It’s the final regular Thursday Wire for 2019 - and things went overtime. 

On today’s show: 

All that plus a super speedy Poll Position, regular texter Peter’s angry about the EU, and someone wants cat stories. It’s The Thursday Wire and it’s gone crazy.

Justin talks to Professor Richard Whitman of Kent University about the UK's potential foregin policy direction after the general election.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff outlined the annual budget for 2020/2021 yesterday. Most significant is his plan to reduce the council's emissions by 20% by moving to electric vehicles and sustainable energy. The budget also includes preparations for a number of international events to be hosted in Auckland in 2021, including the America's Cup. Felix Walton spoke to Phil Goff about the budget, as well as asking him about the ongoing bus lockout and Jacinda Ardern's decision to move the port.

On the 18th December, the final reading of Te Pire kia Unuhia te Hara kai Runga i a Rua Kēnana The Rua Kēnana Pardon Bill will take place at Parliament. Following that, there will be a gathering at Maungapōhatu of the Crown and the descendants of Rua Kēnana himself. Lillian Hanly had the opportunity to visit Maungapōhatu late last month. There, she took part in a working bee being held in preparation of the gathering and was able to talk to those present about what they thought of the Bill, and what they hoped the future would look like. 

Thanks to NZ History and Tamsin Hanly for background information.

Photo credit: NZ History

On Dear Science with AUT’s Marcus Jones we are talking about modern societies and early humans.

Felix spoke to Mayor Phil Goff about the most recent Auckland Council annual budget and how they plan to cut their emissions by 20%, he also talked about the ongoing bus lockout in and the Prime Minister’s decision to move Auckland’s port.

Lillian visited Te Urewera recently in the leadup to the statutory pardon from the government to Rua Kēnana and his descendants, she spoke to a number of his mokopuna about their thoughts on the pardon and the future. 

We were joined by Erin Maloney of Tiny Nation to discuss the release of He taonga te Tamaiti: Every child a taonga: The Early Learning Action Plan 2019-2029, a foundational plan from the Coalition government to create  long-lasting changes to early learning.

A big thank you to Tiny Nation for speaking to us this morning. 

Today on The Wire,

Sam Denne talks to Jeni Cartwright from Child Poverty Action Group about the Child Poverty Monitor, childhood poverty in Aotearoa and the recommendations put forth to the government by the Welfare Expert Advisory Group.

Earlier this year on Green Desk, Mitchell Fuller spoke to Hugh Wilson from the Hinewai reserve. In July this year there was a film made about the reserve and about Hugh Wilson, the Manager. 

We thought we would revisit this story from earlier this year. Mitchell and Hugh discuss the carbon credits system available at Hinewai which has become increasingly popular with large businesses allowing them to offset unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions. The system has allowed the reserve to expand and encompass a significant area on the peninsula which has rejuvenated naturally without planting and minimal pest control. Mitchell begins by asking Hugh a little bit about the history of the Reserve and how its arrived at where its at today. 

We were also joined by Erin Maloney of Tiny Nation to discuss the release of He taonga te Tamaiti: Every child a taonga: The Early Learning Action Plan 2019-2029, a foundational plan from the Coalition government to create  long-lasting changes to early learning.

Sam Denne talks to Jeni Cartwright from Child Poverty Action Group about the Child Poverty Monitor, childhood poverty in Aotearoa and the recommendations put forth to the government by the Welfare Expert Advisory Group.

This week on Monday Wire, for the weekly chat with the Green party, co-leader Marama Davidson explains the foregin donations policy and euthanasia bill. Then, Sherry speaks with dietitian Lucy Carey, author of a report publised in the New Zealand Medical Journal criticising the use of BMI tests for pre-schoolers.

Deb speaks to Amnesty’s Head of Global Human Rights Defenders Programme, Guadalupe Marengo, about Women Human Rights Defenders. She also speaks to Associate Minister of Transport Julie Ann Genter about safer speed limits being introduced around schools.

And, lastly, Louis reports on the bus strikes currently happening, and has a chat with First Union.

November 29th was the International Women Human Rights Defenders Day. On this day Amnesty International released a report highlighting how Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRD) are often vilified and abused for their work. 

Amnesty's Head of Global Human Rights Defenders Programme, and Head of Global Relief Programme, Guadalupe Marengo, calls in from the UK to speak with Deb Rawson about the report, and experiences of WHRDs.