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Testimonies of mistreatment in Aotearoa’s criminal justice system w/ Senior Campaigner at Amnesty International Aotearoa, David Vega: 8th August, 2024

Testimonies of mistreatment in Aotearoa’s criminal justice system w/ Senior Campaigner at Amnesty International Aotearoa, David Vega: 8th August, 2024 Testimonies of mistreatment in Aotearoa’s criminal justice system w/ Senior Campaigner at Amnesty International Aotearoa, David Vega: 8th August, 2024 , 14.25 MB
Thu 8 Aug 2024

Earlier this week, Aotearoa Justice Watch released a report detailing numerous testimonies of abuse, discrimination and alleged violations of human rights within New Zealand’s criminal justice system.

Of the 62 submissions made between June 2022 and March 2024, 36 testimonies related to prisons, 20 to policing and 6 to both policing and prisons.

Aotearoa Justice Watch is made up of People Against Prisons Aotearoa, Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand, JustSpeak and the New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties.

Producer Sofia spoke to Senior Campaigner at Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand, David Vega, about the report and identifying areas for improvement in our criminal justice system. 

Coercive Control and Family Courts w/ Carrie Leonetti 7 August, 2024

Coercive Control and Family Courts w/ Carrie Leonetti 7 August, 2024.mp3 mp3, 24.86 MB
Wed 7 Aug 2024

New Zealand’s family violence act officially took effect on the 1st of July 2019. The act reformed previous legislation released in 2018 to update the definition of family violence and include references to controlling and coercive behaviour. 

However, while certain coercive and controlling behaviours in abusive relationships are criminalised and covered by New Zealand law, coercive control itself is not illegal, with family courts in Aotearoa often failing to prosecute those responsible for coercion and non-physical forms of abuse in family violence situations.

Oto spoke to Carrie Leonetti, associate professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland, to discuss how Family courts in Aotearoa often fail to properly address coercive and controlling behaviours.

The UK Riots and the Rise of the British Far-Right w/ Dr Neal Curtis: 7th August, 2024

The UK Riots and the Rise of the British Far-Right w/ Dr Neal Curtis 7th August, 2024.mp3 mp3, 25.05 MB
Wed 7 Aug 2024

On the 29th of July this year, three children were killed in a mass stabbing incident in the town of Southport in the United Kingdom. Following the killings, riots broke out across the United Kingdom, after the attacker was falsely identified as a Muslim refugee on social media platforms such as Facebook and X, formerly twitter. 

The riots have been lead by members of Far-Right British organisations such as the English Defence League, who have targeted Mosques, Muslim owned businesses and members of the Muslim community. 

Oto spoke to Dr Neal Curtis, a professor of media and political theory in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Auckland, to discuss the cause of the UK riots and the rise of the British far right.

Weekly Catchup w/ the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez-March 7th August, 2023.mp3

Weekly Catchup w/ the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez-March 7th August, 2023.mp3 mp3, 28.06 MB
Wed 7 Aug 2024

Following the 2019 terrorist attacks on a number of Mosques in Christchurch that left 51 worshippers killed, A Royal Commission of Inquiry was launched to measure agencies responses to the attack, steps needed to prevent further attacks in the future and ways to safeguard marginalised communities in Aotearoa. 

The initial inquiry was released on the 8th of December in 2020 and made 44 recommendations based on its findings.

However, the government recently announced it had concluded its response to the inquiry and that it would dismiss 8 of its recommendations, particularly ones related to firearm law amendments and crackdowns on hate speech.

For their weekly catch up, Oto spoke to Green Party MP Ricardo Menendez-March about the party’s take on the decision to dismiss 8 of the recommendations of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch terrorist attacks.

They also spoke about the impact of funding cuts to Oranga Tamariki on frontline services, as well as the open letter to the Green party of Germany.

The Wire w/ Oto: 7th August, 2024

The Wire w/ Oto: 7th August, 2024 The Wire w/ Oto: 7th August, 2024, 113.13 MB
Wed 7 Aug 2024

For their regular catch-up, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March about the government’s decision to dismiss 8 of the recommendations made into the Christchurch terrorist attack inquiry, the impact of Oranga Tamariki cuts on frontline services and the open letter to the Green Party of Germany.

He spoke to Dr Neal Curtis from the University of Auckland to discuss the recent riots in the UK and the rise of the far right.

And he spoke to Associate Professor Carrie Leonetti to discuss the family violence act reforms and coercive control.

Sasha spoke to associate professor Avril Bell about the impact of the government’s policies towards Māori since coming into power.

He also spoke to Kelly Burrowes from the University of Auckland to discuss her findings on a potential vape epidemic in Aotearoa.

The removal of section 7aa and the government’s approach to Māori issues w/ the National Party’s Katie Nimon: 6th July, 2024

The removal of section 7aa and the government’s approach to Māori issues w/ the National Party’s Katie Nimon: 6th July, 2024 The removal of section 7aa and the government’s approach to Māori issues w/ the National Party’s Katie Nimon: 6th July, 2024, 10.38 MB
Tue 6 Aug 2024

The repeal of section 7aa of the Oranga Tamariki Act was announced earlier this year, and the government is reviewing submissions on the bill this week. In response, more than 200 members of Ngāpuhi gathered at parliament on Monday 5th August to protest the change, which they claim will continue the historical mistreatment of tamariki Māori in state care as outlined in the recent abuse in state care report. 

The repeal of section 7aa also joins a raft of other legislation under this government, which has been criticised for its targeting of policies or institutions designed to uplift Māori voices or address Māori issues. 

In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Katie Nimon, Wire host Castor asked about the removal of section 7aa and how the government is responding to criticisms. They also asked about the government’s broader approach to Māori issues, and how they plan to address systemic inequalities through policy. 

Air New Zealand’s Emissions Reduction Target Removal w/ Professor Sara Walton

Air New Zealand’s Emissions Reduction Target Removal w/ Professor Sara Walton Air New Zealand’s Emissions Reduction Target Removal w/ Professor Sara Walton, 15.82 MB
Tue 6 Aug 2024

Air New Zealand recently announced their withdrawal from the Science Based Targets Initiative and removal of carbon intensity reduction targets.

The company says the move was driven by a lack of availability and affordability for new aircraft and sustainable aviation fuels.

The announcement drew criticism from experts who say the original plan was unrealistic and that the target removal was unsurprising.

Producer Josef spoke with Professor of Sustainable Business at the University of Otago, and Co-Director of He Kaupapa Hononga, Otago’s Climate Change Research Network, Sara Walton; about the announcement, and what it means for New Zealand’s emissions reduction target.

Humanitarian aid, ceasefire talks, and long term peace in Gaza w/ Senior Education lecturer at the University of Auckland Dr Ritesh Shah: 6th August, 2024

Humanitarian aid, ceasefire talks, and long term peace in Gaza w/ Senior Education lecturer at the University of Auckland Dr Ritesh Shah: 6th August, 2024 Humanitarian aid, ceasefire talks, and long term peace in Gaza w/ Senior Education lecturer at the University of Auckland Dr Ritesh Shah: 6th August, 2024, 13.15 MB
Tue 6 Aug 2024

As the conflict in Gaza continues, international calls for a ceasefire have also been highlighted. Along with calls for a ceasefire, talks between Israel and Hamas have continued for months, despite disruptions. 

However, Dr Ritesh Shah says a ceasefire alone is not enough to address systemic issues within the region. Shah’s research is into the well-being and education of children and young people in Gaza. 

Wire host Castor spoke to him about humanitarian efforts, ceasefire talks, and what else the international community could do to contribute to lasting peace in the region.

He also spoke about a series he began at the University of Auckland, which is linked below with a description:

Through guest speakers and films (including several Palestinian scholars), the intention is to provide a space for staff and students within our university to learn more about how contemporary struggles in Palestine are the product of legacies of settler colonialism, racism, capitalism, and imperialism. It is also an opportunity to question some of the orthodoxies that have held problems in their place in Palestine and begin to imagine alternative futures. The series also gives specific attention to the education project in all of this—and how it has been a source of oppression, liberation, and hope for Palestinians over time and in different forms.      

The series starts on August 1 and runs over three successive Thursdays that month (August 1, 8, 15) from 4-6 pm (note, the first session runs until 6:30 pm). Those who are interested in attending can register for one or more of the seminars at this link, where you can also find more information about each seminar in the series. 

Maths education and potential curriculum changes w/ Dr. Lisa Darragh: 6th August, 2024

Maths education and potential curriculum changes w/ Dr. Lisa Darragh: 6th August, 2024 Lisa Darragh: 6th August, 2024, 10.14 MB
Tue 6 Aug 2024

The government recently announced changes and funding for maths education in primary and intermediate schools. The changes include requiring all primary and secondary teachers to have an NCEA level 2 qualification in maths and introducing standardised maths tests twice yearly. 

The changes are the first major update in around twenty years, and are cautiously welcomed by those in the sector.

Wire host Castor spoke to senior lecturer of mathematics education at the University of Auckland, Lisa Darragh, about the existing system and the potential changes.

The Wire w/ Castor: 6th August, 2024

The Wire w/ Castor: 6th August, 2024 The Wire w/ Castor: 6th August, 2024, 108.36 MB
Tue 6 Aug 2024

On the Tuesday Wire this week...

For Dear Science, we chatted with our expert Professor Allan Blackman about the 250th anniversary of the discovery of Oxygen. 

In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor spoke to MP Katie Nimon about the removal of section 7aa of the Oranga Tamariki Act in light of Ngāpuhi members gathering at parliament, and how this reflects the government’s attitudes towards Māori issues. 

They spoke to Senior lecturer in Education at the University of Auckland, Dr Ritesh Shah from the University of Auckland about humanitarian aid and ceasefire negotiations in Gaza. 

And they spoke to Dr Lisa Darragh from the University of Auckland about the government's newly announced maths curriculum changes. 

Producer Josef spoke to Sara Walton, Professor of Sustainable Business at the University of Otago, about Air New Zealand’s removal of its 2030 emissions reduction targets and withdrawal from the science-based targets initiative.