Nestled within the Hauraki Plains, runs the Piako Awa – a large tidal river rich with bird life, saltwater, sediment, farm run-off, bacteria and algae. Kate van der Drift’s Water Marks are photographic works that engage with the awa and are currently displayed digitally in public places across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
These photographs are the result of 'river exposures' – a process created by the artist that involves submerging large format negatives into the river for a 2-4 week period. Each work captures a unique interaction between the film emulsion and the environment of the Piako.
To hear more about the works, Frances caught up with artist Kate van der Drift.
The government has announced it will be repealing the Three Waters programme, criticising the co-governance element, which would have given Māori with mana whenua to the area a 50 percent presence on strategic oversight boards. It also would have shifted management of drinking, waste and stormwater services into 10 large independent entities.
National, ACT and New Zealand First voted in favour of repealing the programme, while Labour, the Green Party and Te Pāti Māori were opposed.
Beth spoke to Counsellor for Waitakere, Shane Henderson, about the potential impacts of the government’s repeal on the Council, and how it will affect its planning of water infrastructure, particularly in light of climate change and the severe weather events we saw last year.
For City Counselling this week, Wire host Caeden spoke with Counsellor Lotu Fuli about the early morning vandalisation of the Rainbow Crossing on Karangahape Road.
They also ask about the end of half-price fares for under 25s, and the relationship Wayne Brown, as well as Auckland Council more generally, has with Auckland Transport.
Stella and Nick spent Tuesday evening hooning around Q Theatre, speaking to the wonderful nominees for NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalist, NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalist and the Taite Prize, as well as the rest of the alternative music community. Catch a chat with IMNZ Classic Record winners Look Blue Go Purple. Listen back for the behind the scenes to hear all the gossip and glam!
Last week, an independent review was conducted into Kainga Ora, homes and communities, by former Prime Minister Bill English. The review made the claim that Kainga Ora was financially unviable, and made seven recommendations to the government aimed at improving the agency’s financial performance, of which the government has agreed to implement four.
However, social housing advocates have expressed concern regarding the review and government response, saying that it would undermine the construction of social housing and give the Government the ability to sell Kainga Ora properties to private developers.
Rachel spoke to Vanessa Cole, a spokesperson for public housing, to gather her perspectives on the review of Kainga Ora, and what it means for social housing development in Aotearoa.
As of July 2023, the government scrapped the $5 fee on prescriptions. Since then, the public health system has seen a significant change in hospital admissions rates.
However, with a new government in parliament, the government wants to reinstate the $5 co-payment for prescriptions.
Rachel spoke to GP at the Auckland City Mission and Professor of General Practitioners and Primary Health care at the University of Auckland, Dr Bruce Arroll, about the implications the public health system will see if the government reinstates $5 fees on prescriptions.
The Auckland regional fuel tax ended on 30 June that has been active since 2018, with the purported aim to ease cost of living pressures.
The generated tax revenue was used for road safety initiatives and public transport infrastructure projects including the eastern busway, new electric trains for the City Rail Link and redevelopment of the downtown ferry terminal.
Without a fuel tax, the infrastructure funding will come from rates which are unlikely to increase to recoup the loss of tax revenue.
I spoke to Senior lecturer in Urban Planning Dr Timothy Welch about the short and long term impact of the removal of fuel tax.
The mantra of the current government is to ‘get the country back on track’, but Honorary Associate professor Avril Bell says the current government is looking at safeguarding Pakeha privilege at the expense of Maori. The removal of section 7aa, repealing the Maori Health Authority are some of the actions the government had taken which Avril claims are exclusively ‘anti-Maori’. Sasha spoke to Avril Bell from the University of Auckland about why what’s good for Maori is good for everyone.
A team of experts from the University of Auckland and Ngāi Tahu, have lead an initiative called Kōkirihia, which aims to end the practice of streaming in secondary school classrooms.
Streaming is the practice of grouping students in classes based on their level of ability, from ‘least likely to succeed’ to ‘extension’ classes.
Experts and Iwi have condemned this colonial-era practice, saying that it limits the academc growth and pathway to university for students and is particularly detrimental to rangatahi Māori and Pasifika students.
These experts have also recommended the practice of High Expectation Teaching and the placement of students in mixed ability classes as an alternative to classroom streaming.
Oto spoke to Christine Rubie-Davies, Professor of Learning, Development and Professional Practice at the university of Auckland to talk about Kōkirihia and why the practice of streaming in classrooms needs to end
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