The Wire with Joel

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Dr Cushla McGoverin about the world’s biggest spiderweb, bacteria movement, and the Marsden Fund Awards for 2025, thanks to MOTAT.

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Host Sara spoke to MP Carl Bates about the Climate Change Response Act, the Regulatory Standards Bill, and measures being considered around homelessness in Auckland's CBD.

For Green World, Sara spoke to Professor James Renwick from Victoria University in Wellington, about the impact of climate change on human health

Producer Faith spoke to Aaaron Hendry from the Kick Back, Make Change organisation about the government considering banning homeless people rough sleeping in the CBD

Last week, Climate Minister Simon Watts announced numerous changes to New Zealand’s Climate Change Response Act, including removing the requirement for Climate Change Commission advice on emissions reductions plans, and easing requirements around public consultation on government targets.

Last week, the second reading of the Regulatory Standards Bill passed through parliament, despite large public opposition to the bill.

Finally, the central government alongside Auckland Minister Simeon Brown and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown have been discussing measures to “move on” homeless rough sleepers from the Auckland CBD. 

Wire Host Sara spoke with MP Carl Bates about all of these topics, she started by asking about the government’s motivation for changing the consultation requirements within the Climate Change Response Act

The government has been considering a ban on homeless people rough sleeping in central Auckland after dark. 

Spokespeople from homelessness and poverty action groups have criticised the proposal for not effectively addressing the root causes of the crisis. 

Producer Faith spoke to Aaron Hendry from the youth homelessness organisation Kick Back Make Change about the consideration, and its potential consequences

Concerns have been raised that rough sleepers will be pushed into unfamiliar suburbs outside of Auckland CBD, following government ministers' consideration of new measures.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says he had been tasked with making sure police were equipped to halt public disorder. When questioned explicitly about the ban, he said, "We're working our way through those issues... when we've got something to announce, we'll announce that."

As well as this, the Regulatory Standards Bill has passed its second reading in Parliament, having seen a few changes made to the bill in the select committee process.

The bill, having received 156,000 public submissions, almost 99% in opposition to the bill, is controversial. Constitutional experts and critics of the bill have expressed concerns that the amendments do not address its failings, and the “ideological” way it has been written means that if passed, the bill will have a lasting impact. The bill also lacks references to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

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