternoon his intention to introduce Te Ture Whenua Maori Bill into Parliament. Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. As we go to air, the biggest change in Maori language legislation is going through the final formalities in Parliament. It's said to be biggest milestone since the Maori Language Act was passed in 1987. For the latest we cross live to Parliament to reporter Eruera Rerekura. Discussion over the Maori language reform bill are ongoing in Parliament. Today is an extraordinary day for the Minister of Maori Development with the third reading of his te reo Maori bill. However, the essence of this bill is to retain and revitalise the Maori language. Without a doubt there's been a lot of controversy about this bill. A hot topic lately from the Labour Party - is that the Government apologise for undermining the Maori language in the past. So it's expected that the bill pass its third reading and will become law this week. Scotty, the third reading of the Maori language bill will conclude tonight. It will then be taken to the Governor General to receive the royal assent. There is no doubt the first order of business under the new law will be to appoint representatives to Te Matawai. The Minister of Maori Development, Te Ururoa Flavell, has received praise from language experts around the country And it's certainly been a busy day for Te Ururoa Flavell. The Minister of Maori Development announced this afternoon changes to the controversial ture whenua reforms. An urgent Waitangi Tribunal hearing into the matter was critical of some aspects of the changes. The Minister says he has read the tribunal's report fully and believes that the issues raised in the tribunal's recommendations have been addressed or will be addressed as part of the reform programme. The Minister says the bill will give more autonomy to owners, support for them to develop the land, and measures to ensure it's protected for future generations. After the break, Athletes are honoured at Government House today. The Minister of Maori Development, Te Ururoa Flavell, A 6000 signature petition to keep Christchurch's Redcliffs School open will be presented at Parliament today. Organisers have arranged a meeting with Education Minister Hekia Parata at 1.30 this afternoon to present the petition. 15,000 school postcards have also been sent to a number of ministers in support of keeping the school open. Redcliffs School rejects Ms Parata's belief that an earthquake would endanger the school, and says it has a new geotechnical report to support its position. Investitures continued today with more prominent Maori being honoured at Government House. Sports stars, a legal campaigner, and a man of God made up the diverse range of Maori recognised for their service to society. Peata Melbourne reports. Today the Archbishop lost for words. After 21 years of services to the Anglican Church as the Bishop of Aotearoa, Turei was appointed with an ONZM. Of Ngati Porou and Te Whanau a Apanui, he credits his resilience in the only way a Bishop would. It was perhaps the work of God. For Waimarama Taumaunu however, her success defined succinctly. Today's appointment of an ONZM runs in the Taumaunu family. Her services to netball span from her days as a Silver Fern in the early 80's, to more recent times as head coach of the NZ netball team. Her colleague, Jodi Brown, was also acknowledged today for her services to netball with the MNZM, alongside John Chadwick of Rotorua for his services to Maori and Law. Chadwick, the founding member of the Maori law society, accredits his success to the younger generation. Richie McCaw is to be appointed with the highest of all honours, the ONZ, an honour bestowed on only 20 people at any one time. He is also the youngest recipient of the medal, rightly so. Peata Melbourne, Te Karere. The Minister of Maori Development, Te Ururoa Flavell, Let's take another look at today's top stories. The biggest change in Maori language legislation is going through the final formalities in Parliament. It's said to be biggest milestone since the Maori Language Act was passed in 1987. The minister also mentioned his wish to present the Whenua Maori Bill to Parliament. Investitures continued today with more prominent Maori being honoured at Government House. Sports stars, a legal campaigner, and a man of God made up the diverse range of Maori recognised for their service to society. After the break; A new debutant from Rotorua for the NZ Sevens team - could his connection with the new captain benefit the team? And we have the weather. 1 TENSE MUSIC SPARKS CRACKLE JOINTS CRACK (SIGHS) SOFT MUSIC BEEPING, INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENT LOUD CLATTERING LOUD CLATTERING CAR ALARM CHIRPS ENGINE STARTS TYRES SKID TENSE MUSIC The Minister of Maori Development, Te Ururoa Flavell, has received praise from language experts around the country has received praise from language experts around the country for his efforts to get the bill passed. Praise came to him from Te Wananga Reo Maori a Ngati Kahungunu today. Let's cross to Kereama Wright who is on the ground there. We're unable to provide subtitles. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. Following their finals disappointment in Hong Kong last week, New Zealand Sevens All Blacks coach Gordon Tietjens has made a couple of changes to the squad heading into this weekend's tournament in Singapore. The Sevens maestro has included a young rising star in the team As Tamati Rimene-Sproat reports. The expert, the leader, and the rising star. All products of the same school, fighting in the same team. Issac Te Aute of Te Arawa and Tuhoe has just been named in the NZ Sevens All Blacks for their upcoming tournament, a feat that his old headmaster had predicted a long time ago. Although only 20 years old, according to his old principal, he has the skill sets of some of the legends of the game. Issac is following in the footsteps of another Rotorua Boys Old Boy, who's just been made captain of the NZ Sevens All Blacks for their upcoming tournament. On Saturday, our boys play their first game of the tournament against France. Hopefully the Rotorua Boys High connection will give them a slight advantage. Tamati Rimene-Sproat, Te Karere. That's all we have for today. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Mangai Paho. Copyright TVNZ 2016.