95bFM: The Wire

Act Party MP Todd Stephenson has recently re-lodged his End of Life Choice Amendment Bill, and incorporated all 25 recommendations from the Ministry of Health’s independent review.

Many doctors believe that in order to effectively carry out assisted dying practices, they need to be properly supported.

Psychological medicine researcher Dr. Aida Dehkhoda recalls that while most of these doctors and nurses affirm their patients’ autonomy and right to choose… challenges still persist.

Producer Faith spoke to Dr. Dehkhoda about how these practitioners can be better supported, and some of the challenges faced on the frontlines.

The Tawaki Project based at the University of Otago and driven by the mahi of international researchers, has taken a deep-dive into the population genetics of three Aotearoa crested penguin species – tawaki/Fiordland penguins, erect-crested penguins, and Eastern rockhopper penguins.

Findings reveal how genetic health and marine habitat changes have impacted these species.

For this week’s Green Desk, Host Sara spoke with co-leader of the project, Dr Thomas Mattern about what the study learned about these penguin populations, starting with a general overview of the research

Former Australian magistrate, David Heilpern, has recently told ABC’s Four Corners that "Governments are underestimating the reach and threats of [the sovereign citizenship movement]”, following the killings of two police officers. The alleged killer, Dezi Freeman, has expressed strong support for sovereign citizenship online.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel, spoke to Stephen Young, an Associate Law Professor at the University of Otago, on ‘sovereign citizenship,’ what this movement looks like here in Aotearoa, and whether it should be seen as a concern.

New research, ‘Indigenous Rights Beyond the Liberal Frame,’  has shown that certain human rights principles in the country are ironically being used to restrain Māori governance and tino rangatiratanga.

On Thursday last week, Intern Zanoor spoke to Andrew Erueti, an Associate Law Professor at the University of Auckland and the lead of the study, about this study.

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 ACT MP Todd Stephenson’s members bill being re-introduced to develop the End of Life Choice Act, Public Service Commissioner, Sir Brian Roche’s potential changes to different multiple ministries, and the Select Committee’s recommendations regarding four-year parliamentary terms.

Producer Alex spoke to Senior Law Lecturer at the University of Canterbury, Dr Cassandra Mudgway about the need for AI regulations in regards to protecting women and vulnerable communities from AI-based harms.

Joel also spoke to Stephen Young, an Associate Law Professor at the University of Otago, on ‘sovereign citizens,’ following the killings of two Australian police officers, with the alleged perpetrator, Dezi Freeman, having expressed strong support for the movement online.

Alex spoke with the Programme Director and Associate Professor in Global Studies at the University of Auckland, Chris Ogden, about Trumps America acting as a “rogue state”.

And on Thursday, Intern Zanoor spoke to Andrew Eruiti, an Associate Law Professor at the University of Auckland, about his new research, showing that certain principles of human rights in the country are ironically being used to restrain Māori governance and tino rangatiratanga.

Whakarongo mai.

Content Warning: This story mentions Image Based Sexual Abuse.

An open letter signed by over 20 AI experts has been sent to the government, expressing the urgent need for AI regulation in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The letter points to low trust, as well as potential harms of AI, as serious issues that need to be addressed. The experts have called for regulations and guardrails to support regulatory confidence and innovation, and reduce harm from deepfakes, fraud, and environmental costs, among others.

Producer Alex spoke to The University of Canterbury’s Dr Cassandra Mudgway about how unregulated AI enables gendered harm against women and vulnerable demographics through Deepfakes and other AI.

As we venture deeper into the second half of President Donald Trump’s first year of his second term, his actions continue to sow chaos and undermine stability across the globe.

Under this Trump Administration, the US has increasingly acted as a ‘rogue state’ - a term used to denote both uncertainty in international politics, and oppressive domestic policies.

Producer Alex spoke to Associate Professor and Programme Director for Global Studies at the University of Auckland, Chris Ogden, about how Trump has turned America into a Rogue State, and how that will impact the world.

Early last week, ACT MP, Todd Stephenson, re-lodged his End of Life Choice Amendment Bill, which seeks to expand the eligibility of the End of Life Choice Act.

This follows recommendations from the Ministry of Health’s office review into the law, which was an official requirement of the original 2019 Act. Stephenson’s bill has accepted all 25 recommendations.

National’s coalition agreement with ACT requires any proposed changes to the Act having to be progressed through as a member’s bill.

As well as this, Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche, has not ruled out absorbing ministries such as the Ministry of Women and Ministry of Pacific People into larger ministries.

In 2023, the ACT Party had campaigned on removing these ministries.

And last week, The Justice Select Committee report into four-year parliamentary terms recommended a referendum on the potential move, but had recommended some provisions of ACT Party Leader, David Seymour, be scrapped.

These provisions include an incoming government only being allowed a four-year term if the government agreed to give the opposition the majority in the select committee. This would mean that some governments would be three-terms, and some would be four terms.

For our weekly catchup with ACT MP Simon Court, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to him about all these topics, starting with Todd Stephenson’s members bill.

A meeting of all major pacific nations is happening in the Solomon Islands next month. The stability of this conference has been threatened by renewed geopolitical tensions in the Pacific with China and the United States fiercely competing for 

New Zealand recently withdrew funding from the Cook Islands, who have signed a multitude of bilateral deals with China that brings the nation in closer cooperation with the Asian superpower. 

Tuvalu previously threatened to boycott the conference as the US, China and Taiwan (which are partner countries) have been barred from participating amid rising geopolitical tensions but has since said they will attend. 

Producer Sanat wanted to understand a little bit more about the importance of the Pacific Islands Forum and the role that New Zealand plays in the conference of nations, especially in a pacific environment where climate change threatens the sanctity of so many Pacific Island communities.

A select committee report has recommended going ahead with a referendum on four-year Parliament terms.

Māori health providers have brought a case to the High Court asking for a declaration of inconsistency between the Government's disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

And the Public Service Commissioner, Sir Brian Roche, is currently considering a “major shakeup” of several ministries, including those for Women, Pacific Peoples, Disabled People, and Māori Development.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, regular Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shanan Halbert about all of these topics.