95bFM: The Wire

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Dr Cushla McGoverin speaks with us about potential biosignatures on Mars, iridescent mammals & plastic waste for carbon capture. 

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire Host Sara spoke to MP Carl Bates about Saturday’s March for Humanity, AI and other new subjects in schools, and MP property declarations

Jasmine spoke with Professor Toni Bruce about the lack of coverage of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, and what this means for Women’s sport in Aotearoa

On Saturday, tens of thousands of people rallied in Auckland calling for the government to sanction Israel for their actions and violence in Gaza. 

While politicians across the spectrum have responded to the protests with a mix of support and disapproval, the New Zealand government is not expected to announce their official decision on the recognition of a Palestinian state until a General Assembly in New York next week. 

Following the government’s announcement to get rid of NCEA in favour of a new system, Education Minister Erica Stanford has revealed numerous subjects to join the senior school curriculum, which will include the incorporation of generative AI.

Finally, the New Zealand Herald published information last week pertaining to MP Carl Bates’ failure to disclose 25 properties to Parliament, against what has been argued as a ‘breach of public trust’.

Wire Host Sara spoke with National MP Bates about all of these topics, starting with the pro-Palestine rally.

This week on Green Desk, Wire Host Sara takes a deep-dive into the environmental issues surrounding the proliferation of AI technology, particularly in New Zealand.

In the context of Luxon’s recent announcement about a $7.5 billion investment by Amazon Web Services into data centres in New Zealand, alongside the rapid adoption of generative AI in sectors across the country, academics have raised concerns about the environmental impact of the growth of this industry.

Last year, University of Waikato’s Dr Amanda Turnbull co-published an article about how New Zealand is outsourcing the “risks and costs” of AI and data centres, highlighting the water and resource consumption of global reliance on data centres and AI. 

Sara spoke with Dr Amanda Turnbull about her concerns relating to AI’s environmental impact and how the New Zealand government should be responding to the ever-expanding industry.

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Dr Cushla McGoverin speaks with us about potential biosignatures on Mars, iridescent mammals & plastic waste for carbon capture. 

Celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori at MOTAT with a week full of playful, creative, and hands-on experiences for tamariki and whānau! From 13 to 21 September

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!

In recent months, there has been a growing exodus of artists and bands moving away from Spotify. These decisions are being made along political and ethical lines, as the platform continues to come under fire for a range of business practices and investments.

In the streaming era, however, artists cannot make this decision lightly. Musicians often depend on streaming services like Spotify for a consistent source of income. 

Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to the University of Otago’s Michael Holland about why these artists are leaving spotify, and what it means for artists to leave streaming services.

On Saturday, tens of thousands of people joined the ‘March for Humanity’ in Tāmaki Makaurau. The protestors were calling on the government to sanction Israel over its actions in Gaza.

Producer Sanat and Thursday Wire Host Caeden were at the protest and spoke to rangatahi, politicians, and community members about why they were there.

Tuesday Wire Host Sara also spoke to Aotearoa for Palestine spokesperson Nadine Mortaja about the protest and the movement’s demands for the New Zealand government.

A study from the University of Otago, looking into how New Zealand news coverage depicted the country’s responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, has shown elements of nationalism and creating a sense of competition.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Emma Anderson, a PhD Candidate at the Bioethics Centre at the University of Otago, about the study and the harmful consequences of this framing.

On Saturday, roughly 20,000 marched in the pro-Palestine rally, the ‘March for Humanity,’ with protesters walking from Aotea Square to Victoria Park in Auckland’s CBD. 

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Simon about the rally and what protestors are calling on the government for, regarding their response to Israel’s war on Gaza, as the death toll in Gaza reaches over 64,000, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.

As well as this, Regulations Minister and ACT Party Leader, David Seymour, has not ruled out changes to the labelling of alcohol, nicotine, and tobacco products.

However, firstly, they discussed the ‘March for Humanity’ rally.

This week on the Monday Wire:

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to MP Simon Court about this weekend’s Palestine rally, the ‘March for Humanity’ and Regulations Minister, David Seymour, not ruling out changes for the labelling on alcohol, nicotine, and tobacco products.

Thursday Wire Host Caeden, Thursday Producer Sanat, and Tuesday Wire Host Sara interviewed participants at Saturday’s ‘March for Humanity’ as well as Aotearoa for Palestine organiser Nadine Mortaja.

Joel spoke to Emma Anderson, a PhD Candidate at the Bioethics Centre at the University of Otago, about a recent study she was the lead author in, showing New Zealand news media’s coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic having nationalistic and ‘us versus them’ elements in its reporting.

Producer Alex spoke with the University of Otago’s Robert Patman about recent Russian drone incursions in Poland, and what they mean for NATO and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

And Alex also spoke to The University of Otago’s Michael Holland about artists leaving spotify, and the issues with the platform.

Whakarongo mai.

Last week, Poland confirmed that Russian drones had entered and caused damage in Polish airspace. This incursion has been met with strong opposition, with Poland and NATO allies threatening retaliation. 

Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke with the University of Otago’s Robert Patman about the drones, other similar occurrences, and what the geopolitical implications of these incursions in regards to Russia, the US, and Europe.