This week on the Wire, Dear Science's Allan Blackman discusses the link between cannabis use in pregnancy and autism risk, water beetles which can stay alive despite being eaten by a frog, and the rare element Astatine.
In her weekly chat with NZ First’s Tracey Martin, Bronwyn askes about the 52% drop in reports of concern being made to Oranga Tamariki under Alert Level 3, and raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility for children from age 10 to 14.
Bronwyn then brings a second piece which contain a conversation she had with Tracey Martin last week sparked by the re-posting of the Minister's facebook post to an anti-trans group. In questioning when it can be reasonable to limit a group's freedom of expression where they cause harm, Bronwyn also speaks to Ahi Wīhongi Gender Minorities Aotearoa.
Lastly, producer Jack Marshall speaks to Anae Brown from T. White's Bikes about how the bicycle business has been booming under lockdown.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Shane Reti, is on the line and today he and Zoë speak on the alert level 4 COVID-19 lockdown, and the National Party's vote against the banning of conversion therapy in Aotearoa. Whakarongo mai!
Correction for last section of interview: 200 hours of community services was the harshest penalty awarded in the first 5 years of the anti-smacking law, not 2.
Auckland Central MP Chloe Swarbrick and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff responded to an open letter on November 19th concerning the current state of the Auckland CBD area where residents have noticed an increase in homelessness and aggressive, anti-social behaviour over the course of the Delta lockdown. New Zealand Drug Foundation Sarah Helm discussed the issue with Emily Bell as well as what can be done to aid the homeless community.
On today's show, Associate Professor Lara Greaves dials in for a bit of Political Commentary- she discusses the responses to anti-transphobia rallies on the weekend, National’s education policy and Stuart Nash's sacking. Delaney chats tomatoes and chocolate eggs on Breakfast Food, as well as how good shopping in your fridge is. Bella from Coast Arcade comes into the studio for an acoustic live performance of some tracks, including their new single Surf Club which will be out tomorrow. Whakarongo mai nei!
The mantra of the current government is to ‘get the country back on track’, but Honorary Associate professor Avril Bell says the current government is looking at safeguarding Pakeha privilege at the expense of Maori. The removal of section 7aa, repealing the Maori Health Authority are some of the actions the government had taken which Avril claims are exclusively ‘anti-Maori’. Sasha spoke to Avril Bell from the University of Auckland about why what’s good for Maori is good for everyone.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden speaks to Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about new beneficiary data from the Ministry of Social Development and last week's worker's strikes.
For States of the States this week, they speak to Andre Fa’aoso from the Yale Daily News about the recent Donald Trump rally in Madison Square Garden, accusations of voter fraud, and how the US is looking ahead of next week's election. They also speak to Tom Unger, political activist and former political show host at Radioactive, about their assessment of the imminent election from the ground in New York City.
And they speak to Mike Lee, Associate Professor of Business at the University of Auckland, about the growing anti-consumerism movement associated with Halloween.
And News and Directorial Director Joel spoke to Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education and Social Work, Dr Ritesh Shah, about Israel banning the UNRWA from operating in Israel and East Jerusalem.
For their weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, Oto spoke to Ricardo Menendez-March about the government’s stricter health screening requirements for disabled migrant children, as well as the petition from volunteer firefighters for ACC coverage and ACT party leader David Seymour’s move to get more ACT members on local councils in the upcoming October Elections.
For Green Desk, Producer Sara spoke to ‘Chronically Ellen’ for her upcoming events at EcoFest 2025 about developing skills around sustainable practices and building connections with others.
Oto also spoke to Craig Elliffe - A professor in Law at the University of Auckland, about Donald Trump’s protectionist policies and how they’ll impact international tax treaties.
New and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to Sapna Samant - an activist with the Aotearoa Alliance of Progressive Indians, about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s accusations of ‘anti-India activities’ in Aotearoa, following a meeting in Delhi with Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon.
Last week United States Senator Cory Booker gave a marathon 25-hour speech, or “filibuster”, in the Senate.
Booker’s speech included a broad range of criticisms of President Donald Trump, including his widespread cuts with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency and his threat to annex Greenland and Canada.
Booker had over 1,000 pages of prepared material, including stories from 200 Americans who had written to Booker about Trump’s actions.
Wire Host Caeden spoke to Charles Hunt from Boise State University in Idaho about Booker’s speech, its historical basis, and its impact on a growing anti-Trump movement in the United States.
They started by asking if he could explain what a filibuster is.
After months of allegedly anti-narcotic hostilities in the Caribbean around Venezuela, at the beginning of this year, The United States, under President Trump, struck the country directly, and kidnapped Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.
The Incursion has been justified by the US on account of accusations of Narcoterrorism, with the US angling for Regime Change. As this comes to a head, however, discussions have re-emerged around the role that the US should play as a geopolitical power in South America, and the western hemisphere as a whole.
Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to Professor Robert Patman, a senior lecturer in Political Science at the University of Otago, about the attack, and what this means for Trump’s plans in the area.
With music by Pop District, Yello, Simiah, The Audio Unit, Clap! Clap!, Sex Judas feat. Ricky, The Phill & Friends Band, Lou James & the Giant Peach, New Optimism, Majid Jordan, Computer Graphics, Kassem Mosse, WINO-D, The Cool Kids, Francis Juno, Rocket Juice & The Moon and The Lines.
Feature: Sound of Sydney Checking in with our man Carlos to hear what the vibe sounds like across the ditch this week...
Fernanda Abreu - Speed Racer
Naj - diamonds in philypenn
Horatio Luna - Work It Out (feat. Syrene Favero)
Moon (DE) - MFB Nights (You Needed Someone)
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