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Move on orders for rough sleepers in CBDs, Auckland housing intensification changes, and merged Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions & Transport w/ National MP Ryan Hamilton: 24 February 2026

 Move on orders for rough sleepers in CBDs, Auckland housing intensification changes, and merged Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions & Transport w/ National MP Ryan Hamilton: 24 February 2026 Move on orders for rough sleepers in CBDs, Auckland housing intensification changes, and merged Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions & Transport w/ National MP Ryan Hamilton: 24 February 2026, 34.16 MB
Tue 24 Feb 2026

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith announced the government’s new provision for police, allowing them to issue move-on orders to rough sleepers and those displaying “disorderly behaviour” in cities throughout New Zealand.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced the government’s weakening of housing intensification plans in Auckland, reducing the maximum housing capacity from 2 million to 1.6 million.

The government has also taken its first step towards a new Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport, by disestablishing the Ministry for the Environment, a process they say will make policy and planning more productive across these sectors.

Harbour Bridge Toll w/ The University of Auckland's Timothy Welch: 23 February, 2026

 Harbour Bridge Toll w/ The University of Auckland's Timothy Welch: 23 February, 2026 Harbour Bridge Toll w/ The University of Auckland's Timothy Welch: 23 February, 2026, 19.13 MB
Mon 23 Feb 2026

Last week, the Infrastructure Commission’s first National Infrastructure Plan was released. Outlining a number of different suggestions for infrastructure, the plan has been tabled to parliament by Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop. One such suggestion is the introduction of a $9 toll on the harbour bridge, and any new harbour crossing, in order to fund the construction of any new crossing.

Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke with Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland, Timothy Welch, about this suggestion, and how it should play into Auckland’s infrastructure future.

Developing Auckland and intensifying housing into the future w/ Dr Mohsen Mohammadzadeh: 23rd February, 2026

 Developing Auckland and intensifying housing into the future w/ Dr Mohsen Mohammadzadeh: 23rd February, 2026 Developing Auckland and intensifying housing into the future w/ Dr Mohsen Mohammadzadeh: 23rd February, 2026, 13.37 MB
Mon 23 Feb 2026

PC 120 or Plan Change 120 was announced for Auckland as a way to boost housing intensification along public transport hotspots and in the CBD. The plan was celebrated as a way to ensure Auckland remains livable as a city into the 21st century, reducing traffic around key centres and increasing affordability. 

The plan was met with criticism from those living in affected central neighbourhoods, such as Mount Eden, Parnell, Ponsonby, and Epsom. Some residents say the changes will diminish the character of the neighbourhoods or make things much busier, disturbing their way of life. 

Intensification is difficult, therefore, as a balancing act between multiple parties. To discuss how developments can work as we move into a city fit for the 21st century, News Director Castor spoke to Dr. Mohsen Mohammadzadeh from the University of Auckland’s school of architecture and planning.

The Wire w/ Castor: 23rd February, 2026

 The Wire w/ Castor: 23rd February, 2026 The Wire w/ Castor: 23rd February, 2026, 81 MB
Mon 23 Feb 2026

This week on the Tuesday Wire... 

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about making English an official language of Aotearoa and reducing the minimum proposed homes for Auckland down to 1.6 million. 

They also spoke to Dr. Mohsen Mohammadzadeh from the University of Auckland’s school of architecture and planning about PC 120 and how to best develop Auckland as a city for the future. 

And producer Alex spoke with Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning, Timothy Welch, about the Infrastructure Commission’s suggestion of a $9 toll on the harbour bridge, whether it's the right move, and what it means for Auckland’s Infrastructure planning.

Mining E-Waste for Gold w/ Sue Coutts: February 19, 2026

 Mining E-Waste for Gold w/ Sue Coutts: February 19, 2026 Mining E-Waste for Gold w/ Sue Coutts: February 19, 2026, 20.78 MB
Thu 19 Feb 2026

A fast-track consent is currently being sought for a major gold mine in Cromwell, Central Otago. 

This follows the approval of a controversial $8 billion dollar mine that received fast-track approval for the Coromandel in December. 

Local response has largely presented environmental concerns, and raise questions of alternative initiatives for mineral mining in Aotearoa. 

Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Sue Coutts, Director of External Affairs at Zero Waste Aotearoa, about the potential of e-waste and a circular economy for mining gold and other materials.

The Wire w/ Caeden: 19 February, 2026

 The Wire w/ Caeden: 19 February, 2026 The Wire w/ Caeden: 19 February, 2026, 78.1 MB
Thu 19 Feb 2026

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to MP Shanan Halbert about the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, the National Infrastructure Plan, and the Salvation Army’s Station of the Nation Report.

They also spoke to E Tū National Secretary Rachel Mackintosh and University of Auckland Teaching Fellow Simon Schofield on the impact of the Government’s Employment Relations Amendment Bill.

For City Counselling this week, Producer Jasmine spoke to Councillor Fairey about the presence of politicians at Big Gay Out, tolling a new harbour crossing, local government’s Value for Money committee and council’s use of AI

And she spoke to Zero Waste Aotearoa’s Sue Coutts about mining e-waste for minerals instead of fast-tracking new mining shafts.

City Counselling w/ Julie Fairey: February 19, 2026

 City Counselling w/ Julie Fairey: February 19, 2026 City Counselling w/ Julie Fairey: February 19, 2026, 24.78 MB
Thu 19 Feb 2026

Big Gay Out was held by the Burnett Foundation on Sunday, and appearances from some politicians were met with controversy, ending with a protestor’s removal from the main stage. 

There have been discussions of a $9 toll to finance a new harbour crossing this week, while Auckland council’s Value For Money committee has also commenced for 2026.

Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about these topics, alongside new council initiatives that utilise AI. 

Employment Relations Amendment Bill, National Infrastructure Plan, and the Salvation Army’s State of the Nation Report w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 19 February, 2026

 Employment Relations Amendment Bill, National Infrastructure Plan, and the Salvation Army’s State of the Nation Report w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 19 February, 2026 Employment Relations Amendment Bill, National Infrastructure Plan, and the Salvation Army’s State of the Nation Report w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 19 February, 2026, 10.27 MB
Thu 19 Feb 2026

The Government’s Employment Relations Amendment Bill has passed its third and final reading.

The Government has revealed the first-ever National Infrastructure Plan.

And the Salvation Army has released its annual State of the Nation report for 2026.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to MP Shanan Halbert about all of these topics.

Raising The Heat on Ministry Merger w/ Ora Taiao's Marnie Prickett

 Raising The Heat on Ministry Merger w/ Ora Taiao's Marnie Prickett Raising The Heat on Ministry Merger w/ Ora Taiao's Marnie Prickett, 11.73 MB
Wed 18 Feb 2026

To little fanfair the government announced a huge overhaul of key ministries, merging the Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the local government functions of the Department of Internal Affairs into a new agency.

Coming on the back of the yet more fast-track approvals reforms, which have cut out community voices like Forest and Bird, and led to criticisms of environmental destruction, the move is a huge overhaul in governance, leaving many critics alarmed that this is yet another move pulling the country away from climate mitigation and adaptation.

To understand why the government's plans to merge these key ministries is alarming them, I spoke to Ora Taiao Co-ordinator Marnie Pricket.

Ramifications of the newly announced liquified natural gas terminal in Taranaki w/ Greenpeace Chief Executive Russel Norman: 18th February, 2026

 Ramifications of the newly announced liquified natural gas terminal in Taranaki w/ Greenpeace Chief Executive Russel Norman: 18th February, 2026 Ramifications of the newly announced liquified natural gas terminal in Taranaki w/ Greenpeace Chief Executive Russel Norman: 18th February, 2026, 24.97 MB
Wed 18 Feb 2026

Last week, the government officially announced plans to build a liquified natural gas (or, LNG) terminal in Taranaki, with the goal of finishing construction by next year or early 2028.

The terminal is intended to provide a stopgap for New Zealand’s energy network during dry years, where hydro sources may not generate sufficient energy to support the network.

Coming at a cost of over a billion dollars, a new levy on electricity users of two to four dollars per megawatt hour, will be introduced to help fund the terminal.

However, the project has already faced criticism from groups such as Greenpeace, who pointed to the poor economic viability of the terminal and its further investment in fossil fuels during the climate crisis.

To understand more, producer Theo spoke to Greenpeace’s Chief Executive Russel Norman on the ramifications of this plan, and possible alternatives for mitigating dry year risk.