The Wire with Joel

This is the full version of Casper’s interview with Auckland mayoral candidate Efeso Collins, of which an abbreviated segment was played on the Thursday Wire.

Efeso Collins is currently a councillor for the Manukau Ward, and his campaign for mayor has been endorsed by Labour, the Greens, and the similarly aligned local body group city vision. His flagship campaign policy is making Auckland's public transport fees-free.

The International Seabed Authority has granted permission for Canadian corporation The Metals Company to mine the sea floor in the Eastern Pacific, a move which Greenpeace sez signals the beginning of a new and destructive extractive industry that will place profit before people and biodiversity, threatening ocean health and people’s way of life.

To chat about the ISA’s decision, as well as what impacts deep sea mining could have on surrounding communities, Emilia spoke to Greenpeace Aotearoa’s seabed mining campaigner James Hita.

This week on The Wire for Rāapa Wednesday:

Casper speaks to Brooke van Velden about the end of the traffic light system in our weekly chat with the ACT Party deputy leader.

Emilia speaks with Liam Rutherford from NZEI Te Riu Roa about their calls to increase funding for te reo in education.

She'll also be chatting to James Hita from Greenpeace about the International Seabed Authority greenlighting deep sea mining in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Once again today we have another interview from Casper with Auckland’s Mayoral hopefuls; today he’ll be chatting with Craig Lord.

And finally, Emilia will be chatting to our European correspondent Cameron Adams on Eurovision about the war in Ukraine, elections in Sweden and Montenegro and more.

That's us for the Wednesday Wire! Enjoy Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori!

Yesterday the government announced the scrapping of the traffic light covid-19 protection framework, as well as the easing of many key restrictions.

Mask wearing will now no longer be required outside of healthcare settings, household contacts don’t need to isolate and all vaccine mandates will cease at the end of the month.

In the same announcement the government dedicated a one-off public holiday to honour the passing of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

For Casper's regular interview with National MP Dr Shane Reti they spoke about this announcement and how it has been received by the National party.

Casper started off by asking him how he felt about the announced changes and whether there is anything he would have done differently.