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Homelessness in the CBD, unemployment figures, action plan for methamphetamine usage w/ the Green Party's Ricardo Menéndez March: 12 November, 2025

Homelessness in the CBD, unemployment figures, action plan for methamphetamine usage w/ the Green Party's Ricardo Menéndez March: 12 November, 2025 Homelessness in the CBD, unemployment figures, action plan for methamphetamine usage w/ the Green Party's Ricardo Menéndez March: 12 November, 2025, 20.98 MB
Wed 12 Nov 2025

During an interview with the ‘Morning Report’, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon confirmed that orders for the homeless in Auckland’s CBD to move on were “definitely a consideration”. He later stated, that “Aucklanders don’t feel safe going into the central city”, and both Central government and Auckland Council are considering how they can move homeless people out of the CBD ahead of summer. 

This follows previous reports that the Government was considering a rough sleeping ban for central Auckland.

This news comes as Stats NZ released their annual unemployment figures this week. The results show that national unemployment has risen to a nine-year high at 5.3%, with the New Zealand youth taking most of the damage.

For our weekly catchup with The Green Party, Wednesday Wire Max spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March, to discuss the new unemployment figures released last week. They also spoke about the Government’s new action plan to combat methamphetamine use.

But first, they discussed what The Green Party thought about the Government’s plan to decrease homelessness in the Auckland CBD

The Wire w/ Joel: 12 November, 2025

The Wire w/ Joel: 12 November, 2025 The Wire w/ Joel: 12 November, 2025, 82.62 MB
Wed 12 Nov 2025

This week on the Wednesday Wire:

For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez-March about government ministers announcing they are considering banning rough sleeping in Auckland’s CBD, recent unemployment figures, and the government’s action plan to combat meth usage.

For this week's Get Action, Producer Manny spoke to JT from Touch Compass on their petition to Say YES to “Access” #YesToAccessNZ | Words shape world on their petition to replace inclusion with access.

Manny spoke with Jason Mika, Professor of Māori Management at the University of Auckland, about the ructions within Te Pāti Māori.

And News and Editorial Director Joel spoke with Professor John Morgan, The Head of the School Critical Studies and Education at the University of Auckland, about his article on Newsroom his belief that the country is seeing a collapse of the second curriculum accord.

Whakarongo mai!

Te Pāti Māori Expels Two MP's from the Party w/ Jason Mika

Te Pāti Māori Expels Two MP's from the Party w/ Jason Mika Te Pāti Māori Expels Two MP's from the Party w/ Jason Mika, 22.9 MB
Wed 12 Nov 2025

Recent tensions within Te Pāti Māori, which exploded into the light last month, have culminated in the expulsion of two rogue MPs: Mariameno Kapa-Kingi of Te Tai Tokerau and Tākuta Ferris of Te Tai Tonga.

Despite this, much remains unresolved, and controversy lingers over the preceding actions, the manner in which they were communicated online, and how the expulsion was handled by the party leadership. 
Wednesday Wire Producer Manny spoke with Jason Mika, Professor of Māori Management at the University of Auckland, to get his perspective on the expulsions.

Climate Change and Human Health Impact Report w/ Victoria University of Wellington Environmental Science Professor James Renwick: 11 November 2025

Climate Change and Human Health Impact Report w/ Victoria University of Wellington Environmental Science Professor James Renwick: 11 November 2025 Climate Change and Human Health Impact Report w/ Victoria University of Wellington Environmental Science Professor James Renwick: 11 November 2025, 32.74 MB
Tue 11 Nov 2025

Last month, Professors James Renwick, Simon Hales, Rebecca Priestley and Alistair Woodward produced a briefing calling for urgent action on New Zealand’s climate policies, given the vast direct and indirect impacts of climate change on human health.

For Green World this week, Wire Host Sara spoke with Victoria University of Wellington Professor James Renwick, from the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, about their report, going into depth about the health consequences of climate inaction

The government's consideration to ban rough sleeping in Auckland CBD w/ Kick Back's Aaron Hendry: November 11, 2025

The government's consideration to ban rough sleeping in Auckland CBD w/ Kick Back's Aaron Hendry: November 11, 2025 The government's consideration to ban rough sleeping in Auckland CBD w/ Kick Back's Aaron Hendry: November 11, 2025, 24.02 MB
Tue 11 Nov 2025

The government has been considering a ban on homeless people rough sleeping in central Auckland after dark. 

Spokespeople from homelessness and poverty action groups have criticised the proposal for not effectively addressing the root causes of the crisis. 

Producer Faith spoke to Aaron Hendry from the youth homelessness organisation Kick Back Make Change about the consideration, and its potential consequences

Dear Science w/ Dr Cushla McGoverin: 11 November, 2025

Dear Science w/ Dr Cushla McGoverin: 11 November, 2025 Dear Science w/ Dr Cushla McGoverin: 11 November, 2025, 39.28 MB
Tue 11 Nov 2025

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Dr Cushla McGoverin about the world’s biggest spiderweb, bacteria movement, and the Marsden Fund Awards for 2025

Journey into MOTAT this Sunday 16 November to celebrate all things train, tram and track with LIVE DAY: Rail!

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow.

Climate Change Response Act changes, the Regulatory Standards Bill, and Auckland CBD homelessness measures w/ National MP Carl Bates: 11 November, 2025

Climate Change Response Act changes, the Regulatory Standards Bill, and Auckland CBD homelessness measures w/ National MP Carl Bates: 11 November, 2025 Climate Change Response Act changes, the Regulatory Standards Bill, and Auckland CBD homelessness measures w/ National MP Carl Bates: 11 November, 2025, 20.87 MB
Tue 11 Nov 2025

Last week, Climate Minister Simon Watts announced numerous changes to New Zealand’s Climate Change Response Act, including removing the requirement for Climate Change Commission advice on emissions reductions plans, and easing requirements around public consultation on government targets.

Last week, the second reading of the Regulatory Standards Bill passed through parliament, despite large public opposition to the bill.

Finally, the central government alongside Auckland Minister Simeon Brown and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown have been discussing measures to “move on” homeless rough sleepers from the Auckland CBD. 

Wire Host Sara spoke with MP Carl Bates about all of these topics, she started by asking about the government’s motivation for changing the consultation requirements within the Climate Change Response Act

The Wire w/ Sara: 11 November 2025

The Wire w/ Sara: 11 November 2025 The Wire w/ Sara: 11 November 2025, 138.98 MB
Tue 11 Nov 2025

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Dr Cushla McGoverin about the world’s biggest spiderweb, bacteria movement, and the Marsden Fund Awards for 2025, thanks to MOTAT.

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Host Sara spoke to MP Carl Bates about the Climate Change Response Act, the Regulatory Standards Bill, and measures being considered around homelessness in Auckland's CBD.

For Green World, Sara spoke to Professor James Renwick from Victoria University in Wellington, about the impact of climate change on human health

Producer Faith spoke to Aaaron Hendry from the Kick Back, Make Change organisation about the government considering banning homeless people rough sleeping in the CBD

The Wire w/ Joel: 10 November, 2025

The Wire w/ Joel: 10 November, 2025 The Wire w/ Joel: 10 November, 2025, 82.94 MB
Mon 10 Nov 2025

This week on the Monday Wire:

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about government ministers announcing they are considering banning rough sleeping in Auckland’s CBD and the Regulatory Standards Bill passing its second reading.

Producer Alex spoke to  Dr Iresh Jayawardena, a lecturer in Architecture and Urban Planning and lead researcher for the Future Cities Research Centre about Earth Science New Zealand’s new Flood Risk Map, and what it says about our infrastructure’s exposure to climate based harms.

And Joel spoke to Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere, an Associate Law Professor at the University of Auckland, about NZ First’s members bill proposed a ban on the private sale and use of fireworks, touching on why we are seeing so many members bills from the party.

Whakarongo mai!

Homelessness in the CBD and Regulatory Standards Bill passing second reading w/ ACT's Simon Court: 10 November, 2025

Homelessness in the CBD and Regulatory Standards Bill passing second reading w/ ACT's Simon Court: 10 November, 2025 Homelessness in the CBD and Regulatory Standards Bill passing second reading w/ ACT's Simon Court: 10 November, 2025, 20.86 MB
Mon 10 Nov 2025

Concerns have been raised that rough sleepers will be pushed into unfamiliar suburbs outside of Auckland CBD, following government ministers' consideration of new measures.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says he had been tasked with making sure police were equipped to halt public disorder. When questioned explicitly about the ban, he said, "We're working our way through those issues... when we've got something to announce, we'll announce that."

As well as this, the Regulatory Standards Bill has passed its second reading in Parliament, having seen a few changes made to the bill in the select committee process.

The bill, having received 156,000 public submissions, almost 99% in opposition to the bill, is controversial. Constitutional experts and critics of the bill have expressed concerns that the amendments do not address its failings, and the “ideological” way it has been written means that if passed, the bill will have a lasting impact. The bill also lacks references to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

For our weekly catch-up with ACT Party’s Simon Court, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to him about both these topics.