As we are in the midst of local election voting, councillors are beginning to wrap up their terms with Final Reports. 

Pippa Coom, the councillor for Waitematā and Gulf, has recently released her own report on the achievements she’s made and issues she’s encountered over the past three years.

They also spoke more broadly about the local elections, as well as ongoing climate strikes happening around the country today.

Today on the Friday Wire:

Liam spoke to Pippa Coom on their regular City Counselling Segment, chatting about her final report of this council term and the upcoming local elections. 

David spoke to Rebekah Graham from Parents of Vision Impaired about food insecurity amongst some of our country’s poorest people.

Liam also had a chat with Steve Thomas from Arts on Tour about arts funding in Aotearoa New Zealand.

David talked to Corrine Sales from Victoria University of Wellington about the Ukrainian language.

And finally Liam had a chat with the University of Canterbury’s Michelle LaRue about her research using satellites to understand wendell seal populations.

Various art groups from throughout New Zealand have recently had their funding cut back by Creative NZ, in the midst of the government entities extension of their Kahikatea Scheme.

This includes the Shakespeare globe theatre, an artist residency at the home of painter Colin McCahon, and the Arts On Tour NZ .

The scheme has brought in important new talent for funding, but the letting go of groups who’ve received funding in the ast has raised questions about expanding arts funding.

To learn more, Liam had a chat with Steve Thomas, the artistic director of Arts on Tour, about how they’re planning to adapt.

Vladimir Putin claims Russia and Ukraine are one people, denying the country its own history and culture.

It's the end of the week! Whakarongo mai nei for some Breakfast Buffet with Jamie, Travelling Tunes with Dr. Kirsten Zemke, a chat with Eden Burns and Sam Harmony, and Viewmaster with Sam Sinnott! 

A years-long research project  has recently concluded, providing an understanding of the number of Weddell seals in Antarctica. 

The project involved the usage of satellites, which researchers made public and asked volunteers to count the number of seals in the continent.

In their final report of the findings, researchers discovered that the number of seals was much lower than initially thought.

Liam had a chat with Dr Michelle LaRue, an associate professor of Gateway Antarctica at the University of Canterbury, about the findings.

Food insecurity impacts thousands of New Zealand families every week.

However, the myth that people aren’t making the right life choices still exists.

David spoke to Rebekah Graham from Parents of Vision Impaired about the issue.

Today the Viewmaster reviews Heartbreak High! Whakarongo mai nei. 

Dr. Lara Greaves phones up to chat about Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and the media coverage of her death,  Sam Uffindell remaining in the National party, and local elections. Whakarongo mai nei.