The Wire with Caeden

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman chats with us about human endurance, the benefits of speaking multiple languages, and risks of methanol poisoning
For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire Host Sara spoke to MP Carl Bates about tiriti obligations at schools, the restructure proposals of Fire Emergency NZ, and public views on the government’s performance
For Green World, news-teamer Leilani spoke to Annahlise Hall about the upcoming Earth Fest 

Producer Vihan spoke to University of Otago Professor of Marketing Lisa Mcneil about overconsumption through Black Friday

The Education & Training Act Amendment Bill passed its 3rd reading in Parliament on Tuesday last week, which will see changes to “school objectives” including the removal of the requirement to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.

While Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds says the bill “clarifies expectations” for broad learning outcomes, the bill has been opposed by the National Iwi Chairs forum alongside a number of schools across the motu who have been reaffirming their commitment to tiriti commitments.

Fire & Emergency New Zealand has launched its biggest ever restructure in a 266 page proposal which will cut more than 140 jobs, excluding those on the frontlines.

Amidst firefighter strikes and the growing challenges presented by climate risks, the Professional Firefighters Union has said the changes will undermine the “core work” undertaken by support people within the agency.

Finally, the IPSOS New Zealand survey rating government performance has recorded the lowest public satisfaction since the survey began in 2017.

It found that 63% of kiwi believe New Zealand is on the wrong track to addressing key issues. 

Wire Host Sara spoke with MP Carl Bates about all of these topics, starting with the Education & Training Act amendment bill

Last week saw the release of the Global Tobacco Interference Index. In it, Aotearoa ranked 53rd in the world - a whopping 52 places down from two years ago.

This ranking two years ago was reflective of our robust anti-smoking laws - since the current coalition government has repealed them, however, that reputation has come seriously into question. These rankings now serve as a warning about the role that the tobacco industry plays in health policy, and New Zealand’s failure to manage smoking and tobacco lobbying.

Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to Professor of Public Health at the University of Auckland, Chris Bullen, about the ranking, Tobacco influence in the government, and what it says about Smoking in New Zealand as a whole.

A few weeks ago, Kelston Boys High School in West Auckland said they were at the front of an unsupported, attempted takeover to turn the school into a charter school.

As well as this, more recently, the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport, a charter school set to be established next year, was signed with a trust that did not exist.

Amendments have also been made to the Education and Training Act, removing a clause requiring school boards give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The move has seen backlash from the National Iwi Chairs Forum and a growing number of schools, who have launched a petition against the move. 

Finally, the controversial Regulatory Standards Bill has passed its third reading and is now set to be implemented into law.

The bill previously received 156,000 public submissions, with 98.7% of those voicing their opposition to the bill.

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

They started off by asking Court about Kelston Boys High School and the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport, and how concerning these developments are for the ACT Party.