Spike speaks to Lisa Burns from Cystic Fibrosis NZ about Pharmac's decision to fund Trikafta, a "life saving" drug for people living with cystic fibrosis, and Jodi Johnston from Campaign for Better Transport about the government's new $350m transport funding package.
Arno speaks to Eugenie Sage about the Three Waters Reform and Labour's decision to remove the anti-privatisation clause from the legislation, and Professor James Hollings about the announcement of a "fair pay" law between news aggregators like Google and local news organisations here.
Since the Christchurch mosque attacks in 2019, the pandemic and the conspiracy theories and anti-government sentiment that developed in response, there has been increased scrutiny and media coverage of far-right groups in Aotearoa.
In his new book, FEAR: New Zealand's Hostile Underworld of Extremists, Independent researcher Byron Clark helps make sense of alt-right influence in Aotearoa, identifies the main perpetrators and looks at why we are susceptible to misinformation, conspiracy theories, and fear-mongering.
News & Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Clark about why we should be watchful and fearful of the alt-rights growing influence.
News & Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins speaks to ACT’s Karen Chhour about the government banning TikTok from all parliamentary devices and reprioritising spending to refocus on the cost of living and Cyclone Gabrielle recovery.
Hanna Thompson talks to Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp about the ongoing impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle and centring indigenous voices in the climate crisis debate.
Caeden Tipler speaks to Samah Huriwai-Seger from the Aotearoa Liberation League and Hibiscus and Bays Local Board member Jake Law about an anti-co-governance roadshow in Ōrewa.
Nicholas Lindstrom chats to “Tutira Mai” Cyclone Relief Concert volunteer Lewis Johnson about the event.
And Alex Bonham interviews urban advocate and former Christchurch councillor Mike Davidson about how we can make our cities safer for tamariki
A counter-protest against anti-trans speaker Posie Parker took place in Tāmaki Makaurau on Saturday.
It was attended by thousands of trans people and allies, forcing Posie Parker to cancel her speech and planned rally in Wellington the next day.
Caeden Tipler spoke to Mīharo (Ngāti Whātua), a cis woman who organised and spoke at the counter protest. First Caeden asked how she thought it went on Saturday.
For their weekly catch-up, News & Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to ACT MP Karen Chhour about the latest figures measuring child poverty rates in Aotearoa, which show no statistically significant improvement.
Then, they discussed the ACT Party’s response to those protesting against Posie Parker and anti-trans hate.
At the Posie Parker event last weekend, Marama Davidson's comments on violence spun up a controversy in the mainstream news cycle, with party leaders calling for her resignation as a result. But little has been discussed about the source of the clip, Counterspin Media, a local far right conspiracy disinformation producer previously involved with QAnon and anti-COVID movements. Spike speaks to Byron C Clark, disinfo researcher and author about Counterspin and their history.
AUKUS - a security pact signed between Australia, the UK and the US is a contentious topic for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Due to its pro-nuclear sentiments, New Zealand has been inherently hesitant to join the pact because of the impact it could have on New Zealand’s diplomatic relations with its Asia-Pacific allies.
Anti-AUKUS sentiments have dominated the political discourse around the topic, with many academics and politicians past and present against the pact because of the geopolitical tensions it could muster. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark called the AUKUS deal an “entanglement” that New Zealand shouldn’t get itself into.
To receive more input, Andre Fa'aoso spoke with Doctor Arama Rata, an independent researcher and spokesperson for Te Kuaka, a group that advocates for progressive foreign policy.
Following the passing of the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion (safe areas) Amendment Bill in March of last year, the Government has implemented six abortion safe areas, or spaces outside abortion clinics protected from anti-choice harrassment, across Aotearoa.
Wire producer Rosetta spoke to Abortion Law Reform Association New Zealand president Ella Shepherd about why the safe areas are important and what more needs to be done to increase abortion care accessibility.
Caeden spoke with Minister Andrew Little for our weekly catch-up about Posie Parker cancelling her return to New Zealand and yesterday’s anti-trans protest, the investigation into Migrant Exploitation and Immigration New Zealand, and briefly about the Government’s record with climate action.
They started by asking if he’d support Posie Parker’s claim that Immigration New Zealand is corrupt.