The Wire with Joel

The Government has announced some new secondary school subjects and changes to current ones, which will be a part of the proposed new curriculum.

Some of the subjects include: earth and space sciences, civics, politics, and philosophy, media, journalism and communications, and te mātai i te ao Māori

However, art history as a subject is set to be axed, instead being integrated into other visual art subjects such as design, painting, and photography. In addition to this, outdoor education as a subject is set to become fully vocational.

Those in these sectors have criticised these moves, with Auckland Art Gallery’s head of curatorial and exhibitions Sarah Farrar, saying the move will close doors for young people, with Claire Amos, principal at Albany Senior High School, saying that making outdoor education vocational will result in a loss of funding for the subject.

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host spoke to him about these topics.

Last Week, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices met to review childhood vaccination recommendations in the US. The committee, whose members were appointed by anti-vaccination US Secretary of Health Robert F Kennedy Jr, have voted on a variety of recommendations for child vaccinations and restrictions of vaccinations from COVID-19 to Measles and Mumps immunisations. 

This move has been met with concern, both over the implications for the health and wellbeing of children and the public, and what it means for one of the most prominent countries and advisory bodies to make such a move. In particular, the move itself was rife with confusion, with the advisory committee being ill-equipped to review the recommendations.

Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, Helen Petousis-Harris, about the confused and muddled recommendations, what they mean for public health, and what this says about the state of vaccine regulation.

Bike Auckland, a pro-cycling advocacy group recently sent out their pledge for candidates which says 

“I believe people of all ages should feel able to bike safely to get around. Auckland needs more climate-friendly transport to ensure a sustainable and resilient Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, protecting our environment and communities for future generations. If elected, I commit to making a safe, connected cycle network a priority.” 

Several candidates have pledged their support for the bike pledge, so Thursday Wire Producer Sanat wanted to get some more insight from Councilor Shane Henderson into how cycling will play a role in the future of Auckland’s transport network.

Thursday Wire Producer Sanat also asked him about what he has to say to opponents of cycleways that argue the increased cost and congestion is part of a larger “war on cas”

In other Local Government news, an ACT candidate in Whangerei has had their hoarding shot at several times recently. This follows an increase in abuse and vitriol towards local government candidates, particularly from marginalised communities. Producer Sanat asked Shane what he thinks this means for the state of our local democracy.

Last week, thousands of young people began mass protests in Nepal, sparked by a social media ban but over larger frustrations with government corruption.

The protests have led to Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign, especially in the wake of public outrage over the killing of 22 people during the police crackdown on protestors. 

For International Desk, Wire Host Caeden spoke to University of Queensland Lecturer in Political Science Dr DB Subedi about the circumstances behind these protests, how they fit into the wider region, and the misinformation surrounding them.