95bFM: The Wire

Since Auckland Harbour Bridge opened in 1959, there have been discussions to have a second harbour crossing but little action taken by successive government. Recently, the government and Mayor Wayne Brown agreed to another feasibility study for a crossing through Meola Reef. 

I spoke with Dr Tim Welch, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering and Design at the University of Auckland, about the different proposed plans for a second harbour crossing and why it is taking so long to start construction on one of these projects.

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about implementing a rates cap and proposals to scrap the Climate Change Commission. 

Producer Pranuja spoke to University of Auckland economist Professor Robert MacCulloch about whether unemployment harms wellbeing more than inflation, and what that could mean for the Reserve Bank’s mandate.

And Producer Sara spoke to Frances Potter, the current operator of DIY Funerals, about the problems surrounding death care and funeral affordability in New Zealand.

The government recently announced plans to move forward with the implementation of a rates cap, restricting councils from increasing rates at more than 4% at a time. While the legislation cannot be passed until after the election, the proposal currently has support from both major parties.

The cap has been opposed by multiple people, particularly Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, who says a rates increase is necessary to fund the massive infrastructure spend involved with the City Rail Link. Without this funding, it becomes difficult for council to properly resource itself.

Also this past week the ACT Party has announced a policy of intention to scrap the Climate Change Commission. The ACT Party has been opposed to the Climate Change Commission for a little while, claiming that it costs the government too much without offering substantial benefit. Supporters of the commission say it is one of the few organisations still committed to holding the government accountable for its climate strategies. 

To discuss the rates cap, scrapping the Climate Change Commission, and Aotearoa’s climate policy moving forward, News Director Castor spoke to ACT MP Simon Court.

The Funeral Directors Association are calling for death care to become an election issue this year, asserting that New Zealand is out of date when it comes to the culturally diverse and financially significant support that kiwis need.

New Zealand has previously been listed in the top 10 most expensive places to die around the world, with standard funerals costing upwards of $10,000

Death without Debt founder Fergus Wheeler says this comes down to excessive administration and cremation costs, and joins the call for the government to update financial support and legislation around the issue.

Producer Sara spoke with Frances Potter, the current owner of the website for DIY Funerals, who has spent years supporting individuals to circumvent some of the higher costs associated with death care.

She started our interview by asking about how Frances first got involved with DIY Funerals

Labour and National are divided over whether the Reserve Bank should consider employment alongside inflation when setting monetary policy.

Labour has promised to restore the Bank’s dual mandate, while National supports keeping its focus primarily on price stability. But research from University of Auckland economist Professor Robert MacCulloch suggests unemployment may have a much greater impact on people’s wellbeing than inflation.

Producer Pranuja spoke to Professor MacCulloch about what that research means for the Reserve Bank debate, and whether policymakers are giving enough weight to the human cost of unemployment.

Te Pāti Māori has announced its election strategy, focused on candidate votes, and encouraging party votes for the broader left bloc. 

They have also announced their tax plan for this election, including nine key tax changes they would like to see. ‘

The Act party has announced a new constitutional policy, which they are calling “one law for all”.

And the government has announced they are going ahead with its bill to ban social media for under-16s.

For Politics with Māni Dunlop, Wire Host Caeden asked about all of these topics.

News Director Castor spoke to Labour MP Shanan Halbert about a social media ban, a cap on rates increases, and reinstating the Smokefree Generation.

For City Counselling, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about the next steps for congestion charging, the Government’s backtrack on a bed levy, and busking exclusion zones in the CBD.

For Politics with Māni Dunlop, they asked about Te Pāti Māori’s campaign strategy, Act’s “one law for all” policy, and the government pushing ahead with a social media ban for under-16s.

They spoke with Chloe Dilley, youth advocate and host of the radio show Chloe Dilley Seeking Talents, about young people's perspectives on a social media ban.

And they spoke to Dr Michael Daubs, Senior Lecturer in Media and Communications at the University of Otago, about what evidence-based decision-making on regulating social media would look like. 

Producer Eloïse spoke with Jane Searle, Mana Mokopuna Children’s Commissioner, about her view on the social media ban for under-16s.

The government introduced the Online Safety (Minimum Age and Child Safety Risk Assessment) Bill to parliament on Monday, which requires platforms like Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook to take reasonable steps to check that New Zealand social media users are over 16.

While the government has said there is not enough time for the Online Safety Bill to receive a first reading before the election, it has sparked debate about how to promote young people’s wellbeing online.

Digital services excluded from the age restriction proposed by the Bill include messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Discord, and AI chatbots like ChatGPT.

This morning Producer Eloise spoke with Jane Searle, Mana Mokopuna Children’s Commissioner, about what the Bill could look like in practice and its potential impact for rangatahi.

The Government is proceeding with the ban on social media for under-16s through the Online Safety (Minimum Age and Child Safety Risk Assessment) Bill.

The Bill was introduced by Education Minister and National MP Erica Stanford, but the Labour Party has said they will also support the Bill through First Reading.

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Chloe Dilley, a youth advocate and host of the radio show Chloe Dilley Seeking Talents, about the views of young people on this issue.

And they spoke to Dr Michael Daubs, Senior Lecturer in Media and Communications at the University of Otago, about whether a ban for young people is the best approach to regulating social media.

Auckland Council has revealed three potential options for congestion charging in the city centre during peak travel times.

The National Party has backtracked on their promise to consider implementing a bed levy to fund major events and tourism infrastructure.

And street performers are challenging new permit rules and what Auckland Live called a “busker exclusion zone”  in the Auckland CBD.

For City Counselling this week, Wire Host Caeden caught up with Councillor Shane Henderson about all of these issues.