In this episode of Straight Talk, Bob and panelists Peter Williams, Elliot Ikelei, Mel Taylor & Alfred Ngaro tackle two key issues in depth.
The panelists discuss controversy sparked by proposed changes in the Education and Training Act 2020, introduced by Minister of Education Erica Stanford. The proposed legislation aims to place a ‘paramount objective’ on schools to incorporate Māori cultural education, shifting the language from ‘objectives of the board’ to ‘paramount objective.’ Elliot argues against the new emphasis on equitable outcomes for Māori students, fearing it might lead to unequal treatment based on race. Alfred points out the importance of balancing cultural heritage with educational objectives and stressing the historical significance of Christianity in New Zealand’s foundation. Peter and Alfred further debate the role of non-secular elements in an ostensibly secular education system, with Peter advocating for strict secularism while Alfred urges for a cautious appreciation of diverse cultural values within a secular framework. The discussion highlights differing views on how best to integrate cultural education without compromising educational equity and legal principles.
The next topic is the recent Destiny March protests, which involved burning flags of various groups. The panel discuss whether such actions do more harm than good, touching on issues like freedom of speech, respect for other cultures, and the potential social fallout. Mel and Peter strongly oppose the protest methods despite agreeing with some of the underlying messages, while Elliot finds these actions provocative but somewhat justified, especially against certain ideologies. Alfred emphasises the importance of maintaining a respectful yet strong opposition, cautioning against becoming the very thing they despise in their methods of protest. Various comments from the public weighed in, highlighting differing opinions on this contentious issue.
The final light-hearted segment asks the panelists which 6 PM news broadcast they would prefer to watch if forced: One News or 3 News. Peter leans towards One News due to habit and its adjacency after ‘The Chase,’ although most admit they either don’t watch traditional news broadcasts or select specific segments online. The discussion serves to underline the shifting media consumption habits even among those deeply involved in public debates.
