Last week saw the release of the Global Tobacco Interference Index. In it, Aotearoa ranked 53rd in the world - a whopping 52 places down from two years ago.
This ranking two years ago was reflective of our robust anti-smoking laws - since the current coalition government has repealed them, however, that reputation has come seriously into question. These rankings now serve as a warning about the role that the tobacco industry plays in health policy, and New Zealand’s failure to manage smoking and tobacco lobbying.
Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to Professor of Public Health at the University of Auckland, Chris Bullen, about the ranking, Tobacco influence in the government, and what it says about Smoking in New Zealand as a whole.
The AA monitors the fluctuations of the cost of petrol in New Zealand. This month, they say the national cost of petrol has risen 5 cents per litre to $2.08, despite no increase in commodity prices or a drop in the exchange rate. So why might this be, and what are the effects of this? Ximena speaks to the AA PetrolWatch Spokesperson, Mark Stockdale, about the issue.
Prime Minister Bill English's surprise announcement that National will drop a key policy of the last election drew criticism from across party lines. English claimed increasing life expectancy means, by 2040, retirement at 65 is an luxury New Zealand can no longer afford. bfm producer Ben Goldson speaks to NZ SuperFund's Chief Investment Officer to gain a better understanding of how it all works.
We look at new research from Unitec showing significant numbers of students are considering dropping out because of financial struggles. Including interviews with Alison Dow, Manager of Student Engagement and Experience at Unitec, NZUSA President Jonathon Gee, AUSA President Will Matthews and students from Auckland University.
Milly drops in to the studio to chat to Mike about: her band's brand new self-titled debut album, The Miltones; their current NZ tour; the correct pronunciation of the word 'bowl'; performing as part of 95bFM's Out on the Freak; and to sing a couple of beautiful tracks live-in-studio for your lucky little earholes.
Playwright Briar Grace-Smith and actor Jack Buchanan drop in to discuss their involvement within Auckland Theatre Company's Matariki play, When Sun & Moon Collide. Missing tourists, rural kiwi tearooms and the cycles of the moon make for a crunchy piece of NZ noir. On at ASB Waterfront Theatre until July 6th. BOOK HERE.
The director of Semi-Permanent, Simon Velvin, drops in to the studio to talk to Mikey about rotting corpses, expensive surfboards, secret Putin screenings, and what we can expect from the NZ design event currently enjoying its fifteenth year.
Currently looking forward to the New Zealand premiere of her new Helen Clark documentary, My Year with Helen, respected filmmaker Gaylene Preston drops in to tell Mikey about her namesake award within the HP48HOURS Film Competition. Give it a burl, Gaylene reckons.
As President, Trump has largely dropped the pro-Russian rhetoric he had espoused as a candidate. To establish why, this piece first uses old newsreel footage to outline around a century of animosity between the USA and USSR.
After this, clips from Fox News and Russia Today demonstrate the often wildly different versions of events put forwards by the ruling parties of both countries.
Seventy years on and Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire is still considered one of the Western theatrical canon's most powerful portrayals of sexual repression and class inequality. In honour of Silo Theatre's 20th year, Silo legend Shane Bosher has updated the play to sit within Trump's America and stuffed it with a stellar cast. Playing Stella Kowalski, the wonderful Morgana O'Reilly drops in to the studio to talk Southern accents, greasy t-shirts and Cigarettes After Sex.
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