The Wire with Oto

The 2025 Budget included almost $40 million over four years on science kits for Year 0 to 8 students, which the Education Minister yesterday announced will "support teachers to confidently deliver practical science learning, aligned with the new science curriculum".

Dr Carrie Swanson, a senior lecturer in teacher education at AUT called the announcement of investment in primary science education welcoming, and that while the curriculum is not announced yet, “it appears that the curriculum is heading towards educating future scientists”.

To talk about the current state of science education at primary schools in New Zealand, and the incoming investments, Producer Max spoke to Dr Carrie Swanson.

One of the less discussed announcements in 2025’s budget was the disestablishment of Predator Free 2050. The project was announced by former Prime Minister John Key in 2016, with the ambitious goal of complete pest eradication in Aotearoa. 

The government’s contributions to the mission were funneled through ‘Predator Free 2050’ a government-funded organisation created to support conservation projects and technologies. These projects funded through Predator Free 2050 will not be affected by the organisation’s closure, and will instead be passed on to the Department of Conservation. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says the change will increase efficiency and reduce duplication. 

While it’s good news that the funding won’t be affected on paper, the Department of Conservation is already struggling to manage its existing commitments. With these additional responsibilities, the future of the Predator Free mission has become less certain. 

To discuss conservation in Aotearoa and how this cut will affect the Predator Free mission, Wire host Castor spoke to General Manager at Forest and Bird, Richard Capie.

The government’s 2025 budget still seems to be very topical. Despite many academics criticising the budget for taking money out of of the pockets of those less well-off, the government has also received praise for their investment in abuse redress and care reform- with them allocating $774m to the victims of abuse in state care.

Producer Faith spoke to Professor Jodi Gardner from the University of Auckland’s Law Faculty about how the  investment will benefit this victims, and what she thinks the government should do to ensure practical solutions are put in place

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shanan Halbert about Budget 2025, particularly its impact on rangatahi, and the Regulatory Standards Bill.

For International Desk, they spoke to Greenpeace campaigner Juressa Lee about the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference. 

For this week’s City Counselling, Producer Sara spoke with Councillor Shane Henderson on Auckland Council’s recent approval for new development in the city centre, as well as the latest updates in the Western Springs speedway v stadium debate

For her second topic, of national and global military spending, she spoke with Massey University Defence and Security Associate Professor Anna Powles, as well as Peace Movement Aotearoa coordinator Edwina Hughes.