The Wire with Castor

Last week, when we focused on cultural appropriation for Worry Week, Mary-Margaret wanted to look into the modern uses of kava, and ask an expert about the monetisation of it and the problems that may arise from that. Daniel Hernandez is an anthropology lecturer here at Auckland uni, and a lot of his research has centred around kava. He started by telling Mary-Margaret about the history of the plant.

Nicky Hager has exposed allegations of sexual assault, war crimes in Afghanistan and a homophobic culture within the New Zealand Defence Force. Ben speaks to Organise Aotearoa who are picketing at the Defence Force’s offices today. Olivia speaks to the Auckland Women’s Centre’s Leonie Morris about their forum on Mana Wahine last week. In international news, Justin takes us to South Korea where a former president has just been jailed for accepting bribes from large companies including Samsung. Mary-Margaret speaks to an Auckland University anthropology lecturer about kava, and its place in the modern Pacific world. And finally, for the Green Desk this week, we have a chat with Auckland Council's Chief Sustainability Officer about the city’s Climate Action Plan.

Former South Korean president Lee Myung Bak has been jailed for 15 years for receiving bribes from some of the country’s (and the world’s) largest companies, including Samsung.  Justin looks into what role these companies play in South Korea and the relations they have with the administration.

The government has announced extra funding will be available  to attract over 850 additional teachers yesterday.  It includes the introduction of up to 230 grants of 10,000 dollars to encourage schools to employ more teaching graduates.  Justin talked to Michael Cabral-Tarry, the CHairperson of the Auckland Regional Committee of the NZ Post Primary Teachers’ Association.  He started by asking the current situation of teachers in New Zealand.