Felix talks to ACT co-leader Brooke van Velden about the cost of Matariki as a public holiday and the shortcomings of Immigration NZ.

I tēnei ata Ainsley Gardiner (Te-Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Pikiao and Ngāti Awa) popped in to chat about Cousins, the film adaptation of Patricia Grace's ground-breaking novel, which she has co-directed with Briar Grace-Smith (Ngā Puhi). Whakarongo mai nei to hear about the making of the film, the importance of indigenous storytelling, and industry changes post-Covid. 

NASA’s Perseverance Rover landed on Mars on February 19th (NZ) to search for signs of ancient microbial life. The objective of the mission is astrobiological as scientists aim to characterise the planet’s geology and past climate. News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Haritina Mogoșanu, the Executive Director of the New Zealand Astrobiology Network, about the Perseverance mission and why it is significant for astrobiology and human understanding of life as we know it.  

An abundance of audio tomfoolery and renking rhythmic riddiculation......

Today on the Tuesday Wire, Jemima Huston speaks to Paul Mackay from BusinessNZ about the government’s plan to overhaul the Holidays Act 2003. 

Hanna Thompson talks to the Mental Health Foundation's Chief Executive, Shaun Robinson about the government stalling on reforming the mental health sector in a practical way. 

Noah Ferguson-Dudding interviews a specialist in ethics of war, Dr Thomas Gregory, about the role New Zealand businesses in controversial global affairs. They discuss Air New Zealand’s involvement with the Saudi Arabian Navy.

Finally, Jemima speaks to Haritina Mogoșanu, Executive Director of the New Zealand Astrobiology Network, about the landing of the NASA Perseverance Rover on Mars. 

Two years after the publication of He Ara Oranga, the national inquiry into mental health and addictions, community groups, healthcare providers, and those interfacing with services report little material change. Report after report and headline after headline lamenting New Zealand's provision of mental health care raises the question of whether more should be done about the issue beyond just talking about it.

Hanna speaks to Mental Health Foundation CEO Shaun Robinson about He Ara Oranga, the government's progress (or lack thereof) on its recommendations, and what action should be taken instead.

Dr. Zach Carter, from the School of Biological Sciences, dials in to talk through his research around the timeline of Pest Free 2050, are we going to get there in time? And if so, what do we need to do to make sure we meet these targets? Zach talks us through some of the tools that are being created to ensure we get there.

Victoria Abbott, the Director of Contractions, and Renaye Tamati, who is playing The Manager, pop into the studio to talk about their upcoming show. Original written by Mike Bartlett, the show depicts the unravelling of an employment contract and the lengths women are forced to go to pay the rent and care for their loved ones.

I tēnei ata activist and musician Tigilau Ness, and theatre-maker Tanya Muagututi’a were in the studio to speak about the Auckland Arts Festival and 50 years of the Polynesian Panthers. As an early (and ongoing) member of the Panthers Tigi reflected on 50 years of activism in Aotearoa, while Tanya spoke about the outdoor theatre project Love To Say Goodbye which she has been working on with rangatahi from Mount Roskill. Whakarongo mai nei to find out more! 

The Mayor dials in to talk us through the reopening of Waitākere tracks, what happened with the chemical spill in the Manukau harbour updates, and the Auckland recovery budget consultation.