95bFM: The Wire

A recently released study from researchers at the Otago, Canterbury, and Massey universities has found an association between nitrate concentrations in drinking water, and pre-term births.

The study is the first of its scale to investigate the health impacts of nitrate on health, involving the birth records of over 735,000 babies born between 2008 and 2021. 

It comes after the Ministry of Health launched a review into the health effects of nitrate in drinking water earlier this year, with groups such as Greenpeace long-arguing for a reduction in the maximum acceptable value of nitrate in drinking water for Aotearoa New Zealand.

So, to learn more about what the study found, Producer Theo spoke to its lead author, the University of Canterbury’s Associate Professor Tim Chambers.

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Child Poverty Action Group Housing Researcher Greg Waite about two new reports from the organisation on the cost of housing. 

Tuesday Wire Host Alex spoke to National Secretary of the Public Service Association, Duane Leo, about Department of Internal Affairs workers striking on Monday. 

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Producer Pranuja spoke with Shanan Halbert about the 6% Tertiary fee increase and Indian Prime Ministers Narendra Modi’s visit last friday.

And Waitakere Indian Association released The Economic Contribution of Kiwi Indians in New Zealand commissioned by Informetrics. Pranuja attended the launch and interviewed community leaders about the impact of these figures for the Kiwi Indian Diaspora.

A new Infometrics report, commissioned by the Waitākere Indian Association, estimates that Kiwi-Indian businesses, households, international students and visitors contributed $37.3 billion to GDP in the year to March 2025.

The report highlights the economic power of Kiwi-Indians and argues that New Zealand could be making better use of the community’s skills, calling for improved recognition of overseas qualifications and greater support for migrant-owned businesses.

The report launched in Auckland just before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit, the first by an Indian prime minister in 40 years. Producer Pranuja attended the launch and spoke to community leaders, economists and politicians about what the findings mean and whether closer ties with India will translate into meaningful benefits for Kiwi Indians.

Producer Pranuja spoke to President of the Waitākere Indian Association Sunil Kaushal, Chief Executive and Principal Economist at Infometrics Brad Olsen, Secretary of the Waitākere Indian Association Sanjay Dutt Sharma, Labour’s immigration spokesperson and Te Atatū MP Phil Twyford, and Minister for Auckland, Revenue, Climate Change and Local Government Simon Watts.

To find out more on the report, go to kiwiindians.nz.

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) have released two new research papers outlining the impact of high housing costs. 

The reports show that housing costs are leaving families without enough income to cover essentials, particularly as the supply of affordable rental homes decreases across the motu. 

Wire Host Caeden spoke to research author Greg Waite about the findings.

Workers at the Department of Internal Affairs went on strike on Monday, over a pay offer from the government which does not match the increased cost of living. 

To discuss the importance of the Department of Internal Affairs, why workers are striking, and how the government is responding, Tuesday Wire host Alex spoke to National Secretary of the Public Service Association, Duane Leo.

The Opportunity Party has experienced a surge of support in the lead-up up to this year's election, and for the first time in the party's 10-year history, it appears that they may actually enter parliament. The latest poll puts them at 4.7% of the popular vote, tantalisingly close to the 5% threshold required to get their list MPs.

The leader, Qiulae Wong, is explicit about her goal of replacing Winston Peters as New Zealand’s political kingmaker, and a major part of the party’s strategy has been to position themselves as centrists willing to work with either side of the house.

To analyse this strategy, and imagine how TOP’s entry into parliament could change the political landscape, producer Toby spoke to Dr. Richard Shaw, Professor in Politics at Massey University.

With the ramp up to the election well underway, the tax system in Aotearoa New Zealand is unsurprisingly featuring prominently in many proposed party policies, and of course the ensuing robust exchanges.

However, with constant stories of deteriorating infrastructure and underfunded institutions and services, the current revenue stream for Aotearoa New Zealand would appear less-than-perfect to say the least. Simultaneously, we’re seeing a constant increase of inequality in our country.

To mitigate these issues, some have advocated for greater action to ensure wealthier individuals and corporations are paying their fair share. The Better Taxes for a Better Future coalition is one such group advocating for changes to our tax system. Consisting of a variety of organisations including unions, charities, and action groups, they’re campaigning for a fairer tax system. 

So, to learn more about the need for tax system reform, and what that might look like, Producer Theo spoke to the campaign manager for the Better Taxes for a Better Future coalition, Kate Stone.

You can find them at bettertaxes.nz, and sign their pledge to support better taxes in Aotearoa just here.

Ahead of the CRL’s much anticipated opening later this year, many people have been reflecting on how expensive it has become to produce infrastructure in New Zealand and the waste that goes into projects that are thrown out after a change in government

From the ballooning costs of the Roads of National Significance(RoNS), and CRL or the money spent to develop Auckland Light Rail, Lets get wellington moving just for them to be dropped.

Consensus seems to be building around the need for a long term Pipeline to plan, stagger, and build agreement across parliament for future projects if we wish to get a better bang for our buck. And now, the governments new Major Transport Projects Pipeline, seems to be motioning towards this discussion.

Pundits say it is a walk back from many of the RoNS that National had comitted too after their costs became to much for the governemnt to manage.

But does the MTPP really reflect the needs of the nation? Does it still hold onto some projects whose costs have far out paced its benefits? Is New Zealand prone to over ambition and underachieving?

To understand the governemnts transport plan and get his perspective Wednesday Wire host Manny spoke to Director of the transport blog, Greater Auckland, Matt Lowrie.

This week on the Wednesday Wire...

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, Host Manny speaks with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the government's transport pipeline and the visit of controversial prime minister of India, Narendra Modi.

Producer Toby, speaks to Massey University Politics professor Dr. Richard Shaw about the Opportunity Party’s electoral strategy.

Then Producer Theo speaks to Kate Stone from Better Taxes for a better Future on how we can make a fairer tax system for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Finally, Manny speaks to Director of the transport blog Greater Auckland, Matt Lowrie, about the government's change in transport policy.

Ahead of the CRL’s much anticipated opening later this year, many people have been reflecting on how expensive it has become to produce infrastructure in New Zealand and the waste that goes into projects that are thrown out after a change in government.

Consensus seems to be building around the need for a consistent pipeline that staggers works to maintain a consistent flow for industry and build agreement across parliament.

This week has seen the government introduce their Major Transport Projects Pipeline, or MTPP which in many ways motions towards this debate while also taking a step back from many roads whose costs have ballooned.

But how do opposition parties feel about this this Policy? Has agreement been found?

And this week, the visit of controversial Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sparked opposition from two radically differing sides, from those concerned with India's human rights record to those hostile to migration from India.

So for this week’s catch-up with the Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez March, we discuss the Green Party's issues with the new MTPP and the political climate that has surrounded Modi’s visit.