bCasts

Recently, the government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Mayors of Auckland, Otago, and Western Bay of Plenty Councils over the government’s expectations of City and Regional Deals. These deals aim to tighten the partnership between central and local governments.

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, speaks to MP Cameron Luxton about what to expect heading forward regarding the relationship between local, regional, and central government.

They also discussed last week's Youth Parliament.

Youth Parliament provides the opportunity for 143 rangatahi aged 16-to-24 as Youth MPs, representing MPs across the political spectrum, and Youth Press Gallery members, to understand the country’s political processes, understand how government works, and replicate the Parliamentary process.

Youth MPs had previously accused event organisers of ‘censoring’ their speeches. This follows the MPs being asked to remove elements of their speeches that were critical of government policies, such as the Treaty Principles Bill and pay equity.

However, The Ministry of Youth Development has come out saying the way they communicated their wishes with Youth MPs could have been clearer and more concise. The general manager of the Ministry, John Robertson, says reviewing speeches and suggesting changes was a part of the process, but these recommendations are not enforced.

They also spoke to Luxton about these accusations, and whether they are tantamount to censorship.

Finally, they discussed calls by over half of the Youth MPs represented in this year's Youth Parliament, from across the political spectrum, renewing calls for the voting age to be lowered, to allow 16-to-17-year-olds the right to vote.

5 ACT Youth MPs, including the Youth MP representing Cameron Luxton, Fletcher Brown, had signed a letter calling for the voting age to be reduced.

This follows the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling that found the current voting age is unjustified age discrimination and goes against the Human Rights Act 1993.

They also discussed these renewed calls to lower the voting age.

"Out of this world!"

RIP to the legends @lalo_schifrin and Walter Scott of @themightywhispers who passed away in the last week or so - we dig into Lalo's back cat of CRIME JAZZ (tm) hour one including some our favourite tracks that use his tunes as sample sources, after that Kirk's goodies including a brand new track from local jazzy house crew @after_ours_official, a salute to Walter Scott, and some birthday tunes for the great Phyllis Hyman. 

Hour three we had a super special pre-release listen (in the company of the excellent Kenny Sterling) to the Orbits LP from The Circling Sun (released Friday 11 July). Shit is incredible! They will be performing at the Karangahape Road branch of Flying Nun record store 3pm Saturday 12 July), and the record will be available in either limited edition green or classic black vinyl from all the best stores: Dusty Crates, Stack Records, Flying Nun, Flying Out, Southbound, Real Groovy, Marbecks, Ulo (Raglan) and or course on the Circling Sun bandcamp. Buy that!

Joel from Eyegum phones in from Pōneke to yarn about the collective's upcoming Scenic Tour #5 with Pearly* from Ōtepoti and Pōneke-outfit Cruelly, and their annual multi-venue festival Great Sounds Great.