Coming up on Te Karere... Division over the government's work for the dole plans. Manurewa community figure and kapa haka icon Damon Heke loses his battle to cancer. And the bi-annual sports event for Wharekura Aho Matua kicks off in Auckland. 04 December 2017 Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. A high ranking union official has hit back at comments from a NZ First cabinet minister. Syd Keepa says Shane Jones telling beneficiaries to get off the couch is inappropriate. But as Ripeka Timutimu reports, while the CTU vice president supports a work for dole scheme, he says wages needs to be fair. Shane Jones making headlines again, but has he jumped the gun? The Minister of Regional Economic Development wants those on a benefit to work for their money in jobs like planting trees. The Maori spokesperson for council of trade unions says Jones is out of line. The Maori unemployment rate is around 9.9%, compared to the general population at 4.6%. Whilst not all of those are on benefits, Keepa says the Jones' kaupapa should come at a cost. PM Jacinda Ardern says it hasn't got the green light yet. But it seems like the government has a bit of work to do itself. Ripeka Timutimu, Te Karere. Like the warrior he portrayed on the kapa haka stage, The soaring temps mean many will be flocking to rivers and beaches to cool off. And that's prompted water safety campaigners to issue their usual advice. Rapaera Tawhai hit one of our most popular beaches, Mt Maunganui today to find out what the key messages are for this summer. Subtitles not available Rapaera Tawhai, Te Karere. And to add to that story, our weather expert Dan Corbett from TVNZ gives us further insight There's a warning to people who suffer from hay fever, that this summer could be one of the worst yet. An unusually hot November has increased pollen productivity - and this summer's set to get hotter. Experts say open, rural areas generally have the most pollen in the atmosphere due to the increase in agriculture. After the break, we meet a special set of triplets at the bi-annual sports event for Wharekura Aho Matua. A new rendition of the iconic tune 'Poi E.' Like the warrior he portrayed on the kapa haka stage, The 42 year died on Friday and the body of the much loved and respected community figure was taken to Manurewa Marae this morning for his tangihanga. Te Okiwa McLean was there with the masses. A phenomenal haka, to welcome home one of a kind. He was Manurewa marae, Manurewa Marae was him. I'm sad at his passing, but I know as he would put it Heke was a renowned performer in Te Waka Huia, and more recently Te Tai Tonga Kapa Haka was instrumental in many community-based initiatives in Manurewa, and wider South Auckland area. Right to this day, Te Tai Tonga continues to support events such as the coronation of the Maori Kingi Potatau Te Wherowhero VII. I remember the hospitality he provided in my role as a judge for the kapa haka competition of TWoA in 2013. Kapa haka was his and his whanau's bread and butter. It has taken his whanau to perform at the Edinburgh Tattoo in 2015. Not long after Scotland, cancer striked. We followed his journey in which he was cleared from all cancer in 2016. However, it returned this year but twice as hard. But he was one who was very open about documenting his journey through social media with his intiatives #SmashedIt and #DamonationTransformation He leaves behind his partner Keleigh and their five children. And on Wednesday, Heke will be returned to his origin, to Te Awahou and Ngati Rangiwewhi where he will be buried on Thurday. Te Okiwa McLean, Te Karere. Wiki Ha - the bi-annual sports competition for whare kura - kicked off today in the blazing Auckland sun. As Tamati Rimene-Sproat discovered, it's more than just a competition for one whanau it's a full-on family affair. We're unable to provide subtitles. Tamati Rimene-Sproat, Te Karere. Tumamao Harawira is here to talk sports. We're unable to provide subtitles. Tumamao Harawira, thank you. After the break, a new rendition of the iconic tune 'Poi E'. And we have the weather. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. 'Poi E' is an iconic NZ song. But Auckland Girls Grammar Kapa Haka has come up with a unique rendition of the song by collaborating with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. As Harata Brown reports, the piece was presented to the whanau of the two people who created the song. We're unable to provide subtitles. Harata Brown, Te Karere. That's all we have for today. That's all we have for today. Kia ora tatou katoa. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Mangai Paho.