bCasts

This past week the government announced plans to reinstate the prisoner voting ban. The ban was altered in June 2020 by the Labour led coalition government in a change which allowed prisoners serving a sentence of less than three years to vote in elections. This change followed a recommendation from New Zealand’s High Court, which found a prisoner voting ban was inconsistent with New Zealand’s Bill of Rights.

In 2025, the government is now looking at repealing the bill and reinstating the ban. The National Party has argued that there are certain responsibilities that members of society must uphold, and that those who do not fulfil these responsibilities will have their rights taken away. Asked about human rights concerns and the High Court ruling on the bill, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said “I do not care what anyone else says about it.” The bill is set to join others as part of this government’s “tough on crime” approach. 

In our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about the prisoner voting ban and how the change would benefit the general public. 

New research published in the New Zealand veterinary journal has found that tuatara may be at risk from rat poison. The case has raised questions about pesticide and rodenticide use in Aotearoa, and weighing the risks to native wildlife against the benefits of pest eradication. 

To discuss the poisoning and its wider ramifications for conservation in Aotearoa, Wire host Castor spoke to the University of Auckland’s Professor James Russell.

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman chats with us about false eating reports, fluoridated water, and the Sodom comet. 

In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about the government’s plans for prisoner voting rights. 

They also spoke to Professor James Russell from the University of Auckland about a recent case where some tuatara were potentially poisoned with rodenticides. 

Producer Faith spoke to criminology lecturer from the University of Auckland, and press spokesperson for People Against Prisons Aotearoa Dr. Emmy Rākete, about her concerns with the blanket ban on prisoner voting.

She also spoke to the chief executive from Asthma Foundation NZ Letitia Harding about a new study showing the link between vaping and a lung disease.

Today on the show Rosetta and Nick chat with Theo from Daffodils about their new, completely free, monthly night of music at Whammy's Public Bar (FKA The Wine Cellar) - Public Service! The duo also catch up with Paul Kennedy for AudioCulture, to chat about the 50th anniversary of the Official Aotearoa Music Charts. Plus news, weather, surf, prizes, and plenty of goooood music. 

Thanks to The Beer Spot!