08 June 2012 Coming up on Te Karere... The Education Minister is still under fire as the Greens demand she step down. What do parents say? And what does the Maori Party think? We speak with the family of Wiremu Awa after his killer is sentenced. And we're at the Ahuwhenua Trophy awards. Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. The Minister of Education is still under fire after she announced that the policy for bigger student/teacher ratios would be abandoned. The Green Party is calling for her to step down. Peata Melbourne reports from Wellington. - Peata Hekia Parata will not surrender easily. She stands by her crusade to push students to excel. Despite present challenges, she's made a new proposal to the Ministry of Education. Stepping down is not in Hekia Parata's vocabulary, But fixing the education system is still the priority for the Minister despite critics believing that there's no need. My response to them is that things are not good at all - there are still children underachieving. The Minister wants principals and unionists to look at their own policies and practices due to the large number of students who aren't achieving, most of whom are Maori. I've heard their concerns, and now they need to hear mine because it's their responsibility to uplift our Maori children. There are some teachers who aren't willing to change their teaching practices, but it's their duty to do what works, so they must. The Minister will continue discussions with the education sector on these issues next week. The Prime Minister will be home next week which is when media will be able to gage his reaction and ask the big questions like his place in the change of heart, and where to from here? Thank you Peata Melbourne, live from Wellington. Maori Party member Te Ururoa Flavell will speak with us now live from Rotorua. We're unable to provide subtitles. Visit our website after 7pm to watch interview with subtitles. Te Ururoa Flavell, thank you for your time. The Minister's backdown has received mixed reviews on our Facebook page. Wiremu Awa's killer has been sent to jail, but his family is still in mourning with the knowledge that he was killed by his own son in-law. Thinking back to memories of Wiremu Awa. This is John Bunt who murdered Wiremu Awa last year in April. This is where Wiremu's throat was slit by the father of his grandchild. The body was hidden here. John Bunt was sentenced to 14 years in prison. The anger and grief the family feels is for the child that binds them. The family will hold the unveiling on Saturday here at Taupiri a final farewell. Wiremu had seven children. Potaka Maipi, Te Karere. Today, the triplets who died in the fire at Vellagio Mall in Doha were buried. Lillie, Jackson and Wilsher Weeks were born in Wellington two years ago which is where they returned to be mourned. The sky above Wellington is full of balloons in the triplet's favourite colours pink, purple and blue. Many gathered at the Cathedral St Pauls to farewell the children. The their elder sister had something to say. After the formalities were over, the triplets were taken to Pare Raukura Cemetery with a private family entourage. After the break, who will come out trumps? Who will win the Ahuwhenua Trophy? Tonight the awards ceremony for the Ahuwhenua Trophy, Maori Excellence in Farming, will be held in Auckland for the first time. Who will make it? Who will win? We have our reporter is there on standby, waiting for the powhiri to start. They are the hands and feet of the business. Tonight they're all recognised as the best of the best. These are the finalists who hope to win the top prize. But there can only be one winner. The winner will receive the Ahuwhenua Trophy, as well as $47,600 worth of prizes. Organisers say there's a battle ahead. The Ahuwhenua Trophy was started in 1932 by Sir Apirana Ngata to encourage skill and proficiency in Maori farming. It won't be long before people will be milling about with the powhiri starting in 40mins. The prize giving is scheduled to start at 6pm. Thank you Anzac Pikia live from the Auckland Sky Tower. Tumamao Harawira is back for the sports round-up. Tena koe, Tumamao. We're unable to provide subtitles. Visit our website after 7pm to watch interview with subtitles. Now let's take a look at the Maori Programmes TVNZ has to offer over the weekend. Tomorrow we have the Hip Hop champ, KRS-One. I feed Jerome Kaino, I feed Jerome Kaino, and Taupuna has some tips, with her guest Jermaine Leef. Could China be the powerhouse needed to kick start the Maori economy? We follow the delegation courting the dragon on Marae Investigates this Sunday. My faith in God is strong. If it weren't for him, I would not be here. He is the reason I am still here doing what I do. After the break, a traditional pastime has been revived by Te Arawa descendants, and the weather. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.NZ. A Te Arawa tradition is making a comeback. Ngahuia Wade was at Te Kura o Te Koutu in Rotorua. Meri Nuri is only 5 years old and she's already an expert on stilts. It's a real Maori tradition. It's entertaining, and there's a lot of laughter to be had. It's not just a game - it honours Te Arawa ancestors. The story is that Te Arawa ancestor Tamatekapua and his brother Whakaturia made stilts in order to steal breadfruit from their uncle. Because you are so tall, you can see everything. Te Arawa children are no strangers to stilts Te Arawa children are no strangers to stilts - it's been handed down for over 1,500 years. In a meeting house, do you walk over someone's legs? No. Those same rules apply to stilts. Is it easy to walk on stilts? Yes. Tall and short people can play this game. We remember our ancestors and their amazing feats. The Te Arawa Annual Sports Contest needs to prepare for a new challenge - stilts. Uenuku says this year, it's a school competition, and who knows - next year, it could be a world contested sport. Ngahuia Wade, Te Karere. 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.