Tamaki Makaurau is due for another local election, this year it will be taking place on the 8th of October. Believe it or not, that’s only in a few months. The nomination period is now open, with 170 roles being contested. Aside from the mayoral race, 20 councillors will be elected to represent the 13 supercity wards. A further 149 local representatives will be elected across the boards. But will the locals take part? Auckland has a reputation, like many cities across New Zealand, to cut it a little fine when it comes to the locals vote. Louis spoke with Auckland Councils very own General Manager, Marguerite Delbet, who is behind the services of democracy when it comes to the Supercities local election. Here we are, talking about what is happening with the nominations.
Manukau ward councillor Efeso Collins and other South Auckland community members are calling for a return of youth worker funding after an increase in gang violence. Funding cuts to crime prevention programmes have left youth in the area severely lacking in mentors able to give them a healthy direction in life. Councillor Collins spoke to reporter William Boyd about the lack of support and the negative effects that has had on South Auckland. William started off by asking what youth workers do to help.
Tom talks with Natalie Tozer. She runs Mothermother, the all-female, rolling exhibit project in Eden Terrace. We talk about the project and the art in it, as well as what happens at Lot23 - the swiss army knife of creative agencies that it is! Plus, the latest exhibition guide.
Protestors have occupied Owairaka maunga for nearly two weeks now, halting the integrated management plan by Tupuna Maunga Authority. This plan has been in place and publicly available since 2016, indicating the intention of restoring the maunga with native trees. That process would include the felling of 345 exotic trees. The group who have named themselves Honour the Maunga say they were unaware of the plan, and that consultation shoud have occured. They are against the felling and are concerned about the environment, that it is 'madness' to cut down mature trees in the time of a climate emergency. The Green Desk's Mitchell Fuller spoke with representative Anna Redford asking about their claims of lack of consultation and whether they understand the Tangata Tiriti responsibility that is possible here.
First Union & New Zealand Tramways Union are striking against their employers, over rejections of pay offers from NZ Bus.
Tension began two years ago when the national government, who brought in a tendering process that made councils compile in taking the lowest paying bus operators, drove rates down by 30%. Wages were cut for bus drivers, with contracts they are locked into, & now tensions have come to ahead.
This week NZ Bus drivers were seeking better pay and conditions by refusing to collect fares last week from Monday, making it very cheap for commuters. However, this has now resulted in those drivers being suspended.
Wire producer Louis spoke to Union First’s Organisers about the strike today ...
On Dear Science with AUT’s Marcus Jones we are talking about modern societies and early humans.
Felix spoke to Mayor Phil Goff about the most recent Auckland Council annual budget and how they plan to cut their emissions by 20%, he also talked about the ongoing bus lockout in and the Prime Minister’s decision to move Auckland’s port.
Lillian visited Te Urewera recently in the leadup to the statutory pardon from the government to Rua Kēnana and his descendants, she spoke to a number of his mokopuna about their thoughts on the pardon and the future.
Haylee Koroi is from Te Tai Tokerau, of Pukepoto and Utakura descent. She is a member of Te Ara Whatu, an indigenous youth climate action group made up of young people around the Pacific working toward climate justice. Te Ara Whatu released a statement of solidarity this weekend with the Wet'suwet'en nation in Great Turtle Island, or Canada. Wet'suwet'en land protectors have been occupying their territory in protest of a pipeline that will cut directly through it. All five Wet'suwet'en Clans have opposed pipelines on their territories. On the 6th February the Royal Canadian Mounted Police moved onto the territory carrying out a raid on the unarmed land defenders. 6 unarmed people were arrested that morning, and a further 20 people have been arrested since. Lillian Hanly spoke with Haylee from Te Ara Whatu to find out more about what is going on. Firstly though, Lillian asked how Te Ara Whatu experienced attending COP25 the climate conference for leaders around the world.
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