The Wire with Caeden

Political changes involving left-wing politicians occured in several Latin America countries, as Bolivian president Evo Morales is ousted from power while former Brazilian President Lula has been released from prison. Justin talked to Fabricio Chagas-Bastos from the University of Melbourne about the "pink tide" that brought these politicians to power and Aitor Gonzalez, a PhD student at the University of Auckland, about what caused the downfall of Morales.

The Tree Council is a community based organisation that has been advocating for the values and protection of trees for more than thirty years. They announced this week their full support for the Tupuna Maunga Authority’s restoration plan for Owairaka maunga following protests against the removal of 345 exotic trees on the mountain. Lillian Hanly spoke with Chair of the Tree Council Sean Freeman who explained the restoration plan, saying it is part of the integrated management plan that applies to all the maunga of Tāmaki Makaurau. Part of that plan is to remove the exotic vegetation and reestablish native ecology as a way of bringing back native fauna to those maunga, and restore, repair and reinstate the relationship between mana whenua and these sacred areas. Lillian then started by asking what the Tree Council’s response was to the protests.

The Ministry of Education is reforming the education system, shifting responsibilities away from principals and the Board of Trustees. This will replace the self-governing regime created in 1989, and give more power to the New Education Service Agency. Changes will include how enrolment schemes are set up in regards to zoning, along with buildings and maintenance. There reforms arose from a taskforce report released last year. 

Sherry spoke to two principals part of the Community Schools Alliance, who oppose the reform. Te Kura Kaupapa Māori Motuhake o Tāwhiuau principal, Pem Bird, is concerned Maori students will not be supported due to the lack of bicultuaralism in the education system. Auckland Grammar School Headmaster, Tim O'connor, doesn't believe the ministry will hold schools to account due to the lack of detail in the report. 

Unicef released a report last year which ranked New Zealand at 33 out of 38 for educational inequality across preschool, primary school and secondary school levels in the OECD. 

Recently, a group of 21 mental health experts signed an open letter to MPs detailing the facts and evidence regarding assisted dying and suicide rates. 

95bFM explores the grey areas and uncertainties around the euthanasia debate that has divided the nation.

Reporter Rachel Simpson talks sci-fi futures, the precautionary principle, and the meaning of rights. She speaks to Dion Howard, who is a registered nurse and specialist youth mental health worker. They discuss the experience and point of view of professionals who see these issues first hand.