Coming up on Te Karere... We have the latest on the milk powder scare and how it affects Maori. A milestone today for a famous battle. And lastest statistics paint a grim picture of child poverty. Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. Police say there has been a huge public response to their appeal for information about who may be behind the 10-80 poison threats. Authorities revealed yesterday Fonterra and Federated Farmers received letters in November containing 10-80 powder threatening to contaminate infant formula. The revelations must be of concern to Maori in the dairy industry. Maori have a substantial investment in the NZ dairy industry and contribute approximately 10% of NZ's national milk production. Irena Smith reports on the latest developments. We're unable to provide subtitles. Irena Smith, Te Karere. In addition to our coverage of the 1080 milk powder poisoning threat we spoke to Te Ara ki Te Reo ki Kuirau, an ECE that has tamariki who use it and a Maori farming trust who rely on a demand for it to make a living. We gauged their reactions to the situation. Who could hurt a baby like that? This needs to stop. This is the kind of milk powder is threatened to be poisoned with 10-80 if the Government doesn't change the way they use 10-80 poison. What are the symptoms of 10-80 poisoning? As a result it has threatened the livelihood of 1000's of kiwi farmers. Parekarangi Trust has over 1000 dairy cows and almost 32,000 litres of milk is sold to Fonterra every day. The Ministry of Education sent us a urgent correspondence to be vigilant about this issue. Luckily most of the children who attend our ECE do not require milk powder formula. Kuirau is lucky, but Mr Warbrick and his trust cannot avoid the scale of the damage this threat has and will continue to have on their farming business. Through this trying time, Parekarangi is still sticking with Fonterra, for the time being. Manawa Wright, Te Karere. A collection of research and Maori who have graduated university on Maori topics. That's the mission of the project 'Nga Hononga Pukenga' which was released by Nga Pae o Te Maramatanga today. Heta Gardiner has the details. An initiative to better utilise, these Maori. The good thing about it is that anyone can use this resource online. Nga Pae o te Maramatanga had been working for a long time on 'Nga Hononga Pukenga' which was released today. The mission of the project is to create a research database to collate the names of researchers and research done by each and every Maori with a doctorate in the country to make it easier for iwi and the public to look up field experts. This is very fortunate, as funding for this unit was almost disestablished. Then, Pakeha tried to shut it down because they didn't understand the Maori prespective. So I took that to the senior ministers, and thankfully they changed their minds. The survival of Nga Pae o te Maramatanga was a big issue The survival of Nga Pae o te Maramatanga was a big issue in times past, but no, we value this entity. The mist has cleared and now there is one link to look up researchers and their work on topics like 'wai Maori'. A resource now available to the public. Heta Gardiner, Te Karere. After the break, fresh stats show a worrying percentage of kids live in poverty. And plans aimed at improving Maori representation in local government draws flak. According to research contained in the recently released book 'The Child Poverty', one out of six children living in NZ live below the poverty line. Heta Gardiner with this report. A blunt message to New Zealand. This research shows that one in six New Zealand children are living in poverty. It also stipulates that the economic downturn hit children much harder than it did adults. Marama Davidson, is a staunch supporter of looking after children and the impoverished. One of the initiatives that Marama Davidson supports to counter this issue, is the Feed the Kids Bill that will be put forward by Metiria Turei next Wednesday. But feeding the kids isn't the only issue at hand. Some food for thought. Heta Gardiner, Te Karere. Trailblazing to some, an injustice to democracy to others. The public consultation on the controversial Te Arawa partnership proposal is kicking off tonight, one of the proposals is to give iwi elected officials equal voting rights to the democratically elected councillors. Manawa Wright has this report. Walking a path to ensure the Maori voice is heard in Rotorua District Council. It's really important that this gets off the ground. This gentleman strongly opposes the plan. Tonight the local community will discuss their opinions surrounding this plan at Waikite RFC. I advise Te Arawa and the wider community to be open in conveying their opinions on this plan. They're not mind readers. They won't know unless we tell them. The council has agreed The council has agreed to the principles in this plan for the next 30 years. Although 23,000 Maori live in Rotorua, will Maori who are not mana whenua have representation at council level? In the first year only Te Arawa will be represented, In the first year, only Te Arawa will be represented, but then in the following non-Te Arawa will be given representation. The last hui will be held on March 26 at Lynmore School. The last hui will be held on March 26 at Lynmore School. Manawa Wright, Te Karere. From the felling of a kauri, to the felling of a flagstaff, today marks the Battle of Kororeka 170 years ago. It was the beginning of the Northern Wars marked by the felling of a flagstaff boasting the British flag, an event which in turn sparked the Maori Land Wars. In years after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi when it became clear the British intended to rule the country, Hone Heke, one of the Northern chiefs to have signed the Treaty of Waitangi, united with Te Ruki Kawiti to launch an attack in protest of the British flag that was raised ceremoniously and daily at Kororareka in what became known as the Flagstaff War. Historians have interpreted the battle as the Sacking of Kororareka. Hone Heke won. 60 hours later, there's still no permanent protection on the kauri tree in the Waitakere Ranges marked for felling by land developers. Support against the felling has double in numbers with mana whenua, the local community and the local board all at odds with Auckland City Council's decision. Michael Tavares spent a second night in a tree which he says was better than the first. But his concerns for the Kauri tree haven't dissipated. His efforts and others now have the backing of 22,000 signatures over 2 days in a petition to be tabled before Auckland Council tomorrow. The Government does not want to intervene on the council's decision. This has locals questioning the Mayor's relationship with the property owner John Lenihan. Michael admits it won't be an easy task changing their minds. A special meeting is to be held in town hall tomorrow where the petition will be presented in hope of changing the outcome for this kauri. Peata Melbourne, Te Karere. After the break, one team is riding a wave of success, the other is in the doldrums. This weekend, they face each other in the Manawatu. We also have the weather. Let's take another look at today's top stories. With an estimated 10% stake in the dairy industry, the baby powder poisoning threat is a big worry for Maori. Latest stats show one in six children living in poverty. And still no resolution to the dispute over the planned felling of a 500 year old kauri in Titirangi. Blues coach Sir John Kirwan is remaining defiant despite increasing pressure over his team's awful start to the Super Rugby season. The Blues have lost their first four games and will play the Hurricanes this weekend without captain Jerome Kaino after he failed a post-match concussion test. Despite their dismal record, Kirwan will have his mid-season review in a few weeks. The coach admits his future is out of his hands. Meanwhile the blues next opponents will be looking to re-write the record books against their wounded opponents on friday night. the record books against their wounded opponents on Friday night. The Hurricanes are unbeaten through three games, but have never won their first four games since the competition started in 1996. Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith is remaining cautious of their opponents this weekend. The match is in Palmerston North on Friday, the venue both teams played the very first super rugby match. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. That's all we have for today. Turou Hawaiki. Kia ora tatou katoa. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Mangai Paho. Copyright TVNZ 2015.