This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman, chatted with us about discounting claims of life on k2-18b, stories of a mysterious ninth planet, and 'The Blue Danube' heading to outer space. 

In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about the new defence spending in 2025's Budget and where everything’s going to go. 

They also spoke to the General Manager at Forest and Bird, Richard Capie, about the disestablishment of Predator Free 2050. 

Producer Faith spoke to Professor Robert MacCulloch from the University of Auckland’s School of Business and Economics about the official cash rate (OCR), and whether or not it should drop.

She also spoke to Professor Jodi Gardner from the University’s Faculty of Law about how the government’s Budget 2025 will invest in abuse redress and care reform.

The Budget for 2025 came out two weeks ago, with news for the nation on how funds will be allocated over the coming year. The budget held big news for defence spending, $12 billion over the next four years, including $9 billion of new spending. 

The funding is planned to go towards various technologies and equipment for different branches of the military, including replacements for two Air Force Boeing 757 planes and new helicopters to be operated from Navy ships. Defence Minister Judith Collins also announced plans to acquire new killer drones with increased lethality, raising some human rights concerns. 

In our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about the defence spending announcements, concerns over killer drones, and if this money is best spent on more military equipment.

This week's brainbox is recent doctoral graduate and academic at the Business School Dr Farzana Adeel. Dr Adeel phones in to teach us about her thesis and research into the challenges that migrant entrepeneurs face, and how this impacts the ability of the job market in Aotearoa to attract immigrant entrepeneurs and business owners. To learn more, whakarongo mai nei or read more about Dr Adeel's research here. 

Thanks to the University of Auckland!

The government’s 2025 budget still seems to be very topical. Despite many academics criticising the budget for taking money out of of the pockets of those less well-off, the government has also received praise for their investment in abuse redress and care reform- with them allocating $774m to the victims of abuse in state care.

Producer Faith spoke to Professor Jodi Gardner from the University of Auckland’s Law Faculty about how the  investment will benefit this victims, and what she thinks the government should do to ensure practical solutions are put in place

One of the less discussed announcements in 2025’s budget was the disestablishment of Predator Free 2050. The project was announced by former Prime Minister John Key in 2016, with the ambitious goal of complete pest eradication in Aotearoa. 

The government’s contributions to the mission were funneled through ‘Predator Free 2050’ a government-funded organisation created to support conservation projects and technologies. These projects funded through Predator Free 2050 will not be affected by the organisation’s closure, and will instead be passed on to the Department of Conservation. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says the change will increase efficiency and reduce duplication. 

While it’s good news that the funding won’t be affected on paper, the Department of Conservation is already struggling to manage its existing commitments. With these additional responsibilities, the future of the Predator Free mission has become less certain. 

To discuss conservation in Aotearoa and how this cut will affect the Predator Free mission, Wire host Castor spoke to General Manager at Forest and Bird, Richard Capie.

Today on Drive, Nick has a kōrero with Pōneke based DJ/producer Benny Salvador about their upcoming Aunty Records gig on June 6 at Whammy Bar. For AudioCulture, Andrew Schmidt is up in the studio to chat with Nick and Rosetta about all things NZ Garage Rock. Plus prizes, news, weather, surf, and plenty of tunes. Whakarongo mai nei!

Thanks to The Beer Spot!

This week on Dear Science our expert, Professor Allan Blackman, chatted with us about debunked claims of life on the distant planet k2-18b, stories of a mysterious 'Planet X', and playing 'The Blue Danube' in outer space. 

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!

Tardy but hardy, fresh back from Sabres witnessing, head blown, gasket full of grooves

Ngā mihi The Tuning Fork!

Like the rest of the world, we are currently living in a time of economic uncertainty. Economists are forecasting the NZ dollar’s decrease in value, and there have been debates about whether the official cash rate should decrease.

Professor Robert MacCulloch is one of the academics that believe the OCR should stay as is. Producer Faith spoke to MacCulloch about his stance.