With Pride Month coming to an end, Lyric brings us a report on Māori sexuality and the impact of colonialism, exploring the term Takatapui.

As COVID-19 has impacted how we do business as well as social inequality, the need to support indigenous business has risen to the forefront. To understand what work is being done in this area, James talks to Jarrad McKay from Auckland Unlimited about what work is being done ot support Māori business and innovation.

On their weekly chat Justin and Health Minister Andrew Little talked about the government's mental health policy.

The government changed the Kiwisaver Act to allow people with life-shortening conditions to access their Kiwisaver earlier, Ayana and Justin spoke to activist Timothy Fairhall, IHC Director of Advocacy Trish Grant, and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Dr David Clark.

Neighbourhood Watch reports on the further fallout from former parliamentary staffer Brittany Higgins' rape allegations, criticism of the federal government small benefits raise, and Facebook reversing its ban on Australian news.

Neighbourhood Watch reports on the federal government being criticized for barely increasing benefits after ending a Covid-19 supplement scheme, Facebook reversing its news ban, and further fallout from the rape allegations of former parliamentary staffer Brittany Higgins.

Warning: Parts of the interview disscusses sexual assault

Ayana talked to Timothy Fairhall on his way to Parliament about his advocacy to change the age in which people with life-shortening congenital conditions can access their KiwiSaver. Then IHC's Director of Advocacy Trish Grant spoke on what this means for people with life-shortening conditions and what IHC's next steps are. Then Justin spoke about today's announcement with Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Dr David Clark. 

Justin spoke to Health Minister Andrew Little about the government's mental health policy, including his earlier comments that mental health services are improving despite criticisms on the progress of reforms, funding for teritary counselling services, and 'no surprsies' clause between the Ministry of Health and NGOs.

On today's Wire with Felix:

Dear Science: Felix and Marcus talk about Perseverence, magnetic fields, and "Planet Nine"

Felix talks to Brooke from the ACT Party about Matariki and Immigration NZ

Jade talks to Emilie Rākete from People Against Prisons Aotearoa about the Mihi Briggans court case.

Jade also talks to President of Abortion Rights Aotearoa, Terry Bellamar, about the new bill to create safe spaces around clinics.

Lastly, Felix brings an update on synthetic fertilizer, which we covered two weeks ago.

Felix talks to ACT co-leader Brooke van Velden about the cost of Matariki as a public holiday and the shortcomings of Immigration NZ.

NASA’s Perseverance Rover landed on Mars on February 19th (NZ) to search for signs of ancient microbial life. The objective of the mission is astrobiological as scientists aim to characterise the planet’s geology and past climate. News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Haritina Mogoșanu, the Executive Director of the New Zealand Astrobiology Network, about the Perseverance mission and why it is significant for astrobiology and human understanding of life as we know it.  

Saudi Arabia has been widely condemned for leading a violent intervention in Yemen. Recently, it was revealed that Air New Zealand had carried out a contract for the Saudi Arabian navy and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade had approved exports for military equipment to Saudi Arabia’s forces. Noah Ferguson-Dudding spoke to Dr Thomas Gregory, a senior lecturer in politics and international affairs at the University of Auckland, about the role New Zealand’s government, and kiwi businesses, in controversial global affairs.