95bFM: The Wire

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March, Oto spoke to him about the government’s review of the Waitangi Tribunal, funding allocation for the victims of abuse in care redress program and changes to the wildlife act.

For this week’s Get Action! Oto spoke to Hugh Acton, a member of Climate Action Victoria University of Wellington, about a petition calling on the university to divest from fossil fuel companies.

And he spoke to Helen Petousis-Harris, an Associate Professor in General Practice & Primary Healthcare at the University of Auckland about Aotearoa’s most recent measles case and it’s implications for the health system.

Max spoke to Shaun Robinson, the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, about the recent withdrawal of the police from mental health callouts.

And he spoke to Valerie Morse, from Peace Action Wellington, to discuss the US military’s indication that they want to increase the number of space launches from Rocket Lab’s launchpad on the Mahia Peninsula.

Recently, the US military indicated that it wants to increase the number of space launches from Rocket Lab’s launchpad on the Mahia Peninsula, including launching satellites that are involved in Nuclear command-control-and-comms.

Valerie Morse from Peace Action Wellington, has questioned this development over the lack of transparency from the US military about what they are launching into space, and urged New Zealand to stay firm on it’s stance on Nuclear Weapons.

To talk about this, as well as what it means for New Zealand’s independence, Producer Max spoke with Valerie Morse.

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Doctor Cushla McGoverin, chats with us about a new twist on the famous marshmallow experiment, a new snake antivenom, and new steps towards lithium batteries. 

In our weekly catch-up with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about social media restrictions for young people and NZ First’s recent gender bill. 

They also spoke to Director of Global Studies at the University of Auckland, Chris Ogden, about the India/Pakistan ceasefire and stability in the region. 

Producer Faith spoke to public health researcher, Professor Janet Hoek, from the University of Otago about Labour MP Dr. Ayesha Verrall’s tobacco transparency bill

She also spoke to the Public Service Association union’s kaihautu, Janice Panoho, about how the coalition government’s recent law changes will affect Maori and Pacifica women in particular

Military confrontation between India and Pakistan has many regional and international actors concerned about stability in the region. While a ceasefire agreement has been reached, conditions are still uncertain, especially given indications that India doesn’t see it as a ceasefire. 

Wire host Castor spoke to Director of Global Studies at the University of Auckland, Chris Ogden, about the ceasefire both now and moving into the future. 

The government’s recent changes to laws on gender pay equity have received backlash from unions– particularly the Public Service Association.

Producer Faith spoke to the union’s kaihautu Janice Panoho about these changes, how they affect Maori and Pacifica women, and what steps need to be taken moving forward

Producer Faith spoke with public health researcher and professor from the University of Otago Janet Hoek about the benefits of Labour's health spokesperson Dr. Ayesha Verrall's new bill.

This week on the Monday Wire:

For our weekly catchup with Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to her about changes to prisoners’ voting eligibility, the party calling for more funding for Whakaata Māori in Budget 2025, and ECE recommendations.

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, Producer Evie spoke to Simon Court about David Seymour’s proposal to reduce the size of cabinet, an ACT Members Bill aimed at removing mandatory climate-related disclosures for banks, as well as last week's unprecedented senior doctor strikes.

Joel spoke to Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland, about animal product imports to New Zealand, as a petition to Parliament to ensure imports are coming from country’s with animal welfare standards on par with ours.

Joel also spoke to Robert Patman, a Professor of International Relations at the University of Otago, about his article on the Conversation, discussing his concerns over the Trump Administration's proposed peace deal regarding Russia’s war on Ukraine, and how New Zealand should proceed with supporting Ukraine.

And Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins us in studio to discuss young people developing their political views through social media.

Whakarongo mai

This week on the Monday Wire:

For our weekly catchup with Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to her about the Pay Equity Amendment Bill being passed, as well as the draft framework for relationship and sexuality education, or RSE.

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, Producer Evie, speaks to Simon Court about the government passing the pay equity amendment bill under urgency, as well a National members bill proposing a social media ban for under 16’s. 

Joel spoke to Anna Curzon, the co-chair of B416; an organisation pushing to ban under 16 year olds from social media, in light of National MP Catherine Wedd’s members bill.

Joel also spoke to Dr Alex Beattie, a lecturer in Media and Communications at the Victoria University of Wellington, about his concerns with Wedd’s members bill, and what other ways we should regulate social media for young people as opposed to an outright ban.

Evie speaks to Theology Researcher at University of Otago Dr Greg Marcar about the selection of the new pope, Leo XIV.

And Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins us in studio for our last chat!

Whakarongo mai!

Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, in studio for a last chat!

The Catholic Church has a new leader — Pope Leo XIV — elected after just two days of conclave in what many are calling a quick and unified decision. He follows Pope Francis, whose time as pope was known for major reforms and a focus on social issues. Now, people are asking: will Leo continue that legacy, or take the Church in a new direction?

Some describe Leo XIV as a moderate, but we are yet to see what issues he will choose to act on. 

Producer Evie spoke to Dr Greg Marcar, a theology researcher at the University of Otago, about what we can expect from Pope Leo’s time in charge, and what it means that he’s the first American pope in history.

They also looked at why the conclave happened so quickly this time, and whether a new pope could bring changes not just for Catholics, but for the wider world.