Coming up on Te Karere... State Housing Minister Bill English says the current financial position of Housing NZ is nothing to be concerned about after rumours of going broke. Cancer sufferer wants more funding towards medication in New Zealand. The VMA finalists are announced with many Maori artists up for awards. 13 October 2016 Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. State Housing Mininster Bill English says the current financial position of Housing NZ is nothing to be concerned about and they're in a process of building more houses. However, demand nationally for state houses has increased. Irena Smith asked whether the government's projections will meet the demand. They're running out of money and the government has to find a way to top it up. According to the Treasury HNZ is under pressure financially and that could impact on them continuing to redevelop, maintain, and rebuild housing. This is frustrating for the Maori Party as the numbers of homeless people is rising. GRAB According to HNZ statistics there are currently more than 2400 vacant houses. In March this year the government transferred 2800 Housing NZ properties to the Regenerating Tamaki Social Housing group. Housing NZ say that means they are no longer generating any income off those properties and if they are not able to get any new funding they may run out of money by the new year. they may run out of money by the new year. Despite the hopes, this yet another issue slowing down his strategy to fix up the housing crisis. Irena Smith, Te Karere. New Zealand ranks poorly for providing medicines to cancer patients. The Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) say out of 13 OECD countries, New Zealand has the lowest ranking for access to cancer medicines. The coalition has launched a new campaign to increase funding for drugs to fight advanced breast cancer. It says funding such medication would make a significant impact on the lives of many New Zealanders. Peata Melbourne reports. Moana Papa's 43 year old body is today riddled with bone cancer. The mother of two says every single day counts. Moana is part of a campaign to make more drugs accessible in New Zealand and give those with secondary cancer a better chance at life. The Minister of Health last month boasting of Pharmac's delivery of more subsidised medicine that is benefiting millions of Kiwis. The Breast Cancer Association Coalition today releasing an open letter to the Minister calling for an increase in funding for medicines. The Government says New Zealanders' access to subsidised medicines and treatments is world class. But that offers no comfort for Moana one of many missing out on ground-breaking new medicines, and is now paying the ultimate price with her life. In the absence of those much needed drugs, twin sister Charlene will continue to take Moana for weekly chemo treatments at the hospital in the hope Moana will live to December to her son turn 21 years old. Peata Melbourne, Te Karere. A father and son who were earlier this week convicted of assaulting three youths have confirmed that they will be appealing the decision. Ngarimu Simpkins' career as the head of rugby at one of the country's top rugby schools now hangs in the balance. Simpkins claims the boys were part of a group of youths stealing from his family home in this exclusive interview with Roihana Nuri. It's these shoes that triggered the incident. Shoes desired by a group of teenagers. January 2015 was when the incident took place - the court confirmed that only one youth went on to steal from the Simpkins. And on Monday Ngarimu and his father were convicted for assaulting the teenagers. Te Karere made several attempts to put questions to the victims and their guardians and this is one of the responses. After the incident one of the young men started sending these text messages to Ngarimu. At this stage Simpkins is uncertain about whether he will retain his job following the incident. Roihana Nuri, Te Karere. A West Auckland kura kaupapa Maori is endorsing the Auditor General's call for all schools to implement Ka Hikitia. The strategy was highly criticised when it was first launched with only modest gains, but in her latest report Lyn Provost says Ka Hikitia has the ability to boost Maori success and it has plenty of Maori support. Eruera Rerekura reports. The school principle says his school has supported Ka Hikitia right from the beginning. We have no concerns about Ka Hikitia. The Auditor General's report says the document has the backing of most Maori. But he says the Ministry of Education wants to impose some aspects from somewhere else. The report also says schools need to implement Ka Hikitia to raise Maori educational achievement. The Auditor General says Finally, Mr Wright says Ka Hikitia has lots of benefits, but it should stick to aspects that pertain to Aotearoa, not from anywhere else. Eruera Rerekura, Te Karere. After the break, the VMA finalists are announced with many Maori artists up for awards. Globally hot, locally not. That seems to be the case for a designer who has been snubbed here at home when people have found out her South Auckland address. She is set to show her new collection in Australia before setting off for Rome, Milan and other fashion centres of Europe, As Hania Douglas found out today at the Auckland Art Gallery (Toi o Tamaki), Tasha Lee Auali'itia wears her address as a badge of honour with her new collection called #madeinotara. Skilled hands and a creative mind. Tasha Lee is making her dreams come true. But while she is definitely skilled in her work, she's found that people are quick to criticise. Tasha Lee is proud of where she comes from, but she finds inspiration everywhere. The #madeinotara collection features 10 garments, but only some were critiqued today. She's also keen for development. Tasha Lee is set to jet off to Australia next week, to the Pacific Runway in Sydney, however, this girl's roots remain firmly in Otara. Hania Douglas, Te Karere. The 2016 finalists for the 51st Vodafone Music Awards were announced today. One of our Maori veterans has been put up for two nominations in which one he took home in 2014. Te Okiwa McLean has more. Despite Rob Ruha making the finalists for the VMAs. Ruha believes another day, another accolade. In 2014, Rob Ruha snatched the best Maori album of the year, for his album 'Tiki Tapu'. Ruha has been nominated once again for his latest album 'Pumau'. However, not only for Maori album, but also the Best Roots Album of the Year. Bic Runga has been awarded the NZ Herald Legacy Award for her many achievements over the years. Runga is going the way up and has also secured a spot in the NZ Music Hall of Fame. Where to from here? The VMAs will kick off on November 17 at Vector Arena. Who will win? Who knows? Te Okiwa McLean, Te Karere. After the break; Otaki-local Te Paea Selby-Rickit shines in win over Australian Diamonds. And we have the weather. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. To netball. The Silver Ferns have come up trumps in an epic battle against world champions Australia in Tasmania. The team were led by stalwarts Laura Langman and Anna Harrison, but it was Ngaruahine's very own Te Paea Selby-Rickitt who stole the show. Tamati Rimene-Sproat has the match report. She made the most of her opportunity. That is Te Paea Selby-Rickitt - the star of the Silver Ferns win over Australia. She carried the team in the victory over the Diamonds with her shooting. Se made 17 of her 21 attempts. And the rookie wowed her opponents. Veterans Anna Harrison and Laura Langman gave it their all, Veterans Anna Harrison and Laura Langman gave it their all, and contributed to the win. The score ended up 53 - 51 and levelled the series. The third game is on Saturday in Auckland, and following this victory, The third game is on Saturday in Auckland, and following this victory, fans will be hoping it isn't a a one off. Tamati Rimene-Sproat, Te Karere. That's all we have for today. Kia ora tatou katoa. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Mangai Paho. Copyright TVNZ 2016.