bCasts

The latest GDP figures released on Thursday reveal a drop in GDP in the second quarter, down 0.9%.
Amidst calls for Economic Minister Nicola Willis to resign, stating she is sending New Zealand’s economy in the wrong direction – Willis and Christopher Luxon have reasserted that she is the ‘best person for the job’, and point to international turmoil and the previous government as at fault for economic struggles.

Recent data revealed in the RNZ -Reid Research political poll has indicated higher public support for Labour than National, lower preference for Luxon as Prime Minister over Hipkins, New Zealanders increasingly believing the country is heading in the wrong direction and more people blaming the current government for our financial situation than the previous one.

Wire Host Sara spoke with National MP Carl Bates about his thoughts on this data, starting with the GDP

Professor Allan Blackman joins Sara and Jasmine in the studio to discuss the literal universal complications of the imperial system, drunk chimpanzees, and how to best avoid mosquitos this summer.

Teddyyy is up in the studio for a chat about a new collection of remixes just dropped, of their single 'Black Kite' - featuring remixes by deepState, wear pounamu, Lola and Andre de Joux! Whakarongo mai nei!

Over the weekend, the United Nations High Seas treaty — also called the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, received its 60th and final required ratification to allow it to take effect, from January 2026.

The treaty introduces historically significant measures for the protection of the ocean and marine biodiversity, especially in parts of the ocean that do not fall under the jurisdiction of a single nation.

After decades of negotiation, sixty countries have now ratified the agreement, with a further 145 countries, including New Zealand, being signatories. 

Some of the key aspects of the agreement will be the establishment of Marine Protected Areas, the introduction of legal obligations for countries to maintain high environmental standards around ocean activities, and the advancement of critical climate goals including the ban of bottom trawling and deep sea mining. 

Tuesday Wire Host Sara spoke with Victoria University law professor Joanna Mossop more about the significance of this treaty, and how effective its legal obligations on an international stage will be — starting with her research interest in international marine law