Elle spoke to Kate Bollingerahead of her Aotearoa debut at SLACKBARN! (10th January), and a headline show at Double Whammy (9th January). Kate brings her timelessly referential and genre-fluid sound to our stages, early 2026, the perfect accompaniment the warm summer weather. Kate’s lyricism invites the listener into a colour-filled world, speaking candidly about her subjective life-experience. The open-texture of her lyrics allows the audience to connect their own lives with her music, furthering a sense of intimacy. They spoke about the relationship between Kate’s experience in film and music, how her upbringing fueled her music practice and what she hopes audiences will experience whilst attending live shows.
The cost of living in Aotearoa New Zealand has been one of kiwi's main issues since it topped polls at the end of the Covid lockdowns, prompting the National Party, in oppostion at the time, to declare a cost of living crisis.
However, now the National led government is recieving push back for proposed reforms of contactless payments that critiques say will increase prices.
The government says they are removing an annoyance for consumers but stores say banning their ability to pass on the fees of using contactless payments to those using the service means they will have to compensate by increasing prices, leading to everyone, not just those paying with contactless, will bear the costs.
To learn more about this, Wednesday Wire Producer Manny spoke to Chief Executive of Retail NZ, Carolyn Young, about the impacts of governments plan.
Earlier this week, the Government announced science-based biogenic methane targets for 2050, in what they say will provide farmers and exporters with a clear pathway to reduce emissions while maintaining productivity and trade competitiveness.
Following Cabinet approval, the target will be set at a range of 14–24 per cent below 2017 levels by 2050, reflecting the findings of the independent Methane Science Review released in 2024.
For our weekly catch-up with The Green Party, News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about this topic.
They also discussed the most recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, and recent findings from the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ showing Aotearoa’s oceans are warming 34% faster than the global average.
But first, they discussed the Government’s changes to methane targets.
On Friday last week, a range of organisations who provide services to the homeless population in Auckland and across New Zealand came together for a World Homeless Day event in the CBD.
Tuesday Wire Host Sara attended the event, and spoke with Lifewise Executive Chair, Pam Elgar about the kaupapa of the day.
This week we've seen the most promising developments yet towards de-escalation in Palestine, with international dialogue leading to a cease-fire, exchanges of hostages, and plans to establish a new governing body in the Gaza Strip.
Yet the long term trauma created by conflict often perpetuates instability creating a cycle of violence and escalation. With no plan materialising for ending Israeli occupation of the West Bank nor for pursuing justice for the crimes committed in this conflict, huge questions hang over the future of Palestine and Israel.
For this week’s Get Action!, Wednesday Wire Producer Manny spoke with Rick Williment, Chair of the Public Issues Committee of Psychotherapists Aotearoa New Zealand about his open letter for Mental Health Professionals calling on government action for Palestine.
If you'd like to sign this petition, you can find it here:
For Dear Science this week, our expert, Dr Cushla McGoverin talks with us about the Nobel prizes in Physiology or Medicine, Chemistry, and Physics
For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire Host Sara spoke to MP Carl Bates about methane emissions reduction targets, benefit changes for 18 and 19 year olds, and the Policing Act amendment.
For Green World, news-teamer Leilani spoke to Earth Sciences NZ Dr Cliff Law about ocean acidification
Producer Faith spoke to NZ Drug Foundation’s policy director Dr. Jacek Kolodziej about harm reduction in Aotearoa, and what laws need to change.
Faith also spoke to Save Animals From Exploitation (aka the SAFE organisation) CEO Debra Ashton about the government’s new pig-caging bill
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