The Wire with Nicholas

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour party Caeden chats to Priyanca Radhakrishnan about funding cuts to disability caregivers and job cuts at the Department of Conservation.

For City Counselling they also speak to Councillor Shane Henderson about Watercare signalling an increase in Water Rates, and a boost in funding for arts in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Caeden also speaks to Lola Fisher about the disestablishment of the Whanganui Youth Council.

And they speak to Professor Ralph Cooney for the University of Auckland about the importance of communicating Climate Change to the community.

Jasmine speaks with Devonport-Takapuna local board Chair Toni Van Tonder about their upcoming Youth Seat trial and the importance of youth inclusion and engagement in local government.

And she speaks with Research Fellow Marnie Prickett about the Public Health Communication Centre of Aotearoa’s submission against the fast-track approvals bill ahead of opportunities for feedback on the legislation formally closing tomorrow.

It has been one month since the government announced the Fast Track Approvals Bill, which has seen widespread criticism from conservationists and the general public, who say the bill is undemocratic and  will push the biodiversity of Aotearoa further into decline. 
As we are in the last week of submissions to the select committee regarding the bill, the Green party have opened up a submissions page on their own website that citizens are welcome to add their signatures to, and published a guide on how to add their own Submissions.
Oto spoke to Greens MP Ricardo Menendez, about submissions for the Fast Track Approvals bill and the current state of the bill since it was announced.
They also had a conversation about the government’s recent changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa, and what they mean for migrant workers here in Aotearoa.

For Dear Science this week, Professor Allan Blackman chatted with us about ancient Roman wine, dating a solar flare using polar trees, and the brightest cosmic explosion ever. 

Wire host Castor spoke to the University of Auckland’s Professor James Russell, about conservation and pest eradication in Aotearoa.

He also spoke to Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa’s chair, John Minto, about recent hypocrisy from the government regarding Iran’s recent attack on Israel. 

Producer Sofia spoke to the Chief Executive of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand, Letitia Harding, about the government’s laws and policies for vaping. 

She also spoke to Group Manager Conservation Advocacy and Communications at Forest and Bird, Richard Capie, about job cuts at the Department of Conservation. 

Last week, it was announced that 130 jobs at the Department of Conservation will be cut in a proposed restructure. 

These are among the almost 2000 public service job cuts being made to meet the Finance Minister's cost-cutting target of a 6.5 percent reduction in spending.

Additionally, the cuts at DOC were announced the same day as the release of the Our Land 2024 report on Aotearoa’s natural ecosystems and landscapes. 

Producer Sofia Roger Williams spoke to Group Manager of Conservation Advocacy and Communications at Forest and Bird, Richard Capie, about the impacts and significance of these cuts on the environment and the economy, in light of the Fast Track legislation, Our Land 2024, and the cuts to other departments contributing to the protection of Aotearoa’s environment