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The Wire

Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Joel Armstrong, Castor Chacko, Oto Sequeira, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.

The Wire w/ Joe: July 11, 2022

The Wire w/ Joe: July 11, 2022 The Wire w/ Joe: July 11, 2022, 106.49 MB
Mon 11 Jul 2022

On The Wire for Rāhina Monday!

Joe speaks to Kurt Krause, a Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Otago, about NZ’s first case of Monkeypox. He also speaks to Max Rashbrooke, a Research Associate for the Institute for Governance and Policy Studies at Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington, about political donation regulation and the motivation behind it.

Trishil speaks to Professor David Menkes, Consumer NZ Research and Test Writer Belinda Castles, Health Minister Andrew Little, Royal NZ College of GPs Medical Director Dr Bryan Betty, and National Health Spokesperson Dr Shane Reti about Pharmaceutical Advertising in New Zealand, and whether the practise should be banned.

And for this weeks Tomorrow’s World, Isla and Stella spoke to Dr Emma Sharp from the University of Auckland about her projects with Soilsafe Aotearoa.

That's us for the Monday Wire!

Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads w/ Andrew Little: July 11, 2022

Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads w/ Andrew Little: July 11, 2022 Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads w/ Andrew Little: July 11, 2022, 11.61 MB
Mon 11 Jul 2022

New Zealand and the United States are the only two countries in the world that allow pharmaceutical companies to advertise their products directly to consumers.

Government reviews of the Therapeutic Products Bill have previously taken place in 1998, 2000, 2006, and 2019. All of these reviews have kept the status quo. In 2006, Dr Annette King, the Health Minister, called for a ban, but struggled to muster the support at the time.

This interview with Health Minister Andrew Little is part of a larger story on Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising

Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads w/ Belinda Castles: July 10, 2022

Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads w/Belinda Castles Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads w/Belinda Castles, 10.56 MB
Mon 11 Jul 2022

New Zealand and the United States are the only two countries in the world that allow pharmaceutical companies to advertise their products directly to consumers.

The question of banning pharmaceutical advertising in New Zealand isn’t new. In 2019, there were renewed calls for the Therapeutic Medicines Bill to be toughened with these measures being driven by.. 

At the time, a Consumer New Zealand survey indicated that 57% of kiwis favour an independent health info service that provides advice on treatment options over medicine advertising.

Those stats also reveal that 8% of those surveyed believed that said ads provided unbiased and comprehensive information about treatments.

And 15% of surveyors also said a ban is unnecessary.

This interview with Consumer NZ Research and Test Writer Belinda Castles is part of a larger story on Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising in New Zealand

Monkeypox in Aotearoa w/ Kurt Krause: July 11, 2022

Monkeypox in Aotearoa w/ Kurt Krause: July 11, 2022 Monkeypox in Aotearoa w/ Kurt Krause: July 11, 2022, 18.1 MB
Mon 11 Jul 2022

New Zealand has just become one of more than 50 countries to record cases of monkeypox in an outbreak that took off two months ago. 

The person, who is in isolation, is in their thirties, lives in Auckland and recently returned from overseas travel in a country with reported monkeypox cases. The Ministry of Health sys there is no evidence of community transmission, with a small number of people being contacts.

Joe spoke to Kurt Krause, a Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Otago, on the matter.

 

The Motive and Reform Surrounding Political Donations w/ Max Rashbrooke: July 11, 2022

The Motive and Reform Surrounding Political Donations w/ Max Rashbrooke: July 11, 2022 The Motive and Reform Surrounding Political Donations w/ Max Rashbrooke: July 11, 2022, 30.61 MB
Mon 11 Jul 2022

Proposed changes to New Zealand’s political donation rules have put the spotlight on donors who give thousands and the motivations they have for their generosity. New research into New Zealand’s political donations system aims to shed light on this often obscure process.

The proposed reforms to the political donation rules follow Serious Fraud Office investigations into the handling of donations received by the National, Labour and NZ First parties. All three investigations have resulted in court proceedings, with the first case just ended with the judge reserving his decision.

Joe spoke to Max Rashbrooke, a Research Associate for the Institute for Governance and Policy Studies at Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington, about political donation regulation and the motivation behind it. 

 

Pharmaceutical Advertising in New Zealand w/ Trishil Dahya: July 11, 2022

Pharmaceutical Advertising in New Zealand w/ Trishil Dahya: July 11, 2022 Pharmaceutical Advertising in New Zealand w/ Trishil Dahya: July 11, 2022, 36.66 MB
Mon 11 Jul 2022

New Zealand and the United States are the only two countries in the world that allow pharmaceutical companies to advertise their products directly to consumers.

Until a couple of years ago, I was unaware of the ban on Pharmaceutical advertising outside of New Zealand and the US. Whenever the side effects of a particular ad popped up, despite not being the target audience for said drug, it always filled me with a sense of existential dread. New Zealand ads typically display side effects in small black text to the bottom of the screen and are never discussed by the advertiser, making it easy to miss.

This piece seeks to investigate how direct to consumer advertising works, and whether the practice should be banned in New Zealand. 

Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads w/ Dr Shane Reti: July 11, 2022

Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads w/ Dr Shane Reti: July 11, 2022 Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads w/ Dr Shane Reti: July 11, 2022, 14.84 MB
Mon 11 Jul 2022

New Zealand and the United States are the only two countries in the world that allow pharmaceutical companies to advertise their products directly to consumers.

Dr Shane Reti, National Health Spokesperson, mentioned that it is up to caucus to ultimately make a decision should a consultation arises.

This interview with National Party Health Spokesperson Dr Shane Reti is part of a larger story on Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising in New Zealand

Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising w/ Royal NZ College of GP Medical Director Dr Bryan Betty: July 11, 2022

Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising w/ Royal NZ College of GP Medical Director Dr Bryan Betty: July 11, 2022 Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising w/ Royal NZ College of GP Medical Director Dr Bryan Betty: July 11, 2022, 12.37 MB
Mon 11 Jul 2022

New Zealand and the United States are the only two countries in the world that allow pharmaceutical companies to advertise their products directly to consumers.

Even medical bodies such as the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners have strongly come out in the past backing such a ban.

This interview with Royal NZ College of GP Medical Director Bryan Betty is part of a larger story on Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising in New Zealand.

Chickens Terrorizing Titirangi w/ Greg Presland: July 8, 2022

Chickens Terrorizing Titirangi w/ Greg Presland: July 8, 2022 Chickens Terrorizing Titirangi w/ Greg Presland: July 8, 2022, 13.98 MB
Fri 8 Jul 2022

On this week's episode of Strangest Things, Liam took a look at the ongoing saga of Chickens terrorizing West Auckland suburb Titirangi.

Chickens loose in the streets are bring cat-sized-rats into the street and are causing sleep deprivation by “boking” incredibly loud early in the mornings,

Although chickens have been affecting the area for years, it came to a head in 2019 when the council invested twenty five thousand dollars  into their removal. However, they've returned.

Liam had a chat with Greg Presland, the deputy chairperson of the Waitakere Ranges Local Board, on the issue.

Boris Johnson's Party Resignation: July 8, 2022

Boris Johnson's Party Resignation: July 8, 2022 Boris Johnson's Party Resignation: July 8, 2022, 16.91 MB
Fri 8 Jul 2022

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, announced his resignation from leading the Conservative Party.

Liam gave a report on Johnson's resignation, and what he represents as one of the largest figures of UK politics. The report includes a comment given to Casper by Stephen Hoadley from the University of Auckland on whether the move could have been predicted.

 

Removing barriers for the disabled community in emergency preparedness & weighing up proposals to reduce flood risks at Takapuna Golf Course w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 26 June, 2025

Removing barriers for the disabled community in emergency preparedness & weighing up proposals to reduce flood risks at Takapuna Golf Course w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 26 June, 2025 Removing barriers for the disabled community in emergency preparedness & weighing up proposals to reduce flood risks at Takapuna Golf Course w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 26 June, 2025, 15.37 MB
Thu 26 Jun 2025

Last week, the council’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) Committee said they would be seeking to implement a number of recommendations that improve emergency readiness for disabled populations.

Following a hui last year where community members were invited to bring forward issues relating to future planning for natural disasters, Sara was interested to hear about how the council is taking suggestions on board.

As well, Auckland Council has been considering proposals to mitigate flood risks around the Wairau catchment, including one which would see the reduction of the size of the Takapuna Golf Course, to convert the space into a flood catchment.

Producer Sara spoke to Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson on both of these topics, firstly by asking him to discuss the desired outcomes relating to emergency preparedness for disabled people, and the council’s first steps to implementation

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party's Hūhana Lyndon: 25 June, 2025

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party's Hūhana Lyndon: 25 June, 2025 Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party's Hūhana Lyndon: 25 June, 2025, 25.29 MB
Wed 25 Jun 2025

Recently the Green Party commissioned independent legal advice to look into the government’s $200 million investment in new gas fields that was carried out last month and found out that the investment was in breach of the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS).

NZ First MP Shane Jones recently announced that he’d be drafting a member's bill to force Ngāpuhi into a single commercial settlement, which would prevent hapū from negotiating separate commercial redresses and remove any reference to hapū sovereignty from the settlement terms.

And the Green party recently issued a call to the New Zealand government to condemn the US strikes on Iranian Nuclear facilities, almost a week after Iran and Israel had both been trading missile strikes between each other.

For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Oto spoke with MP Hūhana Lyndon to get the party’s take on all of these issues

Scrapping the census and subsequent concerns w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 24th June, 2025

Scrapping the census and subsequent concerns w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 24th June, 2025 Scrapping the census and subsequent concerns w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 24th June, 2025, 13.24 MB
Tue 24 Jun 2025

Last week, Statistics Minister Shane Reti announced plans to scrap the nationwide census moving forward. The census is the largest statistical survey done in Aotearoa, and provides the bulk of population data used in research and decision-making. Reti says the census is “no longer financially viable” and will be replaced with a combination of smaller annual surveys and administrative data. 

While the change looks good on paper, there are concerns around how the change in data collection could affect representation of marginalised and minority groups. Census data tends to be more protected from bias than administrative data and smaller surveys, meaning there are more opportunities for misrepresentation. Some statisticians are particularly concerned about the potential exclusion of marginalised rural communities. 

In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked him about the census decision and its implications on marginalised and minority groups.

Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 24th June, 2025

Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 24th June, 2025 Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 24th June, 2025, 29.62 MB
Tue 24 Jun 2025

This week on Dear Science, our expert, Dr. Cushla McGoverin, chatted with us about the early human subspecies of Denisovans, plants having an extra set of even deeper roots, and sea spiders farming their own bacteria.

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

Psilocybin and Melatonin, Taxpayers Funding Cancer Medicines for Private Facilities, Criticisms of ACT MP Karen Chhour regarding Bootcamps w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 23 June, 2025

Psilocybin and Melatonin, Taxpayers Funding Cancer Medicines for Private Facilities, Criticisms of ACT MP Karen Chhour regarding Bootcamps w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 23 June, 2025 Psilocybin and Melatonin, Taxpayers Funding Cancer Medicines for Private Facilities, Criticisms of ACT MP Karen Chhour regarding Bootcamps w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 23 June, 2025, 19.28 MB
Mon 23 Jun 2025

Associate Health Minister, David Seymour, has recently announced changes to Psilocybin and Melatonin availability.

Psilocybin, the compound found in magic mushrooms, will be available for certain patients suffering from poor mental health outcomes. Melatonin, which is used for insomnia and jetlag, is set to be available over the counter.

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to him about this move, and the potential accessibility concerns with accessing these medications.

They also discussed taxpayers set to be funding newly-funded cancer medicines for private facilities.

Finally, they discuss opposition parties criticised Children’s Minister, Karen Chhour, over a lack of transparency regarding the effectiveness of boot camps for youth offenders, especially as boot camps have received a boost of $30 million, despite the pilot programme still being ongoing.

But first, they discussed Psilocybin and Melatonin.

Developing amidst flood risks, Auckland Council's conflict between intensification plans and Auckland's flood plains w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: June 19, 2025

Developing amidst flood risks, Auckland Council's conflict between intensification plans and Auckland's flood plains w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: June 19, 2025 Developing amidst flood risks, Auckland Council's conflict between intensification plans and Auckland's flood plains w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: June 19, 2025, 32.67 MB
Thu 19 Jun 2025

Housing intensification is a key priority for Auckland Council as Auckland's population is forecast to reach 2.3 million by 2050. 
But as planning for growth continues, some Auckland residents have expressed concern about the approval of developments in areas on flood plains or particularly prone to natural disasters.

With Kāinga Ora selling homes as ‘high risk investments’ in areas which were impacted by flooding in recent years, and 15 percent of all granted consents for new builds by Auckland Council being on floodplains, I spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about how the council is taking into account these issues for the coming years.

International Desk: “No Kings” Protests for Democracy in the United States w/ University of Connecticut’s Jeremy Pressman: 19 June, 2025

International Desk: “No Kings” Protests for Democracy in the United States w/ University of Connecticut’s Jeremy Pressman: 19 June, 2025 International Desk: “No Kings” Protests for Democracy in the United States w/ University of Connecticut’s Jeremy Pressman: 19 June, 2025, 17.09 MB
Thu 19 Jun 2025

Last Saturday, over 2,000 protests took place across all 50 American States against President Donald Trump. 

The protests coincided with Trump’s birthday and the 250th anniversary of the US Army, and they served as a direct response to the military parade in Washington, DC.

The organisers of the protests say they aimed to reject “authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarisation of our democracy.”

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Jeremy Pressman, Professor of Political Science at the University of Connecticut about the protests and the backlash towards them from the Trump administration.

Scrapping the census, sick leave, and escalating tensions between Israel and Iran w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 19 June, 2025

Scrapping the census, sick leave, and escalating tensions between Israel and Iran w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 19 June, 2025 Scrapping the census, sick leave, and escalating tensions between Israel and Iran w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 19 June, 2025 , 9.74 MB
Thu 19 Jun 2025

Statistics Minister Shane Reti has announced that the Census form will be scrapped and instead replaced with smaller surveys and administrative data.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed openness to reducing sick leave entitlements.

And tensions between Israel and Iran continue to escalate as Israel’s war on Gaza continues, threatening global security.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke with Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about both of these topics.

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: 18 June, 2025

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: 18 June, 2025 Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: 18 June, 2025, 24.41 MB
Wed 18 Jun 2025

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon recently spoke to media saying that the government would announce reforms to the Holidays Act that would impact sick leave entitlements for part time workers.

Under the suggested changes, sick leave entitlements would be processed under an accrual system, meaning that part-time workers working half the hours of their full-time counterparts may only earn half of their previously entitled sick leave.

In that same week, a directive was recently given to Te Whatu Ora - Health NZ to give private hospitals 10-year outsourcing contracts to perform elective surgeries.

And earlier this week Associate Education David Seymour announced a review of the funding for early childhood education.

For our weekly Catchup with the Green Party, Oto spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez-March about all of these issues.

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 17th June, 2025

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 17th June, 2025 Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 17th June, 2025, 24.83 MB
Tue 17 Jun 2025

This week on Dear Science our expert, Professor Allan Blackman, chatted with us about characterising liquid carbon, a New Zealand led cleanup in Antarctica, and plants making their own pesticide