Coming up on Te Karere... Argument continues over just when our troops will come home from Afghanistan, and tangi preparations are underway for the three fallen soldiers. Gold medallist Lisa Carrington returns home today with eyes on the future. And we track the Waka Hourua making their way to Rapanui... Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. Argument continues over just when our troops will come home from Afghanistan, with a snap debate on the issue in Parliament this afternoon. To the three soldiers; Luke Tamatea (31) of Te Teko. Jacinda Baker (26) of Christchurch, she is the first NZ woman to fall in combat, in Afghanistan. Richard Harris (21) from Ngapuhi ki te Hokianga, Puketi and Ngati Maru. It's right to pay tribute to those who have passed on. To the families who await the return of their loved ones we here in Parliament are with you all in solidarity at this time. The whanau of 21 year old Private Richard Harris are still in shock. Plans were underway to unveil the headstone of their grandmother at the weekend, but now they'll wait for the return of their grandson and to lay him to rest. The Harris family just want to have their boy home. They wanted him to return home to Hokianga before he went to Afghanistan - he did that in April. He was the youngest son in his whanau and the youngest of the three soldiers who died. He grew up in Pukekohe and Patumahoe. Harris is Ngaphui and Ngati Maru - he'll lay in state at Piki Te Aroha Marae and he'll be buried in Hokianga with his father. Anzac Pikia, Te Karere. The NZ Government and Japan are interested in working together to bring soldiers home from Afghanistan. If the proposed outcome is achieved in Bamiyan they may be released. Working together to give hope to people ravaged by war can be a solution. Prime Minister John Key says talks between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japanese aid team to rebuilding the Bamiyan air strip. If they can't leave on time, winter sets and the dangers of driving out put soldiers at greater risk. At this stage there are 145 soldiers in Afghanistan, meanwhile the attacks are more intense. With the number of deaths rising and their main focus is to rebuild the shattered lives of victims of war it's a price to high. This is Luke Tamatea who recently escorted one of our reporter around Bamiyan just months ago now along with his fellow soldiers, silenced. The PM is now extending his focus on the families of the soldiers. Now it's a waiting game to see if John Key's Cabinet can settle on a date for the soldiers to return from Afghanistan. Tini Molyneux, Te Karere. The Maori Party wants our soldiers withdrawn from Afghanistan. Party leaders say lives are being lost in a war that is not ours to fight. Te Ururoa Flavell joins us now from Wellington. We're unable to provide subtitles. Te Ururoa Flavell, thank you for joining us. Serious flaws have been revealed in the way teachers are vetted, with 35 recommendations made to the government to improve the entire system. The government's response to a ministerial inquiry into the employment of convicted sex offender Te Rito Miki, who was employed in six schools, has just been released by education Minister Hekia Parata. Former Ombudsman Mel Smith's report identified huge problems in the system, including the need for more data sharing between numerous agencies. It describes Miki's case as extreme, revealing he's used 53 names. My recommendation for school boards and principals is to be very careful when it comes to employing a new teacher and to check whether they're registered and their teaching background is sound. Ms Parata says the policy and processes of name changing is being reviewed by internal affairs, with a report due back in October and most of the recommendations will be carried out. Gold medallist Lisa Carrington has hopes for Rio in four years' time but right now she's putting everything on hold. Rapaera Tawhai caught up with her as she arrived back this morning. Lisa Carrington will never get bored of wearing her gold medal. She decided not to return home with the NZ team last week and spent some time in Spain. She decided to avoid media attention before the games, but not today. The descendant of Ngati Porou and Te Whakatohea is yet to come to terms with her win. One thing is for sure... She's achieved one goal; the next is Rio in four years' time. But a coffee and her gold medal will do for now. Rapaera Tawhai, Te Karere. After the break, A bet over a bottle of alcohol may have contributed Today is the second day of the inquest into the drowning of Daniel Stoneham and Tyron North last year while diving. A bet made between some of the students is being looked into on whether it contributed to the two deaths. A bet over a bottle of alcohol may have contributed to the two deaths at Lake Pupuke. The bet was to see who could descend the fastest to 40m. It's believed that this was the reason why they drowned. The Stoneham family say the students didn't think about the implications of what the bet over a bottle of alcohol would do. The issue here is, we weren't told. At the end of the day, boys will be boys. According to the head of police divers; it was due to the Helix instructor's ill-preparation for the dive, the inexperience of the students and their lack of knives and torches, that this tragedy escalated. This is the first time all of the family's questions have been answered. We can now move on. The coroner is still considering whether charges will be laid. Raiha Johns, Te Karere. King Tuheitia challenged the government over the Kohanga Reo issue. He also urged Maori to unify over the water rights issue which was meet with full support from those iwi who was in attendance of his sixth coronation celebrations at Turangawaewae Marae. The reign of two kings. Standing room only as many tribes of the country gathered to hear King Tuheitia speak at Turangawaewae Marae. The head of the royal family dipped his fingers into the water debate. No doubt people are still discussing the King's address, He is asking the people to unite for the issue on water. Every iwi has their beliefs around water but if there is trouble, indeed unite. May the flames of unity burn bright. Potaka Maipi, Te Karere. Joining us now is our regular Maori issues commentator, Keith Ikin from Rotorua. Tena koe, Keith. We're unable to provide subtitles. Keith Ikin, thank you for joining us. It's day four for Ngaahiraka-mai-tawhiti and Te Aurere - the two waka hourua that are sailing to Rapanui. Hundreds turned out to Auckland's Viaduct last Friday to farewell the 23 crew members. The ten thousand nautical mile voyage will retrace the steps taken by Maori when they first travelled across the Pacific to make their home in NZ. As you can see on this map, they are making very good progress. Ngahiraka captain, Jack Thatcher spoke to us earlier by satellite phone. It's going good. On the first day, three people were seasick, but they recovered the next day. Just a message to the families everyone's good and we're getting on with the job. Te Karere will track the voyage which is expected to take six to eight weeks. After the break we have the weather. Oh, my throat. If your sore throat needs warming comfort,... ...try Strepsils Warm. It has a special formulation with proven antibacterial action and a gentle warming sensation. Ah. Ooh. Ooh. (GIGGLES) Wrap up with Strepsils Warm. Now a blocked nose can also be relieved with the menthol vapours of Strepsils Sore Throat and Blocked Nose. POP! To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.NZ. That's all we have for today. Turou Hawaiki. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ on Air. Copyright TVNZ Access Services 2012.