Stewart's back and it's a Wire for the history books, with two producers in studio at the same time! Mary-Margaret and Justin are back this week.
On the show:
With the news that Mediaworks has made some pretty major cuts to comedy and reality TV shows, Stewart Sowman-Lund speaks to journalist Philip Matthews. He’s the co-author of Funny As, a book about the history of Kiwi Comedy. Stewart gets his thoughts on what the cuts and cancellations to comedy programming might mean for the future of the industry.
Then, Labour Party MP and Justice Minister Andrew Little is here. Today, he talks about last week’s polling and a new counter terrorism bill
After that, Mary-Margaret learns about zero waste packaging with K Rd vintage shop, Crushes, who have just installed their latest initiative
Plus, producer Sherry asks Education Minister Chris Hipkins about amendments made to Pastoral Care laws for students in Halls of Residences
Then, International Desk is back - Justin delves into some history on the Turkey offensive into Syria.
All that plus a chaotic Poll Position and some texts from our listeners. It's The Thursday Wire and it's wired as.
With plans underway to scrap the Winter Energy Payment, low-income households are facing cuts of up to $63 a week. In response, Auckland Action Against Poverty (AAAP) and the Child Poverty Action Group are calling for payments to be raised rather than cut.
Hanna spoke to AAAP Co-Chair Kathleen Paraha about the issue.
The Climate Change Commission's advice stressed the importance of technology in reducing New Zealand's emissions.
The roadmap has suggested factories to substitue coal and gas for electricity and hydrogen, while products and packaging will be redesigned to minimize emissions, and power generation will move to solar, wind, or geothermal energy.
Producer Louis spoke with Victoria University's Justin Hodgkiss about the report and the role that technology could play in reducing emissions.
Environmental groups and unions have said the government’s discussion document on New Zealand’s plan to become net zero by twenty fifty focuses too much on cutting transport emissions and instead letting agriculture and energy emissions off the hook.
The draft plan to make New Zealand net zero by 2050 includes measures to cut down car travelling and boost the number of EVs.
Greenpeace campaigner Christine Rose said the plan is not stepping up action on climate change and instead it is “hot air and utter bullshit”. She spoke to Justin Wong.
Environmental groups and unions have said the government’s discussion document on New Zealand’s plan to become net zero by twenty fifty focuses too much on cutting transport emissions and instead letting agriculture and energy emissions off the hook.
The draft plan to make New Zealand net zero by 2050 includes measures to cut down car travelling and boost the number of EVs.
Forest and Bird said the government hasn’t acted like there is a climate emergency and the plan did not mention much on energy emissions or a nature-based approach. Justin spoke to their Strategic advisor Geoff Keey.
Environmental groups and unions have said the government’s discussion document on New Zealand’s plan to become net zero by twenty fifty focuses too much on cutting transport emissions and instead letting agriculture and energy emissions off the hook.
The draft plan to make New Zealand net zero by 2050 includes measures to cut down car travelling and boost the number of EVs.
First Union has criticised the plan, saying its energy emission reductions relied too much on closing the Marsden Point oil refinery and it only outsources emissions overseas. Jared Abbott is the union’s secretary for transport, logistics and manufacturing and he spoke to Justin Wong.
Today we have a package covering the oppositions recent calls for tax cuts.
Liam spoken to Green party finance spokesperson Julie Anne Genter and ACT Party Leader slash finance spokesperson David Seymour about their opinions on cutting back taxes
Liam also spoke to University of Canterbury economics and taxation professor Adrian Sawyer to help frame the conversation.
Liam also has his regular chat with City Councillor Pippa Coom, to chat about the final day of the local election voting.
David spoke to Waikato University Professor Alexander Gillespie about Vladimir Putin’s nuclear weapons threats.
David also spoke to Maritime Union General Secretary Craig Harrison about privatising Ports of Auckland
The world is under growing pressure to find sustainable options to cut emissions. Using technologie to interfere in the climate and stop global warming is sounding more and more enticing. Technology entrepreneurs from around the globe claim to have the solutions using geo-engineering. What are those technologies and is it a good idea to use them? Do those technology solutions really lead to sustainable solutions? Or are we distracted by visions of a technological future and do they distract us from what is really needed: cutting emissions.
Daniel spoke with Cindy Baxter, an investigative researcher and policy advisor and she worked over 30 years on a range of environmental issues.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s plan to address the budget shortfall includes cutting funding to many public services, while retaining expensive golf courses that ratepayers are paying for.
It also suggests selling public assets like shares in Auckland Airport to help fill a $295m budget shortfall.
FIRST Union, a union representing 30,000 workers in Aotearoa, recently made a budget submission to Auckland Council. They branded Mayor Wayne Brown’s Submission as insufficient and irredeemable, and made several suggestions for improvement.
Arno spoke to FIRST Union President Robert Reid, and started off by asking what FIRST’s position is on the proposed $21m budget cut for bus services.
There are concerns that the recent proposals to cut arts funding will detriment prisoners’ access to such programmes. Many say that accessing these programmes support prisoner rehabilitation, and help prepare them for life after their release.
Olivia spoke to the Executive Director of Arts Access Aotearoa, Richard Benge, about the impact of funding cuts, and the importance of art in prison.
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