The Wire with Alex

Waka Kotahi has recently released a report on the Waiheke Ferry Service, after months of locals calling for the service to be subsidised as public transport. The report recognised the service as integral to the Auckland public transport network, but sighted not enough evidence to justify a need for subsidising the route as public transport. The Ferry route run by Fullers was the only service running regularly between Downtown Auckland and Waiheke Island, until a new company “Island Ferry Direct” launched a route last week. 

Rosetta spoke with Chlöe Swarbrick, Auckland Central MP, about her frustrations with the Waka Kotahi report, and the challenges that Waiheke Island residents are currently facing in regards to the Waiheke Ferry Service. We also spoke about what difference Island Ferry Direct will make as a competitive service with Fullers. 

Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission recently released a fact sheet explaining the connection between human rights, te Tiriti o Waitangi and co-governance.

Professor of Law at the University of Auckland Claire Charters says that ‘the fact sheet helps to unpack co-governance arrangements in Aotearoa New Zealand and how they are consistent with a modern, liberal democracy.’

Beth spoke with Professor Charters about the relationship between co-governance, te Tiriti o Waitangi and human rights in Aotearoa New Zealand, and how our co-governance arrangement could better reflect te Tiriti and the rights of indigenous peoples. She began by asking about the importance of co-governance.

For our regular catch-up with the Labour Party, Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader, Carmel Sepuloni, about the 2023 Pacific Islands Forum. 

News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Epidemiologist, Professor Michael Baker, about his concerns that Aotearoa is entering a ‘fifth wave’ of Covid-19. 

Producer Beth spoke to Counsellor for Waitakere, Shane Henderson, about the Council’s consultation on government direction and improvement to Tāmaki Makaurau’s freshwater and community involvement in freshwater management

She spoke to Professor of Law at the University of Auckland Claire Charters about the relationship between co-governance, te Tiriti o Waitangi and human rights in Aotearoa New Zealand, and how our co-governance arrangement could better reflect te Tiriti and the rights of indigenous peoples

She also spoke to Volunteer at the Better NZ Trust Rob Birnie about national support for the Clean Car Discount and the National Party’s plan to scrap the policy

Producer Castor spoke to Professor of Environment at the University of Auckland, Giovanni Coco, about the removal of mangroves across Aotearoa and its negative consequences for the environment.

Councils across Aotearoa have been removing mangroves for various reasons including for aesthetics, beach access, and reduced muddiness. 

However, mangroves actually reduce muddiness on their own, as well as supporting local ecosystems and minimising flood risk. 

Producer Castor spoke to University of Auckland Professor of Environment, Giovanni Coco, about the removal of mangroves and how this can harm New Zealand’s wetlands and estuaries.