The Wire with Castor

A record immigration jump of 96,000 people during the first half of this year has sparked both hopes and fears for our economy. To get to the bottom of this, I got two perspectives: one seeing how the jump would affect consumers, and another seeing how it would affect businesses. 

First Arno spoke to economist Dr Kirdan Lees. They spoke about housing availability, the Super Visa, and the cost of living. 

Next Arno spoke to barrister and contributor to The Indian Weekender Dave Ananth. They spoke about the effect of rising immigration on businesses, and about policy to attract skilled migrants to our country.

For our weekly catch-up with the Green Party, News, and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Golriz Ghahraman about their calls to double the Best Start payment, grant amnesty for people who have 'overstayed', their visas, and hold international powers to account for human rights abuses.

Nicholas spoke to the Epsom candidate for The Opportunities Party Dr Nina Su about the party's housing and foreign policy.

Arno interviewed Sense Partners economist Dr Kirdan Lees and barrister and columnist Dave Ananth about how rising immigration numbers may impact Aotearoa's economy. 

And Kaze spoke to Mark Roach from the Anti-AUKUS coalition about the possibility of New Zealand joining the alliance.

This week for the Tuesday Wire Milly has a chat with Christopher Coker, Auckland Central Candidate for the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party. For more info about the party, you can head to this link: https://www.alcp.org.nz/

This week's election coverage is focused on foreign affairs. 

Rawan had our weekly catch up with the ACT Party's Simon Court to speak about some of the party's immigration policies.

Rawan also spoke to Manase Lua from the Aotearoa Tongan Response Group about how migrant exploitation is being tackled during election season.

Rosetta spoke to Ananish Chaudhuri, Professor of Experimental Economics at the University of Auckland, about his view on introducing an independent body to review economic policy.

Rosetta also spoke to Nick Goodall, Head of Research at CoreLogic about their analysis of the National Party's foreign buyers policy.

Finally, Rosetta spoke to Kathleen Ryan, the activist who organised the largest women's march in Aotearoa's history 40 years ago.