The Wire with Caeden

Yesterday, Auckland Transport launched the city’s first electric hybrid ferry, set to be operated by Fullers360. The ferry is one of four electric ferries, which are set to begin service this year on the downtown to Devonport service. News Director Castor and Tuesday Wire producer Liam attended the event, where they spoke to a range of people about what the new development means for Auckland.

Auckland rates will increase by 7.9% for the next year, as included in Council’s annual budget, which passed earlier this week. 

And bus passenger numbers in Auckland are back to pre-Covid levels, with a record number of bus trips in March.

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about both of these topics.

The Government’s move-on order legislation has given police greater powers to remove people from public spaces, including those begging or rough sleeping. Critics argue the bill risks criminalising homelessness rather than addressing its causes.

Producer Pranuja spoke with Dr Tim Welch about why he believes move-on orders punish poverty and what a more effective response to homelessness could look like.

Two Green Party members' bills were drawn recently; the first would ban mining on conservation land. It comes at a time when parties in the government coalition seem to have their hearts set on turbo-charging the mining industry, with a key bill being put forward that would enable a range of new commercial activities on conservation land and potentially allow the sale of over 60% of the land.

The other green party bill aims to protect children leaving care in Oranga Tamariki from finding themselves without a place to live.

Finally, a landmark climate lawsuit against six major companies was stopped in its tracks by the government. The government says that it made the decision to prevent the suit to ensure businesses had legal clarity and certainty. However, it has now been revealed that the government and business lobbyests had been in contact, and knowledge of this contact may have been unduly withheld, prompting critics to raise the alarm that the government may be circumventing core democratic processes to satisfy business interests.

So for our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, Host Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about their parties members bill, especially mining on conservation land, and what it means for the government to intervene in such as way with this case.