News of Zealand: Māori Students Exposed to Racism, Abuse

Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.

Study Reveals Racism in Schools
A study of nearly 1,700 students has revealed consistent complaints of racism in schools. The survey involved 144 face-to-face interviews with primarily Māori students and an online survey of 1,534 students. The Office of the Children's Commissioner says students described feelings of inequality and abuse because of their culture. The report says the students felt the racism from teachers and other students, receiving a lack of encouragement or disturbing comments. The report says the government should consider the comments and talk to students directly when developing its education policies.

Medicinal Cannabis Bill is Coming
A vote has been carried out on the first of two cannabis bills before parliament this week, one proposed by the Labour government and the other by the Green party. The bill by Labour passed its first reading in parliament last night. Drug Foundation director Ross Bell told bFM Labour's bill would provide a structure for a safe medicinal cannabis market in New Zealand: “It creates that structure where you’d have an agency, probably within the Ministry of Health, that oversees the licensing of domestic manufacture, quality control over the products, and then advice to doctors about how to prescribe them.” Bell also hopes that an amnesty list would be put in place to protect users of medicinal cannabis during a legal transition. The Green Party’s bill takes further action and would allow those with medical needs for cannabis to grow their own, similar to the system in Canada.

Jacinda Ardern to Announce Child Poverty Target
The government will announce its first child poverty target today. The government unveiled legislation yesterday to require measuring and reporting of child poverty levels in the Budget. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will reveal their first target, today during her first major speech of the year, which will also be a progress report on the new government's first 100 days. The government expects the families package, which comes into effect in July, to be a big part of reaching any new targets on child poverty.

Is Bill Gone by Lunchtime?
National MPs are said to be discussing the possibility of Bill English stepping down. RNZ has reported that MPs are doing the numbers to consider what happens with possible successors of the party. Following the party’s loss in the 2017 election, discussion is also being raised about deputy leader Paula Bennett. The party is believed to be focusing on what their best opportunity is for countering Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Too Much Waste at Milford Beach
Beachgoers should be cautious as Milford beach in Auckland has nearly 15 times the safe amount of faecal bacteria. These unsafe bacteria levels come after a major sewage leak on Sunday morning which evacuated homes. Wastewater transmission manager Chris Harbour says it’s one of the worst spills in 25 years as Castor Bay has more than 400 times the bacteria guideline. Safeswim says warning signs will remain on the beaches until testing proves the water quality has met recommended guidelines.

Ireland to Legalise Abortion, Maybe
The Irish government will hold a referendum in May on whether to reform the country's near-total ban on abortion. The Irish health minister will draft legislation proposing unrestricted abortion access be made available to women up to 12 weeks. The current law was approved in a constitutional amendment in 1983 and effectively bans terminations, including pregnancies as a result of rape or incest. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar will campaign for reform but acknowledges that the law operates in a moral grey area for many voters.

Kenyan Opposition Leader Declares Himself President
The opposition leader of Kenya has declared himself the people's president. Raila Odinga held a controversial swearing in ceremony following two disputed election outcomes in favour of Uhhuru Kenyatta. Authorities forced three privately owned television stations off the air while the ceremony took place, to prevent it getting wider coverage. Disputes over the legitimacy of last year's elections have created deep tensions in Kenya

Germany Closing in on Coalition
Germany is closer to forming a new coalition government after reaching a compromise for family reunification for asylum-seekers yesterday. Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats have successfully opposed the Christian Social Unions push to limit further migration. The compromise will mean up to 1,000 close relatives of asylum-seekers will be allowed to join them in Germany each month. The talks between all three parties are expected to continue until the weekend and even if a coalition is agreed, Ms Merkel must pass the agreement in a vote by the full SPD membership.

Anti Corruption Drive in Saudi Arabia
An anti-corruption drive in Saudi Arabia has generated an estimated US$107 billion in settlements. Many of those detained in the drive, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, agreed to settlements to secure their freedom. 56 of the 381 people called in for questioning since November remain in custody and include princes and some of the Kingdom’s wealthiest businessmen. The terms of any settlements have not been made public, but Salman so far rejects allegations that the drive is a power grab.

Additional reporting: Reilly Hodson, Issy Walker, Tess Barnett