The Wire with Caeden

The final report from the abuse in state care inquiry was published on Wednesday, 24th July. The report discussed historic and present issues of abuse in state care, particularly how it affects marginalised groups such as Māori, Pasifika, and disabled children and young people. The report then provided several recommendations to parliament on potential policy or funding changes. 

In our weekly catchup with the National party’s Katie Nimon, Wire host Castor asked her about these recommendations and how the government would respond to the report. 

The government also recently made the decision to put some new school developments on hold. These developments, initially proposed to address overcrowding in schools across the country, have been split into three groups, with some going ahead as planned, others going ahead with small changes, and others put on hold indefinitely. 

This decision has met criticism from teachers and principals, particularly due to existing overcrowding issues. While the schools with the highest need will still receive the necessary developments, others slightly lower on the priority list will have to wait. 

For our weekly catchup with the National Party Castor spoke to Katie Nimon about both of these issues, starting with the abuse in state care report.  

Last week, the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill passed through its second reading.

The bill would 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. 

Wire host Sofia caught up with ActionStation Director, Kassie Hartendorp, (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) about this and their campaign to keep Māori wards.

On Wednesday, 24th July, the final report from the Abuse in State Care Inquiry was made public, detailing abuse within and by Aotearoa’s state care system. Of particular note in the inquiry were the impacts on Aotearoa’s Māori, Pasifika, and disabled populations, who experienced on average further hardship than other groups. 

The final report makes several recommendations to parliament to ensure meaningful change in Aotearoa’s state care system. Tuesday Wire host Castor discusssed the expectations, impact, and potential outcomes of the abuse in state care report on Pacific communities with Associate Professor of Criminology at the University of Auckland, Doctor Tamasailauu Sualii.

Last Friday 19 July the International Court of Justice found Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories to be illegal under international law. For the first time it amounted what Israel is doing to apartheid against the Palestinian People. 

The Court’s opinion is non-binding but can carry immense weight in the international community. It has added to pressure for Israel to end their siege on Gaza.

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Kate Stone from Justice For Palestine about the ruling and New Zealand’s consequent obligations as a United Nations member state.