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The final report from the abuse in state care inquiry was published on Wednesday, 24th July. The report discussed historic and present issues of abuse in state care, particularly how it affects marginalised groups such as Māori, Pasifika, and disabled children and young people. The report then provided several recommendations to parliament on potential policy or funding changes. 

In our weekly catchup with the National party’s Katie Nimon, Wire host Castor asked her about these recommendations and how the government would respond to the report. 

The government also recently made the decision to put some new school developments on hold. These developments, initially proposed to address overcrowding in schools across the country, have been split into three groups, with some going ahead as planned, others going ahead with small changes, and others put on hold indefinitely. 

This decision has met criticism from teachers and principals, particularly due to existing overcrowding issues. While the schools with the highest need will still receive the necessary developments, others slightly lower on the priority list will have to wait. 

For our weekly catchup with the National Party Castor spoke to Katie Nimon about both of these issues, starting with the abuse in state care report.  

On the Tuesday Wire this week... 

For Dear Science, both of our usual experts were away, so Tuesday Wire host Castor and Thursday Wire host Caeden took us through a range of self-selected science stories. Spectacular! These included a study on reducing phone use while driving, potential life on mars, and komodo dragons with iron on their teeth.

In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor spoke to MP Katie Nimon about the abuse in state care inquiry and the government’s education funding allocations. 

They also spoke to the Post Primary Teachers Association’s junior vice president Kieran Gainsford about this education funding, and the government’s decision to put some school developments on hold. 

They spoke to Executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, Sarah Dalton, about staff shortages in the health sector and how the government is responding. 

And they spoke to senior lecturer of sociology at the University of Auckland, Dr Carisa Showden, about Donald Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, and his comments about single women.

Producer Josef also spoke to the Chief executive for the Ngāti Manuhere settlement trust, Nicola Macdonald, about yesterday’s drop of seven million Kūtai into the Hauraki Gulf.

The Republican party in the United States recently confirmed Donald Trump as the republican nominee in the US presidential election later this year. Alongside that confirmation, JD Vance was confirmed as his running mate. 

Vance was previously known primarily for his work as an author, writing a book titled “Hillbilly Elegy”. More recently, during his time in the media spotlight, Vance has experienced several controversies. While the list is extensive, most notable were his comments regarding presumed Democrat presidential nominee, Kamala Harris, calling out ‘childless cat ladies’.

Wire host Castor spoke to senior sociology lecturer at the University of Auckland, Doctor Carisa Showden, about JD Vance, his comments about women, and what they mean in the wider United States political context.

Following the foreshore and seabed controversy of the early 2000s the government introduced a system for Māori to make claims to coastal land.However Māori claimants had to prove they had exclusively used and occupied an area from 1840 to the present day without substantial interruption. 

Last year the court of appeal made a decision that groups only needed to show they had enough control over the area that they could keep others from using it - making it substantially easier for Māori to claim their rightful land. 

But one year on, the government now wants to overturn this, claiming the decision will affect other New Zealanders rights to the land. 

I spoke Te Pāti Māori's Mariameno Kapi-Kingi about the government's backwards move and what it means for Māori. 

We also talked about the recent findings of the Inquiry into Abuse in State Care, and the disproportionate representation of Māori. 

bFM are saddened to learn of the passing of Martin Phillips. Penelope Noir chats spray on shoes. Jenna reviews books.

Tracklist:

Jenna from Time Out Bookstore visits the bFM studio to review Behind you is the sea by Susan Muaddi Darraj.

Last week, the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill passed through its second reading.

The bill would reverse changes made to increase Māori representation in local government by reverting the Māori ward rules to restore the referendum mechanism. 

This would mean if any council wanted to establish a Māori ward, and a petition that had been signed by 5% of people was presented, a binding referendum would have to be held. 

Wire host Sofia caught up with ActionStation Director, Kassie Hartendorp, (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) about this and their campaign to keep Māori wards.

Last week the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care was released. It revealed that at least 250,000 people were affected by abuse in Aotearoa’s state care system from 1950 to 1999.

Now the Government must move forward with redress, saying they will be issuing apologies to victims and survivors. 

For our weekly catch up producer Evie spoke to the ACT Party’s Simon Court about how this redress will be approached, and how the government will ensure the system will avoid such dire outcomes in the future.

We also talked about the government moving to overturn the court appeal on the Marine and Coastal Area Act.