The Wire with Castor

Last week, the government announced that it would intensify AI usage in the public sector, in a move to further reduce spending in the sector. The government have defended this move, but concerns have been raised about the safety, regulation, and vulnerability of AI services.

Last week also saw the Legislation (Definitions of Woman and Man) Amendment Bill pass its first reading. The member’s bill would seek to, in New Zealand law, define genders, in a move that has been criticised by many as transphobic.

Last week also saw the change of government agencies’ names to give primacy to their English names, rather than te reo Māori first.

This week, Wire Host Alex spoke with National MP Ryan Hamilton about these topics.

Last week environmental organisation Forest and Bird filed judicial review proceedings in the High Court to challenge extension of consents for the Tukituki Water Storage Project.

The consents, which were granted in 2015, were meant to expire after 10 years, but despite no physical work being done the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council, and Hastings District Council have decided to extend the lapse dates by an additional FIVE years.

Forest and Bird have argued the environmental context of the project has changed in the last decade and want to ensure decision makers go through the correct process. 

The organisation has a history opposing the project, winning a Supreme Court case in 2017 stopping a land swap allowing the dam to flood 22 hectares of public conservation land.

To discuss the challenge against the Tukituki water storage project consent extension producer Thomas talked to Forest & Bird acting general counsel May Downing.

Earlier this month, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced details on the scheme replacing NCEA. The replacement, the New Zealand Certificate of Education, is aimed, according to the government, at tackling the ‘confusion’ of the current system. This will be the most recent of the government's changes to the education system, which have frequently been the target of criticism from teachers and education unions.

Tuesday Wire host Alex spoke with President of the Post Primary Teachers Association, Chris Abercrombie, about the replacement, and what it means for students and their teachers.

As the Government looks to reduce public sector roles, there has been growing discussion around whether artificial intelligence could help streamline public services. But experts are warning that frustration around slow AI uptake should not override the need for proper safeguards and consideration of the workers most affected.

Producer Pranuja spoke with Dr Mohsen Mohammadzadeh, Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning from the University of Auckland, about the risks of automating public sector work, the social consequences of AI, and what responsible implementation should look like.