Bike Auckland, a pro-cycling advocacy group recently sent out their pledge for candidates which says
“I believe people of all ages should feel able to bike safely to get around. Auckland needs more climate-friendly transport to ensure a sustainable and resilient Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, protecting our environment and communities for future generations. If elected, I commit to making a safe, connected cycle network a priority.”
Several candidates have pledged their support for the bike pledge, so Thursday Wire Producer Sanat wanted to get some more insight from Councilor Shane Henderson into how cycling will play a role in the future of Auckland’s transport network.
Thursday Wire Producer Sanat also asked him about what he has to say to opponents of cycleways that argue the increased cost and congestion is part of a larger “war on cas”
In other Local Government news, an ACT candidate in Whangerei has had their hoarding shot at several times recently. This follows an increase in abuse and vitriol towards local government candidates, particularly from marginalised communities. Producer Sanat asked Shane what he thinks this means for the state of our local democracy.
Bike Auckland, a pro-cycling advocacy group recently sent out their pledge for candidates which says
“I believe people of all ages should feel able to bike safely to get around. Auckland needs more climate-friendly transport to ensure a sustainable and resilient Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, protecting our environment and communities for future generations. If elected, I commit to making a safe, connected cycle network a priority.”
Several candidates have pledged their support for the bike pledge, so Thursday Wire Producer Sanat wanted to get some more insight from Councilor Shane Henderson into how cycling will play a role in the future of Auckland’s transport network.
Thursday Wire Producer Sanat also asked him about what he has to say to opponents of cycleways that argue the increased cost and congestion is part of a larger “war on cas”
In other Local Government news, an ACT candidate in Whangerei has had their hoarding shot at several times recently. This follows an increase in abuse and vitriol towards local government candidates, particularly from marginalised communities. Producer Sanat asked Shane what he thinks this means for the state of our local democracy.
The University of Auckland’s Maori and Pacific Academic Engagement Advisor for Students and Scholarly Services Mia-Mae Taitimu-Stevens talked to Thursday Wire Producer Sanat today about how social media is enabling higher engagement with Māori political Kaupapa.
Recently Te Pāti Māori won the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election, with candidate Oriini Kaipara using social media to far greater effect than Labour candidate Peeni Henare who relied on more tried and true campaigning tactics.
Mia-Mae walked Producer Sanat through how social media has been a transformative tool for Maori, as they rise to the political challenges of the day. Furthermore she walked Sanat through some of the aspects of kaupapa Maori that work particularly well in a social media model.
First up your weekly herbal insights on Marijuana Media with Chris Fowlie, thanks to The Hempstore. GG and Haz from beloved band Womb are on the line to discuss the just-announced Laneway 2026 Lineup. Plus, a 95bFM first spin of Pihe from Whakatū-based artist Droneeater whose EP Ngā Oro Rōriadrops tomorrow. Later, Pollyhill joins HALFQUEEN in the bFM studio to get you hyped for Club Uranus at Whammy tomorrow night. Whakarongo mai nei!
The Greens recently made renewed calls to the government to recognise Palestinian statehood and place sanctions on Israel.
These calls were made both in light of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly which opened last week, as well as the recent 20,000-strong Pro-Palestinian protest in Tāmaki-Makaurau being the largest Pro-Palestinian protest in the history of Aotearoa.
Additionally, the Greens recently called for the voting period on the Māori wards referendum to be extended after candidate profiles were omitted on voting packs in a number of districts, despite being listed in voting papers.
Voters on the Māori roll in affected districts have begun receiving letters with the missing profiles, but concerns have been raised about the impacts to voter access to information caused by the error.
And, last week, the latest ETS auction in New Zealand, which was held on September 10, 2025, failed to attract any bids and resulted in no clearing price, making it the third consecutive failed auction in 2025 and the eighth consecutive failed auction overall
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wednesday Wire Host Oto spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez-March to discuss all these issues