The numbers are in and they point to a lot of disagreement with the Auckland City Council's proposed budget. For city counselling this week Simon spoke with Manukau Councillor Lotu Fuli. Councillor Fuli spoke in detail about the Auckland City Council's Budget and the process of budget submissions from the public. She also mentioned the problems with selling the council's shares in the airport. Simon started by asking Councillor Fuli what the numbers from the public's submissions mean with only 26% supporting full cuts and 54% supporting some of the cuts.
It's the end of the week, and we have a great show for you. On Travelling Tunes, Dr Kirsten Zemke takes us through the tunes of trying times- yes, it's failure. The Fancy New Band showcase is back, and one of the acts, Ballot Box, is in the studio for a chat about the gig. The Viewmaster reviews Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, the television prequel to the film which you can watch on TVNZ+. Whakarongo mai nei!
Last week the Department of Conservation launched its newest programme 'Lead The Way' in partnership with PD Insurance, which aims to minimise the impact of dogs on wildlife, through greater eductaion of pet-owners.
The launch took place at Kelly Tarlton's aquarium, and included an insightful discussion panel with experts such as Laura Boren, the Science Advisor for Marine Species and Threats at DOC.
The Wire producers Beth and Rosetta attended the event, and later Rosetta spoke to Laura about the threats dogs can pose to our wildlife, and what needs to be done to reduce the risks.
Andrea Hotere, daughter of renowned Aotearoa artist Ralph Hotere and acclaimed poet Cilla McQueen has released her first novel, The Vanishing Point. The book is a fast-paced contemporary historical novel set in the 1600s and 1990s that twists and turns to a banger of an ending. Andrea says she wants the book to encourage the reader’s sense of curiosity about art in a way that is fun and accessible, to show the benefit of challenging received wisdom from the establishment sometimes, and listening to the artist, first and foremost.
To hear more about the novel Frances caught up with Andrea for Various Artists this week.
On the 5th of March, Aotearoa author Lauren Keenan released her debut novel, The Space Between, via Penguin Books New Zealand. Set in Aotearoa in 1860 during the Taranaki Wars, the historical fiction novel explores themes of alienation through the lives of two women who struggle to reconcile their pasts.
Beth spoke with Lauren about the novel and the feedback it’s received since its release. You can purchase The Space Between at your local bookstore.
Author Tina Makereti’s new novel released on Wednesday 3rd of July. It covers an array of themes such as colonisation, ecological devastation and extremism. It explores the strength of womanhood and the importance of connection in a polarised and fraught world.
Set in a small Aotearoa town, a little bit into the future, the story follows three women who find themselves neighbours. A sense of disquiet arises when the Pākehā neighbour’s son moves in sporting a fresh buzzcut and a new tattoo.
Beth spoke to Tina about The Mires, its themes and the inspiration behind the book. You can pick up a copy of The Mires at Time Out Bookstore or another independent bookstore near you.
The New Zealand police association are calling for ACT MP, Nicole McKee, to be stripped of her responsibility in the firearms reform.
The police union’s president, Chris Cahill, in an open letter to Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, says McKee had included 17 firearms interest groups in a targeted consultation process for the review, with only 8 of the groups who many differ in views.
The police association was not included in the groups discussing the review.
For our weekly catch up I spoke to the ACT Party’s Simon Court about Nicole Mckee, these calls for her to step down, and what this will mean for gun reform in Aotearoa.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden speaks to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about the government signalling a shift in their foreign policy stances, the allocation of 6 months in select committee for the Treaty Principles Bill and Bird of the Year.
Defining the Means is a new exhibition by Lindsey de roos, showing at Window Gallery from the 2nd of August till the 3rd of September. The exhibition questions the ‘dryness’ and bureaucracy of university systems and encourages the viewer to consider a ‘wetter’ and more imaginative alternative to current exhaustive university systems.
Beth spoke with Lindsey about Defining the Means and her workshop, Rip n’ Bitch, taking place at Window Gallery on July 29th. You can sign up for Rip n’ Bitch here.
The Portage Ceramic Awards is an annual exhibition of contemporary ceramics in Aotearoa, showing at Te Uru Gallery. The award was established in 2001 and embraces the rich history of working with clay in West Auckland.
Portage 2024 includes 42 works by 40 artists. Finalist works range from intimate functional objects to large-scale ephemeral installations. The concerns of the exhibited works are also diverse, embodying the natural world and the origins of clay, the intimate connection between Māori and whenua, the freedom of working with clay, and the precise technicalities of sculpting, firing, and glazing.
Beth caught up with ceramicist Peter Derksen about his practice and the exhibition.
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