95bFM: The Wire

Aotearoa’s progress in reducing smoking has slowed for Māori, Pacific and European adolescents, and vaping could be the reason, according to research published  in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific 

The study, conducted by researchers from the Universities of Otago, Auckland, and Sydney, along with the Daffodil Centre in Australia, analysed population-level data from almost 600,000 Year 10 students aged 14–15. The students were surveyed between 2003 and 2024 as part of the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Year 10 Survey.

They found rates of regular smoking among 14-15-year-olds declined significantly for Māori, Pacific, European, and Asian adolescents between 2003 and 2024. However, these declines in smoking slowed for Māori, Pacific, and European youth after vaping emerged in 2010.

Thursday Wire Producer Sanat spoke to the University of Auckland's Dr Lucy Hardie about these findings and what the response needs to look like from policy makers in order to mitigate the predicted harms.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shanan Halbert about the draft primary school curriculum, the Regulatory Standards Bill passing second reading, New Zealand First’s proposed ban on fireworks, and the government considering measures to move rough sleepers out of the Auckland CBD. 

For International Desk, they spoke to Matt McDonald, Professor of International Relations at the University of Queensland, about high-level United States officials not attending COP30 next week.

Producer Jasmine spoke to 350 Aotearoa's Adam Currie about the government’s recent announcement to delay the carbon zero climate target to 2050.

And Producer Sanat talked to Councilor Julie Fairey about the latest developments with Plan Change 120 and what it feels like to transition from campaigning to governance

He also talked to the University of Auckland’s Dr Lucy Hardie about youth vaping and how it is widening inequalities throughout our communities.

Next week is the start of COP30, the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This year it’s taking place in Brazil.

Earlier this week, the Trump Administration confirmed that no high-level Government representatives would be attending the climate talks.

Trump has previously called the climate crisis a “hoax” and “con job”.

For International Desk, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Matt McDonald, Professor in the School of Political Science and International Studies, at the University of Queensland, about the lack of United States presence at COP30.

This week on the Wednesday Wire:

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez-March about Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s trip to South-East Asia where he met with multiple world leaders, The Green Party’s plans to call for evidence-based cannabis regulation, the government’s new draft school curriculum for years 0-10, and Education Minister Erica Stanford announcing plans to shrink the Teaching Council.

Producer Manny spoke with Glenn Barclay, Chairperson of Tax Justice Aotearoa and The Better Taxes for a Better Future campaign, about Labour’s Limited Capital Gains Tax Proposal.

Manny also spoke with Chris Puliuvea, Senior Lecturer at Auckland University of Technology, about the current measles outbreak in Aotearoa.

And Max spoke with John Minto, co-chair of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, to discuss the current state of the Gaza ceasefire almost four weeks since it came into effect, as well as the news of an Israeli military lawyer being arrested, after admitting to leaking the August 2024 video of Israeli soldiers.

The US-brokered ceasefire was signed almost four weeks ago and officially came into effect in Gaza on the 10th of October 2025. 

Here are some key events that have happened since this date:

So, how valid is the US-brokered ceasefire?

Well that’s exactly what Wednesday Wire Host Max discussed with John Minto, co-chair of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa.

Over the past few months, unions have been sounding the alarm about the state of our healthcare system as the government cuts funding and guts staff numbers. Now, a new threat has emerged that risks stretching our resources even thinner.

A measles outbreak has reared into the community with cases climbing to 17 in just a week, with potentially thousands exposed.

To understand how much of risk the outbreak is likely to pose to the country Wednesday Wire Producer Manny spoke to Chris Puliuvea, Senior Lecturer at Auckland University of Technology.

Over recent weeks, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been busy touring South-East Asia, in the hopes of negotiating various trade deals and securing meetings with other world leaders.

In his returning press conference, where he recapped his trip, the Prime Minister focused on the importance of securing a 1-on-1 meeting with US President Donald Trump.

For our weekly catch up with the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March, Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke to him about the Prime Minister’s trip.

They also discussed the Green Party’s plans for an evidence-based cannabis regulation and whether they would campaign with that policy for next year’s election, as well as the new draft school curriculum released by the government, and the subsequent plans to shrink the teaching council.

But first, they discussed whether Luxon’s trip to South-East Asia was a success.

National elections are a year away, and polling suggests that Labour has surpassed National to become the most popular party but would likely need to gain further support if they wish to form a government.

One of the top issues for voters is Healthcare, and in their first policy release, Labour is proposing funding three free GP visits with a limited Capital Gains Tax (CGT). They say this should improve our national health while also directing investment away from the property market and into productive local businesses.

Wednesday Wire Producer Manny spoke to Glenn Barclay, Chairperson of Tax Justice Aotearoa and the Better Taxes for a Better Future campaign about Labours proposed policy.

Early this morning, University of Auckland associate professor in psychology Dr David Moreau, published findings in the Psychological Bulletin around the effects of fasting on mental cognition.

The paper has found that while the effects vary across age and genetic composition, there is no indication of decline in mental performance whether or not one is fasting. 

The full report can be found here. 

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman chats with us about ice variations, the international space station, and a problem in the atmosphere.. 

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Host Sara spoke to MP Carl Bates about the new draft curriculum, the Deepfake Harm & Exploitation Bill, and the New Zealand Initiative call for electoral reforms