Auckland council is set to introduce congestion charging, a policy aimed at reducing emissions, reducing traffic, and generating revenue for other transport endeavours.
While the University of Auckland’s Hyesop Shin says congestion charging is important, he also says it needs to be accompanied by other policies to ensure the gains are not reversed.
Over the course of the latest Trump Administration, numerous international organisations have found themselves in the President's crosshairs. The latest is the World Trade Organisation, with the US proposing a set of reforms that would consolidate their influence over the organisation, and reduce the limitations placed upon them.
Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke with Professor Emeritus in Law at the University of Auckland, Jane Kelsey, about these reforms, particularly in regards to how New Zealand is positioning ourselves in these changes, and what they’ll mean for us.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about the Middle East, Air New Zealand shares, and move-on orders for rough sleepers.
They spoke to Iranian political scientist and activist, Samira Ghoreishi, about the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
They also spoke to Chief Executive of Te Hiringa Mahara, Karen Orsborn, about youth struggles to access mental health support services in Aotearoa.
And they spoke to President of Living Streets Aotearoa, Tim Jones, about a set of new transport proposals, particularly as they affect pedestrians and cyclists.
The road congestion phenomenon known as “March Madness” which hits Auckland every year has begun, with Auckland Transport estimating travel times on Motorways will increase up to 41% this month.
The City Rail link is set to open later this year offering potential congestion relief in the future but Auckland Public Transport fares continue to increase, potentially offsetting this investment as a complete solution.
To discuss the extent of March congestion issues and how they can be solved Producer Thomas talked to Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning from the University of Auckland Dr Tim Welch.
The Government has announced a support package to address rising fuel prices.
And the McCains processing factory in Hastings is set to close in January 2027, but it is not yet known how many workers and growers will be affected by the closure.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden asked about both of these topics.
Four NASA astronauts aboard an Orion spacecraft are currently on their return trip to planet Earth, having just conducted a successful flyby mission to the moon. The mission brought humans within the vicinity of the moon for the first time in over fifty years, and when the four astronauts passed behind its far side, they set the record for the furthest distance that any human has ever travelled away from Earth.
The test mission is paving the way for a manned landing on the lunar surface, currently scheduled for 2028, and eventually, a permanent lunar base.
Producer Toby spoke to Josh Aoraki, resident astronomer at Auckland’s Stardome Observatory, about the past, present, and future of lunar exploration.
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