This week on the Wednesday Wire...

Producer Jude spoke to University of Auckland Physics Professor, Nicola Gaston about the government’s new science investment plan. 

Host Theo filled in for Manny, and spoke to the University of Auckland’s Dr Ake Nicholas, on the revitalisation of Cook Islands languages this Cook Islands Language Week.

And Host Theo also spoke to the University of Auckland’s Associate Professor Jeff Smaill about a promising new cancer treatment drug he is researching.

Recent trials of a new cancer drug to treat lung cancer, have showed some promising results. The research, led by Associate Professors Jeff Smaill and Adam Patterson from the Department of Cancer Sciences, along with Malaghan Institute Professor Ian Hermans, have seen a 30 to 60 percent cure rate in laboratory models of cancer.

The drug may even produce a big impact in a range of cancers beyond just lung cancer.

So to learn more about this new drug, and the long process of research before it can be made available for use, Producer Theo spoke to one of the researchers investigating it, the University of Auckland’s Professor Jeff Smaill.

The government has recently announced a new science investment plan, which will prioritise commercialisation. 

The plan was put forward, as prime minister, Christopher Luxon, said to “brutally commercialise” New Zealand science research.

The focus of research will be around four areas of priority, which will be Technology for Prosperity, Primary Industries and Bioeconomy, Environment Sustainability and Resilience and Healthy People and a Thriving Society. 

Through the new plan, investments into the, technology for prosperity, pillar will gradually increase as a way of investing in areas with “more potential”.

To learn more about how the science community feels about the new plan, how it puts commercialisation at the front and its possible future implications, producer Jude spoke to University of Auckland Physics, Professor Nicola Gaston.

We’re now halfway through Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki 'Airani Cook Islands Māori language week, an opportunity to experience vibrant community events and learning initiatives designed to promote and preserve the languages of the Cook Islands. 

But revitalising the languages of the Cook Islands goes beyond just one week a year. A whole range of languages exist within the Cook Islands, but linguicide perpetuated by colonial powers - such as the Government of New Zealand - have traumatised language use for generations of parents. Today, the New Zealand Government is still shirking its responsibility for the revitalisation of Cook Islands languages.

So to learn more about the languages of the Cook Islands, the linguicide they have faced, and what revitalisation means today, Producer Theo spoke to the University of Auckland’s Dr Ake Nicholas.

On Sunday, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters announced the Kiwi Kids Grant as the party’s newest election policy. The grant would pay parents $5000 a year for the first three years of a child’s life, covering up to three children.

Winston Peter’s has justified the policy saying New Zealand is facing a population precipice, and the grant is necessary to stop the declining birth rate among New Zealand citizens. The policy is estimated to cost $400m a year, and New Zealand First has been unclear about where the funds would come from.

Critics of the policy have accused Peters of playing into replacement theory, which he has denied, and say similar policies overseas haven’t seen their desired effect.

To discuss the Kiwi Kids Grant producer Thomas spoke to University of Auckland Honorary Associate Professor Susan St John.

After 50 strikes by firefighters, there still has been little progress in the negotiations between Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union. The Union has been striking among other things to see improvements to their pay and what they say are inadequate fleet and equipment. 

I attended the 50th strike at the Auckland City Fire Station and spoke with Adam Wright, an Auckland local NZPFU committee member and firefighter, about why we have reached 50 strikes, what firefighters are fighting for and hoping to see happen and whether we can expect more action in the future.

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science this week, we chat with our experts, Professor Sebastian Leuzinger and Associate Professor Armagan Sabetion, about AI, LLMs and consciousness, and AI in Universities.

Producer Thomas speaks to University of Auckland Honorary Associate Professor Susan St John about New Zealand First’s new kiwi kids grant policy.

And this week, producer Liam to speaksEmma Brodie, campaign manager from SAFE for Animals, about the recent banning of Greyhound racing in Aotearoa and its significance to greyhounds and animal welfare in New Zealand.

Liam also popped over to Auckland City Fire Station during the New Zealand Firefighter Union’s 50th strike, and spoke to union member Adam Wright about the continuing industrial action and what firefighters are hoping to achieve.  

And finally, Liam chats with Angus Dowell from the University of Auckland, about who is likely to benefit from the creation of AI Data Centres in New Zealand. 

On Saturday the 1st of August, greyhound racing was banned in New Zealand, with the final race taking place at the Addington Raceway in Christchurch. This was announced by Racing Minister Winston Peters in 2024, following repeated failed attempts to address animal welfare issues. Now 1,400 greyhounds are to be rehomed by the Greyhound Transition Agency. 

I spoke to Emma Brodie, a campaign manager at SAFE for Animals, about the importance of this moment for greyhounds and animal welfare in New Zealand. 

Hyperscale AI Data Centres are the basis of the artificial intelligence boom worldwide, but incur a high energy and water cost. New Zealand has recently seen the approval of a hyperscale AI data centre, being built by Singaporean company Datagrid near Invercargill, which has been lauded by the government as an upgrade to New Zealand's digital infrastructure, and providing investment and eighty jobs into New Zealand. However, many have raised concerns that these will take large amounts of New Zealand's resources, and that consents have been given with little public consultation. 

I spoke to Angus Dowell, an economic geographer from the University of Auckland’s School of Environmental Science, about who is likely to benefit from the approval of hyperscale AI data centres in New Zealand and what part New Zealand could play in the new AI landscape. 

Last week, NZ First leader Winston Peters made derogatory comments towards Green Party MP Lawrence Xu-Nan. The comments echoed racist stereotypes about immigrants and led to strong backlash from members of the public and politicians across parliament.

This is not the first example of discriminatory comments from NZ First politicians this year. Candidate Stuart Nash spouted misogynistic rhetoric about National MP Katie Nimon earlier this year, and Deputy Leader Shane Jones made some derogatory comments about Indian migrants even earlier in the year. While MPs continue to call out these comments, little is being done to actually respond to them, especially as ACT and National continue to support NZ First in power.

Also this past week saw the Ministry for Regulation advising that legalising plug-in solar could provide significant benefits. While plug-in solar rarely generates enough electricity to power a home, it can alleviate power costs especially in sunny months, reducing the burden on households and the electrical grid. 

For this week’s catchup with ACT’s Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about each of these issues, beginning with NZ First leader Winston Peters’ comments.