Coming up on Te Karere... Snow is spread through the South. This is what it's like in the South Island. Schools, roads and jobs are closed because of dangerous conditions. Families who lost loved ones in the sinking of the fishing boat Easy Rider say today's coroner's inquest into their deaths hasn't eased their pain. What does the Transit of Venus mean to locals of Uawa? Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. Snowfall in the Southern regions has forced schools, roads, businesses and airports to closed because of dangerous conditions. Thick layers of snow fall have settled in the Marlborough sounds. But this is no surprise to the residence of the South Island. Weather reports warned us snow was on the way but we disregarded it because we had warm weather last night. Little did they know . Some residents didn't go shopping last night. Fortunately my partner did some shopping early this morning. She found it difficult driving on the roads. Passages to local schools were severely disrupted. At the moment we're worried about our elderly and their safety. Most of the feedback we've received is positive. On a day like this there's no better place to be than home. I work at the local Maori emersion school and there are no classes or teachers. The most important issue here's many families are homeless. Some are still waiting to return home after last year's earthquake. I have friends in Aranui and they're still waiting for permission to return to their home. It's a concern deeply impacting on these families. These families in Aranui are survivors and one way or another they'll find a way to overcome the situation. Regardless of the ups and downs, nothing can compare to what happened to homes in Christchurch. For now none of them are abandoning ship. Police strongly recommend residence stay home until the weather settles down. Tini Molyneux, Te Karere. A coroner has ruled that drowning was the cause of death for eight people on the ill-fated fishing vessel Easy Rider, in an effort to bring closure quickly to the families of the missing men. The bodies of Shane Topi, Boe Gillies, John Karetai and Peter Pekamu-Bloxham were recovered during the subsequent search. The bodies of four others - skipper William Karetai, Paul Fowler-Karetai, David Fowler and Odin Karetai were never recovered. Dallas Reedy was the only survivor. Chief Coroner Judge Neil Maclean said the missing four people "clearly perished at or about the same time" as those whose bodies were recovered. The family said this hasn't eased their pain at all. Over 100,000 Maori and Pacific Island in NZ live in poverty. The Maori select committee are listening to submissions The Education Minister has rejected a call to urgently meet Education groups that are against funding proposals that will increase class sizes. Instead, Hekia Parata says, she will try to defuse their anger and meet the organisations individually this week. Earlier today we asked Labour's Education spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta about this. From what I understand the group has requested a meeting with the Minister to discuss their concerns surrounding the Government's education policies. The purpose of the meeting isn't to attack her but to provide an opportunity to share ideas and find at a way forward. What does Labour say about class sizes? Labour strongly disagrees to National's education policies to increase class sizes. In our opinion this change makes it difficult for teachers to teach our children. It'll also be difficult for children, so we strongly disagree. Hekia Parata says some people have been responsible in scaring parents, Is that true? It's about supporting the parents. If their children are moved to a class with over 30 students it'll make learning harder for the students. So obviously they'll be worried and justifiably so. The PPTA says 83% of all 2400 state and integrated schools stand to lose funding for teachers if their rolls don't grow before the new ratios come into effect. What are your thoughts? In my opinion the Ministry of Education and the PPTA have some issues they need to sort out in relation to secondary schools. It's a difficult task and the Minister needs to discuss this issue with all of those involved, and see how the changes affect them. Would you support teachers going on strike over this issue? I support whatever is best for the children. We need to seriously look at whether these class increases will impact our students. The Government has been criticised for not announcing this policy at last year's Election. Do you share that criticism? If this policy was made known during the Elections the people's oppositions would've been identified and maybe National wouldn't have got as many seats as they did. Over 100,000 Maori and Pacific Island in NZ live in poverty. The Maori select committee are listening to submissions from various community groups to find resolutions. Play time is over and Maori must find solutions to end Maori child poverty. This social services expert says Whanau Ora holds the key. Wananga whanau also hold solutions. One of the groups that made a submission today doesn't receive government assistance to do their work. This person works for a family trust in the northland region and they receive little government funding. However it's not good news for children. 230, 000 NZ children suffer from poverty, more than half of them are Maori or Pacific Island. At the end of the month they'll travel to Wellington to listen to further submissions. Next month the report will be presented to the Government. Anzac Pikia, Te Karere. It's a big day for Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti in Tolaga Bay. They've welcomed visitors from around the country and overseas who've come to watch the transit of Venus crossing the face of the sun. The transit of Venus was what brought Captain James Cook to the South Pacific in 1769, and then on to NZ. Uawa School and the community have been working on the project for several years; students have in recent years travelled to England to further study the transit and Cook's voyage. Other than observing the transit the day included the rededication of Tolaga Bay wharf, with several Government Ministers in attendance. After the break, Today marks day two of Te Whanau-a-Apanui's day in court, where they're challenging the exploration permit of Te Rau Kumara. Will C Company of the Maori Battalion get consent to build a gallery to house their treasures. Te Whanau-a-Apanui and Greenpeace have returned to the high court today to hear the Crown's response to the iwi claiming d to the iwi claiming 8 did not act lawfully by approving the permit to Petrobras. Peata Melbourne has more. The Crown was questioned by the judge today about their consultation process with iwi prior to granting permit to Petrobras. The Crown replied that iwi were irresponsive despite their efforts to engage them. Whanau-a-Apanui representatives at court said they had explained to the Crown that so long as Treaty claim negotiations were still in process, no compliance could be given to grant the permit. Applicants also said the Minister of Energy and Resources should have taken all environmental issues into consideration, Peata Melbourne, Te Karere Calls for a review of Te Ture Whenua Maori Act have opposing views in Te Arawa. One Trust chairman, Te Poroa Malcolm, says the law is fine. Te Arawa Lakes Trust chairman says the Maori Land Court needs to go. Rotoma 1 Incorporation chairman, Te Poroa Malcolm, says Te Ture Whenua Maori Act is fine. Once a person learns how to navigate within the law it becomes easier. The main thing is to learn about the land, if the land is yours. He has the track record to prove it. 30 years ago the Trust which owns Rotoma leases was in debt, now it's worth millions to the shareholders. There's no use in holding on to land if it's not being used. You need to have a good think about how to utilise it. The need to consult with the iwi is important so that they can give feedback. However, Te Arawa Lakes Trust chairman, Toby Curtis, welcomes the review and says the Maori Land Court should be dismantled. Establish a committee or tribunal so the iwi to function without fear of misusing funds. The review panel is expected to report back to the Minister in December. Ngahuia Wade, Te Karere. Veterans of the 28th Battalion C Company want to start a museum to house their memorabilia in Gisborne. The veterans and their families went to present their case to a commissioner for the right to establish the building. Irena Smith reports. Faith will drive the project, but this person has the last say. A commissioner has been requested to come here and listen A commissioner has been requested to come here and listen to supporters and opposition to the project. This is the building that the group Nga Taonga o Nga Tama Toa want to establish here on Kelvin, close to the Gisborne Museum. Over 300 people sent letters of support for this project, but there are those who oppose. Over 300 people sent letters of support for this project, but there are those who oppose. Veterans say this museum will benefit all. It will be a remembrance to those who went to fight for us, not just Maori, but for all of NZ. They will never be forgotten. This is what the descendants who are driving this project say. This house needs to be established for us to remember them going forward into the future, and for our future generations. The commissioner's ruling will be out in 15 days. Irena Smith, Te Karere. Tyson Kelly's grandparents encouraged him to milk the cows when he was a kid. Now his world is all about farming, and he's a finalist in the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Cadet of the Year Award. The cows have been left to the rain today and Tyson Kelly is planning his future in unfamiliar surroundings. Maori have an estimated $6 billion in land assets that they manage or farm. There are three young Maori trainee Ahuwhenua candidates. There are three young Maori trainee Ahuwhenua candidates. The third finalist is Tangaroa Walker, farm manager of Toa Farms in Southland. The winner will be announced at the Ahuwhenua Awards in Auckland on Friday. Potaka Maipi, Te Karere. After the break, we have the weather. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.NZ. That's all we have for today. Kia ora tatou katoa. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ on Air. Copyright TVNZ Access Services 2012.