Coming up on Te Karere Hundreds of people made themselves heard today so the Kaipara District Council know that they do not agree to the council disestablishing their Māori ward. The whānau of Joanna Sione-Lauaki, a mother of eight, gather in Dargaville today for her tangihanga, mourning her tragic death while seeking answers. Primary schools connected to Rangitaiki River compete to gain entry to Mana Kura Tahi. 07 August 2024 Tēnā koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. Police clashes and racism accusations marred today's protest against Kaipara District Council's removal of its Māori ward, attended by hundreds. The controversy follows the government's law change forcing councils to scrap Māori wards established without a referendum or put them to a public vote. Marena Mane has more. Voices rang out charged with emotion. Protestors erupt in anger as Kaipara District Council voted on its Māori ward's future. Mayor Craig Jepson acted fast, convening extraordinary meeting just a day after government's law overhaul. Jepson, useless. That's despite having until mid-September to make a decision. Then drama broke out over this last minute debate. The blinds were dramatically flung open just as protestors made their voices heard. Their only Māori ward councillor insisted council paid attention. Police forced to step in. Ihapera Paniora served multiple warnings. Voting to disestablish the Māori ward just two years after creating it. Ngati Whatua have served them an injunction. We'll be supporting them as they take them to court. Warning an injunction against the council is coming. Marena Mane, Te Karere. Significant concerns in the halls of power have also been raised by the Kaipara District Council's decision to abolish its Māori ward. The Local Government Act was modified by the previous Labour government, eliminating council's ability to hold polls or referendums in order to create Māori wards. Māori MPs say this is a serious blow to our democracy. More from our political reporter Te Okiwa Mclean. A protest in full action as Kaipara District Council scraps its Māori ward. The ruling sparked a community-wide mobilization against what they saw as a grave setback to democracy. The previous Labour government passed the Māori Wards bill in 2021 that removes the poll option from the process for councils to establish Māori wards and constituencies, and provides councils a new start at deciding whether to have Māori wards at their next elections. Just a week ago, the coalition government passed its amended Māori wards bill which now requires councils that introduced Māori wards to have polls or abolish them ahead of the next election. While all councils were given until September to make a decision, Kapiti and New Plymouth District councils have already ruled to have Māori wards in their next election. A debate that no doubt will spark great debate across all councils. Te Okiwa Mclean, Te Karere. The whānau of Joanna Sione-Lauaki, a mother of eight, gather in Dargaville today for her tangihanga, mourning her tragic death while seeking answers. Joanna, 38, was found deceased on a remote beach after sending a distressing "help" text to her husband, leaving her family heartbroken to uncover the truth. Taroi Black has more. Married for 21 years, Jared Sione Lauaki is determined to find out what happened to his wife. Her daughter harmony is clinging to memories of her mother. She was a strong leader, advocate and carer for everyone. Joanna went to Omamari Beach on Thursday evening, a 30 minute drive from Dargaville. Her body was found wet on the beach Friday morning. Jared, a farmer, had gone to bed early, he couldn't reach her in the morning. Police were asking for sightings of Joanna's Black Mitsubishi outlander on Thursday and Friday morning which was left here at Omamari Beach. This is a plea from the family to the community, please speak up. For now dad and aunty are holding this whanau together in their grief. Her children were her world. Hundreds are expected to attend Joanna's tangi in Auckland. Taroi Black, Te Karere. The former Director General of Health believes Te Whatu Ora's spending cuts will affect front line services. Health New Zealand overspent 1.4 billion dollars over one year while battling with doctor shortages, long wait times and regional inequities. The government's replaced the board with a commissioner tasked with saving 130 million dollars monthly. After the break primary schools connected to Rangitaiki River compete to gain entry to Mana Kura Tahi. The Rangitaiki Kapa Haka Festival took place over the last two days in Kawerau, the competition which sees all primary schools of Rangitaiki River compete for a spot in the upcoming Mana Kuratahi competition. For more we cross live to our reporter Timoti Tiakiwai. Timoti what is the latest? We're unable to provide subtitles. Our lives are at risk. That's according to horse riders across Aotearoa who are calling for the government to give them the same protections as pedestrians and cyclist. Equestrian advocates say current laws for horse riders are lacking putting their safety at risk on the roads. Moana Makapelu Lee with this story. Riding down the streets of town an old Kiwi past time. But these roads users say they're not safe. For a long time idiots go right beside these horses on our roads. A petition by equestrians is calling for riders to be recognised as equally as important as other road users like pedestrians and cyclists. Horse riders are currently considered an ‘other road user’ in the Land Transport Rule 2004 but this advocate says the label lacks detail and safety messaging. Riders nationwide reporting numerous accounts of near misses. Caroline's whānau reporting three incidences in Uawa this year. Equestrians now calling for the Government to walk on. Ensuring those who use the roads are safe. Moana Makapelu Lee, Te Karere. The mana wave is the Butcher's Olympic champion move. Despite having no Māori ancestry, Finn Butcher says the mana wave as well as team bonding through Māori culture has contributed to him becoming the first men's Olympic kayak cross champion. Harata Brown has more. The sign of all signs. The mana wave. Could it be the secret ingredient that helped propel Finn Butcher to victory? Welcomed as a champion, a sign of mana, and from that mana wave. To this, from the brother of Dame Lisa Carrington, a Ngāti Porou descendant. Who's looking forward to watching our most decorated Olympian who's won five golds, one bronze. Could there be another medal on the horizon? The Minister of Sport arriving. Acknowledging Māori culture in full flight here. The Ngāti Porou descendant Dame Lisa Carrington is set to race in a few hours for the finals. Harata Brown, Te Karere. The New Zealand's Women's Team Pursuit cyclists have put themselves in medal contention on day 10 of the Paris Olympics. The Kiwi quartet posted the fastest time in qualifying setting a national record. They'll ride off for a place in the gold medal race against Italy later tonight who's qualifying time was nearly three seconds slower. Not as good news for the men's team they will ride off for fifth. After the break we have the weather. To the weather now. That's all we have for today. Turou Hawaiki. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Māngai Pāho. Copyright TVNZ 2024.