The Mayor phones up to chat about the City Rail Link tunnel, the trial recycling scheme for large plastics, and the opening of voting for local election. Whakarongo mai nei.
Rod Oram discusses Meka Whaitiri’s exit from Labour, the Restore Passenger Rail protestors and how they’ve been received, and Michael Wood’s letter of expectations to Immigration NZ. Whakarongo mai nei!
Justine talks about union blockades, annual leave and what benefits joining a union can bring for people from all employment types. Whakarongo mai nei!
In the last week, RNZ has come under fire for its use of Te Reo with Don Brash among others annoyed by its presence on national radio, and television. Brash says he doesn’t understand the language, says it has no value to him, and that it is being rammed down peoples throats. Other people like media commentator John Drinnan say RNZ does not have a strategy for its use of Te Reo, with no reason given as to why it is being used and what is being said. The Monday Wire team were joined for a live panel discussion on the use of Te Reo in the media by news director Lillian Hanly, Morning Glory host Geneva Alexander-Marsters, and former Wire producer Atereano Mateariki.
A recent report released by AT shows the need for a new Waitemata harbour crossing by the mid 2030s. The report highlighted the need for alternative transport options that move away from traditional notions of needing more roads. One of these is the option of a rail link between the Shore and Mainland. Lachlan spoke with Matt Lowrie from Transport blog about the possibility of a rail crossing.
A group is campaigning for the government and Kiwirail to restore intercity rail services after the Northern Explorer between Auckland and Wellington, as well as the Coastal Pacific Service between Picton and Christchurch were cancelled.
Kiwirail said it is now planning to create multi-day experiences that showcase the best of New Zealand, both on and off the track.
But the Save Our Trains campaign says it wants a comprehensive national strategy for future passenger rail services built around concerns for climate action, accessibility, and economic development.
Paul Callister is a spokesperson for the campaign and a senior associate at the Institute of Governance and Policy Studies at Victoria University.
Tāmaki Makurau's rail network is undergoing a major rebuild, which will see rail lines across the city temporarily close over the coming years.
These services are expected to be replaced by buses.
Three regional transport agencies, including Auckland Transport are calling on immigration minister Michael Wood to urgently review immigration settings to address the country's bus driver shortage.
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Louisa Jones from First Union who is concerned that failure to address existing conditions for bus drivers could discourage people from using public transport.
It was announced this week that Auckland’s rail network is undergoing a rebuild, which will see major rail lines temporarily close. Buses are expected to replace these services, but AT and other transport agencies are urging Immigration and Transport Minister Michael Wood to allow bus driver shortages to be filled by overseas workers. News & Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Auckland Transport Metro Services Manager Derek Koper.
Last week, the government announced that they’d be scrapping same-day election enrolments, alongside a number of other changes to electoral laws.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said that current electoral laws were “placing too much strain on the system” and increased the time needed for the vote count.
Earlier this week, the Climate Change Commission released its annual monitoring report on emissions reductions, which showed that Aotearoa New Zealand was on track to meeting its first emissions budget for the period of 2022-2025, but not towards meeting future budgets around the 2050 period.
And the Greens recently launched a petition calling on Rail Minister Winston Peters to reinstate passenger rail services across the country.
For our weekly catchup with the Green party, Oto spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez-March to get the party’s take on all of these issues.
With more retail spaces going up for sale in St Kevin's arcade this week, Karangahape Road continues its spruce up in preparation for the City Rail Link. bFM reporter Harry Willis speaks to St Kevins Arcade alumnus, Search and Destroy's Alison Reid, on why the favourite second-hand clothing store has moved out, and her thoughts on the changing face of K Road.
95bFM