The Wire with Oto

Waka Kotahi has recently released a report on the Waiheke Ferry Service, after months of locals calling for the service to be subsidised as public transport. The report recognised the service as integral to the Auckland public transport network, but sighted not enough evidence to justify a need for subsidising the route as public transport. The Ferry route run by Fullers was the only service running regularly between Downtown Auckland and Waiheke Island, until a new company “Island Ferry Direct” launched a route last week. 

Rosetta spoke with Chlöe Swarbrick, Auckland Central MP, about her frustrations with the Waka Kotahi report, and the challenges that Waiheke Island residents are currently facing in regards to the Waiheke Ferry Service. We also spoke about what difference Island Ferry Direct will make as a competitive service with Fullers. 

Thanks for tuning in! E whai akei nei, on the show today:

Rosetta spoke to Auckland central MP Chloe Swarbrick about recent investigations by Waka Kotahi into the Waiheke island ferry route and why she believes the service should be subsidised as public transport. 

Rosetta also spoke to Age Concern Aotearoa Chief Executive Karen Billings-Jensen about the charity’s collaboration with Driving Miss Daisy Aotearoa to produce the resource “Life without a car” for our older population who no longer drive or have access to cars.

For our weekly catch up with the ACT party, Lou spoke with ACT MP Karen Chhour about the coalition updates, funding for the department of conservation as well as ACT’s stance on calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

She also spoke with Claire Henry from the University of Otago in Wellington about the rise of Endometrial Cancer in New Zealand.

Lou also spoke to Alan Johnson from the Child Poverty Action Group following an open letter to the Government in their role to target the issue of Child Poverty in New Zealand.

Elected Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has stated that they are committed to keeping the Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2018, as well as halving child poverty by 2028.

Six groups heavily invested in reducing child poverty in New Zealand released an open letter to the government, asking them to tackle the issue by meeting with them as soon as possible.

Lou spoke to Alan Johnson, Convenor and housing spokesperson for the Child Poverty Act Group about this further. 

For our regular catch-up with the Labour Party, Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader, Carmel Sepuloni, about the 2023 Pacific Islands Forum. 

News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Epidemiologist, Professor Michael Baker, about his concerns that Aotearoa is entering a ‘fifth wave’ of Covid-19. 

Producer Beth spoke to Counsellor for Waitakere, Shane Henderson, about the Council’s consultation on government direction and improvement to Tāmaki Makaurau’s freshwater and community involvement in freshwater management

She spoke to Professor of Law at the University of Auckland Claire Charters about the relationship between co-governance, te Tiriti o Waitangi and human rights in Aotearoa New Zealand, and how our co-governance arrangement could better reflect te Tiriti and the rights of indigenous peoples

She also spoke to Volunteer at the Better NZ Trust Rob Birnie about national support for the Clean Car Discount and the National Party’s plan to scrap the policy

Producer Castor spoke to Professor of Environment at the University of Auckland, Giovanni Coco, about the removal of mangroves across Aotearoa and its negative consequences for the environment.