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Fast Track Approvals Bill w/ Group Manager for Conservation Advocacy at Forest & Bird, Richard Capie: 12th March, 2024

Fast Track Approvals Bill w/ Group Manager for Conservation Advocacy at Forest & Bird, Richard Capie: 12th March, 2024.mp3 mp3, 25.99 MB
Tue 12 Mar 2024

Last week, the Fast Track Approvals Bill received its first reading under urgency. 

The bill proposes to fast-track the resource consent process for major infrastructure projects by giving ministers decision making powers.

Forest & Bird, among other environmental groups, have expressed concerns that the bill will override or bypass existing environmental laws and protection. 

Producer Sofia Roger Williams spoke to group manager for conservation advocacy at Forest & Bird, Richard Capie, about the bill and its impact on Aotearoa New Zealand’s environment and democracy.

Care and support workers’ open letter to Te Whatu Ora w/ PSA Delegate and Mental Health Support Worker, Christie Cox: 12th March, 2024

Care and support workers’ open letter to Te Whatu Ora w/ PSA Delegate and Mental Health Support Worker, Christie Cox: 12th March, 2024.mp3 mp3, 12.19 MB
Tue 12 Mar 2024

Last week, three unions representing care and support workers delivered an open letter with over 9,100 signatures to Te Whatu Ora demanding urgent action on their pay equity claim. 

Producer Sofia Roger Williams spoke to Public Service Association Delegate and Mental Health Support Worker, Christie Cox, about the current situation for care and support workers in Aotearoa and the significance of the letter being delivered on International Women’s Day.

Mortgage Tax Deductions and Fuel Excise Tax w/ National’s James Meager: 12th March, 2024

Mortgage Tax Deductions and Fuel Excise Tax w/ National’s James Meager: 12th March, 2024 Mortgage Tax Deductions and Fuel Excise Tax w/ National’s James Meager: 12th March, 2024, 19.64 MB
Tue 12 Mar 2024

In our weekly interview with National’s James Meager, wire host Castor talked about the government’s mortgage tax deduction policy and fuel excise tax. The mortgage tax reduction policy allows landlords to claim tax deductions on interest from mortgages on their properties. 

Notably, these tax deductions can increase to up to 100% of the mortgage interest rate, and will not apply to those who own one home. 

Additionally, a week before this interview, Transport Minister Simeon Brown unveiled the government’s transport policy. While not technically introducing a fuel tax, the government does plan to increase the excise tax on fuel, which in practical terms does mean you will be taxed more on the fuel you buy. The policy has been met with controversy, especially given promises during the election campaign to not introduce a fuel tax. Castor discussed this issue with James Meager and how the decision may be seen as hypocritical. 

Bike Auckland and the government’s transport policy w/ Chair of Bike Auckland Karen Hormann: 12th March, 2024.

Bike Auckland and the government’s transport policy w/ Chair of Bike Auckland Karen Hormann: 12th March, 2024. , 13.16 MB
Tue 12 Mar 2024

Bike Auckland is an organisation that promotes and supports cyclists across Auckland with various events and campaigns. The organisation also looks at road usage from a climate standpoint, promoting cycling as a low emission alternative to driving. 

Last week the government unveiled its new transport policy, which included minimal support for cyclists or the environment. Wire host Castor spoke to chair of Bike Auckland Karen Hormann about both the organisation and the policy announcement.

The Wire w/ Castor - 12th March 2024

The Wire w/ Castor: 12th March 2024 The Wire w/ Castor: 12th March 2024, 105.85 MB
Tue 12 Mar 2024

For Dear Science this week, Dr Cushla McGoverin chatted about a weird use for barnacles, sleep improving vaccination effectiveness, and collagen in the human body. 

Wire host Castor spoke to National’s James Meager about the mortgage tax deductions policy and increases to the fuel excise tax. 

He also spoke to Bike Auckland’s chair Karen Hormann about the organisation and National’s new transport policy. 

Producer Sofia spoke to Group Manager for Conservation Advocacy at Forest & Bird, Richard Capie, about the government’s proposed Fast Track Approvals Bill.

She also spoke to Public Service Association Delegate and Mental Health Support Worker, Christie Cox, about an open letter from  care and support workers to Te Whatu Ora on International Women’s Day last week. 

Rising Cost of Basic Food Items in Aotearoa w/ World Vision New Zealand’s Head of Advocacy and Justice, Rebekah Armstrong: 11 May, 2024

Rising Cost of Basic Food Items in Aotearoa w/ World Vision New Zealand’s Head of Advocacy and Justice, Rebekah Armstrong: 11 May, 2024 Rising Cost of Basic Food Items in Aotearoa w/ World Vision New Zealand’s Head of Advocacy and Justice, Rebekah Armstrong: 11 May, 2024, 7.59 MB
Tue 12 Mar 2024

A new report from World Vision looking at food prices in 67 countries has found the average cost of basic food items in Aotearoa increased by 56% in 2023 compared to the previous year. This is compared to a 29% decrease in cost in Australia.

Jessica spoke to World Vision New Zealand’s Head of Advocacy and Justice, Rebekah Armstrong, about these findings.

They started off the interview by discussing what basic food items the report looked at.

Dis-Establishment of Te Aka Whai Ora w/ James Henare Māori Research Centre Director, Associate Professor Marama Muru-Lanning, and Senior Research Fellow, Dr Hilary Lapsley: 11 March, 2024

Dis-Establishment of Te Aka Whai Ora w/ James Henare Māori Research Centre Director, Associate Professor Marama Muru-Lanning, and Senior Research Fellow, Dr Hilary Lapsley: 11 March, 2024 Dis-Establishment of Te Aka Whai Ora w/ James Henare Māori Research Centre Director, Associate Professor Marama Muru-Lanning, and Senior Research Fellow, Dr Hilary Lapsley: 11 March, 2024, 9.64 MB
Mon 11 Mar 2024

Last month, the government announced Te Aka Whai Ora, or the Māori Health Authority, would be dis-established, just 18 months after it launched.

News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to Associate Professor in Anthropology at the University of Auckland and Director of the James Henare Māori Research Centre, Marama Muru-Lanning (Waikato, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Whātua), and Senior Research Fellow at the James Henare Māori Research Centre, Dr Hilary Lapsley, about the government dis-establishing Te Aka Whai Ora and its impact on kaumatua.

Emerging Vape Market in Schools w/ Asthma and Respiratory Foundation Maori Community Liason Officer, Sharon Pihema: 11 March, 2024

Emerging Vape Market in Schools w/ Asthma and Respiratory Foundation Maori Community Liason Officer, Sharon Pihema: 11 March, 2024 Emerging Vape Market in Schools w/ Asthma and Respiratory Foundation Maori Community Liason Officer, Sharon Pihema: 11 March, 2024, 5.32 MB
Mon 11 Mar 2024

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand has released research reporting a black market for vapes emerging in schools across Aotearoa. 

Producer Ezra spoke to the Foundation's Maori Community Liason officer, Sharon Pihema about this pressing issue.

Environmental Consequences of Government Proposal to Fast-Track Infrastructure Projects w/ Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki Chairperson and former Green MP, Catherine Delahunty, and Climate Justice Taranaki Spokesperson, Urs Signer: 11 March, 2024

Environmental Consequences of Government Proposal to Fast-Track Infrastructure Projects w/ Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki Chairperson and former Green MP, Catherine Delahunty, and Climate Justice Taranaki Spokesperson, Urs Signer: 11 March, 2024 Environmental Consequences of Government Proposal to Fast-Track Infrastructure Projects w/ Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki Chairperson and former Green MP, Catherine Delahunty, and Climate Justice Taranaki Spokesperson, Urs Signer: 11 March, 2024, 17.36 MB
Mon 11 Mar 2024

Following the government announcing its fast track consents bill, which gives ministers ultimate authority on whether to approve significant projects, environmental groups have raised concerns this will undermine exisiting  environmental protections. 

First, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to the Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki Chairperson and former Green MP, Catherine Delahunty, about how the bill could affect protected areas in the Coromandel.

The environmental group, Climate Justice Taranaki, have also protested the bill over concerns it could open up new seabed mining projects in Taranaki. Jessica Hopkins asked spokesperson, Urs Signer, for their thoughts on the bill.

The Wire w/ Jessica: 11 March, 2024

The Wire w/ Jessica: 11 March, 2024 The Wire w/ Jessica: 11 March, 2024, 51.93 MB
Mon 11 Mar 2024

For our regular catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Simon Court about the government’s proposal to fast-track the resource consent process for significant regional and national projects.

She also spoke to Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki Chairperson and former Green MP Catherine Delahunty and Climate Justice Taranaki Spokesperson Urs Signer about the government’s new fast-track consenting proposal.

She had a kōrero with Associate Professor in Anthropology at the University of Auckland and Director of the James Henare Māori Research Centre, Marama Muru-Lanning (Waikato, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Whātua) and Senior Research Fellow Dr Hilary Lapsley about the government dis-establishing Te Whai Aka Ora, the Māori Health Authority.

And a black market for vapes has emerged in New Zealand schools, according to a report by the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation. Producer Ezra spoke to Asthma and Respiratory Foundation Māori Community Liaison Sharon Pihema about this.