u think u know all the birds and then the matuku hūrepo/australasian bittern comes out and bites u in the bum and says hey guys pls talk about me! join piet and liv for a dive into the australasian bittern, a very elusive and sexy manu, in desperate need of our awhi and attention! whakarongo mai nei :-))

link to piet's notes about the matuku hūrepo here!

Happy Rāapa e te whānau! E whai ake nei, coming up on your Wednesday Breakfast with Rosetta and Milly; What's Up with Minister Paul Goldsmith, we kick of our Auckland Pride Coverage with TAKATAPUNANI, MAN(K)ILLA, and Allie Howell, and What's The Buzz with Phil. Whakarongo mai nei!

Thanks to eighthirty coffee roasters!

Te Huia, the railway linking Waikato and Tāmaki Makaurau, is coming to the end of its five-year trial.

Despite a rocky start in 2021, Te Huia has proved popular with its riders with the Waikato Council waiting to hear back from Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport on a proposed extension for another year of funding.

With the future of the inter-regional railway line uncertain, producer Theo spoke with Lindsey Horne, spokesperson and committee member of the transport advocacy group 'The Future is Rail' about Te Huia, regional railways, and the future of rail in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Rosetta and Milly catch up with our new National Party correspondent Minister Paul Goldsmith, to discuss last week's extreme weather events and recovery efforts, as well as the newly announced election date and what electoral reforms will mean for voters. Election day is November 7, and due to the Minister's electoral reforms bill that passed at the end of 2025, the last day to enrol or update voter details is October 25. Whakarongo mai nei!

This week on the Wednesday Wire...

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, Wire host Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the fatal slip in Tauranga, Luxons refusal to rule out joining Trumps board of peace, and the New Zealand Defence Forces incorporation of drones.

Producer Flo spoke to Dr John Battersby, senior fellow for the center for defence and security studies at Massey University about current global security, the practical absence of an international rule based order and implications of US foreign policy on New Zealand.

Then Manny spoke to the Coordinator of Extinction Rebellion Tāmaki Makaurau, Carol Cowan, on their demands for government action on climate change.

Finaly Producer Theo spoke with Lindsey Horne, spokesperson and committee member for the transport advocacy group The Future is Rail, about regional rail in Aotearoa and the future of Te Huia.

Mimi Riverz covers for Bridge and had so much fun!! thanks to Northern Rocks Bouldering Gym

Big J is back this week :D But Smashton is away :( 

Rosetta and Milly kick off their coverage of the Auckland Pride Festival, joined by TAKATAPUNANI, MAN(K)ILLA, and Allie Howell - who are part of the Wheke Fortress takeover of Te Tīmatanga this year! Catch them screening their short film on February 14 at the Auckland Art Gallery with a panel of insightful kōrero led by Coco Solid. Whakarongo mai nei!

Phil is up for What's The Buzz and is chatting all things psychedelic safety! Whakarongo mai nei. 

Thanks to The Level!

Current US foreign policy under the Trump administration has significantly broken with long-term partnerships and traditional structures of the so-called international rules based order. With the US being at odds with its long-term strategic partners Canada and Europe, the future of NATO as well as security in the pacific have become contentious issues. Trump’s actions have revealed contradictions within the previous dominant functioning of International Relations with his administration’s foreign policy radically utilising the power position asserted and given to the US on the world stage.

Flo spoke to Dr John Battersby, senior fellow for the center for defence and security studies at Massey University about current global security, the practical absence of an international rule based order and implications of US foreign policy on New Zealand.