Coming up on Te Karere... The Maori Statutory Board on the Auckland City Council denies accusations by the Council against them. We have both sides of the story. An education expert says the Government made a mistake We have both sides of the story. An education expert says the Government made a mistake in bowing to public pressure concerning the changes in student/teacher ratios. What does the Minister have to say? And warnings of an epidemic. Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. The Maori Statutory Board on the Auckland City Council denies accusations from a member of the Council claiming that they are of no use. The Board received another cash injection of over $3 million to fund their plans, but Councillor Cameron Brewer says it's a waste of their funding. Irena Smith has more. This is not new. Members of the Auckland City Council have always doubted the Board. The big question is in whether the Board is achieving their goals and whether the funding afforded them is doing any good? The Maori statutory board's work continues despite some complaints. 12 councillors voted to endorse $3 million of funding to the independent Maori Statutory Board, and 7 voted against. Cameron brewer was one of them. The board is protected under statutory law but it is up to the Council to fund it. They have received about $150 thousand less than last year. In an audit report commissioned by the Board, it was found that the council was failing Maori interests, giving the Board more reason to fight for funding to ensure those interests are met. The board says they are ultimately there to enhance the interests of Maori in the wider plans of the council and want to let Maori know that they are putting those interests first At the end of the month, the Council budget for the Maori Statutory Board will be made official. Scotty. Thank you Irena Smith, live from our Auckland studio. Trent Hapuku was sentenced to 9 years in prison for the Manslaughter of Mikara Reti who was only 5-months-old. Trent Hapuku was Mikara's mother's partner and it's reported that Hapuku and the baby were in the sleep-out of a house in Flaxmere last year when Hapuku punched the baby in the liver resulting in the infant's death. The Crown says Hapuku was playing video games when he became annoyed with the baby and hit him. Education Expert Professor John Hattie says the Government was wrong to bow to public pressure over the student/teacher ratio policy changes. The Minister will join us now, live from Wellington. Tena Koe Hekia. We're unable to provide subtitles. Visit our website after 7pm to watch interview with subtitles. Hekia Parata, thank you for speaking with us. What can we do for more Maori students to excel in education? The Maori Party co-leaders are reconsidering retiring from politics at the next election. Pita Sharples says he's still up to staying in the job, but the wider party and his family will ultimately decide. This follows a recent poll which shows the Maori Party could be the Kingmaker in 2014. Both Maori Party co-leaders are currently overseas fulfilling their Ministerial roles. We are not focusing on that idea, we will sit and develop a good succession plan that will benefit the wider Maori Party constituency. Pita Sharples is still considering his role, and says he's still physically apt; however his fate lies with the entire Maori Party and also his family about whether he remains or retires. There are great advantages to be had by being at the table of the government, first and foremost. Pita Sharples, now 70-years-old, could be replaced by Te Ururoa Flavell. Former MP Rahui Katene has also expressed an interest in succeeding Tariana Turia who is 68-years-old. Should the leaders continue with their decision to retire, this could lead to support numbers dropping and in the wake of them possibly holding the balance of power, could prove a risky call on their behalf. As one falls, another rises, that's not something we're willing to gamble on so this is something we must carry out carefully amongst the entire Party. Their decisions about their leadership roles will be confirmed in July. Peata Melbourne, Te Karere. After the break, warnings of an epidemic, and plans to place more women in positions of power around the country. warnings of an epidemic, Kia ora, whanau. Ella and Whetu here to prove that breast screening's no big deal. Now we're going to position each of your breasts on this plate and ask you to stand very still while we take your X-ray. Ooh. Squishes a bit. I'll need my push-up bra after this, Whetu. I'll need my push-up bra after this, Whetu. WOMEN LAUGH All done. And if everything's OK, we'll see you again in two years. It has to be two years, because breast cancers can grow in that time, and you wanna find them while they're still small. Did it hurt? Did it hurt? Nah. I'm so glad I did it. Amene. A serious outbreak of whooping cough has health experts warning the disease can be fatal. The country is facing an epidemic with over 1,700 cases reported so far this year. Those most at risk are babies. Health practitioners are urging people to take notice and be aware of the effects of whooping cough. This illness can cause death through difficulty in breathing, which can have a major effect on babies. 322 cases of whooping cough have been reported in Auckland from January to May. This is five times higher for the same time last year. It started in the South Island, crosses to the North, arrives in Auckland here it spreads quickly here in the city and many people catch it. Dr Jansen says it's been about 20 years since he last saw the whooping cough at this rate and says adults need to know how to protect babies who are most vulnerable. Babies need to be vaccinated against this illness, along with adults too. If you start to cough or feel wheezy, isolate yourself from babies and visit your doctor for medication. Whooping Cough is not prone to Maori babies alone, but to all babies. One concern though would be if large families are living in the same house. The illness is very contagious. It's an extreme case of the flu with lots of coughing. In some cases you can suffer the illness for over 10 weeks. But if a baby catches it, then it could be fatal. It's hoped the spread can be contained. Irena Smith, Te Karere. A strategy is being created to increase Maori women participation in organisations around the country. Potaka Maipi has the details. Maori women need to make more headway in business. The Federation of Maori Authorities is pressing for this. That may be a large figure That may be a large figure but the chief executive of women's affairs says there's more to be made in business. Only 8% of Maori women are appointed to Govt boards. This is not an elitist hui, this is about navigating the massive waves of business that lies before us. Leaders of the past praise the new wave of entrepreneurs. Leaders of the past praise the new wave of entrepreneurs. The future is in the hands of Maori women. Potaka Maipi, Te Karere. Hauraki Waikato MP Nanaia Mahuta is the highest ranking Maori woman MP for Labour. I spoke to her about today's hui. According to what's been said, some of our men have thought about aspects of this ever-changing world where women have a place in managing not only the home, but the business too. But why are women still missing even though research shows But why are women still missing even though research shows that boards with a balanced gender mix achieve stronger results? Well it's important because we are all working towards the betterment of our people. So it's a good thing. Soon Parliament will be debating the Alcohol Reform Bill. After the break, we have the winners of the Ahuwhenua Awards and the weather. Bed-wetting can be embarrassing for kids. Thankfully, drynites.co.nz can help you manage the bed-wetting stage by providing expert advice. Plus, you can even try a DryNites sample for free. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.NZ. Maori farming has grown from strength to strength. That's the message that was said during the Ahuwhenua prize giving. That night, Kapenga-M came away with the trophy for excellence in dairy farming. Te Kapenga-M have 915 shareholders all from Tuhourangi. Tangaroa Walker (22) of Ngati Ranginui and Ngati Pukenga Tangaroa Walker (22) of Ngati Ranginui and Ngati Pukenga won the first ever Young Maori Trainee Cadet award. His dream is to work on his own farm. That's all we have for today. Turou Hawaiki. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ on Air. Copyright TVNZ Access Services 2012.