The government has announced the reversal of blanket speed limit restrictions in 38 sections of New Zealand’s road network with new Transport Minister, Chris Bishop, announcing a further 49 sections will be set to be reviewed during public consultation in the coming months.
This would increase the speed limits in multiple areas, from the Northland region to the top of the South Island.
These developments have faced mixed reactions, with many local leaders deeming this move “reckless”.
There are concerns that in certain regions, the reversal of speed limits would be on stretches of roads that have schools, a shared pathway, and communities.
On Friday, News and Editorial Director, and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the Transport Planner for Movement; an alliance of national organisations advocating for safe and accessible active transport in Aotearoa that had previously placed an application for judicial review into the decision, Bevan Woodward, about the government changes to speed limit restrictions, and the group’s concerns regarding this.
They started off by asking if there was adequate reasoning for the reversal of speed limits in these sections.
Last week the government announced their second climate target, in accordance with the Paris Agreement.
The target outlines how much emissions need to be cut by 2035. The government has chosen a target of getting emissions down by 51 - 55% compared to 2005 levels. This is only 1% higher than their previous target.
The announcement has been slated as unambitious, particularly in relation to comparable nations, as well as developing countries.
However, with the proposed climate policies from the government, many of which aren’t even in place yet, Aotearoa isn’t forecasted to reach this goal.
On Friday, Producer Evie spoke to Massey University's Professor of Sustainable Energy and Climate Mitigation, Ralph Sims about the target and how realistic it really is.
As of last week, the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill came into effect, allowing landlords to end a periodic tenancy without needing to give a specific reason, changing legislation introduced by the previous Labour government in 2020.
The government says the bill, which passed its third reading in December, is aimed at enticing more rental properties to be in the market.
However, this move has raised concerns from those renting, due to concerns such as retaliatory evictions from landlords.
On Friday, News and Editorial Director, and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the President of Renters United; an advocacy group of renters, Zac Thomas, about the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill coming into effect.
They started off by asking how the organisation is feeling about this amendment as a whole.
Delaney Davidson discussing his plans for 2025 - a new album, touring Aotearoa in Winter and the Year of the Snake - Shedding your old skin and making way for the new...Delaney also spoke of his current favourite podcast A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
The Time Machine with John Baker - Aotearoa February 1965 - The Rolling Stones 'Big Beat Tour' (w/Roy Orbinson, The Newbeats, Ray Columbus and the Invaders) & The Kinks (w/Mannfred Man & The Honeycombs)
95bFM 
