The Wire with Castor

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman chats with us about ice variations, the international space station, and a problem in the atmosphere.. 

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Host Sara spoke to MP Carl Bates about the new draft curriculum, the Deepfake Harm & Exploitation Bill, and the New Zealand Initiative call for electoral reforms
For Green World, Sara spoke to AUT School of Future Environment senior lecturer Dr Priscila Besen, about the upcoming COP30 in Brasil 
And finally, Sara spoke to University of Auckland associate professor Dr David Moreau about his latest research on the effects of fasting on the brain

This week on the Monday Wire:

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about the government’s new draft curriculum, specifically focusing on the changes to history, Labour’s capital gains tax policy, and the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Producer Alex spoke to Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland, Dr Mohsen Mohammadzadeh, about concerns that the council and auckland transport are ‘commodifying non-compliance’ with parking tickets; that is, seeing parking ticket enforcement as a source of revenue.

And Joel spoke to Missy Morton, a Professor in Disability Studies & Inclusive Education at the University of Auckland, about the government’s announcement of a charter school for autistic students and her concerns with the move.

Whakarongo mai!

The government has recently announced a new draft curriculum for years 0-10 that has seen changes to various subjects, including history, as per National/ACT coalition agreements.

ACT Party Leader, David Seymour, says the changes to the Aotearoa New Zealand’s Histories curriculum removes “dismal, divisive and overly political ‘big ideas’”.

However, these changes have received criticisms from the NZ History Teachers Association over a multitude of concerns.

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

They also discussed Labour’s Capital Gains Tax policy, and the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

But first, they talked about the government’s proposed history curriculum.

Thousands of households across the country are currently in rates arrears, struggling to pay their rates for the 2024/2025 financial year. 

Auckland Council's head of rates, valuations and data management, Rhonwen Heath, said 6.6 percent of rates, or 42,902 households were outstanding at the start of the 2025/2026 year.

As cost of living pressures continue to grow on households, with rising food, electricity and rents, Thursday Wire Producer Sanat wanted to chat to Auckland Councilor Shane Henderson about how Auckland Council plays a role in making life more affordable for everyday Aucklanders.

They also had a discussion about the role of fireworks in our community, with major festivals like Diwali prompting some communities to express concern about the disruption that fireworks are causing to their families, animals and the natural environment.