Last week the National Party’s Greg Fleming and Labour’s Camilla Belich put forward a member’s bill to address modern slavery. The bill would require businesses with over $1,000,000 of annual consolidated revenue to generate a report on whether any of their suppliers use modern slavery.
Despite being a member’s bill, the bill will be heard in parliament next week thanks to gathering support from sixty non-cabinet MPs, the first time this process has been used. The ACT party did not support the bill, with leader David Seymour and deputy leader Brooke Van Velden levying multiple criticisms.
Also this past week saw an announcement that the prison population in Aotearoa reached an all time high, despite reports of overcrowding and underfunding last year.
For this week’s catchup with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, Wire host Castor asked about each of these issues, beginning by asking about modern slavery.
Heidi talks to Tokerau Wilson about his show Wheke Fortress at Audio Foundation. The show featured sonic workshops such as "Demystifying Musical Equipment" and a comics/storytelling one, "Outside the Frame".
Tom talked to Clare Gemima about her forays into the Brooklyn's the "Other Art Fair", and living in New York as an artist.
E whai ake nei, coming up on the first (!!) Various Artists of 2024!
Liam chats to Keciano Tiufuva about his new solo exhibition opening tomorrow at Wheke Fortress.
Frances speaks to Pauline Autet of Contemporary HUM about their current Boosted campaign.
She'll also speak with photographer Kate van der Drift about Water Marks, currently on show at 23 locations around Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Rosetta and Milly kick off their coverage of the Auckland Pride Festival, joined by TAKATAPUNANI, MAN(K)ILLA, and Allie Howell - who are part of the Wheke Fortress takeover of Te Tīmatanga this year! Catch them screening their short film on February 14 at the Auckland Art Gallery with a panel of insightful kōrero led by Coco Solid. Whakarongo mai nei!
The cost of living crisis has been plaguing a post-Covid New Zealand for years now, with a record 11% increase in grocery supplier costs last year. In addition the New Zealand dollar is not doing well internationally.
Arno spoke with economist Shamubeel Eaqub to find out more about this crisis. He started off by asking how increased costs further up in the supply chain would affect everyday grocery prices. Also covered were tips for Kiwis going forward.
Greenpeace recently conducted an investigation into the meat processing corporation, JBS, which concluded that the company had failed to meet its deforestation-free commitment.
The Brazilian multinational is the largest meat processing enterprise in the world and largely operates in the Amazon Rainforest, where they have been accused of contributing to illegal deforestation, mistreating their livestock and even spreading zoonotic diseases.
In 2020, JBS announced their plan for zero deforestation by this year, which included a monitoring system for their suppliers. However, the Greenpeace investigation found that the company had made little progress on their commitment and was continuing to contribute to the Amazon’s deforestation.
Oto spoke to Amanda Larsson - Senior Campaign manager for Greenpeace Aotearoa, about their investigation into JBS and how they plan to hold them accountable for their deforestation of the Amazon rainforest.
Polyester aren't nervous at all. Nope. The second band on stage at today's Laneway Festival, Mike talks to the group about feelings, stage attire and an absence of horns.
Lessons from Waitangi, tackling the housing crisis, investigating claims regarding New Zealand's behaviour in Afghanistan... it's almost as if three years aren't nearly enough, huh?