bCasts

Recently, Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, met with India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in Delhi to discuss a variety of different topics. Notably, Modi alleged there has been ‘anti-India activities by some illegal elements’ in Aotearoa.

Many believe Modi’s statements refer to the Khalistan movement in Aotearoa; a movement aiming to establish an independent homeland for Sikhs in India.

More specifically, many believe Modi is referring to the Khalistan ‘referendum’ in Auckland in November last year.

News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to an activist with the Aotearoa Alliance of Progressive Indians, Dr Sapna Samant, about these allegations by Modi and how she believes his criticisms are more to do with the anti-Hindutva, or anti-Hindu-nationalism, movement in Aotearoa.

They started off by asking her about the Khalistan movement in New Zealand.

Ellen, who operates under the pseudonym ‘Chronically Ellen’, is a digital creator, photographer and visual storyteller who utilises her skills to uplift sustainable brands through her own online business.

As part of EcoFest 2025, she is facilitating two workshops centred around developing skills around sustainable practices and building connections with others. The first involves upcycling old magazines, ‘waste’ and second hand materials to create artworks, and the second is a beginner-friendly gardening workshop which teaches participants how to grow food in containers.

Drawing on her experiences as a disabled wāhine and eco-friendly creative, Ellen speaks with Producer Sara about the importance of environmentalism and community, her workshops at EcoFest and how listeners can take small steps to make a big difference in the face of the climate crisis. Thanks EcoFest!

As of yesterday, New Zealand Immigration have implemented stricter health screening requirements for the dependent children of temporary visa holders.

Under the new regulations, migrant children with significant cognitive or developmental disabilities requiring substantial support will no longer be eligible for student or visitor visas.

In that same week, Volunteer firefighters across the motu launched a petition calling for legislation change that would give volunteer firefighters the same ACC coverage and benefits as their paid counterparts.

And, ACT party leader David Seymour announced that he wants local councillor candidates to be able to run under the party’s banner in the upcoming October elections.

For their weekly catch up, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March for the green party’s take on all of these issues.

Jonny chats to Amelia about her new album Soft Power, Taite Prize nomination, the forthcoming Fazerdaze tour of North America and the show at the Powerstation on 22 March. Whakarongo mai nei!