The government has announced significant amendments to environmental protection legislation within the Resource Management Act (RMA). The affected policies include the National Policy for Indigenous Biodiversity 2023, Freshwater Management and Regulation 2020, Highly Productive Land 2022 and The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010. These amendments seek to facilitate mining and quarrying in areas that were previously restricted due to existing environmental pressures or wildlife preservation concerns. The government seeks to ‘cut red tape’ to enable resource consents in these areas and stimulate economic growth. 

Flo spoke to Forest and Bird Chief Advisor, Richard Capie, about the detrimental effects of the legislation on the environment, the short-term economic gains compared to long-term economic regression and his hopes for the upcoming general election.

Rosetta and Milly catch up with Manu from MOKOMOKAI to have a kōrero about their forthcoming show at The Yard in Raglan on January 31, alongside Caru and Brandn Shiraz! Whakarongo mai nei!

We are just three weeks into this year but 2026 has seen the direction of American foreign policy become more alarming on the global stage, with the kidnapping of the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro preceding threats upon Greenland, bringing them into open diplomatic conflict with their ostensible NATO allies.

As the state that has often been described as the global policeman shows increasing disregard for international law people have been left wondering what is in store in the future and if another international leader can take their place.

To get perspective on what the future international order could look like, Wire Host Manny spoke to the Co-Director of Global Studies at the University of Auckland, Chris Ogden.

It's terrible weather for being outside, but great weather for hunkering down with your favourite Breakfast radio show! E whai ake nei, coming up on 95bFM Breakfast with Rosetta and Milly: a kōrero with Taupuruariki Brightwell about Aotearoa Sounds For Jamaica, and a chat with Manu of MOKOMOKAI about their upcoming show in Raglan on January 31! Whakarongo mai nei!

Thanks to eighthirty coffee roasters!

Kaitlyn takes over while Smashton & Big J are away, counting down the hottest 10 tracks of the week, as voted by you! (and they're pretty d*mn hot)

welcome back e te iwi for another wiki of morning glory! piet is back to talk about birds and i am back to play u some songs. keep it locked! 

Thanks to The Tuning Fork !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

As a part of their energy policy, the current national-led government has reopened the door to offshore oil and gas exploration and mining after it was banned under the previous government. Last week, we saw reports of the first bid under the scheme, a sign of further oil and gas projects.

Alongside this the government has put through legislation increasing the maximum amount energy companies can be fined by three times, they say, to increase accountability.

Finally, rumours swirl that the central government is about to step in to override the rezoning plan crafted by the Auckland Council once again, as the groups protest the plan enabling higher-rise buildings around transport hubs.

For this week's Weekly Catch-up with the Green Party, Wire Producer Manny spoke to MP Recardo Menendez March about the expansion of fines on energy companies and the central government's intervention in Auckland Council's zoning plans. But first we discussed the first bid in offshore oil and gas.

Rosetta and Milly are joined on air by Taupuruariki Brightwell, one of the organisers behind Aotearoa Sounds For Jamaica - uniting the soundsystems of Aotearoa to help those recovering from the damage of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. Whakarongo mai nei!

New research led by Western Australia’s Curtin University sheds light on the burning of plastic in countries in the Global South, for the use of cooking and heating.

The survey provides world-first substantial evidence of how unaffordable clean fuel supply can generate severe risks for health and climate in these communities.

Co-author Professor Hari Vuthaluru from Curtin's Western Australian School of Mines said toxic emissions, health issues and food contamination were among the consequences of this practice.

Wire Host Sara spoke to Vuthaluru further about the study in light of the environmental consequences.

More than 200 scientists, researchers and water professionals were involved in the development of a Water Research Roadmap, offering the government 20 priorities for development in the water sector.

Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop and Minister for Agriculture Todd McClay reported on their updated National Direction for Natural Hazards across New Zealand last week, as the government seeks public feedback on their resource management plan through the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill.

This all comes as the United Nations shared a bleak report on “the era of global water bankruptcy” in which they say that many water systems are being chronically and unsustainably overused — to the threat of global water security. 

Wire Host Sara spoke to National MP Ryan Hamilton about all of these topics, starting with water sector priorities in Aotearoa.