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.
It is estimated that 50 million people worldwide are currently involved in some form of slavery. Many of those who have been enslaved for their labour, and work as child labourers, produce goods that we import and consume on a regular basis here in Aotearoa.
Currently, there is no existing legislation in Aotearoa that requires companies to disclose the source of their goods, or to ensure that their products are being ethically produced; giving them free rein to indulge in modern slavery in order to cut their production costs.
Producer Oto spoke to Dr Susan Maiava, Co-Founder of the ethical directory Fair & Good who have created a petition and open letter urging the government to introduce modern slavery legislation.
Modern Women: Flight of Time is a new major show at Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Art Gallery.
Combining over 80 paintings, prints, sculptures and textiles from public and private collections across Aotearoa from 1920 to 1970, the exhibition highlights the leading role women artists have played in shaping the development of modern art.
Including iconic figures such as Rita Angus, Frances Hodgkins, and A Lois White, the exhibition also aims to celebrate the significant contributions of lesser known women artists such as June Black, Flora Scales and Pauline Yearbury.
The exhibition has been curated by Auckland Art Gallery Curator of New Zealand Art Julia Waite.
Sofia spoke to Julia about the show, her curation process, and how the exhibition uncovers themes of women’s artistic practices in the 20th century.
Darashpreet Johal looks into the implications of the pilot programme being run by Immigration NZ for the past 18 months to profile and target overstayers.
For this weeks Fancy New Band we were lucky to welcome art punk band Model Into the studio! Model blew the station away with their incredible set bringing cecis dancable bass, Taylors smashing drums and Marlons witty, honest lyrics paired with his rough jangly guitar. This performance is one you dont want to miss!
Sam speaks to Rachael Norcross, guitarist and vocalist of Model Home about the band’s new debut album, out today, titled ...And Nobody Made A Sound. Whakarongo mai nei!
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.
95bFM