The Wire with Joel

Earlier this week, Israel killed four Al Jazeera journalists, as well as two freelance journalists, in a targeted strike.

In total, nearly 270 journalists in Gaza have been killed by Israel since the war began in October 2023. This makes Israel’s war on Gaza the deadliest conflict ever for journalists. 

More journalists have been killed in Gaza than in both world wars, the Vietnam War, the wars in Yugoslavia, and the United States' war in Afghanistan combined, according to a report published by the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. 

For International Desk, I spoke to Assistant Professor in Journalism at Mount Royal University, Gabriela Perdomo Páez, about the danger facing Palestinian journalists on the ground, including from before the current war.

Last Sunday, Israeli Defence Forces fired an airstrike on a media tent outside the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza city.

The Israeli airstrike killed 7 of Al-Jazeera’s Gaza correspondents, who were: Anas al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, Momen Aliwa, Mohammed al-Khalidi.

This airstrike would bring the total number of journalists in Gaza killed by Israel to 238.

E tū union’s National Journalist Committee recently put out a statement condemning the killing of those Al Jazeera journalists, and called for urgent international action to ensure journalists are protected.

Oto spoke to Tom Hunt, a delegate from E Tu union’s national delegate’s committee about the killing of 7 Al Jazeera journalists by Israel in Gaza and the E Tu’s stance on the issue

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party Oto spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez-March about the government's plan to consider recognising a Palestinian state, The Green's petition to restore Te Reo names of Wellington electorates and the most recent taxpayers union-curia poll.

He spoke to Tom Hunt from E Tu union’s national media delegate’s committee about the killing of 5 Al Jazeera journalists by Israel in Gaza.

And he spoke to Stephen Hoadely, a retired Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of Auckland, about the upcoming talks between Trump and Putin to negotiate a ceasefire in Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Max spoke to John Morgan from the University of Auckland, to talk about why the recent proposal to drop NCEA might be part of a larger global shift

Last week, Treasury delivered the Long Term Insights Briefing entitled ‘Te Ara Mokopuna’ which examines the use of fiscal policy in New Zealand to respond to challenges and economic shocks.

The report used stakeholder feedback and consultation to underscore how the government can seek to promote “fiscal sustainability and improving wellbeing for future generations of New Zealanders”.

Of particular interest, the report highlights the effect of spending decisions made during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As well, Transportation Minister Chris Bishop has announced the government’s plans to change up the road user charges system in what he says is the ‘biggest change to how we fund our roading network in 50 years’.

The changes are aimed at making charges fairer across road usage, reflecting the evolution in the types of cars now available. 

Legislative work will be carried out in 2026, with changes expected to come into effect in 2027.