The Wire with Alex

Felix spoke to Green Party co-leader James Shaw about the 2021 budget and what it means for climate change, the Green Party’s call for the government to recognize Palestine’s statehood, and their petition to stop wage suppression within the public sector.

On today's Wire:

Felix speaks to Green co-leader James Shaw about the budget, Palestinian statehood, and wage suppression.

Jess Hopkins speaks to Prof. Peter O'Connor about his claim that Pakeha New Zealanders should take the lead against racism.

On Stranger Than Fact, Felix explores the "Hollow Earth" theory and why some people believe there are Nazis living underground.

Jess speaks to arts expert Mark Harvey about the latest budget's impact on the arts sector

Lastly, she speaks to business expert Julia Shallcrass about increases to sick leave.

Following the release of the 2021 Budget, Dr Mark Harvey, a Senior Lecturer in Dance Studies, has raised concerns that the arts are not a priority. 

Harvey says despite the wider arts sector accounting for up to 7% of the total workforce, it receives a disproportionately small proportion of overall government spending.

Jessica Hopkins interviewed Harvey about why funding the arts sector is economically valuable, but is also essential to our mental health and wellbeing. 

The government has recently announced a wage freeze on many public sector workers, provoking public outrage. While Labour says the freeze is to free up money for lower paid workers, critics argue the move will disincentivise workers from staying in the New Zealand public sector. Noah Ferguson-Dudding spoke to Dr Geoff Plimmer from Victoria University of Wellington about what the freeze means for workers, and why it led to such a public outcry.