Stella and Isla speak to one of the authors of research that shows how removing $5 prescription charges reduces the number of hospital admissions and the length of stays. Professor Pauline Norris from the University of Otago, a specialist in social pharmacy; access to and use of medicines, chats about the nuances of the work.

On The Wire for Rāhina Monday:

- Spike speaks to Unite Union National Secretary John Crocker about the latest minimum wage rise

- Arno speaks to Dr. Gavin Ellis from Koi Tu about the TVNZ-RNZ merger

- Arno speaks to Peter Reynolds from the New Zealand Disability Support Network about a lack of government funding for support workers

- And on Tomorrow's World today, Stella and Isla speak to Professor Pauline Norris about new research that shows removing the $5 cost of prescriptions reduces hospital admissions and time spent in hospital

Cabinet, as part of its policy reset on Wednesday, announced minimum wage would be rising $1.50, up to $22.70 an hour to match inflation. Many are welcoming the increase, but Unite Union says it’s not enough for workers to just match inflation. Spike speaks to the National Secretary, John Crocker, about this latest rise.

Arno speaks to Peter Reynolds, CEO of the New Zealand Disability Support Network - a society of organisations that provide support to disabled people. The industry of disability service providers is an entirely government-funded collection of entities that provide free-of-charge services to those in need. Recent increases in costs of providing services have made it difficult for these organisations to provide the same level of care for a given budget.

Justine speaks to us over the phone for our regular segmant of Red Dead Redemption focusing on the recent wet weather in Auckland.

Guy Montgomery beams in via the magic of the internet to talk about his project, The Guy Montgomery Guy Mont Spelling Bee.

For an eventful start of the week with Cyclone Gabrielle knocking on Auckland's door, Rachel talks to Jenna Todd about Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton for Loose Reads, Justine speaks to us over the phone for our regular segmant of Red Dead Redemption focusing on the recent wet weather, We have Guy Montgomery beam in via the internet to talk about his project, Guy Montgomery Guy Mont Spelling Bee, and finally we speak with Penelopy Noir for her regular segment 'Fashun'. Whakarongo mai nei!

Rachel talks to Jenna Todd about Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton for this installment of Loose Reads

On 8 February Chris Hipkins announced work on the TVNZ-RNZ public media entity "will stop entirely". This comes several years after the bill was first tabled by former broadcasting Minister Kris Faafoi as a way to address declining audience numbers. Arno speaks to Dr Gavin Ellis, affiliate of think tank Koi Tū, “the centre for informed futures”. He started by asking what the difference between public and private broadcasters meant for the public. 

Frances Chan revels in 1973 – her favourite year in jazz. Essential jazz funk fusion celebrating their 50th anniversaries this year, plus a few newbies.

Setlist: