The Wire with Castor

Earlier this week the Government announced that it would introduce the controversial Treaty Principles Bill today, over a week earlier than its original date for introduction on November 18th. 

The Bill has received much criticism, with a nationwide hīkoi in protest planned for next week to coincide with its introduction.

Producer Sofia spoke to Te Tiriti o Waitangi expert, Professor Margaret Mutu (Ngāti Kahu, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Whātua), from the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Arts, as well as lecturer at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Law and spokesperson for and organiser of Toitū te Tiriti, Eru Kapa Kingi (Te Aupōuri, Ngāpuhi, Waikato-Tainui, and Te Whānau-ā-Apanui), about the Bill and the nationwide hīkoi that coincides with it. 

For their regular catch-up, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March about proposed cuts to Aotearoa’s long term child poverty reduction goals by Minister for Child Poverty Reduction, Louise Upston, as well Todd McClay’s new charter for recreational hunting and fishing and the Green party’s calls to ban bottom trawling.

He spoke to Sarita Divis from the child poverty action group for an expert opinion on the Louise Upston’s decision to reduce child poverty reduction targets. 

For this week’s Get Action! He speak to Rachel Jaboon from the Victoria African Diaspora Student Association to discuss a petition of hers calling for the Wellington government to make the CBD safer for Rangatahi and students.

And He spoke to Dr Timothy Fadgen from the University of Auckland to talk about how Donald Trump might raise allegations of voter fraud if he loses the upcoming U.S elections, as American voters head to the polls today.

Sasha spoke to Professor Simon Thrush, from the institute of Marine Science about the past week’s commonwealth ocean declaration

And he spoke to Emily Hall from the SAFE organisation calling for changes to New Zealand’s animal welfare and banning rodeo events.

The new rodeo season commenced this past Sunday the 3rd of November, and animal rights organisation SAFE is calling for a ban on this sport. 

SAFE Campaign Manager Emily Hall spoke to Sasha about these rodeo events, stating that they breach the New Zealand Animal Welfare Act. There are many other issues with the rodeo sport industry, as for example it is not necessary for the organisations to report deaths or injuries unless requested.

The United States General Elections are officially being held today, and thousands of American citizens are rushing to polling stations to cast their vote for the next leader of the world’s largest superpower.

The two prospective candidates, Donald J. Trump of the Republican party, and Kamala Harris of the Democrats, are expected to be neck and neck in the polls, with the final outcome of the election to be won only by a slim margin.

However, a number of experts have purported that, in the possible event of his election loss, Donald Trump may denounce the results and accuse the US electoral college of fraud, a call that may lead to widespread uproar from his devoted supporters.

Oto spoke to Dr Timothy Fadgen, a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Auckland on Donald Trump’s possible reaction to the results of the US General Elections in the event that he loses, and the potential of him decrying the US electoral college.