Coming up on Te Karere... One of Maoridom's senior statesmen, Timi Te Heuheu, has died. Maoridom prepare to farewell the Ngati Tuwharetoa leader. We return to the controversial Waitangi Tribunal hearing on water. We have highlights from the Festival of Pacific Arts in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. Ngati Tuwharetoa leader Timi Te Heuheu has died at the age of 68. He was the brother of paramount chief Sir Tumu Te Heuheu and husband of former Cabinet Minister Georgina Te Heuheu. Mr Te Heuheu passed away early this morning in Waikato. Dark clouds have gathered and loneliness set in as one of the prestigious members of the House of Te Heuheu has departed this life. He has carried the mantle of leadership with pride for his people in Tuwharetoa, as well as Aotearoa, with his many connections to iwi throughout. I feel for him and his older brother as they were very close to each other. I know his brother would be broken-hearted in losing him. Some believe that since Timi's death has come at a time when Tuwharetoa is challenging the Government over rights to the water, that perhaps this is the price. We will see over time that there would be gains for us to treasure. Maori will continue with this issue. The question is who will now take his place by his brother's side? The saying is when one warrior falls away another will take his place and that will be his grandchild. Timi Te Heuheu's body is expected to arrive at his marae in Waihi Hinerangi Goodman, Te Karere. We understand that the family has left Tokoroa and are on their way with the body to Waihi Pa. Our reporter Potaka Maipi has the latest from Tokoroa. Timi Te Heuheu passed away early this morning at Waikato Hospital. He was then brought here to Tokoroa by his family. It was only very close family which included his wife, the former cabinet minister Georgina Te Heuheu that were at his side. He was brought to the Tokoroa Funeral Home. They were expected to leave earlier this afternoon and make their way to Waihi Pa which is about 7 kilometres from Taupo. The family has confirmed that he will lie in state in the meeting house of Tapeka. In a statement the Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board says they're expecting people from across the country to travel to Waihi to pay their respects, Scotty. Evidence was given on day four of the Tribunal hearings today by an economist who says the government would be remiss not to take into consideration the uncertainty in the market when they decide to sell assets. Peata. This economist was commissioned by the Green Party to do a report on the sale of the assets but also brought in by an iwi to give his evidence which differs to Treasury who assume they will get a one-off gain on sale of the assets. Under the sad circumstances of those who have recently passed on, emotions came to the fore as current issues were discussed. Ngati Ruapani were the last speakers to present at the hearing. It was their lawyer who recommended for this economist to stand and present evidence. The uncertainty surrounding this case is significant for both sides where water is the production source of money for the Crown, and life source for iwi. In the last four days the Tribunal has had tribes from all over the country come to Waiwhetu to tell their story of their waterways and it's been a challenging time for the Maori Council not being able to call everybody who wanted to give evidence. They are a tribunal who has a great deal of power in its ability to hear the argument from a bicultural perspective and then to put it in writing. The iwi lawyers will surmise their findings this afternoon and Crown will present their evidence tomorrow. There are many concerns if state assets were sold to investors. That's the main point of the economist today. So there are many issues for the Crown to consider. Scotty. Mana Party leader Hone Harawira says if the government were to ignore any recommendations that were favourable to iwi ownership, the Maori Party should walk away from their coalition with National. Hone Harawira joins me now. Tena koe, Hone. We're unable to provide subtitles. Visit our website after 7pm to watch interview with subtitles. Hone Harawira, thank you for joining us. After the break, house renters in Napier are angry over their Housing NZ homes and the new building to house waka that has just been opened at the Pacific Festival. The community of Maraenui in Napier is up in arms after being kicked out of their Housing NZ homes. 50 houses will be demolished or sold leaving many families living in uncertainty. Four days before the demolition of houses in the community of Maraenui, and this resident has just received a letter informing her of what's going on. She's one of many who have been affected by Housing NZ's change in income related rental charges. Henare Ratima says the problem is that once the houses have been demolished, the housing corporation will not replace them, but there are still many low income families in need of homes. The effects of the empty homes have hit the wider community and businesses. You don't see the dust flying around Maraenui now. You don't see the dust flying around Maraenui now. Why are these houses being demolished But they say they don't have high hopes for that. National can't do anything about it. Even though the housing corporation is sending Hope Simonsen here, she will be talking without any solutions. But this community will no doubt stick together. Irena Smith, Te Karere. The preparations for the Secondary National Kapa Haka competitions are going well according to event organisers. The event is set for the end of the month in Whangarei. Anzac Pikia is there. Yes I'm I Whangarei where the secondary kapa haka nationals will be held. And according to some organisers, despite complaints regarding the lack of tickets for some sessions, the main thing is the event will still go on. Maranga Mai is the name of the kapa haka competitions in Northland. The community is happy. This is where the nationals will be held. The community is happy. This is where the nationals will be held. This is where the nationals will be held. It has the capacity to seat 1,000 per session, but there are some people who are complaining about the lack of tickets to some sessions. Te Tai Tokerau have just recently finished hosting the primary kapa haka competitions, however, Te Matatini is the long-term goal. There's only one thing organisers have to say. Even though it's school holidays, Even though it's school holidays, haka groups around the country are practicing with their sights set on the top stop that Lytton High School currently hold. In two weeks we'll see who comes out on top. Scotty. Anzac Pikia, Te Karere. Just two days left in the Pacific Arts Festival in Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands, but a Maori building will be left there to symbolize the unity of all cultures. Rapaera Tawhai reports. A new canoe house - a symbol of unity. It was this descendant of Tainui who was the master carver. The house was a gift to the Solomon Island people from the Pacific Voyage Foundation. Its design encompasses the theme of the festival - culture in harmony with nature. Its name is Tapueluelu, originating from Tonga to mean don't give up too easily. The carvings represent some Maori gods like Tangaroa, Tawhirimatea and Maui. It took two weeks to complete this house, and according to the master carver, it was hard work. As the saying goes, many hands make light work. The festival will close on Saturday leaving behind gifts like this house and the promise that the event will happen again in four years. Rapaera Tawhai, Te Karere. After the break, why have these famous faces come together today? And the weather. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.NZ. These celebrities were welcomed to TVNZ today. Jason Kerrison, Rachel Hunter and Ali Campbell will be the judges for the new season of New Zealand's Got Talent. Opshop's Jason Kerrison is Maori. Rachel Hunter has reached international stardom as a super model. But the most famous is Ali Campbell, lead singer of UB40. Campbell is in NZ for the next three months and he says he's excited to travel around the country in search of talent and to see the beautiful scenery it has to offer. He's no stranger to NZ, but he says it was when The first round of auditions will be held this weekend in Dunedin but the show won't air until the end of the year. In closing, here's some footage from the Pacific Festival in Honiara of a dance performance from the islands of Fiji. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ on Air. Copyright TVNZ Access Services 2012.