The Wire with Caeden

A newly released documentary 'River of Freedom' is being shown in several cinemas across the country. 

The documentary focuses on the perspectives of the convoy who occupied parliament grounds in 2022, who in the film's own words, were “fed up with Covid-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates.”

The film has been promoted on platforms like The Platform, Counterspin, and Reality Check Radio, and has been accused of promoting disinformation. 

News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to activist, researcher, and author of 'Fear: New Zealand's Hostile Underworld of Extremists’, Byron C Clark, about his impression of the documentary, and looking out for misinformation and disinformation in the lead up to the election. 

The Public Service Association is concerned that Nationals proposed tax cuts may come at the cost of many public services.

Josh spoke to Duane Leo from the Public Service Association to find out more.

This week our election coverage topic is the climate crisis and environment.

Rosetta spoke to Jenny Sahng, spokesperson for Vote For Climate, about the newly launched campaign urging the public to vote with climate change in mind this year.

Producer Rawan spoke to Ellie Hooper, the Oceans Campaigner at Greenpeace Aotearoa about the Green Party's proposed Healthy Ocean's Act.

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, Rawan spoke to Simon Court about some of the party's environmental policies, including proposed changes to the RMA, their pledge to improve the economy through affordable renewable energy, and their freshwater management policies.

Rosetta spoke to Alan Brent, Chair of Sustainable Energy Systems at Victoria University about the newly implemented solar panels which power the school of Achitecture and Design Innovation.

Finally, Rosetta also spoke to Danny Osborne, associate professor at the School of Psychology at the University of Auckland, about his involvement as an academic advisor in Vote Compass, an online tool which aligns voters' personal values with party policy.

Last week, a collaboration of climate activists and organisations across Aotearoa launched the campaign Vote for Climate, in hopes to encourage voters to prioritise the climate crisis in terms of who they vote for. The website provides a simplified guide of party climate policy, by ranking parties from best to worst in regards to their policies surrounding climate change. Currently, Te Pāti Māori and the Green Party have ranked “best”, the Labour party ranking “good”, New Zealand First ranks “bad”, and both the National Party and ACT rank “worst”. The website also lists ways for voters to get involved, by asking their local MP’s what their parties intend to do to tackle the climate crisis, and participating in the campaign. 

Rosetta spoke to Jenny Sahng, Spokesperson for Vote for Climate, about the campaign and the importance of a climate election.