Lara is back on the airwaves for our first Political Commentary of 2026! E whai ake nei, we cover the Manage My Health data breach and responses, Hobson's Pledge attacks of Tania Waikato and an era of online-trolling in politics. Whakarongo mai nei!

In November last year, feral cats were added to the list of predators to be eliminated in the New Zealand wide ambition ‘Predator Free 2050’.

The decision recognises the long-held concerns of conservationists that the uncontrolled wild cat population is endangering native animals including birds.

Courtney Addision, a Senior Lecturer in Anthropology and Science at the Victoria University of Wellington, published an article in the Conversation voicing concerns about the move — including the distinction between feral, stray and domestic cats, as well as how welfare considerations need to be visited in approaching this species.

For Green World this week, Wire Host Sara spoke to Addison about the issue, in the context of wider environmental and ethical implications going forward.

Welcome back to Brekkie with Rosetta and Milly! E whai ake nei, coming up on this fine Tuesday morning: Political Commentary with Lara Greaves, and Ready Steady Learn with Dr Kunal Gupta. Plus, your chance to win tickets to David Byrne and Iggy Pop! Whakarongo mai nei!

Thanks to eighthirty coffee roasters!

Footwork night featuring NZ footwork, DJ Rashad, DJ Clent, DJs Paypal and Mastercard, and more. Plus an interview with DJ Pedestrian.

In November last year, feral cats were added to the list of predators to be eliminated in the New Zealand wide ambition ‘Predator Free 2050’.

The decision recognises the long-held concerns of conservationists that the uncontrolled wild cat population is endangering native animals including birds.

Courtney Addision, a Senior Lecturer in Anthropology and Science at the Victoria University of Wellington, published an article in the Conversation voicing concerns about the move — including the distinction between feral, stray and domestic cats, as well as how welfare considerations need to be visited in approaching this species.

For Green World this week, Wire Host Sara spoke to Addison about the issue, in the context of wider environmental and ethical implications going forward.

It's the first Loose Reads of 2026! Nate is kicking things off in the studio, with a kōrero all about Helm by Sarah Hall - a surprising and delightful book about a special wind. Whakarongo mai nei!

Thanks to Timeout Bookstore!

After months of allegedly anti-narcotic hostilities in the Caribbean around Venezuela, at the beginning of this year, The United States, under President Trump, struck the country directly, and kidnapped Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.

The Incursion has been justified by the US on account of accusations of Narcoterrorism, with the US angling for Regime Change. As this comes to a head, however, discussions have re-emerged around the role that the US should play as a geopolitical power in South America, and the western hemisphere as a whole.

Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to Professor Robert Patman, a senior lecturer in Political Science at the University of Otago, about the attack, and what this means for Trump’s plans in the area.

Over the New Year Period, managemyhealth, a platform and portal used by many GPs and Health Practitioners across New Zealand, was subject to a data breach by hackers. Around 125,000 New Zealanders were affected, with fears of scams, identity theft, and fraud growing with the leak of their personal details and information.

While managemyhealth claim their security was sufficient, there still remains the question of why the platform was targeted as an easy-enough target.

Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Auckland, Dr Ulrich Speidel, about the data breach, how these hackers work, and why health data was able to be accessed and leaked.

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News Editor Castor spoke to MP Laura McClure about New Zealand’s stance on the US kidnapping of Venezuelan president Maduro and the ACT party’s campaign plans for 2026. 

They also spoke to distinguished scholar at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, and honorary faculty member at the Department of Physics at the University of Auckland, Kevin Trenberth, about rising ocean temperatures and the potential ramifications. 

Producer Alex spoke to Professor Robert Patman, a senior lecturer in Political Science at the University of Otago, about Trump’s attacks and intervention in Venezuela, and what that means for the US’ place in South America and the world.

He also spoke with Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Auckland, Dr Ulrich Speidel, about the Managemyhealth data breach, what it means about the cybersecurity about these platforms, what leaked data means, and what should be done to protect New Zealanders’ personal data.

After United States forces kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters put out a statement expressing concern over the move and his expectations that countries maintain adherence to international law. New Zealand’s response has been criticised by some, who say it does not go far enough in upholding New Zealand’s independent foreign policy and history of calling out infringements of international law. 

In our weekly catchup with the act party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Laura McClure, filling in this week for Simon Court. They asked about the party’s stance on the developing US/Venezuela situation, and about the party’s campaign plans for the 2026 election.