Q+A with Jack Tame

Full interview: Education Minister Erica Stanford says the re-introduction of charter schools under Associate Education Minister David Seymour has motivated her to strengthen the state school system "so we don't have people leaving and wanting to convert to charter schools". . Stanford also says she didn't come into the job with a plan to scrap NCEA for secondary school students. But increasingly, it became clear major changes were needed, she says. Q+A asks the Minister about the impact her proposed replacement may have for students with diverse needs.

Full interview: Brother Guy Consolmagno is an astronomer, meteorite expert, and heads up the Vatican Observatory. While visiting New Zealand, the Jesuit spoke to Q+A about why science and religion aren't always in conflict. Jack Tame also asks him where he stands on the Fermi Paradox — is there intelligent life beyond Earth and, if so, why haven't we found it yet?

Full interview: After a delay, the Government named Ministry for Primary Industries' John Roche as the Prime Minister's new chief science advisor. With the Government prioritising economic growth in its efforts in science, Roche reflects on the pressures he faces in the role and whether his advice is truly independent. . The former Dairy NZ principal scientist also speaks to Q+A about the lessons New Zealand learnt from its M. Bovis eradication programme, broader science sector reforms, and what changes to the school curriculum could mean for the future of STEM.

Interviews with Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop, Crimson Education co-founder Jamie Beaton, Infrastructure Commission CEO Geoff Cooper, and digital infrastructure activist Julian Oliver.

Geoff Cooper, Chief Executive of Te Waihanga, dives into New Zealand's infrastructure struggles. He reveals why high spending yields low returns and stresses the urgent need for reform. The discussion highlights the critical importance of maintenance investments and developing solid business cases for major projects, like the Northern Expressway. Geoff also examines the Infrastructure Priorities Programme, which aims to prioritize essential developments while navigating the complexities between central and local governments.

Chris Bishop, a senior minister in New Zealand focusing on Housing and Infrastructure, dives deep into pressing issues facing the construction sector, including significant job losses linked to government policies. He expresses a willingness to adjust homelessness strategies in response to rising rough sleeping. Additionally, Bishop assesses the low popularity of Christopher Luxon as a potential concern for the campaign, highlighting the importance of addressing voter enrollment deadlines in light of electoral dynamics and public sentiment.

Full interview: With the Government considering the future of NCEA, co-founder of billion-dollar company Crimson Education Jamie Beaton is urging massive changes to New Zealand's secondary school qualification, saying it is causing the country’s graduates to fall behind their international peers.

Penny Simmonds, New Zealand's Environment Minister, discusses balancing development with environmental protection and tackling waste management challenges, like the move away from single-use plastics. Welby Ings, an innovative educator, critiques narrow definitions of intelligence in teaching, pushing for personalized learning and recognition of diverse intellectual abilities. Max Rashbrooke, a researcher, advocates for revamped welfare-to-work policies, emphasizing a holistic approach to support job seekers facing systemic barriers and the need for empathy in employment services.

Full interview: According to the latest quarterly figures, unemployment is sitting at just over 5%. New research from new think tank The Institute for Democratic and Economic Analysis recommends a range of policies to get people off a benefit and into work, faster.

Full interview: Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds is overseeing huge changes to New Zealand's vocational education system. But after years of reform, could training providers stand alone as Te Pūkenga is dismantled? Q+A also asks Simmonds about her absence from major environmental policies — from freshwater management in farms to the fast-track approvals regime — as Environment Minister.