Auckland Council's Economic Development Agency and Regional Facilities arm Tataki Auckland Unlimited has just announced the loss of 200 full time roles after being asked by the Mayor to find budget cuts of between $27.5m and $44.5m. In 2021 the Economic Development agency attracted nearly $440m of attributable direct private sector investment across all sectors. So far this financial year the agency has attracted nearly $305m into the screen sector alone. Alex spoke to Pam Ford, Director Investment and Industry at Tataki Auckland Unlimited about what a well-functioning economic development agency means for Auckland.
Kia ora, and welcome to The Wire for Rāpare Thursday!
Spike speaks to:
- Labour MP Andrew Little about his visit to the Shangri-La Indo-Pacific defense summit, and the Taumaru review of intelligence laws and services
- TEU organiser Ben Schmidt about the proposed job cuts at Massey University
- Natalie Vincent from Good Shepherd about the prevalance of Buy Now Pay Later debt
Simon speaks to:
- City Councillor Lotu Fuli on the budget negotiations starting today, abusive emails from Mayor Brown and the much contested sale of airport shares
- Associate Professor Grant Duncan on the new independent electoral review and its recommendations around term limits, prisoner voting rights and the "coattails" rule
- Professor John Townend about the risk of a major earthquake along the Alpine Fault over the next 50 years
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to ACT MP Karen Chhour about their new contractor policy, serious allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards children in Oranga Tamariki care, and ACT's opposition to ethnicity being one of the factors to consider for surgical waitlist prioritisation.
She also spoke to E tū Union Spokesperson Annie Newman about ACT’s proposal to ban contractors from challenging their employment status.
Producer Caeden spoke to Ellie Hooper from Greenpeace about the UN Oceans Treaty.
And Lecturer in Theatre Dr James Wenley and Senior Lecturer of Education Dr Margaret Gleeson discussed cuts to programmes and staff at Victoria University.
The Nga Hau Birthing Centre in Māngere has closed a huge health gap for local communities, but the centre is facing closure this year after funding cuts.
Caeden spoke to new mum and Action Station petitioner Rebecca Kingi about why the centre is so important for the community, and why government funding to save it is crucial.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Karen Chhour about renters' rights and ACT's policy for 17-year-olds to be tried in adult court.
She also spoke to Professor of Public Health Nick Wilson from the University of Otago about addressing poor ventilation on public transport.
Producer Caeden Tipler spoke to Child Poverty Action Group’s Sarita Divis about their calls leading up to the election.
And Rebecca Kingi, who is a new mum, about funding cuts facing Nga Hau Birthing Centre.
Producer Nicholas Lindstrom spoke to Jackie Paul, an advisor that worked on a new report into the housing crisis released by Te Kahui tika Tangata the Human Rights Commission.
The National Party is yet to announce a full Fiscal Plan to account for spending they have promised if they win the election. Figures released by the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions have shown a large gap between National's promised spending and the available budget, and workers unions such as Etū are fearing that funding cuts are in store for essential sectors. Rosetta spoke to Rachel Mackintosh, assistant national secretary for Etū, about these fears, and where this leaves working-class voters in the upcoming election.
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