The Wire with Sara

Following the government’s announcement that Aotearoa would move to the red setting of the traffic light system on Monday 24 January, a number of events were forced to cancel or postpone. This is yet another massive blow to the music, arts and events industry, whose artists and workers have spent the last two years of the pandemic struggling to find consistent work and promoters have had to cancel or change the dates for their events multiple times. 

News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston reaches out to a few people working in the performance art sector who have been impacted by the red setting. Firstly, Jemima speaks to Director of Splore John Minty, Director of Freqs Out East Dan Hesson and Director of The Others Way Mathew Davis, who are all promoters for summer festivals that have had to cancel or postpone due to the shift to the red light setting. They discuss how the pandemic has affected events and whether the exisitng events support schemes are enough to get the people involved in the industry through the Omicron outbreak. 

Secondly, Jemima chats to artist and musician Jazmine Mary who says there is no support available for artists who have effectively lost their jobs under the red setting and cannot access the wage subsidy. Jazmine has penned a letter to the Prime Minister and submitted a parliamentary petition request to call for support for artists and musicians in Aotearoa unable to work under 'red'. They explain what sort of financial support is needed and how the public can help their call for action from the government. 

To check out the follow up podcast on this issue, click here. 

Non-profit charity Child Matters claim that not enough is being done to reduce the prevalence of child abuse in New Zealand. They argue that although policy-makers talk about change a lot, they have failed to properly help vulnerable kids. 

Louis talked to Child Matters' Chief Executive Jane Searle about the lack of change, what needs to be done, and the impacts of intergenerational trauma. 

Welcome.

On this week's Monday wire: 

Louis spoke to Child Matters' Chief Executive Jane Searle about the changes needed to reduce child abuse rates and Federated Mountain Clubs' President Jan Finlayson about their 90th anniversary. 

Charlie was joined by Make Good's founder Jacinta Fitzgerald and fair&good's Prasanna Nara about the impacts of fast fashion, as well as University of Victoria's Anton Hovius about a recent mosquito census. 

Enjoy. 

This summer, Drowning Prevention Auckland are highlighting why waterfalls are dangerous and not recommended for swimming.

I spoke to Chief Executive Nicola Keen-Biggelaar about their water safety initiative at Hūnua Falls that aims to raise awareness of these risks, and the importance of having water safety education from a young age.

Here is that interview…