This week on the Wednesday Wire, it's the last Wednesday show of the year! We're recapping some of the best news pieces the 95bFM news team has produced this year with our Best of 2021 shows. So, today Zazi, Christina and Jemima bring you the best of the Wednesday Wire.
The show kicks off with Christina highlighting pieces from this year’s Dear Science with AUT Professors Allan Blackman and Marcus Jones. Christina reminds us of some great science convo’s, including one about electric vehicles, another about plastic that can be broken down by enzymes, a third about how someones genetic code can tell us how homosexuality may have evolved, as well as one interview where Marcus talks about potty training cows!
Then, Zazi reflects back on Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. In September of this year, Zazi spoke with Dr. Daniel Hikuroa, a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland, about his journey with Te Reo Māori, and why it is an important language to celebrate.
After that, Zazi highlights some pieces done by Frances Wright, who was a producer on the show during the university semester. She has always had a soft spot for birds, so we go through her two interviews where she talks about Bird of the Year and encouraging Native birds to come into our backyards.
Christina also brings us a round up of all the best (or worst) Covid news of 2021.
And finally, Zazi replays her interview with Thomas Nail, a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Denver in the United States, about why walking is good for the brain.
2021 has been a big year for Covid-related news. And as we emerge from a 107-day lockdown (wow!), now's a good time to look back on some interesting Covid-19 stories from this year.
First, Jemima spoke to Te Pāti Māori co-leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, on the inequities faced by Māori as the vaccine rollout continues.
Then, Joe spoke to Kate Hannah, lead researcher for The Disinformation Project, about the rise in misinformation in our online spaces and the increasing polarisation in society when it comes to Covid-19.
Dr. Shane Reti from the National Party phones up to talk about the Party's new leadership, the Traffic Light system, and Antigen testing. Whakarongo mai!