The Wire with Max

Bike Auckland, a pro-cycling advocacy group recently sent out their pledge for candidates which says 

“I believe people of all ages should feel able to bike safely to get around. Auckland needs more climate-friendly transport to ensure a sustainable and resilient Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, protecting our environment and communities for future generations. If elected, I commit to making a safe, connected cycle network a priority.” 

Several candidates have pledged their support for the bike pledge, so Thursday Wire Producer Sanat wanted to get some more insight from Councilor Shane Henderson into how cycling will play a role in the future of Auckland’s transport network.

Thursday Wire Producer Sanat also asked him about what he has to say to opponents of cycleways that argue the increased cost and congestion is part of a larger “war on cas”

In other Local Government news, an ACT candidate in Whangerei has had their hoarding shot at several times recently. This follows an increase in abuse and vitriol towards local government candidates, particularly from marginalised communities. Producer Sanat asked Shane what he thinks this means for the state of our local democracy.

This week marks 50 years since the establishment of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, following the 1972 Māori Language Petition. As part of this week everyone across Aotearoa is encouraged to use and learn te reo Māori, fostering its revival and integrating it into their daily life.

However, even 50 years on, the revitalisation of Te Reo still faces a number of issues, with the current coalition Government facing criticism over its policies relating to te reo, such as the removal of te reo on the New Zealand passport, government offices and even in some school books.

Wednesday Wire Host Oto spoke with Professor Māori studies at the University of Auckland, Margaret Mutu, about Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, and the milestones in te reo revitalisation that have been achieved since it began.

This morning, the United Nations Commission of Inquiry officially announced they had found that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. To count as genocide under the 1948 UN genocide convention, at least one of five acts must have occurred, of which the commission accuses Israel of committing four. The Commission of Inquiry does not speak on behalf of the UN, however they have called on member countries to punish those responsible for it.

To this date, the New Zealand government has not issued any type of sanction against Israel or officially recognised a Palestinian state. However, Saturday’s Pro-Palestine protest – which attracted around 25,000 people to the streets of Auckland – has only increased pressure on the government to act.

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa co-chair John Minto believes that recent protests are an accurate measure of where the Aotearoa public stand on this issue and that it’s time for the government to abandon what he describes as “pro-Israel policies”. To discuss this, as well as the UN commission of inquiry declaring genocide in Gaza, Producer Max spoke with John Minto.

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup is coming to a close this week, with reigning World Champions the Black Ferns on track to defend their title. As the final approaches, New Zealand media personalities How To Dad and Tegan Yorwarth have reignited conversations around the disappointing lack of coverage of the tournament, and wider women’s sport in general, by NZ media. Concerns are running high as media attention on the sport remains relatively absent despite the growing successes of our wāhine. 

Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Toni Bruce, Professor of Sociology of Sport and Sports Media at Waipapa Taumata Rau, about the issue ahead of the Black Ferns semi-final against Canada this Saturday.