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ACT's Simon Court

Our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party's Simon Court, every Monday on The Wire. 

 

 

Our weekly catch-up with the Minister of Health and Pacific Peoples, Dr Shane Reti.

Changes to the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, NCEA Tests and Labour Reshuffle w/ The ACT Party’s Simon Court: 9 March, 2025

Changes to the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, NCEA Tests and Labour Reshuffle w/ The ACT Party’s Simon Court: 9 March, 2025 Changes to the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, NCEA Tests and Labour Reshuffle w/ The ACT Party’s Simon Court: 9 March, 2025 , 15.66 MB
Mon 10 Mar 2025

The government has announced plans to lower the free bowel cancer screening age from 60 to 58. In order to do this, they are scrapping the pilot programme that would have allowed Maori and Pasifika to have free screening from age 50. 

While this opens the programme up for another 120,000 Kiwis, it takes away free screening from a different 100,000 - essentially just shuffling eligibility around. 

Despite bowel cancer rates being lower in Maori than Pakeha the death rates are higher. Some are calling the change institutionalised racism. 

It’s also been called a broken promise, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon promising in his election campaign to match Australia’s free screening age, which stands at 45. 

For our weekly catch up with the ACT party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Simon Court about the changes - which ACT has praised for its ‘needs not race’ initiative. 

We also spoke about The ACT Party pushing back on calls for new online literacy and numeracy to be scaled back, after principals said they were failing students in poorer communities. 

Along with last week's Labour cabinet reshuffle, which among the changes saw the introduction of a minister for jobs. 

But, they started off by asking Court about the impact the Bowel Cancer screening changes will have on Māori and Pasifika, and whether the party denies that race should be considered when treating the disease.

Four year Government Terms and Citizen Arrests w/ The ACT Party’s Simon Court: 3 March, 2025

Four year Government Terms and Citizen Arrests w/ The ACT Party’s Simon Court: 3 March, 2025 Four year Government Terms and Citizen Arrests w/ The ACT Party’s Simon Court: 3 March, 2025, 24.63 MB
Mon 3 Mar 2025

The government has announced that it will introduce legislation for a four year parliamentary term - subject to referendum. 

Most parties are largely in favour of a four year term - feeling that it gives more opportunity to develop policy and make changes. 

As part of their coalition deal, the ACT party designed a caveat to be included in the legislation that would put more ‘checks and balances’ on the government. 

This essentially means the opposition would have more powers in select committees. If this legislation is passed and voted on, a four year government term would not be mandatory - but would instead be decided after the government was elected. 

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, Producer Evie spoke to Simon Court about the legislation and why the party supports a four year term. 

They also talked about the government giving retailers and members of the public more power to detain shoplifters under legislative reforms. Otherwise known as citizens' arrests.

Continued Issues with the School Lunch Programme and Brooke van Velden’s Refusal to Meet With the CTU w/ The ACT Party’s Simon Court: 24 February, 2025

Continued Issues with the School Lunch Programme and Brooke van Velden’s Refusal to Meet With the CTU w/ The ACT Party’s Simon Court: 24 February, 2025 Continued Issues with the School Lunch Programme and Brooke van Velden’s Refusal to Meet With the CTU w/ The ACT Party’s Simon Court: 24 February, 2025, 16.28 MB
Mon 24 Feb 2025

More issues have arisen around the government’s School Lunches programme. 

Multiple schools have raised concerns over whether the lunches are Halal certified. The school lunch collective eventually confirmed that the lunches were ‘Halal friendly’ rather than certified. 

Halal is an Islamic dietary standard referring not only to the food, but the way it is stored and prepared. Without a certification this can not be confirmed. 

David Seymour has responded to concerns by saying  he did not believe the expense of going fully halal certified would be justified. Under the previous system schools were able to choose their providers, letting them use Halal certified kitchens, but now they are left with no choice. 

For their weekly catch up, Producer Evie spoke to the ACT Party’s Simon Court about these continued issues with the programme. 

They also spoke about Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden’s refusal to meet with the Council of Trade Unions, Aotearoa’s largest union organisation. 

Critiques of ‘mansplaining’ period products, the Destiny Church pride protests and the Director General of Health’s resignation w/ ACT's Simon Court: 17 February, 2025

Critiques of ‘mansplaining’ period products, the Destiny Church pride protests and the Director General of Health’s resignation w/ ACT's Simon Court: 17 February, 2025 Critiques of ‘mansplaining’ period products, the Destiny Church pride protests and the Director General of Health’s resignation w/ ACT's Simon Court: 17 February, 2025, 22.42 MB
Mon 17 Feb 2025

ACT MP Simon Court has come under fire in the last few days for comments he made to a submitter in a select committee meeting about menstrual products. 

During a hearing on benefit sanctions a female submitter was outlining concerns about period poverty and the impacts menstrual products can have on a low-income family budget. 

In response to these concerns Court asked if she was aware of, or had people around her aware of, a menstrual cup - outlining its cost and where to buy it. He was heavily criticised by Te Pati Maori, and later Labour for ‘mansplaining’, calling his comments ‘deeply offensive’ as he doubled down. 

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party Producer Evie spoke to Simon Court about these comments. They also spoke about the Destiny Church protest at Auckland Pride over the weekend, as well as the Director General of Health’s resignation, the third key health role resignation in recent weeks. 

Waitangi Day, Latest Unemployment Figures and the Government’s Second Emissions Reduction Target w/ ACT's Simon Court: 10 February, 2025

Waitangi Day, Latest Unemployment Figures and the Government’s Second Emissions Reduction Target w/ ACT's Simon Court: 10 February, 2025 Waitangi Day, Latest Unemployment Figures and the Government’s Second Emissions Reduction Target w/ ACT's Simon Court: 10 February, 2025, 26.57 MB
Mon 10 Feb 2025

Last Thursday marked Waitangi day, with thousands coming together to mark the occasion at the treaty grounds themselves - including a number of politicians. 

This year however, in the midst of the Treaty Principles Bill debate, ACT leader David Seymour was asked by his own hapu Ngāti Rēhia not to attend Waitangi. He ignored this request and chose to attend with his party anyway. 

During his speech at Waitangi, in an act of protest many onlookers turned their backs, and his microphone was taken multiple times. 

For our weekly catch up, Producer Evie spoke to the ACT party’s Simon Court about the proceedings at Waitangi.

They also discussed the latest unemployment figures - which continue to steadily rise, putting us in the worst place since 2020. As well as unpacking the government’s latest emissions reduction plan and how achievable it really is. 

 

ACT's School Lunches, Oral Submissions for Treaty Principles Bill, and NZ First MP, Shane Jones' 'Xenophobic' Comments in Parliament w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 3 February, 2025

ACT's School Lunches, Oral Submissions for Treaty Principles Bill, and NZ First MP, Shane Jones' 'Xenophobic' Comments in Parliament w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 3 February, 2025 ACT's School Lunches, Oral Submissions for Treaty Principles Bill, and NZ First MP, Shane Jones' 'Xenophobic' Comments in Parliament w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 3 February, 2025, 13.98 MB
Mon 3 Feb 2025

A rampant item in the news headlines late last year was David Seymour's promise to cut costs but revamping the Ka Ora Ka Ako healthy school lunch programme. 

He claimed that by changing to larger providers $1.5 million would be saved. Now the school year has officially kicked back off, the lunches have been put into action. 

But last week, hundreds of students in Auckland were left hungry, when their lunches arrived hours late. Teachers pitched in their own money to feed the children and hoped for a better outcome after voicing their complaints. The next day, the industrial kitchens the lunches were cooked in experienced technical issues… delaying the lunches delivery until after lunchtime once again. 

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director, and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Simon Court about these issues. 

They also asked him about the first Oral Submissions on the Treaty Principles Bill which began last week. As well as comments made by Shane Jones and Winston Peters, attacking migrant MPs.

Bootcamp Reoffences, Proposed Changes to Employment Law and David Seymour's Incumbent Term as Deputy PM w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 9 December, 2024

Bootcamp Reoffences, Proposed Changes to Employment Law and David Seymour's Incumbent Term as Deputy PM w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 9 December, 2024 Bootcamp Reoffences, Proposed Changes to Employment Law and David Seymour's Incumbent Term as Deputy PM w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 9 December, 2024 , 16.62 MB
Mon 9 Dec 2024

Last week it was revealed that two of the ten participants in the government's pilot bootcamp programme were on the run. 

The youth were two months into the community rehabilitation phase of the programme, following the three month youth justice residence phase. Both teens were found in the weekend, but had allegedly reoffended, and are now set to come before the court. 

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, who have been heavily advocating for this programme, Producer Evie spoke to Simon Court about this incident. 

She also talks to him about proposed changes to employment law which would give employers the power to dismiss workers earning over $180,000 without the employee refuting the decision. 

And finally, she talks to him about David Seymour’s incumbent run as Deputy Prime Minister, which is set to begin in May of next year.

One Year in Government and Gang Patch Legislation Coming into Effect w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 2 December, 2024

One Year in Government and Gang Patch Legislation Coming into Effect w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 2 December, 2024 One Year in Government and Gang Patch Legislation Coming into Effect w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 2 December, 2024, 22.85 MB
Mon 2 Dec 2024

Last week officially marked one year since the coalition government came into power. 

It’s been a busy year for all three parties, with many new bills introduced, and many more repealed or abolished. 

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, Producer Evie checks in with Simon Court to see how well the party thinks they’ve done this past year. We explore what they have and haven’t been able to do, and whether they’ll continue to push for these things throughout the rest of their term in government. As well as how well the coalition parties have been working together. 

She also asks about the government's gang patch ban legislation coming into effect, and how effective it’s really going to be.

 

Hīkoi mō te tiriti at Parliament w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 25 November, 2024

Hīkoi mō te tiriti at Parliament w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 25 November, 2024 Hīkoi mō te tiriti at Parliament w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 25 November, 2024, 10.99 MB
Mon 25 Nov 2024

Last week, the hīkoi mō te tiriti culminated outside Parliament, making this hīkoi one of the largest in the country.

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party's Simon Court, News and Editorial Director, and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Simon about the hīkoi outside Parliament, and the recently developments regarding this protest action.

The Treaty Principles Bill Passing First Reading, The Haka in Protest , and updates regarding the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti w/ The ACT Party’s Simon Court: 18 November, 2024

The Treaty Principles Bill Passing First Reading, The Haka in Protest , and updates regarding the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti w/ The ACT Party’s Simon Court: 18 November, 2024 The Treaty Principles Bill Passing First Reading, The Haka in Protest , and updates regarding the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti w/ The ACT Party’s Simon Court: 18 November, 2024 , 19.02 MB
Mon 18 Nov 2024

The hīkoi mō te tiriti, which started as a rally against the ACT Party’s Treaty Principles Bill, is set to arrive at Parliament tomorrow, in the capital, Wellington.

Over the duration of the hīkoi, thousands have joined the march in support so far, with an estimated 30,000 set to be at Parliament tomorrow.

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News and Editorial Director, and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to him about the hīkoi, and how the party has reacted to this event.

They also talked to Simon about the Treaty Principles Bill passing its first reading in Parliament last week, with members of Te Pāti Māori, the Labour Party Party, and Green Party, performing the haka as a form of protest to the bill, with members of the public gallery also joining in, resulting in Parliament being suspended for an hour.

But first, they talked to Simon about the hīkoi.