The Wire with Joel

For their weekly catch up, producer Evie spoke to the ACT Party's Simon Court about the government’s failure to deliver on the promised funding for cancer drugs, and the ACT party’s views on politicians involvement with Pharmac. They also talk about the party’s policy surrounding social media, as old concerns arise surrounding party leader David Seymour’s use of Snapchat. 

Host Sofia speaks to the director for ActionStation, Kassie Hartendorp, about a new report by ActionStation called ‘Protect Māori Wards’ and the government’s proposal to reverse changes made to increase Māori representation in local government by reverting the Māori ward rules to restore the referendum mechanism.

Evie also caught up with Students for Fair Rent organiser, Matthew Lee, about the decision to end their month long rent strike at the University of Auckland, and what actions the group plans to take next. 

And Sofia spoke to Dr Ritesh Shah, a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Auckland about the global refugee crisis, in light of the United Nations Refugee Agency reporting 117.3 million people being forcibly displaced in 2023 - a record high. 

Whakarongo tonu mai!

The government has proposed to reverse changes made to increase Māori representation in local government by reverting the Māori ward rules  to restore the referendum mechanism. 

This would mean if any council wanted to establish a Māori ward, and a petition that had been signed by 5% of people was presented, a binding referendum would have to be held. 

Additionally, the bill requires that all the councils that created Māori wards since 2021 have to hold a poll about whether to keep them at the 2025 local elections, with the results of the poll to be binding and come into force in 2028. 

ActionStation has released a report, ‘Protect Māori Wards’, which has gathered the stories of over 200 community members on their experiences of Māori wards. 

Host Sofia Roger Williams spoke to ActionStation director, Kassie Hartendorp (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa), about what the report found, why Māori wards are important, and the government’s proposed changes for Māori wards more generally.

Yesterday Minister for Racing Winston Peters told a select committee he would not rush a decision on whether Greyhound racing will be banned or not.

He cited the potential legal ramifications of a ban and also made the comment ‘dogs love racing.’

Wire host Caeden spoke to Campaign Manager for the Animal Rights group SAFE, Emma Brodier, about this delay in making a decision on a ban. 

They started by asking about SAFE’s thoughts on Peters’ more controversial comments.

New Caledonia has been dominating headlines recently for ongoing riots and indigenous opposition against an attempt from France to tighten their political control over the territory. 

Wire Host Caeden spoke to indigenous Kanak youth co-ordinator Viro Xulue about recent developments in their fight against French rule on this issue and more generally.

We also spoke about his comments that New Zealanders, especially Māori, should be standing in solidarity with the Kanak people.

He encourages everyone to write to their MPs in support of New Caledonian independence from France and to also organise and attend rallies for this cause. 

They started by asking what the current situation is.