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Labour's Carmel Sepuloni

Our weekly catch-up with Deputy Leader of the opposition, Carmel Sepuloni, every Thursday on The Wire.

Pay equity claims halted by the Government, new unemployment statistics, and a proposal to ban under 16s from using social media w/ Labour's Carmel Sepuloni: 8 May, 2025

Pay equity claims halted by the Government, new unemployment statistics, and a proposal to ban under 16s from using social media w/ Labour's Carmel Sepuloni: 8 May, 2025 Pay equity claims halted by the Government, new unemployment statistics, and a proposal to ban under 16s from using social media w/ Labour's Carmel Sepuloni: 8 May, 2025, 9.17 MB
Thu 8 May 2025

The government has changed pay equality laws, halting all existing claims and reducing the number of workers who can argue for better pay based on gender discrimination.

New figures show the unemployment rate has remained unchanged from last quarter at 5.1%.

And National has put forward a member's bill proposal that would ban social media for under-16s. 

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke with Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about all of these topics.

Prisoner voting rights and the strikes happening this May Day w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 1 May, 2025

Prisoner voting rights and the strikes happening this May Day w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 1 May, 2025 Prisoner voting rights and the strikes happening this May Day w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 1 May, 2025, 10.9 MB
Thu 1 May 2025

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced a total ban on prisoners voting will be reinstated. 

The move has been criticised by the opposition parties, as well as those working in criminal justice.

Today is May Day, also known as International Workers Day and unions across Aotearoa are taking action against what they say is an “anti-worker agenda” from this government.

Workers across a wide range of industries are stopping work and taking strike action. 

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about all of these issues.

The cross-party delegation to the Pacific, NZ First’s trans-exclusionary definition of sex bill and his threat to cut funding to RNZ w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 24 April, 2025

The cross-party delegation to the Pacific, NZ First’s trans-exclusionary definition of sex bill and his threat to cut funding to RNZ w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 24 April, 2025 The cross-party delegation to the Pacific, NZ First’s trans-exclusionary definition of sex bill and his threat to cut funding to RNZ w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 24 April, 2025, 14.19 MB
Thu 24 Apr 2025

A cross-party delegation of MPs recently visited Tonga, Hawai’i and Vanuatu as part of a Pacific trip organised by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters.

Earlier this week, New Zealand First proposed new legislation that would exclude trans communities from the definition of “woman” and “man” in law.

Winston Peters defended the bill on RNZ’s Morning Report, where he called interviewer Corin Dann a “disgrace” for raising the criticism against the bill that was brought forward by opposition parties.

During this interview, Peters threatened to cut RNZ’s government funding.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about all of these topics.

Te Whatu Ora language changes, the new sexuality education curriculum, and the Treaty Principles Bill voted down at second reading w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 17 April, 2025

Te Whatu Ora language changes, the new sexuality education curriculum, and the Treaty Principles Bill voted down at second reading w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 17 April, 2025 Te Whatu Ora language changes, the new sexuality education curriculum, and the Treaty Principles Bill voted down at second reading w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 17 April, 2025, 10.93 MB
Thu 17 Apr 2025

Associate Health Minister Casey Costello has directed Te Whatu Ora to say “women” instead of “pregnant people” in all communications.

The government has opened consultation on the new relationships and sexuality education (RSE) draft framework.

And last week, the divisive and controversial Treaty Principles Bill was voted down at second reading.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shanan Halbert about all of these issues.

The Government's action plan and Trump's tariffs w/ Labour's Shanan Halbert: 17 April, 2025

The Government's action plan and Trump's tariffs w/ Labour's Shanan Halbert: 17 April, 2025 The Government's action plan and Trump's tariffs w/ Labour's Shanan Halbert: 17 April, 2025, 13.27 MB
Thu 10 Apr 2025

The government released its second quarterly action plan for 2025 this week, outlining their targets across a range of sectors. Included in the plan is legislation around free speech at universities. When pitching this legislation previously, ACT leader David Seymour said the change would protect academics and individual freedom of speech, while disallowing universities from deplatforming speakers with controversial or offensive views. Seymour says the bill will ensure universities remain neutral on non-operational issues. 

The action plan was joined by the new 2025 defence capability plan, which includes 9 billion dollars of new funding for the defence sector. Included in this 9 billion is 450 million dollars for killer drones, a first for New Zealand’s defence force. 

The past few weeks have also seen economic instability in the US following a series of tariffs introduced by president Donald Trump. While New Zealand is only affected by the lowest 10 per cent tariff rate, the consequences remain uncertain for our still recovering economy. 

In our weekly catchup with the Labour Party, Thursday Wire host Caeden spoke to MP Shanan Halbert about each of these issues, beginning with free speech at universities.

Tamatha Paul’s comments on the police and the government’s announcement on the supermarket duopoly w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 3 April, 2025

Tamatha Paul’s comments on the police and the government’s announcement on the supermarket duopoly w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 3 April, 2025 Tamatha Paul’s comments on the police and the government’s announcement on the supermarket duopoly w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 3 April, 2025, 8.39 MB
Thu 3 Apr 2025

Last week, Green Party MP Tamatha Paul made comments about the police and the expansion of beat patrols in Wellington, saying they make a lot of people feel “less safe.”

The comments have been criticised by MPs across National, Act, New Zealand First, as well as Labour. 

And Finance Minister Nicola Willis is seeking specialist external advice on what ways the supermarket duopoly could be restructured.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about these issues.

NZ First’s “war on woke”, proposed RMA reforms, and New Zealand’s support for Palestine w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 27 March, 2025

NZ First’s “war on woke”, proposed RMA reforms, and New Zealand’s support for Palestine w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 27 March, 2025 NZ First’s “war on woke”, proposed RMA reforms, and New Zealand’s support for Palestine w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 27 March, 2025, 8.99 MB
Thu 27 Mar 2025

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters gave a “State of the Nation” speech last weekend where he strongly criticised Labour and announced his party was declaring a “war on woke.”

The government has announced a new replacement for the Resource Management Act, looking to pass it before the next election.

And Labour Foreign Affairs spokesperson David Parker has criticised the government for not condemning Israel in the context of recent military action and the blocking of humanitarian aid in Gaza.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about all of these topics. 

Labour’s caucus reshuffle and recent polling w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 13 March, 2025

Labour’s caucus reshuffle and recent polling w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 13 March, 2025 Labour’s caucus reshuffle and recent polling w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 13 March, 2025, 6.38 MB
Thu 13 Mar 2025

Labour has announced a caucus reshuffle, giving the Auckland portfolio to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni.

The party has outlined its intention to focus on winning Auckland back in 2026 after a blue wave swept the city in the 2023 election, unseating several Labour MPs in what were thought to be safe seats.

A recent Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll has put Labour up 2.8 points and would mean the centre-right bloc would not be able to form government.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader and new Auckland spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni about these topics.

The issue-ridden school lunch programme and 4 year parliamentary terms w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 6 March, 2025

The issue-ridden school lunch programme and 4 year parliamentary terms w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 6 March, 2025 The issue-ridden school lunch programme and 4 year parliamentary terms w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 6 March, 2025, 7.35 MB
Thu 6 Mar 2025

Earlier this week, an investigation was launched into the school lunch programme after baked-in plastic was found in several lunches. 

However, principals say the programme has already had various issues since Associate Education Minister David Seymour switched providers as a cost-saving measure last year.

And the coalition government is set to introduce legislation that would give the option of 4 year parliamentary terms.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy LeaderCarmel Sepuloni about both of these topics.

New research on child poverty numbers, the government’s proposed new response to retail crime, and the protests at Lake Rotokākahi w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 27 February, 2025

New research on child poverty numbers, the government’s proposed new response to retail crime, and the protests at Lake Rotokākahi w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 27 February, 2025 New research on child poverty numbers, the government’s proposed new response to retail crime, and the protests at Lake Rotokākahi w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 27 February, 2025, 10.67 MB
Thu 27 Feb 2025

StatsNZ has released new data showing the government has missed all its child poverty targets, and that the number of children in material hardship has risen from 144,100 to 156,600.

The government’s proposal to expand citizen arrest laws has been met with a mixed response. The proposal has been criticised by business groups, First Union, and the Labour Party, largely for the risk to workers.

And protestors against a sewerage pipeline being installed through the tapu Lake Rotokākahu have committed to staying at the site after facing off with police.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about all of these topics.