Coming up on Te Karere... The Maori political year has kicked off. Politicians from all divides are making their way to Ratana Pa. They're commemorating the birthday of church founder and prophet, Tahu Potiki Wiremu Ratana. Does the Labour-Ratana alliance still exist? Final preparations are being made to bring home a collection of toi moko that have been in French museums for about 200 years. You can't buy much for a dollar these days, but that's all one Hamilton sub-tribe paid for this building. We'll tell you why. 23 January 2012 Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. The Maori political year has begun as political parties prepare to mark the birthday of church leader and prophet - Tahu Potiki Wiremu Ratana. Political leaders will be welcomed to Ratana Pa tomorrow ahead of the commemorations on the 25th. Jasmyn Pearson joins us live now from Ratana Pa. Thousands have gathered for the celebration of the birthday of the Ratana prophet on Wednesday. However, tomorrow politicians will be welcomed to Ratana Pa to kick-off the political year. They've played the same song for over a century. But is it time to change their tune? Ratana do not all align themselves with Labour, no. There is a new school of thought and we are doing things differently now. So there's a variety of choice in front of the church faithful and that's why some are saying it's time to revisit the political alliances. Despite that this apostle says hang on. Wait until the newer parties mature to see whether they'll be fruitful for Maori or not. The National/Maori Party re-insulation project is one good outcome says the Chairman of the Church. He also sees other advantages. National has some strong Maori representatives perhaps they'll teach them to be more understanding of Maori. So is it time for the Church to take another look at its alliances? We can't tell the members what to do but the President will always back the Labour Party. But despite the stance of the head of the Church, each of it's faithful have their own voting power. Some people still think being Ratana means voting for Labour but they vote for the Mana Party and the Maori Party and others too. The Mana and Maori Parties appeal to a younger generation of Maori, the question is whether they'll last long enough for these youth to have that choice when they come of voting age. Tomorrow the Prime Minister, his government and the Maori Party will be welcomed to Ratana Pa tomorrow. They will be followed by the new Labour leader David Shearer and his entourage. Winston Peters is expected to attend, but due to a funeral in Taupo he will not arrive until Wednesday. Jasmyn Pearson, live from Ratana Pa, thank you for that report. The Mana Party leader will be at Ratana Pa tomorrow. Hone Harawira joins us live now from our Wellington office. The following will not be subtitled due to the live nature of the interview. Go to our website after 7pm to watch this interview with subtitles. Hone Harawira, thank you for your time today. A ceremony will be held tonight for the return of around 20 toi moko from French museums to Te Papa Museum. Toi Maori is the name of the Te Papa group that is in France at this time to retrieve the toi moko which have been in their possession for over 200 years. They will return the toi moko to their rightful place. Around 320 toi moko have been returned to NZ from various countries since the 1980s. However, today the Toi Maori group will give demonstrations in France of the Maori culture. It is an honour to be able to come and share our culture with the French people. It is an event with a bigger vision. The toi moko will arrive in the country next week. Taupiri Marae has bought a new meeting house for just $1. They have been waiting 12 months for their new building, and today they got it. The noise of removal machinery. The building that was bought for next to nothing. It's $3 for a sandwich, $2 for a chocolate The Waikato District Council sold this building to Taupiri Marae for a dollar. It's $3 for a sandwich, $2 for a chocolate and $1 for a building. The council says it would have cost $10,000 to demolish the building. The first section of the meeting house will arrive at Taupiri Marae tonight. Potaka Maipi, Te Karere. After the break, I'm in east Christchurch talking with a local family about the rising cost of insurance. Stay with us for more. And many children have been attacked by dogs in recent days. How can this problem be resolved? Christchurch residents are still felling the stresses of the earthquakes, but as the saying goes, one event will trigger another with the cost of insurance on the rise throughout the country. Rapaera Tawhai is at our Christchurch office with more on this. I met with Tracey Ogle's family today. They are sure that their insurances prices will rise. She's waiting for her insurance bill because she knows there's been an increase. This was her house after the big earthquake last year. Here it is now. All of the repairs were covered by insurance, but she's concerned about the increase for insurance that has added to the monthly bills. She pays over $100 a month towards insurance for her house and contents. But when she spoke with her sister, she found out about the increase. According to insurance companies, the reason for this is that NZ is now at greater risk. Tracey Ogle says she will still pay her insurance as she knows the benefits. The Ogle family are still talking with insurance companies as they seek further assistance because they don't know yet whether they are going to move or make repairs. She says at the end of the day their insurance needs to be paid lest they be hit by a disaster just like the quakes. She also tells other Christchurch residents that it's something that can't be avoided. Thank you, Rapaera Tawhai, reporting live from Christchurch. The Prime Minister has proposed that dog laws be revisited after a high number of children were attacked recently. But perhaps a Maori Warden in South Auckland has the remedy. A 9 year-old-girl is in Rotorua Hospital after being attacked by a dog. Thomas works in Mangere and stray, unruly dogs has been a real problem here. However, that's changed now. Three children were attacked by dogs in Rotorua, Ashburton and Porirua last week. Thomas says it's time to review the Dog Control Act. He also believes having a breed restriction won't work as the real solution lies with the community and the government. Anzac Pikia, Te Karere. 'Tatou Tatou' or Sharing is the theme of this year's Waitangi event to be hosted by Ngati Kahungunu. It's a special event but it won't be the only celebration on this auspicious day. Irena Smith is in Napier this week. She has more on this story. Ngati Kahungunu are lucky to have two events to celebrate on Waitangi day. But why have the two celebrations been segregated? Especially when the theme is sharing... This is Marie and Dave Edwards, the organisers of the Waitangi Day celebrations at Farndon Park Domain on the Clive River. This will be the 13th Waitangi celebration in for the Hawkes Bay people but this year, the tribal entity has found a new venue. This park has only been open for two years and is worth millions. Ngati Kahungunu says it would be a waste not to use it, so Waitangi Day celebrations will be held here this year and in years to come. But that won't stop the activities on the water. The Ngati Kahungunu regional kapa haka competition will also be held on Waitangi Day, but the tribe says it will not detract from the day's main purpose. It's now up to the people to decide which celebration they will attend. Ngati Kahungunu have spent almost $50 thousand on their Waitangi celebrations and it's estimated that 10 thousand people will attend the festivities. Time will tell how these Waitangi celebrations will unfold. Back to you, Scotty. Thank you, Irena Smith, reporting live from Napier. After the break, Introducing the first Maori to receive Major League baseball contracts in America. And the weather. The Moanaroa brothers are the first to sign contracts with an American major league baseball team. Although they were born in Australia and their skills were developed there, they have agreed to play for NZ. Meet the Moanaroa family of Tainui. Moko is Boss is older brother. Joe Moanaroa is their father. They paved the way for Maori in major league baseball in the US. In 2008, the brothers signed with the Boston Red Sox. Although they were born in Australia, they still wish to play for the NZ national team. They will return in August to train with the NZ national side. Roihana Nuri, Te Karere. To the weather now. For weather see Teletext p103 or tvnz.co.nz. For weather see Teletext p103 or tvnz.co.nz. We'll leave you today with pictures of the Chiefs training In the meantime, let us know what you think of our new look. Visit our website for contact details. That's all we have for today. Kia ora tatou katoa. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air.