95bFM: The Wire

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science this week, we chat with our expert, Dr Cushla McGoverin, about a new giant salamander that lived over 3 million years ago being described in Japan, fungi which can eat polystyrene and how sperm whales sleep vertically. 

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, news director Castor spoke with MP Ryan Hamilton about comments by Stuart Nash and New Zealand’s climate targets.

Host Thomas spoke to PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons about the employment leave bill and the 200,000 workers it might make worse off.

And Producer Liam spoke to Dr Kerry McInerney, a computer science lecturer from the University of Auckland, about public perceptions towards AI Data Centres in New Zealand.

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about Fire and Emergency NZ, ACC cover for firefighters, inflation at a two year high, and improving Aotearoa’s fuel resilience. 

They also spoke to Professor of Communications, Mohan Dutta from Massey University about a Facebook post from the ACT Party’s Parmjeet Parmar criticising a University of Auckland lecturer. 

And they spoke to E tū director Mat Danaher about a proposed digital restructure at Stuff and broader trends at media organisations looking to digitise jobs. 

And Producer Pranuja spoke to Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe about the Climate Change Commission’s warning that New Zealand is off track to meet its emissions targets, and whether the Government’s climate policy changes are responsible.

One week ago, ACT MP Parmjeet Parmar posted on Facebook to criticise University of Auckland Law Lecturer Treasa Dunworth over her comments about the ACT Party and the Treaty Principles Bill.

The post generated a multitude of responses - many supportive of Dunworth and many criticising her teaching style and suggesting she should be fired. 

In an article released also last week, the situation was compared to broader international movements criticising academics for speaking out against culture-war issues. 

To discuss the issue, how it works in Aotearoa, and what it might mean for academics, News Director Castor spoke to the article’s author, Professor of Communications Mohan Dutta.

An ongoing inquiry into Fire and Emergency NZ has identified that the organisation is making multiple questionable spending decisions. Not only are equipment and vehicles for firefighters underfunded, but higher-ups are consistently seeing pay bumps. 

Also on firefighting, Labour’s Kieran McAnulty recently had his member’s bill drawn, which would see volunteer firefighters covered by ACC for injuries. 

Last week saw an announcement that inflation has reached a two year high, mostly due to the ongoing fuel crisis thanks to the US/Iran conflict. As the conflict wears on, pressure is on the government to improve fuel resilience and expand our use of renewable energy.

For our weekly catchup with ACT’s Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about each of these issues, beginning with Fire and Emergency NZ funding.

A new report from the Climate Change Commission has warned that New Zealand is no longer on track to meet its emissions-reduction targets, with agricultural methane identified as a significant risk.

Greenpeace says the findings reflect a series of climate policy reversals by the Luxon Government, including the return of offshore oil and gas exploration, the removal of the Clean Car Discount and changes to methane targets.

To discuss whether New Zealand’s climate progress has stalled and what would be needed to get the country back on track, Producer Pranuja spoke with Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe.

News media company Stuff is proposing a restructure to its digital team, with up to eight cuts. The announcement follows cuts across different news organisations in Aotearoa, with Newshub and Re: News announcing closures and job cuts at multiple other organisations. 

E tū has raised concerns over the cuts in particular, noting the importance of well staffed news organisations in holding the government accountable and keeping people up to date on current affairs. 

To discuss E tū’s concerns, News Director Castor spoke to the organisation’s director Mat Danaher.

For City Counselling, Wire Hosr Caeden spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about Council passing amendments to Plan Change 120 earlier this week and the Regional Historic Heritage Grant opening for applications. 

For our Politics with Māni Dunlop from Te Ao Māori News, they asked about the Government scrapping Mana Whakahono ā Rohe iwi-council agreements, the latest Jobseeker numbers from the Ministry of Social Development, and rising inflation.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Shanan Halbert about inflation, Fire and Emergency NZ, and criticisms of move-on orders.

The Government has scrapped Mana Whakahono ā Rohe council-iwi agreements, with Resource Management Reform Minister Chris Bishop rejecting claims the change is racist.

Jobseeker numbers remain amongst the highest recorded in the past five years, with Māori continuing to be disproportionately represented.

And inflation has risen to its highest level in two years. 

For Politics with Māni Dunlop of Te Ao Māori News, Wire Host Caeden asked about these topics.

On Tuesday, Auckland Council passed amendments to Plan Change 120 (PC120), which enable greater housing density in designated locations near frequent transport services. 

And Auckland Council is taking applications for the 2026 Regional Historic Heritage Grant Programme. 

For City Counselling this week, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about both of these topics.

New Zealand’s refugee system is undergoing significant changes, particularly considering those that would be bought by the Immigration (Enhanced Risk Management) Amendment Bill that is currently being brought through Parliament.

However, more recently, the government announced that it would be making permanent a Community Organised Refugee Sponsorship  Programme that had been on an extensive trial period for the last few years. But rather than being made complementary to our existing refugee quota, it would be nested in the 1500 refugees New Zealand takes each year.

To learn more about the implications of this policy, I spoke to the acting director of the Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies, Dr Ritesh Shah.

The Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies have further policy briefs and responses to recent changes that you can find on their website, just here.