Over the weekend RNZ reported that the Labour Party would not be giving up the Auckland Central seat this election to the Green Party. Labour Representative Helen White will run for the position again, but this time against Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick and a yet to be announced National Party MP. RNZ asked White what she would say to people who pointed out Swarbrick's profile to which she said, "I'd ask them whether they're looking for a celebrity or someone to do this job very seriously." Jemima Huston and Zoë Larsen Cumming speak to the candidates about their work, the relevance of celebrity in an election and why the Auckland Central seat is always framed as a "cat fight".
On City Counselling, Lillian Hanly spoke to Auckland Councillor Richard Hills about the city's water restrictions and recycling.
International Desk gives a profile on Turkmeinistan as it does not report any postive Covid-19 cases.
Justin Wong gives an overview of how alert level 2 looks like and pre-budget announcements.
Laura Kvigstad and Jessica Hopkins reports on what's happening at Parliament's Epidemic Response Committee.
On Green Desk, Bronnie Wilde spoke to School Strikes for Climate New Zealand's Coco Lovatt and Oli Morphew about their online strike event on the 15th May.
James Tapp reports on the National Party's new border plan.
Justin spoke to Finance Minister Grant Robertson on the election delay, border testing, wage subisidy extension, and his charity Monopoly game with National's Paul Goldsmith.
James also talked to Watercare CEO Raveem Jaduram about Auckland's current water situation.
Justin caught up with Zoe Kounadais on Neighbourhood Watch on a coronavirus vaccine, the federal government rejected claims from Torres Strait Islanders, and a study into diversity in TV newsreaders.
International Desk gives a profile on Belarusian President Aleksander Lukashenko.
The first recorded case of Monkeypox to spread from Africa was detected in the UK on May 17th. Since then, the virus has travelled across 12 countries affecting 146 people.
As the virus gets closer to New Zealand, Trishil Dahya spoke to Dr Arindam Basu from the Universtiy of Canterbury about the virus, and it's disease profile
Welcome to The Wire for this Rāpare, Thursday! This week, Tuva'a has his weekly catch-up with Labour's Andrew Little, and Milly speaks to Sarah Sneyd from Alcohol Watch about the proposed harm reduction bill. Stella speaks to Marsden Fund recipients Julia De Bres (for research into supporting transgender youth) and Dr Nick Mortimer (about the toughness of pounamu). Stella also speaks to Jennifer Curtin about the impact the Black Ferns in raising the profile of women's rugby. She also speaks to Jenni Adams about the IceCube Collaboration- revealing more about nearby galaxies.
Following the resignation of Jacinda Ardern there’s been a great deal of discussion around the vitriol and personal attacks that targeted her online.
One study conducted by University of Auckland researchers found Ardern was the target of 93 percent of toxic posts against seven high profile politicians and officials.
For Casper's weekly chat with National’s Shane Reti, they discussed the level of polarisation and hateful messaging in New Zealand’s political climate.
Def Jim delivers his NZ Music Month Jazz Show, presenting selections from several local luminaries plus one from a recent Auckland Jazz Orchestra tribute to the late Phil Broadhurst, interspersed with a typically eclectic sampling of the international scene past and present featuring a track from the latest Charles Lloyd release which has widely received rave reviews.
Wire Host Caeden speaks to Labour Leader Carmel Sepuloni about the government’s quarter three action and plan and Labour’s renewed Auckland strategy.
They speak to Quack Pirihi from Mana Āniwaniwa about the upcoming World Suicide Prevention conference.
And they speak to Councillor Shane Henderson about Long Term Plan passing and the end of the Auckland regional fuel tax.
And for The Wire's special 4th of July edition...
Caeden speaks to the University of Auckland Professor of History Jennifer Frost about recent high-profile decisions from the United States Supreme Court.
And Wednesday Wire Host Oto speaks to Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Auckland Stephen Hoadley about replacing President Biden with another candidate, such as Governor of California Gavin Newsom.