The government has announced that Te Pūkenga is set to return to ‘regional governance,’ re-establishing 10 polytechnics that were merged under the previous Labour-led government.
In 2020 under the previous Labour-led government, 16 polytechnics and nine industry training organisations were merged into the mega-institute Te Pūkenga, as a “head office”. Despite this, the polytechnics were allowed to maintain their unique images and continue operating.
Vocational Education Minister, Penny Simmonds, announced the move, to establish a vocational education system that is “locally led, regionally responsible, and future-focused”.
The move has faced backlash. The Tertiary Education Union’s national secretary, Sandra Grey, says the move would be a disaster for regional education and that the sector is being treated as a “political football”.
For our weekly catchup with the Labour Party, News and Editorial Director Joel spoke with MP Shanon Halbert, about this move from the government.
They also discussed Te Pāti Māori members expressing concerns over Labour’s choice of running MP Peeni Henare in the upcoming Tāmaki Makaurau by-election.
Te Pāti Māori media liaison, Kiri Tamihere-Waititi, says a vote for Henare would be “wasted,” as Henare already has a seat in Parliament. She has called for people to vote for Te Pāti Māori’s candidate, Oriini Kaipara, so that there would be two Tāmaki Makaurau-based Māori MPs in Parliament.
Once a beacon of democratic progress, Georgia is at risk of sliding into authoritarianism, particularly due to Russian influence.
Six opposition leaders face criminal charges, and the major opposition parties have been banned, while “Georgia Dream”, the political party in power, faces allegations of corruption and voter fraud.
However, the party faces increasing opposition within Georgia, including mass protests over their pro-Russia laws.
82% of Georgians feel their country is in crisis, with 78% directly citing the Georgian Dream political party as the cause.
Wire Host Caeden spoke to Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor in the Department of Government at the University of Essex, about Georgia’s anti-democratic crackdowns and public response.
Once a beacon of democratic progress, Georgia is at risk of sliding into authoritarianism, particularly due to Russian influence.
Six opposition leaders face criminal charges, and the major opposition parties have been banned, while “Georgia Dream”, the political party in power, faces allegations of corruption and voter fraud.
However, the party faces increasing opposition within Georgia, including mass protests over their pro-Russia laws.
82% of Georgians feel their country is in crisis, with 78% directly citing the Georgian Dream political party as the cause.
Wire Host Caeden spoke to Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor in the Department of Government at the University of Essex, about Georgia’s anti-democratic crackdowns and public response.
Towards the start of this month, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, nominated US President, Donald Trump, for a Nobel Peace Prize.
News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to Tom Wilkinson, a PhD Candidate in History at the University of Auckland, about Netanyahu’s nomination, the Nobel Peace Prize in general, and his belief that there is an ulterior motive to the Israeli Prime Minister’s nomination.
As the climate and sustainability crises continue to worsen and corporations and governments refuse to act the question must be asked, do we need to rethink our entire society? From one built on resource extraction for profit, to one built around sustainable local living.
Producer Sam spoke to Professor of geology at the University of Auckland, Phil Shane, about the sustainability of our society.
It's 4:20, and today Chris discusses a new local comedy-horror film 'The Weed-Eaters', plus some recent studies on cannabis for pain relief and as an economic driver.
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