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National's Tom Rutherford

Our weekly catch-up with National Party MP, Tom Rutherford.

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Citizen’s arrests and their potential impacts across society w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 4th March, 2025

 Citizen’s arrests and their potential impacts across society w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 4th March, 2025 Citizen’s arrests and their potential impacts across society w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 4th March, 2025, 19.56 MB
Tue 4 Mar 2025

Last week the government announced a new citizen’s arrest policy that would allow members of the public to detain those who commit a crime. The policy has been met with criticism for its potential impact on retail workers and marginalised communities. While the government has asserted that citizen’s arrest should only be conducted when it is safe to do so, some are still worried about safety, especially with employer/employee power dynamics. 

Others are concerned that the law will encourage members of the public to conduct citizens arrests on anyone they suspect of committing a crime, even if their suspicions are false. This would predominantly affect marginalised groups already affected by harmful stereotypes

In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Tuesday Wire Host Castor asked about how the new Citizens Arrest policy will work in Aotearoa. 

Issues with school lunches and Destiny Church’s charity status w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 25th February, 2025

 Issues with school lunches and Destiny Church’s charity status w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 25th February, 2025 Issues with school lunches and Destiny Church’s charity status w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 25th February, 2025, 12.5 MB
Tue 25 Feb 2025

The government’s new school lunch program has been met with criticism over the past few weeks for various issues. Supply issues began just over a week ago, with some schools supplied with Pita Pit or pies as alternatives where the new lunches were unavailable. Students who have received the lunches have called them bland, unappetising, or insufficient. Others have noted the lack of halal certification, leaving schools or teachers in charge of providing for Muslim students. Despite these issues, the government has remained committed to the program, which it claims has made significant savings compared to the previous, Labour implemented program. 

The last few weeks have also seen actions by Destiny Church against Aotearoa’s rainbow communities at multiple pride events. These actions have led some to call for Destiny Church’s charity status to be removed.

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

The Te Atatū Library Drag Protests, The Resignation of Director-General of Health, Dr Diana Sarfati, and the 'Everyone must go' Australian Tourism Campaign w/ The National Party's Tom Rutherford: 18 February, 2025

 The Te Atatū Library Drag Protests, The Resignation of Director-General of Health, Dr Diana Sarfati, and the 'Everyone must go' Australian Tourism Campaign w/ The National Party's Tom Rutherford: 18 February, 2025 The Te Atatū Library Drag Protests, The Resignation of Director-General of Health, Dr Diana Sarfati, and the 'Everyone must go' Australian Tourism Campaign w/ The National Party's Tom Rutherford: 18 February, 2025, 14.05 MB
Tue 18 Feb 2025

Over the weekend, an estimated 50 protesters, a part of Destiny Church-linked groups, stormed the Te Atatū Community Centre and library, where a show discussing the science of rainbows was being performed to children by a drag king as a part of Auckland Pride festivities.

This received mass condemnation, over the the protest not being peaceful, as protestors tried to force their way to the library section of the community centre, resulting in not only 30 young children and adults having to be barricaded away for their safety, but also resulted in a 16-year old and her 20-year old sister sustaining injuries while defending against those rallying.

For our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to him about this event, what the parties stances are on it, and the petition to have Destiny Church’s charitable status revoked, which has received over 72,000 signatures.

They also spoke to him about the resignation of Director-General of Health, Dr Diana Sarfati, as well as Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, and Tourism Minister, Louise Upston’s $500,000 campaign enticing Australians tourists to New Zealand.

But first, they started off by asking him about how the party reacted to the Te Atatū Community Centre and Library protests.

Waitangi Day, Treaty Relations, and new appointments to the Waitangi Tribunal w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 11th February, 2025

 Waitangi Day, Treaty Relations, and new appointments to the Waitangi Tribunal w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 11th February, 2025 Waitangi Day, Treaty Relations, and new appointments to the Waitangi Tribunal w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 11th February, 2025, 20.15 MB
Tue 11 Feb 2025

Waitangi Day was last week on Thursday, and to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of Te Tiriti we saw MPs attending various events across the country. During these events we also saw many speaking out against the government’s approach to Treaty relations, particularly the treaty principles bill. 

We also saw a series of new appointments to the Waitangi Tribunal at the end of last month. While the new appointments and outgoing members are each uniquely qualified for the position, some have noted that many of the outgoing members have academic experience and knowledge that will not be replicated by the new appointments. 

Wire host Castor spoke about each of these issues in this week’s catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, beginning by asking about what National’s MPs got up to on Waitangi Day.

Charter Schools and the Dunedin Hospital rebuild w/ the National Party’s Tim Costley: 4th February, 2025

 Charter Schools and the Dunedin Hospital rebuild w/ the National Party’s Tim Costley: 4th February, 2025 Charter Schools and the Dunedin Hospital rebuild w/ the National Party’s Tim Costley: 4th February, 2025, 18.95 MB
Tue 4 Feb 2025

The government announced its new $153m charter school program last year, which is due to begin operations in term one this year. The program has been criticised by some existing education providers, who say there is little evidence for its future success and that the money could be better spent elsewhere. 

The Dunedin Hospital rebuild was also confirmed last week after months of review and reconsideration. The new build will expand on existing hospital services as promised, but will have 59 less beds than initially planned. Given overcrowding issues in the health system at the moment, some are concerned that this upgrade won’t be enough for the people of Dunedin.

In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor spoke to MP Tim Costley about each of these issues, starting with the new charter school program.

Cabinet reshuffles and the State of the Nation w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 28th January, 2025

 Cabinet reshuffles and the State of the Nation w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 28th January, 2025 Cabinet reshuffles and the State of the Nation w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 28th January, 2025, 11.59 MB
Tue 28 Jan 2025

Last week saw the redistribution of some important portfolios between National’s cabinet ministers. The two most important changes were the shift of Dr Shane Reti’s Health portfolio to Simeon Brown and Nicola Willis’ adoption of the new Minister for Economic Growth. 

In Luxon’s State of the Nation speech he spoke about the future of the country and promoting economic growth. He also spoke about his concern about New Zealanders heading overseas to see big name artists perform. 

In our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about each of these issues, starting with the National Party reshuffle.

Recent Fires, Deputy Police Commissioner, Jevon McSkimming Investigations, Gaza Ceasefire w/ the National Party's Tom Rutherford: 21 January, 2025

 Recent Fires, Deputy Police Commissioner, Jevon McSkimming Investigations, Gaza Ceasefire w/ the National Party's Tom Rutherford: 21 January, 2025 Recent Fires, Deputy Police Commissioner, Jevon McSkimming Investigations, Gaza Ceasefire w/ the National Party's Tom Rutherford: 21 January, 2025, 7.3 MB
Tue 21 Jan 2025

Aotearoa has recently faced multiple wildfires across the motu, from West Auckland, all the way to Bulls.

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to Tom Rutherford about these recent blazes, and what needs to be done in the future to mitigate these events.

As well as this, they also discussed the country’s second highest ranking police officer: Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming, being suspended amidst an investigation, as well as the recent ceasefire in Gaza.

The Treaty Principles and Regulatory Standards Bills w/ the National Party's Tom Rutherford: 14th January, 2025

 The Treaty Principles and Regulatory Standards Bills w/ the National Party's Tom Rutherford: 14th January, 2025 The Treaty Principles and Regulatory Standards Bills w/ the National Party's Tom Rutherford: 14th January, 2025, 11.19 MB
Tue 14 Jan 2025

The submission period for the Treaty Principles Bill was due to close last week, however, due to mass amounts of last minute submissions leading to software issues, the deadline was extended to 1 pm on Tuesday, 14th January. 

Similarly, the submissions for the consultation period on the regulatory standards bill ended yesterday, another bill primarily pushed by David Seymour and the ACT party that would change how the government processes legislation. 

In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor spoke to him about these bills and how the party plans to operate in 2025.

Police staffing numbers and new insulation guidelines w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 10th December, 2024

 Police staffing numbers and new insulation guidelines w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 10th December, 2024 Police staffing numbers and new insulation guidelines w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 10th December, 2024, 9.62 MB
Tue 10 Dec 2024

Last election, one of the National Party’s main campaign promises was to be ‘tough on crime’, promising to increase police coverage and penalties for crimes. A target was set to increase the number of police officers by 500 by November 2025, however some police leaders today say this goal is unrealistic. 

The government also announced this week some shakeups to insulation standards, which they say should make houses more affordable. 

In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor spoke to him about police staffing targets and new insulation standards.

Is the government taking our country backwards? w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 3rd December, 2024

 Is the government taking our country backwards? w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 3rd December, 2024 Is the government taking our country backwards? w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 3rd December, 2024, 13.82 MB
Tue 3 Dec 2024

This week saw the Labour Party’s annual conference, during which party leader Chris Hipkins spoke about the party’s goals and criticised the current National-led government. 

Hipkins named the Dunedin hospital delays, interislander ferry fiasco, and tax breaks for tobacco companies as several issues that would be targeted by a future Labour government. Hipkins then called the government divisive and suggested their policies are taking the country backwards, both due to the Treaty Principles bill and this government’s approach more broadly. 

In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked him about these issues and how the government would respond as it moves into 2025.