This week on Dear Science, Wire host Castor chatted to Professor Allan Blackman about fighting cancer with gold nanoparticles, trends in the melodies of popular music, and NASA's fake Mars mission. 

The United Nations hosted Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) 2024 is taking place in Geneva this week, with Aotearoa’s Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission in attendance. 

Particularly, the commission will be commenting on Aotearoa’s historical approach to indigenous rights in Aotearoa as well as the approach of the current government. 

Wire host Castor spoke to Te Kāhui Tika Tangata’s indigenous rights governance partner, Dayle Takitimu, about the EMRIP assessment and what it could mean for our current and future governments.

This Tuesday on The Wire...

For Dear Science this week, Wire host Castor chatted to Professor Allan Blackman about fighting cancer with gold nanoparticles, trends in the melodies of popular music, and NASA’s Mars mission crew. 

In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Castor spoke to MP Sam Uffindell about the residential tenancies amendment bill and tolls on the roads of national significance.

He also spoke to Dayle Takitimu from Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission about indigenous rights in Aotearoa. 

Producer Elle spoke to the University of Auckland’s Tom Pearce about standardised testing in primary schools. 

She also spoke to Massey University’s Professor Joanne Hort about New Zealanders’ use of spices.

Stick that in yer hay bag.

Breakfast conversation with Desley Simpson the Deputy Mayor, and Woroud Alzaher about adults living with cerebal palsey. Thanks to Atomic Coffee & the Unviversity of Auckland

A collaboration between HelloFresh and Massey University reveals that 87% of Kiwis suffer from spice-xiety.

Evidence suggests that Kiwis struggle to use spices outside their comfort zone.

Producer Elle spoke to Massey University professor Joanne Hort about Kiwis’ taste preferences and aversion to trying new flavour profiles.

Mikey Majestic presents More Digital

Children in New Zealand have among the highest rates of screen use in the world, with Māori and low socioeconomic-background young people over-represented. 

A group of researchers have come up with advice on children’s screen use to better assist educators in Aotearoa to balance health risks of digital technologies with educational benefits.

Wire host Sofia spoke to the lead author, masters researcher at the University of Auckland and paediatric physiotherapist, Julie Cullen, about this advice, starting the interview asking her about the main risks this research identified that are of concern when it comes to digital technology use by children and young people.

The government’s plan to introduce boot camps for youth offenders and other more punitive law and order reforms have come under fire by experts for failing to address the root causes of crime and antisocial behaviour in Aotearoa. 

The recently implemented measures and rhetoric from the government have prompted a variety of discussions about how Aotearoa can properly tackle youth crime, the resources public agencies have to address and the measures that have worked so far. 

Oto spoke to Aaron Hendry, a youth worker and co-founder of Kickback, to discuss the government’s recent youth crime reforms, and the measures that have worked in the past that the government should be looking into instead.