The Green Party have announced a memorandum of understanding with the National Party Government that says they will work together on a number of initiatives. Who benefits from this new relationship? The Green Party co-leader also explains why they are standing a candidate in the forthcoming Mt Albert by-election.
Listen/Download Russel Norman on Close Relations
The Green party co-leader says tax cuts now and in 2010 and 2011 look to be irresponsible in the current economic climate and don’t actually benefit those who need them most.
Russel says National’s broadband plan is a step in the right direction but proof will be in the detail. Russel also discussed live sheep exports, New Zealand native plants on the verge of extinction and a plan to get John Key digging in the garden.
Listen/Download Russel Norman on the move
Vincent tells us about Oxfam Trailwalker, an annual fundraising event organised and promoted by Oxfam New Zealand. Funds raised from the event will support Oxfam New Zealand’s humanitarian, development and advocacy work to lift some of the world’s poorest people out of poverty. Oxfam Trailwalker challenges teams of four to walk or run 100kms through some of central North Island’s most spectacular terrain in 36 hours. Vincent Heeringa is the editorial director at Idealog.
Listen/Download Vincent Heeringa on the Oxfam Trailwalker
Initiatives to get more people into tertiary education and Pacific Island Community involvement were other missed opportunities at the recently held Jobs Summit. Vincent argues that New Zealand needs a skilled workforce to emerge on the other side of the current recession. John Key’s talk in the Wallstreet Journal about productivity growth has Vincent feeling more positive. Vincent Heeringa is the editorial director at Idealog.
Listen/Download Vincent Heeringa on more missed opportunities
Barnaby Weir has today announced a new Fly My Pretties show will tour Christchurch, Dunedin, Auckland and Wellington through May and June 2009. Fly My Pretties is a live multimedia event starring a selection of our finest contemporary musicians, set to a stunning visual backdrop and filmed and recorded live.
Listen/Download Barnaby Weir announcing a new Fly My Pretties
The recent John Key sponsored Job Summit that took place in Auckland seemed to come up with few ideas. A cycle way the length of New Zealand was one and a nine day working fortnight was another. Vincent Heeringa argues that the Government is missing some important opportunities in the areas of new industry, innovation and sustainability. Vincent Heeringa is the editorial director at Idealog.
Listen/Download Vincent Heeringa on the Jobs Summit
Green Party co-leader Russel Norman faces uncertainty at the top after Jeanette Fitzsimmons has announced she is stepping aside.
Sue Bradford and Metiria Turei have both thrown their talking sticks into the ring, but are they suitable? Russel also ponders whether or not the Government has gone far enough in delaying section 92A of the Copyright Act for another month.
Listen/Download Russel Norman on Changes
Green Party co-leader Russel Norman explains where the Greens fit in with what John Key is calling a coalition monster and says that the so called monster could also happen in a right-wing agreement. Russel says people should vote how they feel and not necessarily strategically and he also highlights the dangers of going back to a First Past the Post system.
Listen/Download Russel Norman on the 5 headed monster
Laptops seized and examined for illegal music and movies on the United States border could become a reality if the proposed Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) between New Zealand and the United States comes into effect.
ACTA could be included in a free trade agreement with the United States and New Zealand as part of talks to enforce each other’s intellectual-property laws, with residents of each country subject to criminal charges when violating the IP laws of another country. The Recording Industry Association of America and the Motion Picture Association of America filed comments offering suggestions for the trade agreement.
To explain more on this is Computerworld journalist Grant Gross who is based in Washington DC
Listen/Download Grant Gross on ACTA
In the lead up to the US elections we are hearing all kinds of terms to describe voter groups and demographics. Are “heartland voters”, “white working class voters” and “Hockey Moms” just another way of saying redneck?
Proud redneck Joe Bageant says that rednecks represent many of the worst traits in American culture and a few of the best. He also says that every thinking person in the U.S. and the world should be very worried, everyone that is except John McCain and Sarah Palin.
Joe Bageant is the author of Deerhunting with Jesus
Listen/Download Joe Bageant on Rednecks
