Continued issues with school lunches and the criminalisation of wage theft w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 18th March, 2025

Beginning near the start of February this year, the government’s new school lunch program has faced criticism after criticism since its introduction. From supply issues to quality and quantity concerns to dietary considerations and heating issues, the program has had its fair share of teething issues. 

Now the government claims these issues have been ironed out, others continue to arise. Libelle, one of the school lunch providers contracted by the School Lunch collective recently went into liquidation. Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also told parents concerned with the program to “go make a marmite sandwich.”

Also in politics this past week we’ve seen Labour MP Camilla Belich’s private members bill passed by all parties excluding National and ACT. The Crimes (Theft by employer) amendment bill would move wage theft from a civil issue to a criminal issue, which National says is unnecessary and time consuming.

In our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about each of these issues, starting with school lunch program concerns.