The Wire with Caeden

Changes were recently announced to the Fast Track Approvals Bill - most notably removing the controversial ministerial override that would allow ministers to go past expert advice. These changes follow public protests and submissions regarding the bill, one of this government’s most discussed. Wire host Castor spoke to Katie Nimon about the changes to the bill, and some of the criticisms that remain.

We also spoke about the potential amendment of Section 58 of the Marine and Coastal Area Act. The amendment would require Māori to prove continuous, uninterrupted occupation of a coastal area in order to make a claim to it. The Waitangi Tribunal recently filed an urgent claim to discuss the amendment, particularly criticised for its impact on coastal iwi with fewer land claims. 

In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor asked MP Katie Nimon about each of these issues, starting off with changes to the Fast Track Approvals Bill. 

New Zealand’s employment court recently rejected an appeal by taxi and delivery company Uber to reverse its earlier ruling regarding the status of Uber drivers. In 2022, the employment court ruled that Uber drivers should be classified as employees rather than contractors. Uber then appealed the decision, with the employment court reaching its final verdict this week.

Alongside this decision are discussions by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister, Brooke Van Velden, surrounding potential changes to how workers are classified. 

Wire host Castor spoke to national secretary of the E tū union, Rachel Mackintosh, about the appeal and potential upcoming legislation.

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science we chatted with our expert Professor Allan Blackman about mosquitoes using infrared, digital versus paper tests, and potential uses for whisky waste. 

In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor spoke to MP Katie Nimon about changes to the Fast Track Approvals Bill and potential amendments to the Marine and Coastal Area Act. 

They also spoke to Forest and Bird’s Geoff Keey about the Fast Track Bill, both the announced changes and what more they say needs to happen. 

And they spoke to Rachel Mackintosh from the E tū union about the recent Uber employment case. 

Producer Josef spoke to Peace Action Wellington Representative, Valerie Morse, about the New Zealand Defence Force’s contract with BAE systems.

Last week, multiple flights were delayed, due to an eruption, dubbed by scientists as “minor eruptive activity,” of Whakaari / White Island.

This comes as GNS Science discovered a new vent in the volcano, as the volcano has been experiencing ongoing volcanic activity since the beginning of this month.

News and Editorial Director and Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Associate Professor in the Faculty of Science at the University of Auckland and Geologist, Phil Shane, about this new vent and the disruption Whakaari has caused to air travel, and whether this should be viewed as a concern.