The report highlights the economic power of Kiwi-Indians and argues that New Zealand could be making better use of the community’s skills, calling for improved recognition of overseas qualifications and greater support for migrant-owned businesses.

The report launched in Auckland just before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit, the first by an Indian prime minister in 40 years. Producer Pranuja attended the launch and spoke to community leaders, economists and politicians about what the findings mean and whether closer ties with India will translate into meaningful benefits for Kiwi Indians.

Producer Pranuja spoke to President of the Waitākere Indian Association Sunil Kaushal, Chief Executive and Principal Economist at Infometrics Brad Olsen, Secretary of the Waitākere Indian Association Sanjay Dutt Sharma, Labour’s immigration spokesperson and Te Atatū MP Phil Twyford, and Minister for Auckland, Revenue, Climate Change and Local Government Simon Watts.

To find out more on the report, go to kiwiindians.nz.

Ahead of the CRL’s much anticipated opening later this year, many people have been reflecting on how expensive it has become to produce infrastructure in New Zealand and the waste that goes into projects that are thrown out after a change in government

From the ballooning costs of the Roads of National Significance(RoNS), and CRL or the money spent to develop Auckland Light Rail, Lets get wellington moving just for them to be dropped.

Consensus seems to be building around the need for a long term Pipeline to plan, stagger, and build agreement across parliament for future projects if we wish to get a better bang for our buck. And now, the governments new Major Transport Projects Pipeline, seems to be motioning towards this discussion.

Pundits say it is a walk back from many of the RoNS that National had comitted too after their costs became to much for the governemnt to manage.

But does the MTPP really reflect the needs of the nation? Does it still hold onto some projects whose costs have far out paced its benefits? Is New Zealand prone to over ambition and underachieving?

To understand the governemnts transport plan and get his perspective Wednesday Wire host Manny spoke to Director of the transport blog, Greater Auckland, Matt Lowrie.

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, Host Manny speaks with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the government's transport pipeline and the visit of controversial prime minister of India, Narendra Modi.

Producer Toby, speaks to Massey University Politics professor Dr. Richard Shaw about the Opportunity Party’s electoral strategy.

Then Producer Theo speaks to Kate Stone from Better Taxes for a better Future on how we can make a fairer tax system for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Finally, Manny speaks to Director of the transport blog Greater Auckland, Matt Lowrie, about the government's change in transport policy.

Ahead of the CRL’s much anticipated opening later this year, many people have been reflecting on how expensive it has become to produce infrastructure in New Zealand and the waste that goes into projects that are thrown out after a change in government.

Consensus seems to be building around the need for a consistent pipeline that staggers works to maintain a consistent flow for industry and build agreement across parliament.

This week has seen the government introduce their Major Transport Projects Pipeline, or MTPP which in many ways motions towards this debate while also taking a step back from many roads whose costs have ballooned.

But how do opposition parties feel about this this Policy? Has agreement been found?

And this week, the visit of controversial Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sparked opposition from two radically differing sides, from those concerned with India's human rights record to those hostile to migration from India.

So for this week’s catch-up with the Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez March, we discuss the Green Party's issues with the new MTPP and the political climate that has surrounded Modi’s visit.

The leader, Qiulae Wong, is explicit about her goal of replacing Winston Peters as New Zealand’s political kingmaker, and a major part of the party’s strategy has been to position themselves as centrists willing to work with either side of the house.

To analyse this strategy, and imagine how TOP’s entry into parliament could change the political landscape, producer Toby spoke to Dr. Richard Shaw, Professor in Politics at Massey University.

However, with constant stories of deteriorating infrastructure and underfunded institutions and services, the current revenue stream for Aotearoa New Zealand would appear less-than-perfect to say the least. Simultaneously, we’re seeing a constant increase of inequality in our country.

To mitigate these issues, some have advocated for greater action to ensure wealthier individuals and corporations are paying their fair share. The Better Taxes for a Better Future coalition is one such group advocating for changes to our tax system. Consisting of a variety of organisations including unions, charities, and action groups, they’re campaigning for a fairer tax system. 

So, to learn more about the need for tax system reform, and what that might look like, Producer Theo spoke to the campaign manager for the Better Taxes for a Better Future coalition, Kate Stone.

You can find them at bettertaxes.nz, and sign their pledge to support better taxes in Aotearoa just here.

For Dear Science this week, we chat with our expert, Dr Cushla McGoverin, about the Gut microbiome and radiation, the resilience of native forest, and multitasking.

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, host Alex speaks with MP Ryan Hamilton about the OCR rate changing, the Ocean of Peace Alliance, and changes to Roads of National Significance.

For Green World this week, producer Liam with Greenpeace Aotearoa's Senior Campaigner Gen Toop about their upcoming March for Nature, which will be held in Auckland on September 19, as well as reflections on the government's policies towards nature and the environment. 

And Liam also talked to Associate Professor Van Jackson from Victoria University of Wellington, about how war profiteering and insider trading has played out in the US-Iran war and other international conflicts, who is benefiting from the current climate of war, and how New Zealand is involved in this system. 

I spoke to Van Jackson, Associate Professor in International Relations at Victoria University of Wellington, about the extent of war profiteering in modern warfare, reports of insider trading amongst the Trump administration, and New Zealand's place in this system. 

Also in recent weeks, the Green Party announced its policy for water management, which included particular attention to fertilisers and nitrate levels. The ACT Party has been highly critical of this policy, rejecting the Green Party argument about environmental impact and noting the necessity of synthetic fertilisers for modern food production. 

For this week’s catchup with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about each of these topics, beginning with three strikes.

Due to audio and connectivity issues, the interview was cut short before the two had the chance to properly discuss water infrastructure and nitrate levels.

The briefing outlined how households already spend an average of $252 dollars per week or 15.7% of their total expenditure on transport, and fuel price increases from recent conflict in the Middle East have added $65 a week on average to these costs. 

Higher transport poverty can force people to choose between essential trips, such as grocery shopping or medical appointments, leading to poorer physical and mental health outcomes.

The briefing recommended several long-term, systemic solutions that focus on reducing New Zealand's reliance on private vehicles and fuels, rather than just short-term relief.   

To discuss transport poverty and the recommendations in the report, producer Thomas spoke to University of Otago Associate Professor Angela Curl.