The Wire with Castor

As special votes are still being counted, is it still uncertain as to whether the new government with be an National-ACT coalition, or a three-way coalition with New Zealand First as well. The difference between these two coalition governments in terms of policy, and differences made to National’s economic policy in order for these coalitions to happen, could be drastic. 

Rosetta spoke to Arthur Grimes, Professor of Wellbeing and Public Policy at Victoria University of Wellington's School of Government, about what economic policy under each of these coalition governments could look like, and what policies we should be expecting to see implemented first.

In light of current events in Palestine and Israel, several pro-Palestine organisations in Aotearoa including the Palestinian Solidarity Network, Auckland Peace Action and a few others, organised rallies for Palestine across the country. The Auckland rally was the first, taking place on Saturday the 14th in Aotea square. 

It was a response to the Israeli government going through with attacks on Palestinans and cutting of power and water in Gaza following the Hamas attacks on Israel. Israel’s actions have resulted in over 2,300 palestinian civilians dying and over 10,800 injured. The Israeli government has only restored some water supply this morning. 

Last week Rawan spoke with John Minto, the national chair for Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa about how the palestinian community here is feeling, what they hoped to achieve with the upcoming rallies and what actions they feel need to be taken. 

This morning Rawan also spoke with Layan Khalil, co-president of the University of Auckland Justice for Palestine group about what the Saturday rally was like. We discussed the overall turn out of the rally, including the amount of young people that came to show their support for Palestine and how they were feeling. 

Rawan asked about the motivation behind the pro-palestine demonstration at the Auckland Museum last night after it was lit in support of Israel. Many palestinian supporters went to protest and blacked out the Israeli flag coloured lights by covering them with jackets and flags.

They also discussed what the Palestinian community feels about the new government’s support of Israel.

On the show today:

Last week, Caeden spoke to Tongan Psychiatrist Etuini Ma’u about a recent mental health survey launched in Tonga. 

Rosetta spoke to ​Anhar Khanbhai from Wise, about their research in young kiwis travelling overseas despite struggling with the cost of living crisis

She also spoke to Arthur Grimes, Professor of Wellbeing and Public Policy at Victoria University of Wellington's School of Government, about economic policy under a new National-ACT government.

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, Rawan spoke with ACT MP Karen Chhour about election night, the results and next steps for ACT.

She also spoke with pro-palestine groups including John Minto from the Palestinian Solidarity Network and Layan Khalil from the University of Auckland Justice for Palestine group. 

On Tuesday the 10th of October and Wednesday the 11th of October, Allied Press journalists walked off the job, protesting their employers’ new offer.

Beth spoke to E tū organiser Ann Galloway about the Allied Press journalists’ strike. She began by asking her why they are striking.