The New Zealand government has announced a significant financial commitment of $774 million in Budget 2025 to reform the redress and care systems for survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. This decision comes in the wake of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care's findings, which highlighted systemic failures and recommended comprehensive reforms to address the grievances of survivors.

Minister Erica Stanford emphasized the government's focus on delivering immediate support to survivors by enhancing the existing redress system rather than establishing a new entity, as initially recommended by the Royal Commission. The budget will increase the average redress payment for new claims from $19,000 to $30,000, aiming to provide quicker and more efficient justice to those affected. However, this approach has sparked mixed reactions among survivors, with some viewing it as a missed opportunity for more substantial systemic change.

Alongside financial redress, the government plans to invest in preventive measures to safeguard against future abuse within the care system. These include improving record-keeping and access to records, which were identified as critical issues during the inquiry. An independent review scheduled for 2027 will assess the effectiveness of these reforms, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement in the care ecosystem.

The decision to forgo a new compensation scheme in favor of bolstering the current system reflects the government's challenging balance between immediate action and long-term structural changes. While the increased funding and streamlined processes mark a step forward, the debate over the best path to justice for survivors of abuse in care continues, underscoring the complexity of addressing historical injustices while preventing future harm.

King Charles has joined forces with Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett in a previously unpublicized podcast recording focused on global conservation efforts. The 22-minute episode, titled "Unearthed: The Need For Seeds," was recorded in the private gardens of Windsor Castle in July and features the monarch alongside Blanchett and Kew seed scientist Dr. Elinor Breman. This marks only the second podcast recording in the King's public life, demonstrating his continued commitment to environmental causes that have defined much of his royal work.

The conversation centered on the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst, West Sussex, which King Charles originally opened in 2000 and has maintained an active interest in since. The facility represents one of the world's most ambitious conservation projects, having collected, cleaned, dried and stored nearly 2.5 billion seeds from more than 40,000 plant species in walk-in freezers maintained at minus 20 degrees Celsius. Both the King and Blanchett, who became Wakehurst's first ambassador last year, emphasized the critical importance of this work in preserving global biodiversity.

During the discussion, Blanchett expressed concern about the rapid loss of natural habitats, noting that "97 percent of wildflower meadows have been decimated" in recent decades. She highlighted the disconnect between perceived natural beauty and actual ecological fragility, stating that "there is an urgency to the work that the seed bank does." The King echoed this sentiment, reflecting on his long-standing awareness of environmental degradation, particularly the damage to flower-rich meadows since the postwar period.

The podcast also touched on broader conservation challenges, including the need for increased funding and public awareness. Blanchett pointed to the frustration of seeing "so many extraordinary initiatives right there ready to be scaled up" but lacking financial support and direction. King Charles acknowledged both the progress made and the need to accelerate conservation efforts, stating that while the seed bank's work is "wonderful," the process must speed up to address escalating environmental threats facing plant species worldwide.