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These past few weeks in politics have seen various issues that we spoke about in our weekly catchup with the National Party.

First up, at the Aotearoa Music Awards, National MP Chris Bishop was heard making disdainful remarks such as “what a load of crap” during a performance by singer Stan Walker. 

Second, Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngārewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi were recently suspended from parliament for 21 days for their haka protesting the Treaty Principles Bill. The penalty is far harsher than any previous penalty for an MP, raising questions about whether it is justified or sets a dangerous precedent. 

Finally, the government recently announced a new visa for parents of migrants, allowing them to come to New Zealand for a longer period of time than traditional visitors without having to acquire residency.

Wire host Castor asked about each of these issues in our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, starting with Chris Bishop’s comments at the AMAs. 

Amidst Israel’s war on Palestine, France and the UK are preparing to recognise Palestinian statehood. There have been debates about whether New Zealand should follow, or whether it should be considered a priority.

147 out of 193 United Nations members have recognised Palestinian statehood. Producer Faith spoke to Justice for Palestine NZ co-convener Kate Stone about why she believes our government should join them.

Recent research by the University of Otago has revealed that more than half of all vape juice and e-liquid products on the shelves misstate the amount of nicotine contained inside. 

The study showed that 58% of samples tested had an over 10% difference in nicotine content than what was stated on the label. Of these, 95% had less than advertised and 5% had more.

Producer Samantha spoke with the lead medical student in the research, Renee Hosking, about what it means for the health of the consumer and regulatory implications of these business practices.

This week on the Monday Wire:

For our weekly catch up with Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp, News and Editorial and Monday Wire Host Joel speaks to her about the proposed suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi, and Hana Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke standing, and NZ First Party Leader, Winston Peters’ comments about Waititi’s moko kanohi during the debate.

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, they speak to him about David Seymour being sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister, Seymour’s claims that bots drove fake submissions against the Regulatory Standards Bill, and the proposed suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs being held.

They speak to Margaret Mutu — a Professor of Māori Studies at the University of Auckland about the suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs and her concerns around the ruling.

Joel speaks to Michael Swanson — a PhD Candidate in New Zealand Politics at the University of Otago, about ACT Party leader, David Seymour, about being sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister, and if this will impact how the current government operates.

And Producer Samantha speaks to Renee Hosking, the lead medical student researcher at the University of Otago about a study showing that a large proportion of vape juice packaging misstates the nicotine content present.

Whakarongo mai

Jenna reviews the first two volumes from On The Calculation of Volumes by Solvej Balle. The first book in the septology by the Danish author has been shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. 

Thanks to Time Out Bookstore!

On this week's Monday Drive, Oto chatted with Alice Canton for 'Stage Direction,' Geneva AM to discuss her latest single 'Urban Planning' and Gussie Larkin from Earth Tongue to discuss their upcoming Aotearoa tour.

Oto had a kōrero with Geneva AM (Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Aitutaki, Palmerston) to talk about her latest single 'Urban Planning,' an homage to her tīpuna and the second track off her forthcoming album 'Pikipiki'

As per coalition agreements, ACT Party Leader, David Seymour, has been sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister, taking over from NZ First Leader, Winston Peters.

For our weekly catch up, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the ACT Party’s Simon Court about Seymour’s new position, and what this means for the party.

They also discussed accusations Seymour made regarding submissions to the Regulatory Standards Bill.

In an interview with Guyon Espiner, Seymour claimed that 99.5% of the submissions against the Regulatory Standards Bill were driven by ‘bots’ and were ‘fake’ submissions.

Seymour later clarified to RNZ that by bots, he was meaning “online campaigns” creating “non-representative samples” that do not represent the public’s opinion.

The Ministry of Regulations received roughly 23,000 submissions on the bill. Of the submissions. Of the submissions, 0.33% were fully or partially supporting the bill, with 88% being against the bill.

Finally, they discussed the recommended suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs’ Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi, and Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke standing.

But they, we discussed David Seymour as Deputy Prime Minister.

The recommended suspension for Te Pāti Māori MPs, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi, and Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, over the MP’s haka in Parliament during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill last year.

Co-leaders Ngarewa-Packer and Waititi will be suspended from the House for 21-days, with Maipi-Clarke facing a seven day suspension. This is Parliament's harshest sanctions in the country’s history. Prior to this, the longest suspension an MP had faced in Parliament was three days.

The debate had previously been delayed so that the MPs could participate in the Budget debate — however, both co-leaders were not present at the debate.

During the debate MP Tākuta Ferris said that the debate was not about the haka, but at the heart, it was the House continuing to ignore Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori sovereignty, and that the “racism” in the House is hardly being hidden.

For our weekly catch-up, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp about the suspension, and what’s next for the party.

They also discussed NZ First Party Leader Winston Peters’ comments regarding Waititi’s moko, referring to the MPs moko kanohi as “scribbles”. He was asked to apologise by the Speaker, which he did.

But first, they discussed the suspension of the MPs.

Te Pāti Māori MPs, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi, and Hana Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke have been suspended in Parliament. Co-leaders Ngarewa-Packer and Waititi faced a suspension of 21-days, with Maipi-Clarke facing a suspension of seven days, over their haka in Parliament during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill last year.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Margaret Mutu, a Māori Studies Professor at the University of Auckland about the ruling, and what impact this will have on the party heading forward.