Coming up on Te Karere... Hekia Parata announces she will not contest 2017 election. The Salvation Army challenge government to make more opportunities for youth. Old girls and boys of Queen Vic and St Stephens are split on giving out funding for scholarships instead of focusing on reopening of school. 19 October 2016 Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. The Education Minister, Hekia Parata, has announced she's stepping down from politics at the next election. She entered parliament in 2008 and has had a very challenging time as education minister. Our political reporter Eruera Rerekura looks back on her political career. For the Minister of Education, it wasn't so much a valedictory speech, but rather to let people know of her plans. Over the past eight years, despite the ups and downs, she has been behind the big decisions to do with the education system. However, during her career she was criticised about supporting charter schools. And she wasn't afraid to challenge families. Although she is a Maori language speaker she didn't support Maori being a compulsory subject in the school curriculum. One of her biggest decisions concerned Turakina Maori Girls' College. There are many other highs and lows during her work as the education minister, but as for next year she's decided to resign. In the end she didn't divulge what her plans are for next year, but without a doubt she'll have a deserved rest away from politics and spend time with her whanau. Eruera Rerekura, Te Karere. While some may not have supported her decisions Hekia Parata is well respected by her fellow MPs in Parliament who have also praised her for her tenacity and relentless work for children but especially her push in getting the education sector to prioritise the lifting of educational performance in Maori children. A strong woman who never cowered from a challenge, respected also by her fellow members of parliament. While her policies were not supported, her efforts were praised by the opposition parties. One of her priorities was to lift the education achievement of Maori children. She is also a family woman, and will perhaps now have more time to spend with them. It will be a big job to fill her shoes. Irena Smith, Te Karere. 'No young person must be allowed to leave school to nothing-no job, no further training, no hope.' The Salvation Army is issuing this challenge to the NZ community in a report titled 'What Next?', focused on employment needs of 15 - 24-year-olds. Te Okiwa McLean with the story. As the saying goes the youth of today will eventually be the leaders of tomorrow. But the question must be asked, are they getting enough support? The Salvation Army's report claims that 75,000 young workers under 25 are unemployed, unengaged and often with few, if any, marketable skills. Minister of Maori Development Te Ururoa Flavell believes by the government working together rather than divided the benefits will come. It's my view we need to take a broad view of those who are unemployed in all those areas. It can't be left to just one department or ministry to solve, the entire Government needs to be on board. In a written statement provided by the Minister of Tertiary Education Steven Joyce he said The Salvation Army believes it should be the expectation of school leavers and of all New Zealanders that no school leaver leaves school to nothing - all should leave to a job, or to further training or education for a much more successful future. Te Okiwa McLean, Te Karere. The St Stephen's and Queen Victoria schools trust board has announced a new scholarship to help secondary school students in financial need, but an old boy of St Stephen's says that while it is commendable, their focus should be on reopening the schools. Hania Douglas has this report. An idea born from the desire to help those struggling to pay for education. I'm happy because there are so many kids who don't have the money and are in need of scholarships for schooling. The new scholarship is available to 30 students to the value of $10,000 thanks to St Stephens and Queen Victoria. A member of the joint school board, Te Kitohi Pikaahu, says they are proud to be able to help tomorrow's leaders. The funds come from the trust of the board. The funding was given to be distributed. But St Stephen's old boy Te Waihoroi Shortland says the board should be focusing on reopening St Stephen's and Queen Victoria. The board of the schools says that while they hope to see the schools open once more, in the meantime, they want to do some charity. The board is tasked with deciding whether the schools can reopen in time, but the issue is not forgotten. But we must start distributing these scholarships to help kids now. Scholarship submission close on November 1. As for reopening the schools, that's still unknown. Hania Douglas, Te Karere. After the break, Laura Langman's consecutive streak of playing in the black dress will possibly end after tomorrow. The Kiwis have gathered in Auckland before they depart for the UK for the Four Nations. PEOPLE CHATTER, DANCE MUSIC PULSATES They've been on the sauce. They've been on the sauce. Your party! They've been on the sauce. Your party! That's Mary's boy, isn't it? Yeah, but they're just kids. If we don't say something... (GROANS) Hey, boys? Boys? Why don't you get a lift home tonight? Oh, whatever, mate. I've only had a couple. No, no, no, no. It's too late now. I've spoken to you and I know your mum, so that means our fates are aligned. You get into that car and you get yourself killed or you kill someone else, I become part of it too. How? How? Well, it's like, um, my balls are in your hands. BOYS LAUGH, SNORT BOY: Oh, you want the balls! BOY: Oh, you want the balls! Nobody wants that. Hey, how about I drive you? What? Oh. What? Oh. BOYS LAUGH, DANCE MUSIC PLAYS ON RADIO (SWITCHES RADIO STATION) (SWITCHES RADIO STATION) YODELLING MUSIC PLAYS I like it. To netball now, the ferns are gearing up for their final Constellation cup game against the Australian Diamonds in Invercargill today. The squad are looking down the barrel of another series defeat with their only hope of salvaging victory - a 23 point win on the night. The ferns will come out firing though, playing, not only for pride but playing for a veteran who may be playing her last game in the black dress. Tamati Rimene-Sproat reports. We're unable to provide subtitles. The Kiwis have gathered in Auckland before they depart for the UK for the four nations with a familiar face absent. Simon Mannering hasn't recovered from a knee injury giving young Panthers second rower James Foisher-Harris The other big news coming out of the camp is rumours that Benji Marshall might be off to Brisbane next year. Former Kiwis captain and Dragon play maker has been linked to the Broncos, something that Tuhoe and Broncos wing Jordan Kahu is excited about. The Kiwis fly out today with their first game against England on Saturday the 29th of October. Now to Economics and Finance. Earlier I asked Brook Grant The reason in my view, is that they develop and add value to product before exporting. Fonterra, the majority of the time, sends product, such as milk, in its raw state , with no value added. No doubt therefore this is good news for Maori farmers? Sort of. I want to make it clear that Tatua is a small company. They are probably the sixth largest in dairy. Fonterra is still the largest and most important for these broadcasts. Should we be concerned about the dairy sector, and in agriculture, in NZ in general? We're unable to provide subtitles. After the break; Kaumatua seek to reclaim leadership amongst their people. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. One voice for Maori elders across the Auckland region. That is the vision of kaumatua who met today in an attempt to reclaim traditional leadership among their people. It's a call that was initiated by Waipareira trust kaumatua who have seen a trend towards moving away from the kaumatua voice. Peata Melbourne was there. From Great Barrier Island to the South of Auckland, Maori elders gathered from all corners of the Auckland region at Hoani Waititi Marae. They had only one agenda. To establish a coalition of Auckland elders from throughout the region. They say there are many issues that need urgent addressing among Maori. Family violence, mental health, homelessness, prison rates and treaty settlements. The financial assistance we get from the Government these days is minimal for us to be able to help with our elders. Attendees were aged 60 years and over with a collective concern that a voice of the kaumatua generation is being lost not just within Maoridom, but across the board. For our kuia, they're sceptical about who cares for them for instance when they're in hospitals because we know many who are practicing are foreigners and it can be daunting. But it was the children who were at the centre of their discussions with an apprehension towards the lack of spiritual connectivity among youngsters. I will put it like this yes we must nurture our children spiritually, however we must do that by looking to our elders. Today's hui has confirmed the establishment of Poumata Kaumatua Kuia, and they'll hui again in November to establish officers. Peata Melbourne, Te Karere. That's all we have for today. Kia tau te mauri. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Mangai Paho. Copyright TVNZ 2016.