NZ First leader, Winston Peters, joins Ximena live in the studio for a chat. They talk about NZ First's anti-establishment position going into this year's election, and also discuss the party's positions on a range of key topics of the moment, including immigration, crime and housing.
Asian New Zealand Executive Director, Simon Draper, talks about Aucklands relationship with Asia after a survey showing half of Auckland residents blame Asia for housing prices.
Labour's Andrew Little is back for our weekly chat. This week, we chat about the floods in Edgecumbe and Labour's new housing initiative in Hutt Valley, to build 400 new state and Kiwibuild homes by 2020.
We speak to National MP, Jami-Lee Ross about the housing plan the government announced where they are planning to build 34,000 over the next decade. We also speak about the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement that appears to be going forward and what that means for New Zealanders.
The Wellington City Council and other partners are set to open the first wet house in New Zealand where homeless people suffering from alcohol addiction will be allowed to consume alcohol in a safe permanent shelter whilst undergoing rehab. 95bFM Producer Reuben McLaren speaks with Director of Wellington DCM (Downtown Community Ministry) Stephanie McIntyre about the project.
Producer Will speaks to action stations Rick Zwaan about the upcoming debates on the proposed healthy homes bill. The bill includes suggestions made by the Peoples Review of Renting, which housing minister Phil Twyford has made a commitment to upholding.
Suri's in the studio this week, chatting to Rachel and Tess about a memoir that's an absolute must-read. The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom narrates stories from over 100 years in the same house, with a huge touch on the influence of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. An important read.
Auckland council released for consultation their proposal to rezone parts of the central suburbs for medium and high density housing development.
The proposed changed come after the government’s National Policy Statement on Urban Development which requires city councils to zone more areas for higher density housing.
For Casper's fortnightly interview with Auckland city counsellor Shane Henderson they discussed the proposal, what it will mean for Auckland’s housing development and how people can contribute to the feedback process.
Casper started off by asking about the council’s proposed changes and how they relate to the Government’s National Policy Statement on Urban Development.
Submissions can be made on the council’s proposed zoning changes at akhaveyoursay.nz/housing
Last week, an independent review was conducted into Kainga Ora, homes and communities, by former Prime Minister Bill English. The review made the claim that Kainga Ora was financially unviable, and made seven recommendations to the government aimed at improving the agency’s financial performance, of which the government has agreed to implement four.
However, social housing advocates have expressed concern regarding the review and government response, saying that it would undermine the construction of social housing and give the Government the ability to sell Kainga Ora properties to private developers.
Rachel spoke to Vanessa Cole, a spokesperson for public housing, to gather her perspectives on the review of Kainga Ora, and what it means for social housing development in Aotearoa.
Last week, the Prime Minister revealed his cabinet reshuffle, which saw major changes to the roles of two prominent MPs and Ministers, Chris Bishop and Simeon Brown.
Last week also saw the passing of the Resource Management (Auckland Housing) Amendment Bill, after years of discussion, paving the way for a new approach to housing density and intensification in the future.
Of course, the fuel crisis is still hitting New Zealand, and discussions remain around the role public transport should play, and how the government should support public transit.
This week, Wire Host Alex spoke with National Party MP Ryan Hamilton about each of these topics, beginning with the cabinet reshuffle.
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