Coming up on Te Karere... Taranaki e koro! Mt Taranaki set to become a legal personality, with iwi and government to share management of the iconic landmark. It's an event aimed to spread Christmas cheer for Edgecumbe residents, but eight months after the big flood, less than half are back home. And Mahaki Rakena, just nine years old, but Brazilian club, Santos, are already interested in football prodigy. 21 December 2017 Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. The personification of landmarks and waterways is an intrinsic part of Maori tradition, once again that belief is set to be enshrined in law. Like Te Urewera, and Whanganui river - Mt Taranaki will become a legal personality. The landmark day came to pass as Ngati Maru, signed an agreement in principle to its treaty settlement. And as Eruera Rerekura reports, Ngati Maru will be last of the eight Taranaki iwi to settle and that milestone clears the path for the status of the revered mountain to be changed. From the Taranaki region to parliament, these descendants of the barren mountain have travelled a long way. It's a hugely significant day. Soon, the mountain will be returned to the tribes of Taranaki. And their desire to declare the mountain as a living personality. Yes, that's right. That's because we revere Taranaki as a great ancestor. They are the ones who keep us Taranaki peoples connected to our home. There are eight tribes who live in that rohe, and Ngati Maru is the last iwi to settle their claim. The main purpose of the day for Ngati Maru was initialling the Agreement in Principle with the Crown. Like all of the Taranaki tribes their land was confiscated by the Crown in 1863. So to right the wrongs the Crown will give $30 million in financial redress. Forty seven sites of significance will be returned to the tribe and a formal apology will be issued. A milestone for Ngati Maru, a landmark day for the eight tribes of Taranaki. There will be wananga held in February for Taranaki descendants to have their say. Eruera Rerekura, Te Karere. From Taranaki to Tongariro, central North Island iwi Ngati Tuwharetoa had its first reading in parliament this week for its treaty claims settlement bill. It's the first step towards legalising the tribe's $25 million treaty settlement which was signed at parliament in July of this year. 32 sites of significance will also be returned. One of the tribe's treaty negotiators, Te Ngaehe Wanikau, says in addition to the benefits of the treaty settlement - the most important thing this process has brought about is the unity of Tuwharetoa. Ngati Tuwharetoa is also part of a collective of iwi the crown will engage with in future negotiations regarding the Tongariro National Park. If you're travelling to the pacific islands this summer, protect yourself against mosquitoes. The strain hasn't been seen in 20 years and 11 people have died in New Caledonia. That s the warning from the Auckland Regional Public Health Service after a number of dengue fever cases in the city, with 70% believed to have originated from Samoa. One who believed to have caught the disease is Sam Matangi. Insect repellents, nets and using air conditioning are effective safeguards to being bitten. Another health worry for the big city, a mumps outbreak has been officially designated as an epidemic, Senior health officials have asked the ministry for a national vaccination campaign to stop it spreading throughout NZ. More than 1000 people have contracted mumps in Auckland this year. About 80% of current cases were in people not immunised. A Maori has been appointed to the bench of the court of appeal. Justice Joseph Williams s appointment to the court of appeal was announced by Attorney-General David Parker today. Justice Williams graduated with a law degree from Victoria University in 1986. In the nineties, he was a partner with law firm, Kensington Swan. The Ngati Pukenga and Te Arawa descendant is a former Chief Judge of the Maori Land Court and Chair of the Waitangi Tribunal. Justice Williams was appointed a high court judge in 2008. The first rounds of funding applications are open for te reo Maori revitalisation initiatives through Te Matawai. Waikato-Tainui is the first tribal region up and running and is ready to take applications. And as Irena Smith reports, they're looking for people or groups who have home and community-based initiatives which contributes to making te reo Maori a nurturing first language. This is the first call welcoming applications to fulfil the new reo Maori revitalization initiative. There are two main requirements. One is that the initiatives encourage people to speak Maori and understand it, and also for those groups who have been teaching the reo for a long time it's there to help aid them in what they are doing. Tainui is the first of the tribal boundaries clusters to be ready and open for applications. The aim is to support communities to take control of their language revitalization. From a family initiative or programme, to a marae committee to parents who want to get together It's been 14 months since the new Maori language advisory group Te Matawai first met. Pania Papa says it is vital that they have a solid foundation so the ship can sail smoothly. We wanted to get the funding out to our families and communities as soon as possible Irena Smith, Te Karere. It seems our language programmes continues to attract international attention and admiration. Mahaki Rakena, just nine years old, but Brazilian club, Santos, are already interested in football prodigy. It's been eight months since the devasting flood that resulted in the evacuation of Edgecumbe residents. More than 300 homes were damaged. While some have returned to their homes in time for Christmas, many have not. Today the community came together for a Christmas celebration, among them is our reporter Rapaera Tawhai. Rapaera what's happening? We're unable to provide subtitles. Visiting her home but only for a short while. This is how high the water had risen. Our house is one of the higher houses here and still the water was quite high. The Hale family are one of many families who aren't able to move home yet. Over 300 houses were damaged due to the flooding of the Rangitaiki River which burst through a riverbank flooding the town in April this year. There may be 16 families who have returned to their homes on this street. There are others elsewhere. There are about 36 or so houses on this street, so there are many families like ours who haven't returned home. As she looks at the repair work that has been carried out for her house her mind goes back to when she received the phone call that her house was flooded. My heart sank. I was at work and checking on others when my daughter rung to say the river bank had broken. I was devastated. Even though there may only be 15% of those affected who have returned home, the community has banded together to relieve the pressure on each other. Many have come back and I see them at the shops Many have come back and I see them at the shops or on the streets talking to each and asking each other if they need a hand. However, she can't forget to thank those around the country who have helped the community. I just want to wish everyone a happy new year and Christmas. All those of you who have come and talked to us over the time. Her family are hoping to move home in the new year. We're unable to provide subtitles. Thank you for the update Rapaera Tawhai. Talent scouts from Santos, one of Brazil's top soccer clubs, have got their eyes on him. What makes this story even more incredible, is that the player is just nine-years-old! And as Te Okiwa McLean reports, after completing a five week football camp in Brazil, the super club is really liking Mahaki Rakena. He's on the grind day in day out. I practice every day because I want to get better each day. Last month Mahaki Rakena embarked on a five week trip to Brazil where he was given an opportunity of a lifetime. Training with some of the world's best football clubs like Santos. They love the soccer ball. Every day they've got a soccer ball by their feet. Every day they practice irrespective of the weather, whether it's raining or cold, they're still practising. The eligible age to qualify for academy level is 13 and to return there is his biggest dream. If this is what I want I need to take it and practice all the time. Here in NZ he plays against the U12's and this experience has really opened his mind to the game. They don't do it for money, they do it for the love of football. Pele and Neymar are his idols and he says that's the standard he's aiming for. Are you confident you're better than them? Yes, because everyone thinks they can be better against heaps of people but the key to that is practice. It is rare you see Maori in this sport and here are his words of wisdom to those passionate about the game. I have two things to say - be passionate about the game, and work at it! Top scouts have their eyes on Rakena but he only has one focus for the next three years. Coming up with a strategy so I can be the best. Boy, give it your all. Te Okiwa McLean, Te Karere. New Zealand has added five new athletes to the Commonwealth Games team. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today that David Bishop, Misha Koudinov, Devy Dyson, Kyleab Ellis, Ethan Dick will be representing New Zealand in the gymnasium will be representing New Zealand in the gymnasium at next year's games in the Gold Coast. The games will be held in April 2018. And today the NZRU and Ngai Tahu Tourism announced a new venture featuring the All Blacks. The All Blacks experience will open at Skycity in 2019 and provide visitors with a state-of-the-art, interactive experience. The partners promise to showcase the All Blacks and the game like never before. Let's take another look at today's top stories. Taranaki e koro! Mt Taranaki set to become a legal personality, with iwi and government to share management of the iconic landmark. A mumps outbreak has been officially designated as an epidemic. Justice Joseph Williams has been appointed to the bench of the Court of Appeal. After the break, And we have the weather. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. That's all we have for today. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Mangai Paho. Copyright TVNZ 2017.