The Wire with Alex

Earlier this May the government announced plans to revisit a development at Waikeria Prison in Waikato. Originally proposed under the 2017 Labour government, the plan to add new beds was delayed due to COVID 19 complications. 

Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell sez the development will continue past Labour’s initial plan, with an overwhelming message from the National party that the prison population should and will increase. In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Katie Nimon, Wire host Castor asked about the prison development and Corrections funding in advance of this week’s budget announcements.

This weekend, People Against Prisons Aotearoa organised a protest against the planned development at Waikeria Prison, calling out existing space in prisons, excessive spending on prisons during cuts across government departments, and the ineffectiveness of prisons broadly.

Wire host Castor spoke to People Against Prisons Aotearoa’s Press Spokesperson, Emmy Rākete about the development and the government’s approach to crime and punishment.

A South Auckland-based art exhibition opened last week at the Mangere Arts Centre, featuring the works of 10 contemporary Aotearoa artists with Tāgata Pācifica and Tāgata Ahia heritage.

Producer Ezra spoke to the Co-Curator from I-M.S Arts, Iokapeta Magele-Suamasi, about the importance of the “South-Versed” exhibition for recognising South-Auckland-connected talent.

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party's Simon Court, producer Evie spoke to Simon about mining and comments he made on X, formally Twitter, about the University of Canterbury pro-Palestine encampment.

She also spoke with Spokesperson for Students for Justice in Palestine Canterbury, Matt, about the University of Canterbury encampment.

For our weekly catchup with, Te Pāti Māori's Takutai Kemp, News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to Takutai about Māori wards and Kāinga Ora.

They spoke to Senior Lecturer in Public Health at the University of Canterbury, Matthew Hobbs, about a study he led that demonstrates that most vape retailers are in the country’s most deprived areas.

They also spoke to Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Auckland, Jude MacArthur, about the concern with charter schools and assisting students who have a disability and/or are neurodivergent.

Producer Ezra spoke to Senior Lecturer of Education at the University of Auckland, Dr Analosa Veukiso-Ulugia about the soaring Pokie machine profits in South Auckland.

And he also spoke to Curator of I-M.S Arts, Iokapeta Magele-Suamasi, about her “South-Versed” exhibition and its exploration of diaspora for Tagata Pasifika and Tagata Ahia in Aotearoa.