Arini is back, just in time to deliver a beautiful whakataukī for te tau hou Māori! Whakarongo mai nei!

Matariki hunga nui // Matariki gathers us all.

In the latest Public Health Communication Centre briefing, researchers have warned that New Zealand's reliance on volatile fuel prices is increasing the country's transport poverty issue. 

The briefing outlined how households already spend an average of $252 dollars per week or 15.7% of their total expenditure on transport, and fuel price increases from recent conflict in the Middle East have added $65 a week on average to these costs. 

Higher transport poverty can force people to choose between essential trips, such as grocery shopping or medical appointments, leading to poorer physical and mental health outcomes.

The briefing recommended several long-term, systemic solutions that focus on reducing New Zealand's reliance on private vehicles and fuels, rather than just short-term relief.   

To discuss transport poverty and the recommendations in the report, producer Thomas spoke to University of Otago Associate Professor Angela Curl.

This week on the Monday Wire... 

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about ACT’s proposed three strikes rule for burglaries and the party’s thoughts on the Green Party’s new fertiliser and water infrastructure policies. 

Producer Thomas spoke to University of Otago Associate Professor of public health Angela Curl about transport poverty caused by the fuel crisis and potential solutions.

And Producer Jude spoke with Senior Lecturer of Education and Social Practice at the University of Auckland, Dr Lisa Darragh, about changes to NCEA and their possible future implications.

Last week the ACT Party announced a three strikes policy for burglaries. The policy would penalise those who commit three instances of burglary or are convicted three times of burglary, with a punishment of three years in prison. The ACT Party says this will decrease the total number of burglaries, but evidence is unconvincing on the success of three strikes policies as a deterrent. 

Also in recent weeks, the Green Party announced its policy for water management, which included particular attention to fertilisers and nitrate levels. The ACT Party has been highly critical of this policy, rejecting the Green Party argument about environmental impact and noting the necessity of synthetic fertilisers for modern food production. 

For this week’s catchup with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about each of these topics, beginning with three strikes.

Due to audio and connectivity issues, the interview was cut short before the two had the chance to properly discuss water infrastructure and nitrate levels.

Currently, to be awarded NCEA at any level, students need to take a numeracy and reading test in year 10.

According to a Qualifications Authority report, many students have yet to pass it due to its contextual and challenging nature.

However, starting in 2028, the Ministry of Education will replace the numeracy test and NCEA as a whole with two new national qualifications: the New Zealand Certificate of Education for Year 12 and the New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education for Year 13.

As for the standard numeracy test of year 10, it will be replaced with a new qualification called the “foundational award”, which will be taken during year 11 instead. 

Many are concerned that the new “foundational award” will be harder on students, with higher stakes. Leading to more implications down the line.

To learn more about this change, the differences between the examinations and their possible future implications, producer Jude spoke with University of Auckland Senior Lecturer, Dr Lisa Darragh.

Last week the ACT Party announced a three strikes policy for burglaries. The policy would penalise those who commit three instances of burglary or are convicted three times of burglary, with a punishment of three years in prison. The ACT Party says this will decrease the total number of burglaries, but evidence is unconvincing on the success of three strikes policies as a deterrent. 

Also in recent weeks, the Green Party announced its policy for water management, which included particular attention to fertilisers and nitrate levels. The ACT Party has been highly critical of this policy, rejecting the Green Party argument about environmental impact and noting the necessity of synthetic fertilisers for modern food production. 

For this week’s catchup with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about each of these topics, beginning with three strikes.

Due to audio and connectivity issues, the interview was cut short before the two had the chance to properly discuss water infrastructure and nitrate levels.

Nate is back up in the studio for Loose Reads! Today on the show, he chats with Rosetta and Milly about Yáng Shuāng-zǐ's Taiwan Travelogue - whakarongo mai nei!

Thanks to Timeout Bookstore!

It’s Crawley Monday, and Matthew and Harry are back!

It’s all happening at 95bFM--the move is in progress, and this week we’re broadcasting from the transitory schtudio. We battled a bit, but it wouldn’t be a true blue Monday Drive without a bit of battling, and we always make it through in the end.

Matariki weekend was festive for both of us. We fawned over the fantastical Exploding Rainbow Orchestra performance on Sunday, and Harry made a spooky goblin lighter cover.

The multitalented Fen Ikner joined us for a chat. Fans of ripper Kiwi tunes will recognise Fen as one quarter of Lips. What you may not know is that Fen is also one whole of a man with a rich past, including a stint in the Buffalo-based post-hardcore supergroup Knife Crazy, who are releasing their second album 20 years in the making!

Professor Emeritus Peter Lineham joined us with another fascinating topic: religion in North Korea.

Mr Matthew Crawley also paid a short and sweet tribute to the late Sam Neill. Rest in peace.

Ngā mihi The Beer Spot.

Oto and Jaycee talks to Singaporean Alt-Pop Artist Leon Markcus about his brand new single "Laundromat" 

The multitalented Fen Ikner joined us for a chat. Fans of ripper Kiwi tunes will recognise Fen as one quarter of Lips. What you may not know is that Fen is also one whole of a man with a rich past, including a stint in the Buffalo-based post-hardcore supergroup Knife Crazy, who are releasing their second album 20 years in the making!