The Wire with Caeden

In December of 2023, the government passed legislation to fully reinstate 90-day trials for employers, which was campaigned for by both National and ACT in the lead up to the election. The policy means that employees can be dismissed within 90 days of starting work without a given reason. Migrant workers are proving to be disproportionately affected by reforms in the employment sector. Just in the past week, A group of ten migrant workers, previously employed by S.E.A.L. Security have been made redundant months into their three-year employment agreement, after paying up to 70,000 dollars to secure employment in Aotearoa. Etū, one of the largest worker advocacy groups and unions in the country, has expressed serious concern about what new policies in the employement sector will mean for these workers.

Rosetta spoke to Director at Etū Georgie Dansey about what 90-day trials and the repeal of Fair Pay Agreements will mean for our most vulnerable Migrant Workers.

Neighbours Aotearoa is a community organisation that promotes fostering connections between neighbours and strengthening communities. 

While the organisation operates all year round, Neighbours Aotearoa is particularly focused on the month of March, where they encourage people to get out and engage with their community. 

Producer Castor spoke to Lucette Hindin, a Lead Connector for Neighbours Aotearoa, about the benefits of community and their upcoming March initiative.

The Wire is starting a new segment focused on deep diving into global human rights issues from Aotearoa to the world.

For the first edition Caeden focused on Aotearoa’s international law obligations to Palestine following the International Court of Justice ruling. First they spoke to University of Auckland Lecturer and International Law Expert Dr Treasa Dunworth. 

They then spoke to Palestine Solidarity Network’s John Minto.

‘Understanding Te Tiriti – a handbook about Te Tiriti o Waitangi’ is a new guide created by lawyer Roimata Smail (Ngāti Maniapoto, Tainui, English, Scottish, Irish descent).

News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Smail about the handbook and what she hopes people take away from it.

She started off by asking Smail about her background as a legal counsel in the Waitangi Tribunal and in creating educational resources about Te Tiriti.