The Wire with Caeden

Gangs, gang violence, drugs, organised crime. We're seeing a lot of this in the headlines recently, and a lot of fear surrounding gangs in Aotearoa is perhaps one reason why politicians are keen to flex their political muscle and introduce increasingly punitive laws. However, recent research has shown these laws haven’t worked in the past whenever there was a media frenzy about gang violence. Christina spoke to Dr Jarrod Gilbert, a sociologist from the University of Canterbury.

On the Wire with Christina, Marcus Jones kicked off the show with Dear Science, discussing the end of particle physics and why the Tonga volcanic eruption was so explosive.

Christina spoke to political scientist Dr Lara Greaves about Labour’s Cabinet reshuffle on Monday.

She also spoke to End Conversion Therapy co-founder Shaneel Lal about allegations of homophobia at Bethlehem College and their treatment of LGBTQ+ students.

Aneeka had her regular catch up with the National Party’s Dr. Shane Reti, where they discussed gangs.

Christina talked to Dr Jarrod Gilbert, a sociologist from the University of Canterbury about New Zealand's war on gangs.

And finally, Jack spoke to Byron Clarke about the far-right's adoption of conservationist ideology.

Bethlehem College, a Christian school in Tauranga, has recently come under fire for asking parents to sign a statement of belief, saying marriage is between a man and a woman.

LGBTQ+ advocates have condemned this practice, calling it discriminatory and homophobic.

The Ministry of Education has since told the College that they must remove the anti-same-sex statement in their Charter, or they will consider a formal intervention. 

However, several ex-students of the College have since come forward with allegations of homophobia and discrimination at the school.

Christina Huang spoke to Shaneel Lal, Co-Founder of End Conversion Therapy in NZ, who launched a petition that received almost 6000 signatures at the time of this interview, for the Education Review Office to investigate the school.

Matariki is just two weeks away on June 24th, and progressively more discussions on how to properly celebrate the public holiday are taking place. 

A specific spotlight has been placed on light pollution, with some regional councils receiving backlash on plans to put on fireworks displays.

A petition has also been launched, calling for turning off lights in central cities to clear the skies and make the constellation visible.

To learn more about light pollution, Liam spoke to Richard Easter from UoA about how it could affect Matariki as well as the world in general.

Alongside the environmental effects of Light Pollution, many are talking about the cultural issues of the inability to see Matariki in central cities. 

This is only one of many fears of how Matariki will be celebrated, with concerns being raised of the commercialisation of the holiday and the loss of its meaning. 

I also spoke to AUT’s Paul Moon, who is a professor for the schools NZ history and Māori culture programmes, about the holiday, its significance and what meaning could be at risk.