The Wire with Caeden

The government has announced its intention to scrap legal funding for section 27 cultural reports. These reports are used in court sentencing for judges to learn more about the offenders’ cultural background and their lives. This decision has been criticised, with experts saying that scrapping reports would make trials slower and more expensive, and would negatively impact Māori. 

Olivia talked to Professor of Law at AUT, Kris Gledhill, about this decision, the issues with it, and how Aotearoa New Zealand compares with other countries.

The Labour Party’s controversial Three Waters reforms were repealed last week. National’s replacement plan seeks to address the complaints of many who pushed back against the bill, while maintaining support for challenged regions. 

Additionally, this Sunday saw National Leader Christopher Luxon pushed out of the yearly Big Gay Out event by protestors. Amongst other issues, the protestors are standing against proposed changes to the school curriculum, removing and replacing gender, sexuality, and relationship-based education guidelines. 

Producer Castor spoke to National’s James Meager about the Three Waters replacement, including recent environmental concerns. He also discusses the curriculum changes, and how the National Party supports queer young people.

National's government announced the axing of Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways: a large science reform program set up only last year.

It has left scientists concerned that budget cuts will further hit the already struggling sector; including the end of an 11-ten-year collaborative science programme known as the National Science Challenge

Producer Sofia Kent spoke to Professor Troy Baisden, the Co-President of the New Zealand Association of Scientists, about what the future of science research looks like in Aotearoa.

Yesterday on Valentine’s Day there were protests and renewed calls in the media about dating impacting the amount people can receive in benefits. For our weekly catch-up with Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni, Caeden asks about these renewed calls to review this status quo. 

They also ask about the situation in Tāmaki Makaurau just over a year since the Auckland Anniversary weekend flooding.