Fireworks may arguably be a strange occurrence in the history of Aotearoa. Since their introduction in colonial times and the traditions of Guy Fawke, which has little to no relevancy at all for New Zealanders, the notion has become something of a explosive display in celebration on public holidays & in private use. But the dangers & risks to others are abundant. Especially pets. So the Auckland City Council is lobbying for a ban on private sales, in which a public consultation found 80% of the 8000 submissions were in favour of the ban. Ila Christianson spoke with Auckland City Councillor Cathy Casey, who is petitioning for the vote about her stance on the ban.
The Hamilton City Council has voted to reimplement a bylaw that restricts the solicitation of sex on the city’s streets. The bylaw has been in place for the last 10 years and imposes a $20,000 fine on those sex workers who contravene the law. By their own admission, the Council are on shaky legal ground and possibly going against the decriminalisation of sex work that occured in 2003. Lachlan spoke with Catherine Healy from the New Zealand Prostitutes collective about the bylaw
This morning the government announced a discussion document on a new approach to urban planning. Announced by the Minister for Urban Development and the Minister for the Environment, the document hopes to provide a means to change planning rules, and free up overly restrictive legislation. Minister for Urban Development Phil Twyford said in the release, "our cities are failing", and "poor quality planning is stopping our cities from growing". The document proposes a National Policy Statement on Urban Development that would direct councils to free up planning rules while focusing on high quality streets, neighbourhoods and communities. Lillian Hanly spoke with Twyford following the announcement to find out more about the changes.
Wellington City Council has announced a major project with a private developer to provide affordable housing in the city for nurses and teachers. It's understood this is the first of its kind here in New Zealand, but the rental cap type model is certainly not new in the rest of the world, but the Council and partner developer The Wellington Company have announced more projects in the future that will continue the concept. Wellington councillor Fleur Fitzsimons is in charge of the portfolio and Lillian Hanly speaks to her to find out more about the Council's hopes for 'rent stabilisation' in Wellington.
The structure and meeting procedures at Auckland Council are not the only thing that has and will change in reaction to Covid-19. Last week, the Council met to discuss the budget, and how they are to adjust what they had ready to propose prior to Covid-19, and what they believe are the best steps forward budgeting to find solutions that emerge from Covid-19.
This week, Oscar Perress is joined by Cr Pippa Coom. They discussed tactical urbanism, infrastructure projects and procedures around Covid-19 but started by addressing the budget.
A huge thank you to Cr Coom, and Conor Lavery and Louis Laws for their assistance.
There has been a lot going on this week, and the Friday wire had it all.
The show starts off with an interview with Richard Hills as part of city councilling, where Oscar asks about weed management.
Next up is an interview with Allison Vaughn from the SPCA about the impact of fireworks on animals across the country
James also talks to the chief executive of the teaching council, Lesley Hoskin, about training surrounding racism in the classroom and how it impacts students.
Finally we finish off with the week that was with Ollie, where we talk about the New Zealand and US elections among other big news.
This week, over FIFTY charities signed an open letter asking the Government to lift benefit levels before Christmas.
On of thse organisations, The Auckland City Mission says they are preparing to face one of the hardest Christmas periods in ONE HUNDRED years, and will face immense pressure to provide families with essential resources.
Jessica talked to Deb Ward, Fundraising and Reputation manager at the Auckland City Mission about what needs to be done to help lift people out of poverty, and how Covid-19 has led to more people needing support.
Justin spoke to Dr Duncan Webb of Parliament's Finance and Expenditure Committee on its inquiry into cryptocurrency.
Producer Conor Head-McCarthy spoke to Auckland Transport's Pete Moth and Greater Auckland Editor Matt Lowrie about the city's plans to extend bus routes across the city centre.
He also talked to registered clinical psychologist Gaynor Parkin about the psychologists unable to take in new clients.
Justin talked to Massey University marine biologist Professor Karen Stockin about orca behaviours.
95bFM