On our regular City Counselling segment, Jessica Hopkins spoke to Auckland Councillor Pippa Coom about the year ahead for the Council.
They discussed the local elections happening this year, the Government's light rail announcement, and how our recent move to Red has affected Auckland residents.
She also asked Pippa about the controversy surrounding a proposal to put Auckland regional parks into the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about Green MP Tamatha Paul’s comments about the police and Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ recent announcement on the supermarket duopoly.
For International Desk, they spoke to Dr Yvonne Breitwieser-Faria from Curtin University in Perth about the arrest of former Philippines President, Rodrigo Duterte, by the International Criminal Court.
For City Counselling, Producer Sara spoke to Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson about Auckland Transport’s decision to increase parking rates by 50 cents per hour in lots across Auckland, as well as the latest development in Auckland’s ‘stadium saga’, in which councillors have voted to support the Eden Park 2.1 project.
She also spoke with Unite Union’s Co-President Xavier Walsh about their call to action for the government, after the minimum wage was only increased by 35 cents this week, the lowest increase in more than a decade.
Recently new legislation, The Game Animal (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill, has passed its first reading in parliament which would allow deer and tahr into our New Zealand’s national parks after being reclassified as special herds.
Aoetearoa does not have any indigenous mammals, and its ecosystems are not developed for their sudden introduction into national parks. This has lead to pests such as possums and rats doing untold damage to our natural ecosystems and biodiversity.
This bill has been criticised as dangerous to our environment and native animals.
Producer Sam spoke to the Regional Conservation Manager at Forest and Bird, Nicky Snoyink, about the potential dangers of such legislation.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about the government’s new draft curriculum, specifically focusing on the changes to history, Labour’s capital gains tax policy, and the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Producer Alex spoke to Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland, Dr Mohsen Mohammadzadeh, about concerns that the council and auckland transport are ‘commodifying non-compliance’ with parking tickets; that is, seeing parking ticket enforcement as a source of revenue.
And Joel spoke to Missy Morton, a Professor in Disability Studies & Inclusive Education at the University of Auckland, about the government’s announcement of a charter school for autistic students and her concerns with the move.
From Dec 27 to Jan 18, all train lines across Tāmaki will be shutting down for summer maintenance, a closure which is expected to be the last of its kind ahead of the opening of the City Rail Link.
The current measles outbreak in Tāmaki is being continually monitored, with exposure sites being updated daily on info.health.nz. The public are encouraged to track whether they’ve been in possible contact with the virus, and get up to date on any vaccinations to limit possibilities of transmission.
Auckland Council are supporting arts initiatives across the summer months, with Music in the Park kicking off in early January, and Movies in the Park following in February.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about these topics, and also asked for comment following the attack by two gunmen at Bondi Beach earlier this week.
This weekend, the Auckland International Cultural Festival will be returning for its 18th year. The free event is happening from 10am-5pm at the Mt Roskill Memorial Park, and will offer the public a diverse range of cultural and culinary experiences. Ximena speaks to event organiser Cara Cantrell about what Aucklanders can expect from this weekend’s festival.
Before they combine forces to help bring you Matariki on the Waterfront, SoccerPractise's Geneva Alexander-Marsters and the Puha & Pākehā food truck's Belinda and Jarrad pop into the studio with gifts: a spin of Geneva's new single and some bloody beautiful Kai Māori inspired food. Check them, and many other offerings, out this weekend at Silo Park.
Yesterday the Supreme Court ruled that the protected status of Ruahine Forest Park could not be revoked to allow the development of a huge irrigation and water storage scheme. Producer India spoke to Dr Ann Brower, a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management, about the issues involved in the land exchange between the Department of Conservation and the Hawkes Bay Regional Council that was needed for the development to go ahead. She also spoke to the CEO of Forest & Bird, Kevin Hague, about his reaction to the Supreme Court's decision.
Wondergarden is the family friendly Silo Park festival for those of us who don't join the usual exodus out of Auckland over the New Year's period. Festival director Reuben Bonner drops in to give Mikey the lowdown on this year's line up, which features Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Chelsea Jade, SWIDT, The Ruby Suns, MAALA, and Nadia Reid.
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