The Wire with Sara

Last week, US President Donald Trump put forward a 28 point peace plan as a proposed resolution to the war between Ukraine and Russia — with an initial expectation of response by the 27th of November. 

The initial plan included an agreement by NATO to hold dialogue with Russia, to refuse current and future Ukrainian access to NATO, and not station troops in Ukraine, and Europe commit $100 billion to the investment into Ukrainian construction; also providing “financial compensation” for the role of the United States in mediation.

Following backlash from European leaders as well as negotiations between Trump and Zelenskyy, the plan has been refined, with further discussions to take place over the coming week.

Wire Host Sara spoke to University of Otago professor Robert Patman about Trump’s peace plan and the wider impact on international diplomacy

This week on the Monday Wire:

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about ACT MP Laura McClure’s members bill, proposing the disestablishment of the BSA, or Broadcasting Standards Authority, and the government's move to halt new puberty blocker prescriptions for young transgender people.

Following on from their chat with Simon, Joel spoke to the Vice President of PATHA, the Professional Association of Transgender Health Aotearoa, and GP specialist in gender-affirming care, Dr Elizabeth McElrea, more about puberty blockers, and how this temporary ban will affect transgender young people.

Producer Alex spoke to Senior Lecturer in Critical Studies in Education at the University of Auckland, Dr Jude MacArthur, about the Government’s plans to introduce an ‘expanded’ new curriculum for students with ‘high and complex needs’, and what it might mean for their learning.

And Joel spoke to the Co-Chair of Auckland Pride, Bhenjamin Goodsir, about the organisation's challenge to the High Court, following the removal of transgender guidelines for the participation in community sports.

Whakarongo mai!

Recently, the government has announced it will be halting new prescriptions for puberty blockers for young people with gender dysphoria pending a clinical trial in the UK, with the outcome of this trial set for 2031.

Health Minister, Simeon Brown, says this move is a “precautionary” measure, as he says the evidence regarding puberty blockers for young people with gender dysphoria remains unclear.

Despite this, puberty blockers will still be available for young people with conditions such as endometriosis and precocious puberty.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to Dr Elizabeth McElrea, the Vice President of PATHA, the Professional Association of Transgender Health Aotearoa and GP specialist in gender-affirming care, about the government's temporary ban of puberty blocker prescriptions for transgender youth, and what this will mean for young people with gender dysphoria.

Auckland Pride has filed a High Court challenge, following the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Mark Mitchell, advising the sports body, Sports New Zealand, to withdraw the entity’s Guiding Principles for the Inclusion of Transgender People in Community Sport.

The organisation says that the move goes against the kaupapa of Sports New Zealand and that Mitchell had not considered legislation such as the Bill of Rights Act and Human Rights Act in deciding on the move.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to the Co-Chair of Auckland Pride Bhenjamin Goodsir, about the organisation’s High Court challenge.