Coming up on Te Karere... Greens co leader Metiria Turei is requesting that Hekia Parata resign. Is NZ failing to provide for those in need? We take a look at the Salvation Army's dismal results in their report on poverty in NZ. Jockey Michael Walker is here at home recuperating and training. What's up next for him? Te Karere has the details. Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. Greens co-leader Metiria Turei has gone head to head with Education Minister Hekia Parata and has called on her to resign. Turei took over the role as education spokesperson for the Greens today and the two MPs had a robust exchange in parliament a short time ago. The report that the PM and Metiria Turei referred to is the Salvation Army's latest report on poverty in New Zealand. The report paints an increasingly bleak picture of how the country is failing in providing for those on the lower rungs of society. Its annual State of the Nation report released today finds the rate of child poverty remains at 22%, unemployment has doubled in the past five years and there is a severe shortage of safe affordable houses to rent or own. Kereama Wright reports. People are livid at how the unemployment statistics has doubled in the past five years in NZ. It's one of the main points raised by the Salvation Army in its latest report released today. Along with the child poverty rate that sits comfortably at 22%. A long standing problem in Rotorua. However, providers like Career Network, are bridging the gap, and assisting clients, young and old, to gain skills for jobs that are available to them, such as tourism and hospitality. Career Network aids around 300 clients annually, 80% go on to secure stable jobs. Kereama Wright, Te Karere. So in summary, the Salvation Army has given the government a D for child poverty, housing supply and youth employment in its latest State of the Nation report. Child poverty has been hovering around 21% for the past five years, while youth employment has fallen to its lowest level in over 10 years. The report says more than 21,000 children suffered abuse or neglect in the past year. The Salvation Army says families, especially in Auckland and Christchurch are living in housing that's unhealthy, unsafe, temporary or unaffordable. Mana Party leader Hone Harawira has denied NZ First MP Richard Prosser the opportunity to apologise for his remarks around the Muslim community. Mr Prosser sought the permission of Parliament to make a personal statement, which any one MP can deny by objecting. Hone Harawira says the remarks were offensive and the NZ First MP should make his way to the nearest mosque and ask forgiveness there. We'd like to know what you think about this developing story. A storm in a tea cup, or are his comments offensive? Was Hone Harawira right deny him permission to apologise? Some of you have already voiced your opinion on our Facebook page, and it seems there's quite a bit of support for Hone Harawira. Labour MP Shane Jones is due to find out if he's done any wrong around his decision to grant citizenship to Bill Liu when he was a minister. We spoke to Mr Jones a short time ago and asked how he was feeling about the imminent release of the report. We're unable to provide subtitles. That was Shane Jones, Labour MP. Maori Catholics are reflecting on the leadership Pope Benedict XVI brought to the church during his papacy and how a new pontiff will influence the ministry in Aotearoa. The pope is stepping down at the end of this month after nearly eight years as head of the Catholic Church, saying he is too old to continue. The 85-year-old German-born pontiff made the announcement in Latin in a speech in the apostolic palace on Monday. There has been a strong Maori link with the leader of the church ever since Max Takuira Mariu was ordained by Pope John Paul II as the first Maori bishop in 1988. Bishop Mariu died in 2005. In March the cardinals will choose a new pope. Some are already suggesting that the new pontiff should come from Africa or South America, where the church is growing strongly. One of the favourites is Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana. After the break, Maori Michael Walker is on the mend physically and mentally. Piri Weepu is a new and improved player - will this be enough to start for the Blues? KIDS SHOUT Should we be getting more kids into apprenticeships? Will we have enough retirement villages close to our families? What should we be doing with our waste water? Does everyone count in the future of our country? Yeah, we do. Tuesday the 5th of March is Census Day. Census information is used by businesses, iwi, councils and the government to make decisions on issues that affect us all. Fill in your forms online or on paper, because you count. SPLASH ECHOES DRAMATICALLY Introducing the next generation of clean ` new Dettol Power & Pure, formulated to power through tough stains. Its active ingredient breaks down into water and oxygen, leaving no harsh chemical residues behind, and it kills 99.9% of germs. The new Dettol Power & Pure cleaning range. Dettol ` NZ's most trusted cleaning brand. Former NZ champion jockey Michael Walker is back home training up for races. Three months ago he had an operation on a troublesome left hip. His recovery is ahead of schedule so Irena Smith was up early this morning to follow him as he got back on the horse. He's a new man with a stronger body. Michael Walker is ready to get back to what he does best. He had an operation on his troublesome left hip in November, and got the all clear from the doctor to ride again on Monday. He hasn't wasted time in getting back on the horse. Before he left for Australia, Walker was a champion NZ jockey, and that success has carried on over the Tazman. He's known for his flamboyancy, seen here doing the pukana when he won the Telecom Derby in 2010. Although his heart is in NZ, he says the money is too good in Australia. He will get back into the racing scene here this weekend with 3 rides scheduled at Ellerslie on Sunday. Irena Smith, Te Karere. Piri Weepu seems to be back on track. Last year, he was ridiculed for being fat and unfit, but it looks like he's hitting back. He's so in shape, he starts out for the Blues who are set to take on the Hurricanes next Saturday. He's letting his body do the talking. He's fit and he's ready to play halfback in the Highlanders pre-season game and in his first game for the Blues against the Hurricanes. Last week, the Blues won against the Warratahs. For most of last year, Piri Weepu was labelled fat and unfit to play rugby. He was strong however, at giving it back to those critics. But it looks like he's on the right path now. History never repeats - hopefully. Anzac Pikia, Te Karere. A Maori meeting house going on auction and is considered to be the most significant piece of privately-owned Maori architecture in the world, and will not leave the country. Te Tiki o Tamamutu was built near Taupo and was put out for tender in 2011 with a recommended of price between $8 million and $12 million. However that agreement fell through as the conditions of purchase proved very difficult for the successful parties to meet. Known as the whare whakairo, Chief Hohepa Tamamutu of Oruanui commissioned it between 1860 and 1870. The managing director of Webbs Auction House, Neil Campbell says he cannot estimate how much the meeting house could sell for, but if it was represented internationally, it would fetch tens of millions of dollars. He says only New Zealand citizens and residents can bid on the auction. Te Tiki a Tamamutu has been dismantled and is in storage in Auckland. After the break, the weather. 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 2013.