A new study using biological evolution models to trace the origins of the English language has made some remarkable discoveries. 

The study used a list of known words in different languages to find a common ancestor for these languages, and incorporated divergence dating so that researchers could estimate when each language diverged from the root language. 

The ancient language in which English has its origins is called Proto-Indo-European and dates back 8,000 years ago. It has been geographically isolated, and found to be the root of many modern day languages as well as English. 

Arno spoke with Professor Quentin Atkinson, a Professor in Psychology at the University of Auckland, to find out more about the study. Arno started our interview by asking about the methodology of the study.

Welcome to the Tuesday Wire! This week on the show:

This week on the Tuesday Wire Milly speaks to Carina Walters of the University of Auckland and  the New Zealand ministerial Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs on New Zealands opioid culture in the midst of American Opioid crisis. 

For 95bFM's weekly catchup with the National Party, Milly talks to Dr Shane Reti about the Breast Screening bill recently pulled from the ballot box and the Labour Party's plans to remove GST from fresh fruit and vegetables. 

Researchers from the University of Cantebury have launched the new online app and social media campaign Te Puа̄waitanga: Beyond the Birds and Bees, aimed at creating widely accessible and accurate information online for young people regarding relationship and sexuality education. 

Wire producer Rosetta spoke with Tracy Clelland, lecturer at the University of Cantebury and project director of Te Puа̄waitanga, about how the platform opperates and why such resources are important.

Last week E Tū picketed outside the special general meeting of the Building Service Contractors of New Zealand, the employer association for cleaning companies.

E Tū have been in negotiations for a collective agreement but have been offered nothing by employers - including a lack of a 30c pay increase which has been offered in previous years.

This comes during the cost of living crisis, and Auckland Airport cleaner Jackie Clark said, “We feel that cleaning companies don’t care about the cleaners, and they don’t respect us.”

Caeden spoke to E Tū Campaign director Sarah Thompson about why they picketed, fair pay agreements and what we can expect to happen in the context of the election.

This week, Spike spoke to MP Simon Court about the new NIWA forecast predicting a 90% chance of an El Niño event over the next three months, and their new policy for privatised highways.

They started by asking what Court’s thoughts were on the new NIWA forecast. 

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, host Spike Keith spoke to Simon Court about NIWA’s El Nino forecast, and ACT’s new policy around privately built highways.

They also spoke to Auckland University urban planning researcher Dr. Tim Welch about the use of misinformation in opposition to the Great North Road cycleway project. 

Rawan Saadi spoke with Lisa Woods, spokesperson for Amnesty International, about the two reports that were released by the Office of the Ombudsman concerning the state of prisons in Aotearoa

Caeden Tipler spoke to E Tū Union Director Sarah Thompson about why cleaners from several industrial cleaning companies are picketing for fairer wages and conditions.

And on Tomorrow's World, a segment that looks into issues around science, technology and the environment, Leilani Cardosa spoke with Professor Paul Glue from the University of Otago about the use of Ketamine injections to treat depression.

Nicholas Lindstrom talked to Auckland University Students' Association President Alan Shaker about AUSA elections, the upcoming AUSA Annual General Meeting, and calls for a universal study wage. 

Auckland Transport has recently announced a draft Regional Public Transport plan, which will take effect over three stages, long-, medium- and short-term. The proposal outlines AT's priorities for Tāmaki Makaurau's public transport system until 2031. Beth spoke to Luke Elliott, Principal Planner at AT, about the plan.