Coming up on Te Karere... Indigenous peoples from around the world come together to discuss suicide prevention strategies. We canvass NZers rights in Australia as today marks the day when the Australian government change its laws that adversely affected the hundreds of thousands of Kiwis. And then taking kapa haka to the temple. We're at the Aotea Kapa Haka Regionals at Ratana Pa. 26February 2018 Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere . Maoridom's leading suicide researchers are at Te Papa this week sharing their latest findings about the link between colonisation and suicide. They re joined by other indigenous experts from throughout the world who are finding similar trends among their own communities. Eruera Rerekura reports. Colonisation and suicide in New Zealand is linked to historical trauma according to this authority. And there's a similar pattern for indigenous peoples throughout the world. The symposium says a tailored solution aimed at indigenous peoples is the answer. Using story telling as a tool to fight the scourge of suicide is one example. Through knowledge comes awareness... They're convinced that knowledge of one's identity, background, and traditions, the individual will not be lost. Let indigenous values heal. Eruera Rerekura, Te Karere. It's often said Australia is our closest neighbour and friend. Our countries have fought shoulder to shoulder in wars together. We have a sporting rivalry that spans the generations. But that relationship changed dramatically 17 years ago today. It was when the Australian government changed its laws giving Kiwis living there less rights. In more recent times, it's come down hard on Kiwis who have fallen foul of the law. Irena Smith spoke to a woman who continues to help Kiwis stuck on the Australian immigration laws treadmill. Christmas Island Detention Centre holding many people who have broken the Australian immigration laws. Erina Morunga is an immigration officer helping people to get permanent residency. She says the laws have only got tougher for Kiwis. Despite protesting for New Zealand rights in Australia, advocacy groups say it is up to the governments to do something about the issues. 17 years after immigration laws were changed in Australia there are still calls for New Zealanders and their families moving there to be prepared. For untold Maori it's clearly not the land of dreams. Irena Smith, Te Karere. By tomorrow, a new leader for the National Party will be known. But a Maori Muslim believes one of the contenders, Judith Collins, is culturally not fit to be the leader of the opposition. Te Rata Hikairo believes the veteran politician inflamed the issue of cultural differences which recently emerged during an Iranian delegation's visit to NZ. Te Rina Kowhai explains. One of the five in the National Party race. And it's been the hand the talk of subject where in Muslim culture where a man is hand shaking a woman is in offence. Practicing Maori Muslim Te Rata Hikairo says Collins she doesn't know anything. Collins believes it s a women s right to be mutually respected too. Collins believes it s a women s right to be mutually respected too. And the Iranian delegation that came to NZ last should have known better. According to Hikairo, she s ignorant. Simon Bridges is the only one of the five that is Maori but Collin s husband is Samoan. He sits on a board for immigrant communities and he understands this platform. Tomorrow, NZ will find out who will lose the National leadership race. Te Rina Kowhai, Te Karere. During his first overseas trip in the job, the Defence Minister says Maori culture was the stand-out feature recognised and respected by other country's military forces. Ron Mark says the discussions he had included New Zealand s role in crashing ISIS and providing military training in the Middle East. Here s our political reporter Eruera Rerekura. Hand in hand the NZ Defence Minister meets his Iraqi counterpart. But it's the Maori culture that makes them fond of the NZ Defence Force. He says it's that Maori culture that enables the NZ Defence Force to connect with the indigenous people in the country that they're stationed in. It seems, the Minister says, that countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan are looking to the NZ Defence Force for leadership skills. The NZ Defence Force are an example to the world in the art of combat and peace keeping skills. Eruera Rerekura, Te Karere. After the break, Breakers coach Paul Henare has a new boss, well a few of them actually. Yes the successful basketball franchise announces a new ownership consortium that includes former players and the owners of an EPL soccer club. The upcoming Super Rugby battle of the Bombay Hills. The Blues and the Chiefs both lost over the weekend and now face each other this Friday. And later, taking kapa haka to the temple at Ratana Pa. We're at the Aotea Regional Kapa Haka comps. Who from the west is heading to Te Matatini next year? To sport now and the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics have come to a close, ending a successful campaign for NZ athletes. After a 26-year medal drought, NZ won two bronze medals within two hours last Thursday. The achievements of medallists Zoi Sadowski-Synnott and Nico Porteus were recognised as they were named to lead the team out at the closing ceremony last night. At only 16-years-old, the two are near certainties to be competing at the next Winter Olympics in China. To basketball - the Breakers have new owners. A consortium of American investors, including former NBA player Matt Walsh and future hall of famer Shawn Marrion, have been announced as the majority owners of the club. The group also has interests in football, as it holds a stake in English Premier League Club Swansea City. And finally to rugby news - And finally to rugby news - Sonny Bill Williams is once again the centre of attention at the Blues. Rumours are rife that the superstar is set to cross back to rugby league despite being contracted to the NZRU to 2019. Those rumours were scotched today as the Blues preferred to shift the focus on this weekend's battle against the Chiefs following a tough loss to the Highlanders over the weekend. The battle of the Bombay's is traditionally a tough one for the Aucklanders, with one draw and four losses since 2015. Kick-off is at 7:30pm on Friday night in Auckland. Tumamao Harawira is here to talk sports. First round of the Super Rugby for our NZ teams. What were your thoughts? We're unable to provide subtitles. Tumamao Harawira, thank you. After the break, We're at the Aotea regional kapa haka comps. Who from the west is heading to Te Matatini next year? And we have the weather. Every five years, we all do the census, but don't expect a knock on your door, because... Look out for your access code in your letterbox this week, then use it to... Every five years, we all do the census, and... Just grab the access code you received in your letterbox, and use it to complete your census online on or before 6 March at census.govt.nz. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. To kapa haka now, and another regional competition was held over the weekend. Nine teams from the Aotea region took to the stage vying for three spots to Te Matatini. The competition was held for the first time at Ratana Pa. Our reporter Rapaera Tawhai was there. Welcoming everyong to Te Pa o Nga Ariki, Ratana. The sweet voices of Te Iwi Morehu were heard, winners of the Aotea region. We accomplished everything in good faith, we are very happy. The hosts of the competition were very excited that this event was held for the first time at Ratana. We set out to preach about our faith and welcome all visitors to our home. So we feel we have accomplished that. They hail from the mighty Whanganui. It was their late founder Morvin Simon who thought to bring the competition to Ratana. That goal of his has been achieved, and also the aspiration of the group, placing 2nd at this year's competition. We brought our issues and topics from our river, the memories of our Koro Morvin (Simon), Aunty Dolly (Patea) those who have passed on. It's awesome to perform in front of their temple. I thought we achieved what we set out to do. The main thing is it's finished now, right? The pressure has now been lifted off of our shoulders. For me personally, performing with my kapa in front of the Holy Temple was a special moment. Slick swinging of the leaves and strong haka abilities saw Nga Purapura o Te Taihauauru take the last spot to represent the Aotea region at next year's national event. Our main objective this year was to bring our stories that involve Ratana Pa; the stories of our mountain Taranaki and those of Ratana Pa. Our shared history, our shared stories have been interwoven into our performance today. From here we look to Te Arawa who will be hosting their regionals this weekend. Rapaera Tawhai, Te Karere. That's all we have for today. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Mangai Paho.