Yesterday, the Government announced its three-step roadmap to get Auckland out of Alert Level 3. The first step will begin tonight at 11:59pm and will allow people to catch up outdoors in groups of 10 people from no more than two households.
To get a clearer understanding of how the roadmap works, as well as address some of the critiques of the decision, News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu, an immunologist at the University of Otago Wellington, and Professor Michael Plank, a Covid-19 mathmatical modelling expert from the University of Canterbury. They discuss initial reactions to the announcement, critiques of the plan putting vulnerable communities at risk and whether the vaccination roll out will be able to keep ahead of a wider delta outbreak.
This week on the show, host Jessica Hopkins investigated the newly announced critical worker home isolation exemption scheme.
First, she spoke to Principal Investigator for Te Pūnaha Matatini COVID-19 modeling, Dr Emily Harvey about what replacing isolation with regular rapid antigen testing will mean. She also talked to First Union National Retail Organiser Ben Peterson and National Ambulance Coordinator Faye Mccan about how Omicron has affected retail workers and ambulance professionals.
In her regular chat with Auckland Councillor Pippa Coom, Jessica asked about the outdoor dining grant scheme, and the launch of public consultation on the Councils annual budget.
Producer Liam Hansen spoke with doctor Kelly Burrows from The University of Auckland how new regulations for the sale of vape products could affect people's health.
Finally, Liam spoke to Saunoamaali’i Karanina Sumeo from the Human Rights Commission about pay transparency.
A recent international study has found that New Zealand had the highest death rate from melanoma in 2020.
High amounts of UV exposure, as well as traditionally outdoors lifestyles, especially in childhood, lead to an increased risk for melanoma.
Casper spoke to the medical director of the Cancer Foundation, George Laking, about New Zealand’s high rates of melanoma and how they can be addressed by prevention and early recognition. Casper began by asking him why melanoma poses a great risk to New Zealanders in particular.
A study published in the New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences investigating outdoor food and beverage advertising on convenience stores within 500 metres of all primary schools in Auckland found that Convenience stores in areas surrounding low decile schools had twice as many advertisements than areas around medium or high decile schools (DOI: 10.1080/1177083X.2022.2058407). Producer Stella Huggins spoke with Dr Amy Lovell from the University of Auckland about the study.
University of Canterbury Astronomer Professor John Hearnshaw is calling for national legislation to limit light pollution.
He proposed a national law that would set new controls on outdoor lighting, such as 10pm curfews for illuminated advertising signs, limits on what street lights could emit, and reductions in blue light across cities and towns.
David spoke to Richard Easther from the University of Auckland about what would happen if New Zealand started to regulate light pollution.
In the 21st century, microplastics are in almost everything. They’re detrimental to both the environment, and those who consume them... But are we really aware of how easy they are to inhale?
Producer Faith spoke to the University of Auckland’s Dr Joel Rindelaub about a recent study showing how inhalable microplastics are actually more common indoors, rather than outdoors.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about the new school subjects set to be implemented into the new, proposed curriculum, and the drastic changes to art history and outdoor education.
Producer Alex spoke with the University of Otago's Robert Patman about international support for Palestinian Statehood, and whether or not Foreign Minister Winston Peters will follow his Australian and Canadian counterparts.
Joel spoke to the Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad about the temporary pause of international adoptions, and what this means for children overseas.
And Alex spoke with the University of Aucklands Helen petousis-Harris about the CDC reviewing vaccine recommendations and regulations under an anti-vax committee.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shanan Halbert about the Manage My Health security breach and Labour’s proposed streaming levy.
And, they spoke to Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary of the Public Service Association, about the election date falling on November 7th, or what is also known as Public Service Day.
For City Counselling this week, Producer Jasmine spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about this week’s heavy rain and threats of flooding, changes to granny flat building regulations and marine protections of shellfish.
Last week Herenga ā Nuku published Aotearoa’s first report on the state of public land access. Jasmine also spoke to Doug Macredie, the Strategic Relationships Manager at Outdoor Access Commission who published the report, and Professor Margaret Mutu, about the significance of the publication for Tangata Whenua
The Outdoor Access Commission, Herenga ā Nuku, published Aotearoa’s first report on the state of national public land access. The report revealed how up to a third of Māori land is ‘landlocked’, citing this as one of the biggest challenges to public access in 2025.
Producer Jasmine Gray first spoke to Strategic Relationships Manager of Herenga ā Nuku, Doug Macredie, about the research journey and the address of increasing accessibility to landlocked areas for land owners.
She then spoke to Professor Margaret Mutu, who spoke on the report from the wider historical colonial context of the ability of Tangata Whenua to access their land. Margaret particularly highlighted the discrepancies between Pākeha landowners and Māori in their legal and physical abilities to access and utilise land under their ownership with ease.
Both perspectives provide valuable insight into the background and significance of the report.
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