This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science this week, we chat with our expert, Dr Cushla McGoverin, about a new giant salamander that lived over 3 million years ago being described in Japan, fungi which can eat polystyrene and how sperm whales sleep vertically. 

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, news director Castor spoke with MP Ryan Hamilton about comments by Stuart Nash and New Zealand’s climate targets.

Host Thomas spoke to PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons about the employment leave bill and the 200,000 workers it might make worse off.

And Producer Liam spoke to Dr Kerry McInerney, a computer science lecturer from the University of Auckland, about public perceptions towards AI Data Centres in New Zealand.

Tuesday Drive is back for another week of bangers, banter and bullshit! This week, Smashton and Big J say farewell to UOA for their last-ever show on campus.

Nick Bollinger joins to talk about Legendary musical visits to Aotearoa in this week's edition of Audio Culture.  

Thanks to The Beer Spot.

Workplace relations minister Brooke van Velden’s employment leave bill is set for its third reading today. The bill is meant to replace the Holidays Act and move to a hours-based accrual system with a leave compensation payment for additional and casual hours.

The Public Service Association has spoken out against the bill, calculating that it could leave up to 200,000 workers worse off due to the change to overtime payments. Over half of those negatively affected workers are in the healthcare sector.

Van Velden has denied the calculation saying it wouldn’t be accurate as the new bill only sets new minimum standards, meaning worker conditions may stay the same. The PSA has accused the government of feigning ignorance of the harm the bill will cause.

To discuss the employment leave bill and the 200,000 workers who may be worse off, host Thomas spoke to PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons.

This week for Dear Science, we chat with our expert, Dr Cushla McGoverin, about a new giant salamander that lived over 3 million years ago that has been described in Japan, fungi which can eat polystyrene and how sperm whales sleep vertically.

Thanks to MOTAT - Home of Powerful Play!

Good morning! Rosetta is on leave this week, but Milly has your back. On the show this morning: This Is How We Brew It with Charlie, and Loose Reads with Jenna! Whakarongo mai nei!

Thanks to eighthirty coffee roasters!

Nate is back up in the studio for Loose Reads! Today on the show, he chats with Milly about Christian Kracht's Air - whakarongo mai nei!

Thanks to Timeout Bookstore!

Charlie joins Milly to chat about all things kawhe, and the importance of supporting your local cafe! Whakarongo mai nei!

Thanks to eighthirty coffee roasters!

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about Fire and Emergency NZ, ACC cover for firefighters, inflation at a two year high, and improving Aotearoa’s fuel resilience. 

They also spoke to Professor of Communications, Mohan Dutta from Massey University about a Facebook post from the ACT Party’s Parmjeet Parmar criticising a University of Auckland lecturer. 

And they spoke to E tū director Mat Danaher about a proposed digital restructure at Stuff and broader trends at media organisations looking to digitise jobs. 

And Producer Pranuja spoke to Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe about the Climate Change Commission’s warning that New Zealand is off track to meet its emissions targets, and whether the Government’s climate policy changes are responsible.

An ongoing inquiry into Fire and Emergency NZ has identified that the organisation is making multiple questionable spending decisions. Not only are equipment and vehicles for firefighters underfunded, but higher-ups are consistently seeing pay bumps. 

Also on firefighting, Labour’s Kieran McAnulty recently had his member’s bill drawn, which would see volunteer firefighters covered by ACC for injuries. 

Last week saw an announcement that inflation has reached a two year high, mostly due to the ongoing fuel crisis thanks to the US/Iran conflict. As the conflict wears on, pressure is on the government to improve fuel resilience and expand our use of renewable energy.

For our weekly catchup with ACT’s Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about each of these issues, beginning with Fire and Emergency NZ funding.

News media company Stuff is proposing a restructure to its digital team, with up to eight cuts. The announcement follows cuts across different news organisations in Aotearoa, with Newshub and Re: News announcing closures and job cuts at multiple other organisations. 

E tū has raised concerns over the cuts in particular, noting the importance of well staffed news organisations in holding the government accountable and keeping people up to date on current affairs. 

To discuss E tū’s concerns, News Director Castor spoke to the organisation’s director Mat Danaher.