Coming up on Te Karere... It's official - Rotorua is declared as the first bilingual city - that's Maori / English - in the world. We show a number of ways Rhys Warren is hit with a harsh sentence for shooting at police in the Kawerau siege last year. 11 August 2017 Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. Te Karere is coming to you live today from Te Puia, Rotorua to mark, celebrate, and confirm Rotorua's status as the first bilingual city in the world. The announcement was made a short time ago by the Minister of Maori Affairs and the city's mayor. So what's the significance of Rotorua becoming a domain for both Maori and English? Hania Douglas has this report. It's official - Rotorua is now bilingual. Te Tatau o Te Arawa proposed that Rotorua should become a bilingual city, and the community has gotten behind them. We're standing on the corner of Pukuatua. He is a revered ancestor of mine, a chief. So warm greetings, welcome everyone to Rotorua. Many services have jumped aboard the bilingual Rotorua train, like 3rd Place Cafe and their Heki Amerikana-Eggs Benedict. There's still a lot to be done to see this project flourish. But everyone is excited. In the hopes of seeing te reo Maori at home once more in NZ. Hania Douglas, Te Karere. One company to embrace the new bilingual status is Toa Gym, becoming the first bilingual gym in Rotorua. Early this morning our reporter Rapaera Tawhai went along to the first class of the day to hear the new cues in te reo Maori. At dawn here in Rotorua you will hear Te Reo Maori being spoken. One, two, three, four! How? By exercising the body and language. Wow this is hard work. I'm fully sweating. You've got this! It has been a hard and long journey to get here. It's good for Maori to hear their own language. Pakeha and others are tuning in as well, just like the Chinese lady next to me who is learning te reo, there are so many benefits of being bilingual. There are also benefits as a business as well. And up! So are you exhausted? Not at all, I'm actually feeling rejuvenated for the day ahead. That class was a bit short for me. Anyway, I was just following the cues of the instructor. Now management at the gym are setting out to learn te reo Maori. It's a long term goal that they are aiming to eventually make a reality. Rapaera Tawhai, Te Karere. Joining me live here in Rotorua is the Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell. We're unable to provide subtitles. Now, let's cross back to our Auckland studio where Irena Smith is standing to bring you the other big stories in the Maori world. After the break, Rhys Warren is sentenced to preventive detention. And we also bring you exciting news about the Maori All Blacks. Kawerau siege shooter Rhys Warren has copped the harshest sentence an offender can receive. He was sentenced to preventative detention at the High Court in Tauranga today. The punishment comes after shooting four police officers last year. Ripeka Timutimu has this story. Rhys Warren has been jailed, who knows when he'll get out. His charges include two counts of attempted murder, one count of wounding with intent and one count of using a firearm against a police officer. His family are shocked at his sentence. During his trial Warren represented himself despite the seriousness of the charges. But Justice Timothy Brewer says the sentence fits the crime. Warren will now spend at least ten years behind bars before being eligible for parole. Ripeka Timutimu, Te Karere. We're unable to provide subtitles. I am one with the environment. An environmental initiative of the Manukau Beautification Charitable Trust (MBCT) focused on creating 'guardians of the environment'. There are all up nine schools and Manurewa High School claimed top prize at this expo last year and return this year in the hope to do the same thing. The wellness of the environment ensures the wellness of people. Te Okiwa McLean, Te Karere. We're unable to provide subtitles. Setting a challenge to young Maori women to get into sports media. Both Adrianne Rikihana and Rikki Swannell are members of the Wonderful Group. A support network for women in the sports media industry that is challenging young Maori women to get into this space. The group has some of the biggest names in sports media as members. They are paving the way for the next generation. But there are challenges still. They are encouraging more young Maori and Pacific women to get into sports broadcasting with the knowledge that people want to see diversity. So Maori, get involved! Tamati Rimene-Sproat, Te Karere. We're unable to provide subtitles. Now let's take a look at what Maori Programmes on offer over the weekend. This week on Marae. We head to the electorate of Te Ikaroa-Rawhiti to canvass the issues hot in the electorate. Did Metiria Turei make the right decision to step down? Polluted waterways on the East Coast. Suicide - what can be done? 10am Sunday TVNZ 1. This week on Waka Huia. The government hates us. They've usurped our rights. They're killing our land and future generations. 10.30am Sunday TVNZ 1. Lets go back to Scotty who's currently in the first official bilingual city in NZ, Rotorua. After the break we talk to a local about what the status means to the city. Here with me now is language expert, Anaha. We're unable to provide subtitles. Thank you Rawiri. That's all we have for today. Kia ora tatou katoa. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Mangai Paho. Copyright TVNZ 2017.