Education & Training Act amendments, FENZ restructuring, and IPSOS survey on government performance w/ National MP Carl Bates: 18 November 2025
Description
The Education & Training Act Amendment Bill passed its 3rd reading in Parliament on Tuesday last week, which will see changes to “school objectives” including the removal of the requirement to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.
While Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds says the bill “clarifies expectations” for broad learning outcomes, the bill has been opposed by the National Iwi Chairs forum alongside a number of schools across the motu who have been reaffirming their commitment to tiriti commitments.
Fire & Emergency New Zealand has launched its biggest ever restructure in a 266 page proposal which will cut more than 140 jobs, excluding those on the frontlines.
Amidst firefighter strikes and the growing challenges presented by climate risks, the Professional Firefighters Union has said the changes will undermine the “core work” undertaken by support people within the agency.
Finally, the IPSOS New Zealand survey rating government performance has recorded the lowest public satisfaction since the survey began in 2017.
It found that 63% of kiwi believe New Zealand is on the wrong track to addressing key issues.
Wire Host Sara spoke with MP Carl Bates about all of these topics, starting with the Education & Training Act amendment bill
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