The Wire with Caeden

Israel has now killed more than 8000 Palestinians, including thousands of children who are trapped in Gaza with no way to leave.

Israel is continuing to bomb Gaza indiscriminanently with a refugee camp among the most recent places bombed following the 7 October terrorist attack from Hamas in Israel.

However, the occupation of Palestine by Israel did not begin this year. Caeden spoke to Dr Rand Hazou, Palestinian-Kiwi and Senior Arts Lecturer at Massey University, about the impact the conflict has had both recently but also for generations. 

With the construction of a new facility at the North Shore Hospital in Auckland underway, the Well Foundation has put together a campaign to put five hundred plants inside the massive four hundred square metre atrium. 

Extensive research has shown that gardens improve health outcomes, reduce admission time, and reduce blood pressure. 

The Well Foundation has asked the public to fund this $2m campaign, and has already received $1m in funding. 

To get a deeper look into the health benefits of plants for wellbeing, and to find out more about this project, Arno spoke to Well Foundation chief executive Tim Edmonds. 

Arno started the interview by asking about their “Give A Bit Of Green” project. 

You can help fund the massive garden at giveabitofgreen.co.nz

News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to Green Party Co-Leader, James Shaw, about the Green Party's stance on New Zealand’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the Auckland Council voting against having indigenous representation in the form of Māori seats. 

She also spoke to President of University of Auckland Student Justice for Palestine, Layan Khalil, about students showing solidarity with Palesrine.

And she spoke to Co-Founder of Alternative Jewish Voices, Marilyn Garson, about reports of increasing anti-semitism and Islamophobia, the conflation of being critical of Israel with anti-semitism, and calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. 

Arno spoke to Well Foundation CEO Tim Edmonds about the funding of a garden inside the new North Shore hospital building.

And he spoke to Diabetes New Zealand CEO Heather Verry about Diabetes Action Month and how diabetes can lead to blindness. 

This week for our weekly catchup with Dr Reti, Nicholas asked Dr Reti about the National Party’s plans to scrap Fair Pay Agreements.

Fair Pay legislation was passed last year, the legislation would require employers in certain sectors to negotiate minimum working conditions for employees, with Unions and employee representatives.

The interview began with a question about National’s potential lack of MP’s of Pacific Island descent. As it currently stands Angee Nicholas would be the only National MP of Pacific Island descent. Angee Nicholas currently holds her seat by thirty votes so it is possible she may end up out of parliament. 

Nicholas began by asking Dr Reti how National plans to make sure the Pacific Island population of Aotearoa is represented in the new government.