The Wire w/ Joel: 10 March, 2025

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catch up with Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp, News and Editorial Director, and Monday Wire Host Joel, spoke to her about the coalition government’s free school lunch programme, and the recent comments from Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, regarding this, the first reading of The Land Transport Management (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill, and changes made to free bowel cancer screening.

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, Joel spoke to him about the changes to free bowel cancer screening, NCEA testing, and the Labour Party’s portfolio reshuffle.

Producer Evie spoke to the Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer NZ, Peter Huskinson, on the changes to free bowel cancer screening, and his organisation’s opinion that this move will be “a step backwards for health equity,” for Māori and Pacific people.

Joel spoke to the Director at E Tū Union, Michael Wood, about Canadian-born billionaire James Grenon purchasing 9.3% shares at NZME, which owns media outlets such as The Herald and Newstalk ZB, and the union’s concerns regarding this move.

Evie spoke to the Chair of Local Government New Zealand’s electoral reform working group, Nick Smith, on calls to make local governments four-year terms, in light of government introducing a four year parliamentary term.

And Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins us in studio to discuss major life changes for young people in Aotearoa.

Whakarongo mai!