Associate Education Minister and ACT Party Leader David Seymour has indicated that Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches Programme is under review as the government puts together their new budget.

Ka Ora Ka Ako was introduced under the Labour Government in 2019. The programme currently provides lunches for 220,000 students at a cost to the Government of around $325 million a year.

Seymour has claimed that there is no hard evidence that the programme positively affects academic performance, a claim that is disputed by Health Coalition Aotearoa.

A petition has been launched by the Health Coalition Aotearoa, to advocate for the government to continue supporting the programme.

Nicholas spoke to Co-chair of the coalition Professor Lisa Te Morenga about the programme's benefits, as well as their new petition.

https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/save-healthy-free-school-lunches

The population of Aotearoa is growing rapidly, increasing by more than 100,000 people annually, with the largest recent growth happening in the years after COVID-19. In order to accommodate for this increase, Aotearoa needs to ensure that there is robust investment going into its public infrastructure so that the growing population has adequate access to services such as medical care and public transport. 

Currently, the coalition government seems to be ensuring the opposite of that, cutting around $2.4 billion in expenditure across the public sector to fund tax cuts as part of their commitment to what they call “fiscal responsibility”. As a result, it is speculated that already limited and struggling public services in Aotearoa will become more scarce and inaccessible to both Kiwis and the growing population. 

Oto spoke to Craig Renney, the economist and director of policy at the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, who wrote a report titled “Investing in a growing population” that specifically details the problem and impacts of public spending cuts on the growing population here in Aotearoa.

It’s been almost two months since the national hui at Ngāruawāhia, a unifying gathering of Maori and Iwi from across the Motu in response to policies by the coalition government, that many have said are anti-Maori. Despite widespread outrage against these policies, the government has appeared to double down and proceed with controversial moves such as disestablishing the Maori health authority and the proposal of ACT’s treaty principles bill. 

In response, Ngāti Kahungunu have called for another national hui to be held in May this year at Ōmahu Marae in Heretaunga, Hastings, where a major point of discussion is expected to be centred around Kotahitanga, or the united Maori movement. 

Oto spoke to Eru Kapa-Kingi, a legal academic at the University of Auckland of Te Aupouri and Ngāpuhi descent, and discussed the significance of the next national Hui.

In our weekly interview with National’s James Meager, wire host Castor talked about the government’s mortgage tax deduction policy and fuel excise tax. The mortgage tax reduction policy allows landlords to claim tax deductions on interest from mortgages on their properties. 

Notably, these tax deductions can increase to up to 100% of the mortgage interest rate, and will not apply to those who own one home. 

Additionally, a week before this interview, Transport Minister Simeon Brown unveiled the government’s transport policy. While not technically introducing a fuel tax, the government does plan to increase the excise tax on fuel, which in practical terms does mean you will be taxed more on the fuel you buy. The policy has been met with controversy, especially given promises during the election campaign to not introduce a fuel tax. Castor discussed this issue with James Meager and how the decision may be seen as hypocritical. 

For Dear Science this week, Dr Cushla McGoverin chatted about a weird use for barnacles, sleep improving vaccination effectiveness, and collagen in the human body. 

Wire host Castor spoke to National’s James Meager about the mortgage tax deductions policy and increases to the fuel excise tax. 

He also spoke to Bike Auckland’s chair Karen Hormann about the organisation and National’s new transport policy. 

Producer Sofia spoke to Group Manager for Conservation Advocacy at Forest & Bird, Richard Capie, about the government’s proposed Fast Track Approvals Bill.

She also spoke to Public Service Association Delegate and Mental Health Support Worker, Christie Cox, about an open letter from  care and support workers to Te Whatu Ora on International Women’s Day last week. 

Bike Auckland is an organisation that promotes and supports cyclists across Auckland with various events and campaigns. The organisation also looks at road usage from a climate standpoint, promoting cycling as a low emission alternative to driving. 

Last week the government unveiled its new transport policy, which included minimal support for cyclists or the environment. Wire host Castor spoke to chair of Bike Auckland Karen Hormann about both the organisation and the policy announcement.

Last week, three unions representing care and support workers delivered an open letter with over 9,100 signatures to Te Whatu Ora demanding urgent action on their pay equity claim. 

Producer Sofia Roger Williams spoke to Public Service Association Delegate and Mental Health Support Worker, Christie Cox, about the current situation for care and support workers in Aotearoa and the significance of the letter being delivered on International Women’s Day.

Last week, the Fast Track Approvals Bill received its first reading under urgency. 

The bill proposes to fast-track the resource consent process for major infrastructure projects by giving ministers decision making powers.

Forest & Bird, among other environmental groups, have expressed concerns that the bill will override or bypass existing environmental laws and protection. 

Producer Sofia Roger Williams spoke to group manager for conservation advocacy at Forest & Bird, Richard Capie, about the bill and its impact on Aotearoa New Zealand’s environment and democracy.

A new report from World Vision looking at food prices in 67 countries has found the average cost of basic food items in Aotearoa increased by 56% in 2023 compared to the previous year. This is compared to a 29% decrease in cost in Australia.

Jessica spoke to World Vision New Zealand’s Head of Advocacy and Justice, Rebekah Armstrong, about these findings.

They started off the interview by discussing what basic food items the report looked at.

Last month, the government announced Te Aka Whai Ora, or the Māori Health Authority, would be dis-established, just 18 months after it launched.

News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to Associate Professor in Anthropology at the University of Auckland and Director of the James Henare Māori Research Centre, Marama Muru-Lanning (Waikato, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Whātua), and Senior Research Fellow at the James Henare Māori Research Centre, Dr Hilary Lapsley, about the government dis-establishing Te Aka Whai Ora and its impact on kaumatua.