ACT's Simon Court

Last week, ACT leader David Seymour called on the government to sell its shares in Air New Zealand. The statements followed the half-year $40 million loss at the end of 2025, which followed a profit the year before of $106 million.

Seymour criticised Air New Zealand for going “woke”, which included “electric planes, glossy reports on climate change, [and] paper cups in the Koru Lounge.”

This past week also saw the government propose expanding police powers to enforce move-on orders for rough sleepers across the country. The government says this order will help reduce “disorderly behaviour” and “ensure the public can feel and are safe”. However, the order would not just target those who are disorderly or disruptive, but also any form of begging, rough sleeping, or intention to inhabit a public space.

The proposal has been criticised for multiple reasons, including as an inadequate solution failing to address the cause of the problem, and as unnecessarily cruel measures against those who are already struggling. 

This weekend also saw conflict escalating between multiple powers in the Middle East, most notably between Israel and Iran. In our weekly catchup with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about each of these issues, beginning with a quick question on the government’s stance on issues in the Middle East.

This past week has seen the government announcing plans to construct a facility for the storage of liquid natural gas. The plans have been criticised by activists, academics, and opposition members, who say it compromises our government’s commitment to reducing emissions. 

Yesterday also saw ACT Party Leader David Seymour deliver his State of the Nation speech, noting different parts of society and the economy his party takes issue with. He particularly raised "five warning lights", of issues that the country must "overcome". 

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to Simon Court about each of these issues, starting with liquid natural gas. 

Last week the National Party’s Greg Fleming and Labour’s Camilla Belich put forward a member’s bill to address modern slavery. The bill would require businesses with over $1,000,000 of annual consolidated revenue to generate a report on whether any of their suppliers use modern slavery. 

Despite being a member’s bill, the bill will be heard in parliament next week thanks to gathering support from sixty non-cabinet MPs, the first time this process has been used. The ACT party did not support the bill, with leader David Seymour and deputy leader Brooke Van Velden levying multiple criticisms. 

Also this past week saw an announcement that the prison population in Aotearoa reached an all time high, despite reports of overcrowding and underfunding last year. 

For this week’s catchup with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, Wire host Castor asked about each of these issues, beginning by asking about modern slavery.

After United States forces kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters put out a statement expressing concern over the move and his expectations that countries maintain adherence to international law. New Zealand’s response has been criticised by some, who say it does not go far enough in upholding New Zealand’s independent foreign policy and history of calling out infringements of international law. 

In our weekly catchup with the act party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Laura McClure, filling in this week for Simon Court. They asked about the party’s stance on the developing US/Venezuela situation, and about the party’s campaign plans for the 2026 election.