95bFM: The Wire

The United States and Iran war has been going back and forth for around 6 months now, with the attacks flaring up again this past week.

As both countries escalate their attacks, Iran is working on expanding Tehran’s area of influence beyond just controlling the Strait of Hormuz.

The greater aim of their plan is believed to be about pushing the United States out of the Gulf.

Many are unsure how this will play out, given the number of US assets and allies in the region. 

So, to learn more about what’s happening with the US and Iran, Iran’s plan to expand power and whether this strategy could actually push the US out. Producer Jude spoke to the University of Auckland Associate Professor of Global Studies, Chris Ogden.

This week on the Wednesday Wire...

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, host Manny speaks with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the Greens Policy to establish a state run supermarket  - KIWIMART -  to compete with the supermarket duopoly.

For this week’s Get Action, Producer Theo speaks to Jessica Keltie, who’s advocating for independent Healthy Homes certification and regular compliance audits to be required for rental properties

Then, Producer Jude speaks to the University of Auckland Associate Professor, Chris Ogden, about the United States and Iran war.

Finally, Theo speaks to to Brittany Goodwin from Good Shepherd, on the launch of their campaign to recognise economic abuse.

The 2023 census found that 1.5 million people rent in Aotearoa New Zealand. For students in particular, many will be renting their place of residence.

But how fit for living are these homes? Back in 2019, healthy homes standards were brought in to set a minimum standard for the condition of rental properties. These standards came into effect last year, with noncompliant landlords facing fines of up to $7200.

However, a recent national survey by Renters United and ActionStation found that 18.7% of respondents believed their home was probably not up to Healthy Homes Standards. Despite evidence or verbal assurance they were compliant, 42.7% still reported problems with mould, dampness or draughts.

So for this week’s Get Action, Producer Theo spoke with Jessica Keltie, on her campaign to require landlords to have independent audits of healthy homes standards.

If you’re interested in signing their petition, you can find it on the Action Station website, or linked here.

The Public Service Association has organised a major nationwide strike for tomorrow, on Wednesday the 9th September, which will include over 10,000 public servants from a range of government departments and ministries. They are, among other things, calling for better pay and working conditions. 

Wire producer Liam spoke with Duane Leo, the National Secretary of the Public Service Association, about what these strikes will look like and why they are going ahead.

Last week, the UN released their first report which acknowledges that keeping warming below global targets of 1.5 °C is no longer possible.

The report focused on how the world can now ensure overshoot of the targets is minimised, and the possibility of returning below the 1.5 °C mark in the future.

Even in the best case scenario the world will have to deal with the significant levels of warming for years, leading scientists to discuss the best ways to proactively adapt to the new climate reality.

Producer Thomas spoke with Dr Nicholas Cradock-Henry, Principal Social Scientist at Earth Sciences New Zealand, about the report and how New Zealand can respond to its findings.

A review into Māori and Pacific medical school admission schemes by the Ministry of Health has been completed, but is yet to be released to the public.

The report which, was part of the National-Act coalition agreement, has been seen by officials and ministers, including ACT leader David Seymour, but little information on it has been released.

Seymour has claimed the report does not do what it was supposed to, and says ACT still plans to campaign on scrapping the schemes for the upcoming election. Academics are asking for the report to be released so a proper evidence discussion can be held.

To discuss the report, and Māori and Pacific admission schemes producer Thomas spoke to Professor Warwick Bagg, Dean of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Auckland.

For Dear Science this week, we chat with our expert, Dr Cushla McGoverin, about Narwhals, exercise and sleep, and El Niño.

For our Weekly Catchup with the National Party, Host Alex spoke with MP Tom Rutherford about the OCR rate raise, changes to move on orders, and potential calls for raising the pension age.

For Green World, producer Liam talked to Departement of Conservation ranger Neve Duxfield, about her work with the Kākāpō recovery programme and the recent news that the Kākāpō population had hit a record number of 325. 

And ahead of tomorrow’s nation-wide public servant strike, Liam spoke to the National Secretary of the Public Service Association Duane Leo about why these strikes are going ahead.

Producer Thomas spoke to Earth Sciences New Zealand Principal Social Scientist Nicholas Cradock-Henry, about a new UN report which finds keeping global warming under 1.5 °C is no longer possible.

Thomas also talked to University of Auckland Dean of Medical and Health Sciences, Professor Warwick Bagg, about a Ministry of Health report into the university’s Māori and Pacific Admissions scheme.

Climate change has been the subject of renewed debate in New Zealand’s school curriculum, raising a bigger question than whether the words themselves appear in the curriculum at all: what should young people actually be taught about living in a warming world?

That includes not only the science, but questions around adaptation, political action, climate justice, and how teachers can be realistic about the future without increasing fear or hopelessness.

Producer Pranuja spoke to University of Auckland Professor John Morgan about what meaningful climate education should look like, and whether schools are preparing students for the world they are likely to inherit.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced last week his goal of ending rough sleeping in the country by Christmas. He noted the government’s accomplishments in this area during the COVID 19 pandemic, indicating that if it’s been done before, it can be done again.

In response to this announcement, New Zealand youth development organisation Kick Back has called on our government to do the same and end rough sleeping by Christmas. 

The call follows policies from this government cutting supports to social housing and move-on orders for rough sleepers. With the current government's policies putting increasing pressure on Aotearoa's homeless population, providing support becomes increasingly crucial. 

To discuss the call, how the government has managed homelessness, and solutions Aotearoa can implement, News Director Castor spoke to Kick Back co-founder Aaron Hendry. 

This week on the Monday Wire... 

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about a social media ban, cancelled increases to the fuel excise tax, and the public service worker strike this week. 

They also spoke to co-founder of Kick Back, Aaron Hendry, about the organisation’s call for the government to end rough sleeping before Christmas. 

Producer Pranuja spoke to urban planning senior lecturer Bill McKay from the University of Auckland about the Government’s revised move-on orders, who public space is really for, and whether the law addresses homelessness or simply makes it less visible. 

And she spoke to University of Auckland’s Professor John Morgan about what children should actually learn about climate change, and how schools can balance knowledge, action, realism and hope.