The Wire with Manny

Auckland Council will go to iwi authorities, government ministries and local boards for consultation on a draft plan that is proposing to increase intensification in the inner suburbs and strengthen hazard rules for new buildings. 

Auckland’s population will cross 2 million people  in the 2030’s however there is not currently enough housing available in the market to house everyone who calls Auckland home. 

This is exacerbated by affordability issues, where many renters and first-home buyers are being priced out of the market. 

The Prime Minister also recently said that he wants to see consistent house price growth as the country grapples with a long-tailed recession. 

Producer Sanat talked to Councillor Julie Fairey about this new plan to zone for nearly 2 million new dwellings in the city and why it is that Auckland Council is pursuing this change in the current moment.

Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Minister Winston Peters recently unveiled plans to purchase almost $3 billion worth of US aircraft to replace the Defence Force's ageing 757s.

The five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, would be procured directly through the United States' Foreign Military Sales programme.

Oto spoke with Valerie Morse from Peace Action Wellington about the government’s purchase plan, who said that the purchase was “disappointing” given the context of cuts to public services and infrastructure that have occurred within the government’s current term and it was indicative of New Zealand potentially being brought into a wider regional or global conflict by the United States.

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party Oto spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez-March about the government’s plan to purchase $2.7 billion worth of US-made aircraft to replace the Defence Force's 757s, The high court case against the disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora - the Māori Health Authority and The Green party’s petition to restore funding to polytechnics.

And he spoke with Valerie Morse from Peace Action Wellington for a follow up conversation about the government’s plan to purchase almost $3 billion in military aircraft.

Max spoke to ChildFund CEO Josie Pagani, to talk about the recent declaration of a famine in Gaza.

And he spoke to Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa co-chair John Minto, to talk about the potential vote to suspend Israel from the United Nations, led by Turkey

A secret memo by the Ministry for the Environment intended for the central government reveals advice that New Zealand’s failures on climate action may negatively impact our diplomatic relations. 

The warning stated that, as New Zealand delays decisions and action on our commitments under the Paris Agreement, we may risk undermining our key alliances with countries like Australia, Canada, the UK and countries in Europe. 

More importantly, University of Auckland Associate Professor Maria Armoudian, director of Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society, says that our climate failings are reflective of a global “tragedy of the commons”, which will have urgent negative impacts for our Pacific neighbours.

For this week’s Green Desk, Sara spoke with Armoudian about this Ministry for Environment warning and how New Zealand should be seeking to improve its climate policies. 

She started by asking what her expectations and hopes are about the government’s response to this memo