The Wire with Sara

The Holidays (Increasing Sick Leave) Amendment Bill recently passed, increasing employer funded sick leave from five to 10 days.

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood says the bill will benefit both employees and employers.

I talked to Julia Shallcrass, a business expert and director of Kiwiboss, about the bill, and how increasing sick leave has been shown to boost productivity. 

Bronwyn spoke to Shane Henderson around the theme of 'transport'. They spoke about e-scooters, free hop cards and an inner-city congestion toll. Councillor Henderson also showed his support for Bike Auckland's “Liberate the Lane” Harbour Bridge event happening Sunday May 30th. You can hear a previous interview with Bike Auckland about the event here. 

Bronwyn speaks to Breanna Ward, who is taking on the immense physical challenge of swimming the Foveaux Strait (Te Ara a Kiwa)  to raise awareness for shark conservation. Bre will be just the 11th person to swim the 28km distance from Bluff to Rakiura (Stewart Island). Bronwyn and Bre talk training, shark conservation and the stigma around our fierce, finned friends. 

You can find more information about how to donate and show your support on Bre's Facebook Page “Swimming Foveaux for the Sharks”.

Justin spoke to University of Auckland health policy academic Dr Tim Tenbensel about health expectations for the Budget.

He also talked to Peter Reynolds of the Early Childhood Council about what early childhood education needs from the Budget.

The Driving Change Network said it takes more than three months of waiting time to sit a practical drivers' test.

Neighbourhood Watch reports on vaccine scepitcism in Australia and welfare agency not paying out benefits.

Producer Louis Macalister talked to Green MP Golriz Ghahraman on the party's motion on recognizing Palestinian statehood.