The Wire with Manny

Health Coalition Aotearoa and Healthy Families South Auckland have recently released a report looking at food security issues in South Auckland and actions which can be taken to improve access to affordable, nutritious food in these areas.

The report recommended multiple measures which could be taken such as expanding Ka Ora Ka Ako the Healthy School Lunches programme through a sugary drinks tax, giving communities a say in how many junk food outlets are in their neighbourhoods and allowing Auckland Council to better utilize  underused public land for kai initiatives.

Its main call to action, however, is to ensure solutions are community-led with a collaborative approach from local and central government, to guarantee those suffering are being put first in systematic fights against the industrial food complex and economic inequality.

To discuss the report and its findings producer Thomas spoke to Health Coalition Aotearoa CoChair and Professor of Population Nutrition and Global Health, Boyd Swinburn.

The Government has announced a support package to address rising fuel prices.

And the McCains processing factory in Hastings is set to close in January 2027, but it is not yet known how many workers and growers will be affected by the closure.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden asked about both of these topics. 

This week on the Wednesday Wire...

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, Host Manny speaks to MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the letter they sent to the National Party detailing the measures they’d give their votes to to support Kiwis and conserve fuel during the Iran Supply Crisis.

Producer Theo speaks to Leonie Morris, from Te Wāhi Wāhine o Tāmaki Makaurau - the Auckland Women’s centre - on their petition to bring back Te Tiriti-based, inclusive relationships and Sexuality education in schools.

Producer Toby speaks to theology expert Andrew Shepherd about religious rhetoric and Trump's war with Iran.

Then Host Manny speaks to Danielle LeGallais, co-founder of Sunday Blessings, about the day of action in opposition to the government's proposed move on orders.

The crisis growing at the pump is ramping up in seriousness as the conflict in Iran continues to escalate. 

This week saw US President Donald Trump make further threats to destroy Iran’s energy infrastructure that is yet to be bombed and - in turn - Iran continues to target the Gulf states and block the Strait of Hormuz, preventing any exports from this critically global hub

This blockade is preventing over a third of the world's nitrogen fertilisers and a fifth of the global supply of oil and liquefied natural gas from leaving the region, while both sides' bombing campaigns are causing widespread destruction to infrastructure, which means we may not see a return of some oil and gas fields for years to come. 

In Aotearoa, the costs of fuel have seen steep rises, soon to be spread across the economy as everyone's back pocket is hit, and attention is now being turned to fuel reserves with fears that we may see imports decline.

To face the moment, the Green Party has put together a collection of proposals which they have sent in an official letter to the National Party and between the two parties, they’d have enough votes to pass.

For our weekly catch-up with the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez  March, Host Manny dug into this letter, the Greens proposals, and why they are reaching out to the Nats.