News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Labour’s Andrew Little about New Zealand’s first National Security Strategy, the proposed Immigration (Mass Arrivals) Amendment Bill, and reports that complaints of migrant exploitation have increased under Labour. 

For City Counselling, councillor for Waitākere Shane Henderson spoke about the State of the City Report comparing Auckland to nine other cities globally and the government's plans for 19 new marine protection areas for the Hauraki Gulf.

World Vision Advocacy Campaigns and Communications Manager Morgan Theakston discussed the government's proposed legislation to address modern slavery and supply chain exploitation. 

Producer Olivia talked to Climate Justice Taranaki researcher, Catherine Cheung, about the recently announced BlackRock green energy investment deal. 

She also spoke to Associate Professor of Law and Associate Dean of Equity at the University of Auckland Law School, Hanna Wilberg, about issues with our social welfare system.

Concerns have been raised that Aotearoa’s social welfare system has problematic aspects that contribute to hardship, such as the continuation of repayable grants that are taken from people’s benefit, which advocates say are already too low. 

Olivia spoke to Auckland Law School’s Associate Professor and Associate Dean of Equity, Hanna Wilberg, about the issues with our current system and where people can go for help.

Last week the government announced it was working on legislation to address modern slavery. 

World Vision and Tearfund previously put out an open letter to the government calling for this. 

For Get Action! News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to World Vision Advocacy Campaigns and Communications Manager Morgan Theakston about the government's proposed legislation and why it is important to address supply chain exploitation.

For their regular catch up News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Labour’s Andrew Little about New Zealand’s first National Security Strategy to address new security threats facing Aotearoa, criticism of the proposed Immigration (Mass Arrivals) Amendment Bill, and reports that complaints of migrant exploitation have increased sixfold under Labour. 

Here is that interview…

Lucinda Bennett brings us the infamous Girl Dinner rhetoric, otherwise known as guilty pleasures, picky dinner, or as one listener suggests, 'Bad Dad Dinner'. Whakarongo mai nei!

The government recently announced a partnership with BlackRock, an American multinational investment company. BlackRock will invest two billion dollars into green energy, aiming to achieve one hundred percent renewable energy.

Olivia spoke to Climate Justice Taranaki researcher, Catherine Cheung, about their concerns with this deal and possible alternatives. 

The Hobby Goblins return to show us their gem art, category; Rogue Kmart. An unprecented tie leads to Stella choosing the winner with divine birthday power. Check out our Instagram for visual aides. Whakarongo mai nei!

 Hannah Everingham is giving us an early spin of her single Mercury that’s out 17th August, and she’ll play Wine Cellar with support from Samara Alofa that evening to kick off her tour. You can check out the live video out now for Mercury. Whakarongo mai nei! 

On What's Up with Chris Hipkins, the Prime Minister speaks to Rachel about the government's BlackRock climate announcement, the Auckland Transport plan announcement, recent polling and a look ahead for election year. Joshua Worthington-Church from Exploding Rainbow Orchestra is in the studio to talk about their upcoming show and the project as a whole. Patrick and Josh from Soft Bait are in the studio to talk about their winter tour that reaches Auckland on Friday night at Whammy Bar, where they’ll play alongside K M P T and The Sour. Whakarongo mai nei!

On The Wire for Rāapa Wednesday:

Andre Fa’aoso spoke to Professor Boyd Swinburn, co-chair of Health Coalition Aotearoa about political parties' positions on tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food policies and how they should weigh-in on voters' decision making come election day.

Andre Fa’aoso also spoke to Joe Carolan about a Tax the Rich protest that is being held in Tamaki Makaurau next Saturday.

Arno spoke to Greater Auckland’s Matt Lowrie about the new State of the City report. Arno also spoke to Sarah Helm from the NZ Drug Foundation about laced MDMA in the Hawke’s Bay area

Nicholas, spoke to Jessica Walker from ConsumerNZ about new Unit pricing regulations for supermarkets

This is the last Wednesday Wire with Andre as he heads off to America to begin his studies at Yale University, so enjoy!