Top Stories for Monday 4 February 2013

Titewhai Harawira challenged as kuia for Waitangi Day Prime Ministerial escort role; Labour's David Shearer expects plain sailing today for his leadership endorsement by his party's MP's; senior doctors' union warns of impending chronic specialist shortage; Police continue forensic examination of fatally burnt man's car; Hubbard investors desperate for answers and funds; Fire Service says homeowners may end up subsidising commercial building owners' levies, and; Syrian militants go on the offensive to win people's hearts and minds.