Yesterday the government announced that Auckland will remain at Alert Level 2.5 and the rest of the country in level 2 for at least one more week. However, physical distancing and capacity requirements on buses and planes are no longer applicable in level 2 or even level 2.5. Jemima Huston speaks to Chief Executive Taimi Allan of Changing Minds about feeling anxious as Covid-19 restrictions are eased. Changing Minds is a not-for profit mental health organisation run by people with lived experience

On the Wire today we are looking at local economy issues for our election coverage. 

Jemima speaks to Māori Party co-leader John Tamihere about what his party believes a new government needs to do to aid Covid-19 economic recovery, tackling unemployment rates for Māori and cultural change. 

Hanna investigates minimum wage policy announced by the political parties and speaks with political commentator Rod Oram about the economic benefits of increasing minimum wage or leaving it as it is. 

With the government easing Covid-19 restrictions on public transport and planes, Jemima talked to Chief Executive of Changing Minds, Taimi Allan about whether going back to a new kind of "normal" has an impact on our mental health. 

As the country faces both an economic crisis and an election, political parties on both of the aisle have very different proposals in mind when it comes to the minimum wage. Moreover, each party claims its respective approach is necessary for Aotearoa's economic recovery. 

Hanna spoke to Rod Oram, business journalist and political commentator, about whether low wages are necessary to sustain the economy.

I tēnei ata Austin and Felix from Persimmon, Te Papaioea's jangliest new pop group, phoned in for a chat about their band and brand new single 'Landscapes'. Whakarongo mai nei to hear what's been going on in Palmerston North and how the band came to be. 

From the Unviersity of Auckland's School of Environment & the George Mason Centre for the Natural Environment, Dr. Brendon Blue joins us to discuss the way people interact and the relationship we share with our environments. Specifically looking at Predator Free 2050, and how real the community buy-in is.

Very excitingly, Zoë joins us with some live theatre that you can go and see. ATC's 48 Nights on Hope Street is on at the ASB Waterfront Theatre if you're keen to catch some theatre in the flesh. Otherwise, the Kōanga Festival continues, and a special digital screening of Pride and Prejudice: A Virtual Play.

Rachel catches up with the Mayor about  te wiki o te reo Māori, the Alert level update, support for Auckland businesses and the review of health and safety at the Ports.

Today on your bFM Breakfast: We're kicking off the morning with a stone cold classic for Second Guessing; the Mayor dials in to walk us through the extension for Alert Level 2.5; Persimmon dials in from Palmerston North to talk about their debut single; Zoë joins us with both live and digital theatre for you to catch this week; Short Player features JessB and her mixtape 3 Nights in Amsterdam; and Dr. Brendan Blue joins us to talk about people and

New Zealand has an aging population with projections showing that by 2036, one in 4.5 Kiwis will be over the age of 65. Zoe discusses the implications of this with Age Concern's chief executive, Stephanie Clare. 

Today on the Wire with Zoë: 

Zoë Larsen Cumming interviews senior lecturer from Te Ipukarea Research Institute Rachael Ka'ai-Mahuta on Māori Language Week and the importance of Te Reo in Aotearoa’s culture.

Producer Aneeka Moheed interviews Tourism New Zealand’s General Manager Bjoern Spreitzer as part of our 95bFM Election Coverage. This week's theme is local economy. 

Finally, Zoë interviews Age Concern's chief executive Stephanie Clare on New Zealand's ageing population.