The Wire with Joel

News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins reports on the new Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission that MPs voted to establish, speaking to Establishing Board Chair Don Mackinnon and InsideOUT Kōaro Managing Director Tabby Besley.

She also spoke to Dr Amanda Kvalsvig from the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago about how New Zealand could be permanently free of meningococcal disease.

Beth spoke with Co-Director of the Public Health Communication Centre Aotearoa Professor Nick Wilson from the University of Otago about the lasting impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle six months on. 

Olivia spoke to Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Auckland Pharmacy School Dr Amy Chan about how climate change could be contributing to an increased risk of asthma attacks. 

She also spoke to Senior Law Lecturer at the University of Auckland Dylan Asafo about how ACT’s pledge to abolish cultural reports could negatively impact our criminal justice system. 

Researchers have shown that climate change and global warming could be contributing to an increased number of asthma attacks, due to increased pollen in the air. 

Olivia spoke with Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Auckland Pharmacy School, Dr Amy Chan, about this issue and the need for a pollen monitoring system. 

Last week, the NZSIS released it's New Zealand Security Threat Environment report for 2023, outlining what the government sees as the biggest threats to Aotearoa's domestic security. The largest threats were outlined as violent extremism, foreign interference, and espionage. 

Wire producer Rosetta spoke to Dr William Hoverd, associate professor at Massey University, about the NZSIS report, and what he believes are the risks involved with publishing potential security threats to the public.

At the post-Cabinet press conference held yesterday afternoon, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Health Minister Ayesha Verrall announced that the last masking mandate and isolation requirements would be lifted starting overnight. 

Lou spoke to Professor Siouxsie Wiles, microbiologist and associate professor from the University of Auckland, in regards to the Government’s announcement to drop the mask mandates and isolation requirements.