The Wire with Caeden

In December it was announced that New Zealand pop singer Lorde would not carry through with planned concerts in Israel. This led to some interesting discussion on social media about the relationship between music and politics and whether musicians should just shut up and not get involved in politics. Sam Smith filed this report on the longstanding connection between music and politics. 

Joel hosts The Wire with producers Sam, and Lisa in which:

Sam does report on the relationship between music and politics in light of Lorde’s decision to pull out of concerts in Israel. We also hear from Justine Sachs who wrote to Lorde asking her to pull out of shows.

Green MP Chloe Swarbrick joined us in the studio as cover for James Shaw and talked about her summer, the future, and the National party’s proposed bill to make second languages in school compulsory.

Lisa talked to Whetu Cormick, President of NZ’s Principals Federation about the National party’s proposed bill.

Joel talked to Matt Williams, Chief executive Surf Lifesaving Northern Region about why there are so many deaths on our beaches and how to prevent them.

The National Party believes Kiwi children should learn more than one language. National's education spokesperson Nikki Kaye is presenting a new private member's bill that would require every primary and intermediate schools to offer at least one second language from a list of at least ten " national priority languages ". Only 19 per cent of New Zealanders speaking more than one language, according to the 2013 Census, and Kaye intends on challenging the country monolingual culture, or at least start a national debate. 

Lisa spoke with Whetu Cormick, President of New Zealand's Principas Federation, about the draft bill, and what it means in terms of budget and logistics. 

In our final Thursday Wire of the year, we recap some of our favourite stories from the airwaves.

Ben brings you a report speaking with spokesperson for the Specialist Trade Contractors Federation, Graham Burke on whether quality control standards in NZ are fit for purpose in the wake of the Grenfell fire tragedy in the United Kingdom.

Ben also recaps his interview with FIRST's Retail, Finance and Commerce Secretary Maxine Gay on the Warehouse's Red Shirts Community Programme.

Lachlan recalls his feature with Emmy Rakete from People Against Prisons Aotearoa about their recent court case and the disclosure that their phones had been tapped by police. He then spoke with AUT Law Lecturer Khylee Quince about Aotearoa's surveillance laws.

Harry goes back to his onsite interview with Christina Rogstad, talking her initiative Destination Trades, aimed at getting more young women into trades.

We also go back to Harry's chat with Search and Destroy owner Alison Reid, talking changes to K road and St Kevins Arcade

Finaly we recap Harry's interview with Kelvin Davis, trying to pry out information late September about coalition talks with Winston Peters. Kelvin also has words for Don Brash.