Coming up on Te Karere... Warnings that repealing the anti-smacking legislation could result in more Maori children dying violent deaths. Mental health workers are taking legal action to get better pay. Save Our Oysters - a massive operation has commenced to save the precious deep-south oyster fishery. 19 June 2017 Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. A long time children's advocate says the anti-smacking laws has saved lives. Anton Blanc warns repealing the law would be a backward step for all New Zealanders. New Zealand first wants a binding referendum on anti-smacking legislation ten years after the controversial law was enacted. Ripeka Timutimu has this story. Moko Rangitoheriri lost his life at the hands of his abusers. Anton Blank says anti-smacking laws could save lives like his. NZ First MP Tracy Martin says the law goes too far. Between 2007-2013 there were only eight prosecutions under the law. In 2009, 87% voted no to the question 'should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence?'. Blank says despite this, NZ parents still understand that smacking isn't right. Martin says she wants New Zealand children to be safe, but it's up to parents to make the decision about how that happens. Ripeka Timutimu, Te Karere. "You back me and I'll back you," that's the message Rahui Papa is sending to Hauraki Waikato voters. Papa's campaign has been officially launched at his marae, Pohara; he says he is hoping to highlight issues affecting Maori communities. And knows it will be a battle to take the seat away from his cousin Nanaia Mahuta. Irena Smith reports. We're unable to provide subtitles. Irena Smith, Te Karere. TKKM o Nga Maungarongo was established in 1987 to cater to Maori kids living in the Auckland CBD area in primary and intermediate education. This year they established their wharekura, comes with its own set of challenges, including funding and the struggle of filling their student roll. Hania Douglas reports. Happy voices raised in song to their new Wharekura. At the beginning of the year, we had the idea to establish the Wharekura. Now we have 14 year nine and year ten students on the roll. Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Nga Maungarongo has a long history, but they have only recently established their wharekura. Wharekura teacher Te Whareparoa Nepe says the goal is for their school to stand independent. It's about the kids, and realising their dreams and the aspirations the school has for them. But the central Auckland school is feeling the burdens of their new status, the burden of filling seats. Moe statistics say only 5.3% of Maori students attend Maori medium secondary schools. Funding is a big struggle. When kids reach year nine, they're sent away, usually to Mt Albert, because there was nothing here for them. And they'd get lost in the sheer numbers of those schools, whereas here, we're more like a whanau, here to help and support. You are all welcome here at Nga Maungarongo. Putting paid to the saying, peace on earth, and goodwill to all. Hania Douglas, Te Karere. Mental health workers are taking legal action to win pay parity with their colleagues in the disability and aged care sectors. Next month care workers get a pay rise but not those in the mental health sector. Te Okiwa McLean spoke with a Maori mental health organisation about the impact of this issue on workers and patients. According to the national body for Maori mental health services, Maori mental health services are undervalued. As a result of the Care and Supporters Settlement, $500 million has been allocated so aged care workers will start receiving significant wage rises However, the mental health sector gets nothing at all. CEO of Te Puna Hauora o Te Rakipaewhenua says infrastructure needs improving. According to Marsden Maori whanau are different. It's an issue they will never stop fighting against. It's an issue they will never stop fighting against. Te Okiwa McLean, Te Karere. A mass oyster cull operation is underway around Stewart Island as the Ministry for Primary Industries ramps up its response to an infestation of the lethal parasite Bonamia Ostreae. The parasite was found at two marine farms in the bay last month and concerns are that it may spread to the wild flat oyster beds in Foveaux Strait. Ngai Tahu has a significant stake in those wild oyster beds. The operation involves the caged oysters from the farms being lifted, sterilised and disposed of at a landfill near Bluff. An estimated 4,000 tonnes of flat oysters will be culled. There are 14 marine farms based at Steward Island. After the break, Waikato Chief's Maori All Blacks prepare for their second bout against the Lions, gunning for a win tomorrow night. And the Baby Blacks win the Junior World Cup in emphatic style. The Lions record in New Zealand is now 3-5 after a convincing win over the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua after a convincing win over the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua at the weekend. Now they prepare for the Chiefs in Hamilton tomorrow night, who will have some familiar faces lining up in the forward pack. The spirit is alive and well, not so much the body. Liam Messam played against the Lions on Saturday night in Rotorua. Now he's back in his Chiefs' colours preparing to have another crack at them, and get some revenge. It's no wonder then Messam knows what will be thrown at the Chiefs tomorrow night. And he can see where the weaknesses lay, and where they should attack. Kick-off is at 7:30pm in Hamilton, Messam's hometown. Tamati Rimene-Sproat, Te Karere. NZ u20s have won the Junior World Cup in comprehensive fashion. The Baby Blacks blew opponents England away in the final with the forwards scoring nine of the teams ten tries. Hooker Asafo Aumua bagging a hat-trick. Final score NZ 64 - England 17. Let's take another look at today's top stories. Warnings that repealing the anti-smacking legislation could result in more Maori children dying violent deaths. Mental health workers are taking legal action to get better pay. Save Our Oysters - a massive operation has commenced to save the precious deep south oyster fishery. Let's check out our weather cams out in the regions today. Auckland. Tauranga. Hamilton. Napier. Wellington. Christchurch. Dunedin. After the break we bring you more weather. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. To end our bulletin off today, we'll take a look at Poi 360's take on the creation story for poi 'Takawirihanga' performed by poi icons Kahurangi Maxwell, Tiria Waitai and Talei Morrison. Enjoy! Captions were made possible with funding from Te Mangai Paho.