95bFM: The Wire

Worker First Union has recently released a report covering Aotearoa’s ambulance system, calling for urgent reform and public funding from the government.

Various issues are outlined in the report including New Zealand’s aging population, a growing trans-Tasman wage gap bleeding the workforce, the collapse of charitable giving and a fuel crisis. First Union says if these problems are not addressed they risk getting significantly worse in years to come.

The report suggests catching the ambulance up with the rest of New Zealand’s health service and making it fully publically funded for the betterment of those who rely on emergency health response and its workers.

To talk about the failing Aotearoa ambulance system and how it can be fixed, producer Thomas talked to Deputy Secretary for Workers First Union Anita Rosentreter.

The government claims its new Conservation Amendment Bill will improve protections of conservation land while also enabling more economic growth.

Its opponents say the bill will undermine existing protections, however, especially as it enables the sale of large swathes of conservation land into private ownership. This would also undermine existing legal protections for land specifically in the Coromandel, which alongside the Fast Track Bill illustrates this government’s intention to entirely circumvent many of New Zealand’s long-standing environmental policies.

To discuss the Conservation Amendment Bill, what makes it an interesting policy, and how it could end up affecting local conservation efforts in the region, News Director Castor spoke to Chair of Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki, Catherine Delahunty.

You can make a submission on the bill here. Submissions close at midnight on the second of July. 

Pharmac has recently proposed changing who can receive funded treatment for key diabetes medication, moving it in line with a cabinet directive from 2024 saying public services should be prioritised on the basis of need, not race.

There has been an outcry from health professionals, such as the cardiac network, saying data shows that Maori and Pacific people are more at risk of diabetes, regardless of their socio-economic status, and the best way to maximise health benefit for dollars spent is by targeting these groups.

Further criticism has been directed at Health NZ, which has banned the cardio network from objecting to the removal of eligibility criteria, saying it would breach the 2024 cabinet directive. Cardiologists will be forced to make submissions as individuals, a move the network has said is silencing scientific evidence in the name of politics 

To discuss the eligibility changes and Health NZ silencing cardiologists, host Thomas spoke to Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Sarah Dalton.

A new study has been released that shows the impact of human-induced climate change on global sea levels, focusing on the change from 1900 to 2005. 

It found that, worldwide, one in a hundred-year flooding event had a median increase to the 1 in 8-year event average over this time. Even more concerningly, the study found that the increase was not geographically balanced, and Wellington coastal floods have increased to roughly a twice-per-year occurrence.

Relevantly, last week Wellington faced large swells up to 9 metres, resulting in a state of emergency and mandatory evacuation orders at numerous bays in the area.

To discuss the results of the study and how best to respond to the findings, host Thomas talked to Victoria University Professor of Climate Science & Physical Geography, James Renwick.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has renewed calls to ban flavoured nicotine products, particularly sweet, fruity, and confectionery-style flavours, which it says drive addiction amongst young people.

 WHO has warned that tobacco and nicotine companies are deliberately creating products that are “more appealing, easier to use and harder to quit” for adolescents and young people.

Thursday Wire Host Caeden caught up with Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand Chief Executive Letitia Harding about the calls for restrictions and how this applies in a New Zealand context.

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, host Thomas spoke to ACT MP Simon Court about the party’s proposed Nationally Determined contribution towards the Paris Agreement, funding for the Liquified Natural gas import terminal and public transport policy.

He also talked to Victoria University Professor of Climate Science & Physical Geography James Renwick about a study which found concerns with costal flooding events in Wellington.

And he spoke to Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Sarah Dalton about Pharmac changing eligibility criteria for diabetes medication and Health NZ stopping cardiology groups from objecting.

Caeden also spoke to Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand Chief Executive Letitia Harding about calls from the World Health Organisation to ban flavoured tobacco products.

The Green Party has announced a new policy to fine individuals and companies for privacy breaches. This includes fines of up to $500,000 for breaches by individuals and $10 million for corporates. 

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Professor Gehan Gunasekara, a privacy law expert at the University of Auckland Business School, about this proposal. 

The Government has announced it is investing $5 million into Māori-owned businesses as part of its initiatives to support economic growth and create jobs. 

It follows a mixed bag of funding and cuts to Māori organisations in Budget 2026. 

For Politics with Māni Dunlop from Te Ao Māori News, Wire Host Caeden has Māni on the line to discuss these recent announcements. 

Labour has announced its first major policy in over six months: a proposal to cap public transport costs at $20 a week in major centres and $10 elsewhere. The party says the policy would help with the cost of living and make public transport more accessible. The announcement comes after the coalition government removed several public transport subsidies introduced under Labour, including half-price fares for young people and free fares for children.

Alongside the fare cap, Labour has already announced a targeted capital gains tax to fund three free GP visits a year and a proposed Future Fund aimed at investing in infrastructure and innovative Kiwi businesses.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, News Director Castor spoke with Shanan Halbert about these policies.

For Politics with Māni Dunlop from Te Ao Māori News, Wire Host Caeden asked about a new investment from the Government in Māori businesses and funding for Māori organisations in Budget 2026. 

And they spoke to Professor Gehan Gunasekara, a privacy law expert at the University of Auckland Business School, about a new Green Party policy that would fine individuals and businesses for privacy breaches. 

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, News Director Castor spoke with Shanan Halbert about the party’s newly announced $20 fare cap and its broader policy plan for this year’s election. 

And Castor spoke to Professor Michael Baker from the University of Otago about influenza management and improving New Zealand’s public health response.