The Wire with Alex

Last week, secondary school teacher strikes resumed after the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) voted to decline a pay offer from the Ministry of Education. Bargaining continues amongst PPTA and the Ministry of Education, as many parents and students alike have joined in on protests in hopes to return to the classroom. 

Camilla Highfield is the Deputy Dean for the University of Auckland Faculty of Education and Social Work. Wire producer Rosetta spoke with Camilla about where she thinks the strikes are going, why they're important, and what change our teachers need to feel more supported.  

This week for her weekly catchup with Dr Shane Reti, Milly speaks to him about National's new policy surrounding being tougher on gang members, she also covers the world-class methanphetamine recovery programme Te Ara Oranga, and finally she touches on the use of memes in political social media. 

ACT Party Leader David Seymour made a comment comparing Palestine's right to defend itself against Israel with China's treatment of Uyghurs, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 

For our regular catch-up witht the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins asked Court about these comments, and why ACT has taken a stance against the Palestinian community. 

She also interviewed Palestinian New Zealander and descendant of Palestinian refugees Tameem Shaltoni and John Minto from the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa about Seymours comments.

And at the Fieldays agriculture event over the weekend, ACT announced its policy for primary industries.

ACT’s plan for agricultural emissions would be introducing a 'split gas approach', separating methane and carbon dioxide when reporting emissions. 

Jessica Hopkins started off the interview by asking ACT MP Simon Court why ACT would separate these emissions in reporting?

ACT MP Simon Court discussed ACT’s proposal for primary industries they announced at the Fieldays agricultural event and party leader David Seymour's comments comparing Palestine to Russia and China. 

News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins also spoke to Palestinian New Zealander and descendant of Palestinian refugees Tameem Shaltoni and John Minto from the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa about Seymour's comments. 

Caeden spoke to Kay from We Back Our Kaiako about their upcoming protest in support of teachers.

They also talked to Jack from RainbowPath about the ramifications of the Human Rights Campaign's decision to declare a state of emergency for LGBTQIA+ people in the US.

And Nicholas spoke to Dr Kelly Garton from the University of Auckland about the impact of the Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches Programme and the petition to extend it.