The Wire with Castor

Surf Lifesaving New Zealand has been operating for over a hundred years. They make sure beaches are safe to swim at. They recently issued tips on how to stay safe this summer, which is predicted to be long and hot: perfect swimming weather. 

To start our interview, Arno asked CEO Steve Fisher to tell us a bit more about Surf Lifesaving New Zealand.

To find the best beaches to swim at, visit safeswim.org.nz

The Ram Raid Offending and Related Measures Amendment Bill is currently being passed through Government. The bill will separately criminalise ram raids, and offer harsher punishments on youth offenders.

Josh talked to Lisa McLaren, someone who opposes this bill, to discuss its flaws.

Yesterday, the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza was bombed, killing at least 500 Palestinians. 

The health ministry in Gaza says the attack was the result of an Israeli air raid. Israel has attributed the explosion to a misfired rocket launched by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), which PIJ has denied.

A statement issued by the World Health organisation pointed out that there have been over 50 attacks on hospitals in Gaza since 7 October. Al Jazeera has also reported that the Israeli military has issued evacuation orders for 22 hospitals. A senior health official in Gaza told Al Jazeera that Israel had fired two artillery shells as a warning at the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital days before the bombing. 

Palestinian New Zealander and advocate Tameem Al Shaltouni is among those calling on the New Zealand government to condemn the Israeli government's genocide of Palestinians. 

News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Al Shaltouni about the bombing of al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, Israel’s genocide of Palestinains, and false information that has been spread by Israel during the Israel-Hamas war.

She started off the interview asking Al Shaltouni about the impact of the attack on al-Ahli Baptist Hospital.

News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Palestinian New Zealander Tameem Al Shaltouni about the bombing of the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza. 

For City Counselling, she spoke to Shane Henderson about Te Hononga Akoranga, COMET, an organisation addressing education disparities in local communities, becoming an independent organisation from the Auckland Council and recycled fabric billboards in Henderson-Massey.

She interviewed 350 Aotearoa campaigner, Adam Currie, about their protest at Parliament this week calling on the incoming government to prioritise the climate in coalition negotiations. 

And she also spoke to Oxfam Climate Justice Lead, Nick Henry, and Stand Up Co-Convenor, Justine Sachs, about their calls for the incoming government when it comes to the climate and workers rights. 

Ash spoke to CEO of Global Women, Agnes Naera, about the impact of menopause on employees.