bCasts

Recently, the government legalised their practice of clawing back welfare money from people who receive an ACC claim, leaving thousands of people in debt to the Ministry of Social Development, (MSD).

Last week, we also saw mixed messaging from the government over Iran. One such case saw the Prime Minister claim that those affected by the crisis would receive automatic visa coverage, contradicting his immigration minister.

Finally, a review of the Clean Vehicle Standard could be the final nail in the coffin of the previous Labour government's policies to build an electric vehicle market in New Zealand if the current government chooses to repeal the policy that fines importers who do not also bring in a high enough ratio of electric vehicles.

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the Green Party’s response to the government's messaging on Iran, and the review of the clean vehicle standard, but began by talking about the legislation permitting the clawing back of welfare support from ACC recipients.

The Covid 19 Pandemic saw wide-reaching policy interventions to save lives, keeping our hospital open and emergency beds available. Over the course of lockdowns, traffic lights, vaccines and mandates, the government at the time found that increasingly vocal opposition grew in response to their efforts. 

This opposition grew into a severe division that marked that period of time can be seen to this day. 

The groups protesting the pandemic control measures often viewed these restrictions as conspiratorial threats or vast overreach that infringed their rights, while supporters of the governments actions saw them as neccessary steps to save lives.

Following an inquiry into our pandemic response done by the Labour government that found appropriate actions were taking and no wrongdoing, momentum grew in certain minor parties for another look. 

This week, we saw the release of this with the release of a second inquiry.

To get her perspective on the second inquiry, Wire host Manny spoke to Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, Doctor Siouxsie Wiles, about the Covid 19 inquiry and her takeaways on social trust and cohesion.

This week on the Wednesday Wire...

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, Host Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about ACC claims leaving recipients in debt.

Then Producer Toby spoke to Auckland University Professor Paul Taillon about President Trump’s foreign policy and the prospect of regime change in Iran and Cuba.

We share with you part of our newsteam podcast, bLine, from the 11th episode on Climate Anxiety, recorded by Wire Alumni, and former Tuesday Host Sara.

We end things with associate Professor at the University of Auckland, Doctor Souxsie Wiles, talking to Manny about the Covid 19 inquiery and her take aways on social trust and cohesion.

Featuring: 
晴れの日/A Perfect Sky by Various Gorge Bootists as the Play It Out album for the week 

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