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Global study reveals widespread burning of plastic for cooking and heating in the Global South w/ Co-author and University Professor Hari Vuthaluru: 20 January 2026

Global study reveals widespread burning of plastic for cooking and heating in the Global South w/ Co-author and University Professor Hari Vuthaluru: 20 January 2026 Global study reveals widespread burning of plastic for cooking and heating in the Global South w/ Co-author and University Professor Hari Vuthaluru: 20 January 2026 , 23.15 MB
Tue 20 Jan 2026

New research led by Western Australia’s Curtin University sheds light on the burning of plastic in countries in the Global South, for the use of cooking and heating.

The survey provides world-first substantial evidence of how unaffordable clean fuel supply can generate severe risks for health and climate in these communities.

Co-author Professor Hari Vuthaluru from Curtin's Western Australian School of Mines said toxic emissions, health issues and food contamination were among the consequences of this practice.

Wire Host Sara spoke to Vuthaluru further about the study in light of the environmental consequences.

The Wire w/ Sara: 20 January 2026

 The Wire w/ Sara: 20 January 2026 The Wire w/ Sara: 20 January 2026, 142.03 MB
Tue 20 Jan 2026

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman chats with us about a new study about a ‘bombshell’ discovery around microplastics in the body, a meta-analysis study on pain killer use during pregnancy, and new evidence that horses can smell your fear. 
For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire Host Sara spoke to National MP Ryan Hamlilton about New Zealand’s water sector priorities, natural hazards and climate resilience.
For Green World, Sara spoke to Australian Curtin University Professor Hari Vuthaluru about his study on communities burning plastic in the Global South for heating and cooking
Producer Vihan spoke to Victoria University’s senior lecturer of Software Engineering, Simon McCallum, about a recent study on AI and how feeding it bad information on one topic can get it to provide bad advice on other topics.

The Wire w/ Castor: 19th January, 2026

 The Wire w/ Castor: 19th January, 2026 The Wire w/ Castor: 19th January, 2026, 83.07 MB
Mon 19 Jan 2026

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about Labour’s proposed streaming levy and recent IT issues in the Health sector, including the ManageMyHealth data breach and IT outages last week. 

They also spoke to Professor of Law at the University of Auckland, Jane Kelsey, about the World Trade Organisation and its future as the United States becomes more isolationist. 

Thursday Wire Host Caeden spoke to Samira Ghoreishi, womens rights advocate and researcher on social movements and civil society in Iran, on the nuances of the current political situation following a week of mass demonstrations and government crackdowns. 

And Producer Alex spoke to Senior Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Otago, Robert Patman, about Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs on major EU member states over their opposition to the potential of the US Taking control of Greenland, what that says about Trump, and what it means for the EU and NATO.

The changing role of the World Trade Organisation under the new world order w/ Professor of Law at the University of Auckland, Jane Kelsey: 19th January, 2026

 The changing role of the World Trade Organisation under the new world order w/ Professor of Law at the University of Auckland, Jane Kelsey: 19th January, 2026 The changing role of the World Trade Organisation under the new world order w/ Professor of Law at the University of Auckland, Jane Kelsey: 19th January, 2026, 11.23 MB
Mon 19 Jan 2026

The United States is increasingly moving away from global institutions in a pursuit of populist isolationism. In its wake, it leaves multilateral organisations founded on the assumption of US support, which many smaller nations are dependent on for foreign affairs, health support, defence, or trade. 

The World Trade Organisation is facing such pressures now, with a looming threat of US exit following similar policies curbing the organisation’s influence. To discuss what the WTO is, how dependent it is on US support, and what it could mean for a changing global society if the US withdrew, News Director Castor spoke to Professor of Law at the University of Auckland, Jane Kelsey.

President Trump's EU Tariff Threats over Greenland w/ The University of Otago's Robert Patman: 19 January, 26

 President Trump's EU Tariff Threats over Greenland w/ The University of Otago's Robert Patman: 19 January, 26 President Trump's EU Tariff Threats over Greenland w/ The University of Otago's Robert Patman: 19 January, 26, 18.01 MB
Mon 19 Jan 2026

This weekend, Donald Trump announced his plans to levy tariffs against European countries who oppose his plans to press for Greenland. The move, which is an attempt to levy America’s economic position to dissuade what has been fervent european opposition to his desire for the territory, has been met with severe responses from Europe.

With the EU threatening retaliatory tariffs, and the ties between the US and the rest of NATO increasingly fraught, serious concerns and questions are being raised about how the US view Europe, and indeed all their allies, under this Trump Administrations ‘America First’ agenda.

Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke with Senior Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Otago, Professor Robert Patman, about these tariffs, what they say about Trump's intent, and what sort of reaction we may see.

 

City Counselling w/ Shane Henderson: January 15, 2026

 City Counselling w/ Shane Henderson: January 15, 2026 City Counselling w/ Shane Henderson: January 15, 2026, 10.11 MB
Thu 15 Jan 2026

NZ Fire and Emergency Strike action has continued this month, with the planned strike coinciding with the substantial blaze last Friday at The Pita House in Pakuranga. Volunteer firefighters arrived on the scene in half an hour, with a statement from the emergency service saying employed responders would have otherwise been at the scene in four minutes. 

Tāmaki has also been hosting the ASB Classic, with the final taking place earlier this week, crowning Ukrainian Elina Svitolina as winner. 

I spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about these topics, as well as his focus areas for council mahi in 2026.

The Lawsuit Against the US Government to Protect Endangered Dolphins w/ Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders’ Christine Rose: 15 Jan, 2026

 The Lawsuit Against the US Government to Protect Endangered Dolphins w/ Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders’ Christine Rose: 15 Jan, 2026 The Lawsuit Against the US Government to Protect Endangered Dolphins w/ Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders’ Christine Rose: 15 Jan, 2026, 10.57 MB
Thu 15 Jan 2026

Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders, a small New Zealand charity, has launched another court case against the United States government at the Court of International Trade.

The organisation already won a case at the Court last year against the US government’s decision to allow fish imports from set net and trawl fisheries on the west coast of New Zealand.

Maui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders are now challenging the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s latest comparability report based on fish still being caught in both Māui and Hector’s dolphin habitats. 

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Christine Rose, founder and chairperson of the Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders, about the case.

X AI’s ‘Grok’ and the Generating of Non-Consensual, Explicit Images w/ University of Canterbury’s Dr Cassandra Mudgway: 15 January, 2026

 X AI’s ‘Grok’ and the Generating of Non-Consensual, Explicit Images w/ University of Canterbury’s Dr Cassandra Mudgway: 15 January, 2026 X AI’s ‘Grok’ and the Generating of Non-Consensual, Explicit Images w/ University of Canterbury’s Dr Cassandra Mudgway: 15 January, 2026, 11.6 MB
Thu 15 Jan 2026

Grok, an artificial intelligence chatbot on X AI, has come under fire for allowing users to edit images of real people to show them in revealing outfits. 

These include potentially pornographic and non-consensual images involving women and children. 

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Dr Cassandra Mudgway, senior lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Canterbury, about this issue and what regulation should look like. 

Store Closures and Growing Pressures for Retailers w/ Chief Executive of Retail NZ, Carolyn Young: 14th January, 2026

 Store Closures and Growing Pressures for Retailers w/ Chief Executive of Retail NZ, Carolyn Young: 14th January, 2026 Store Closures and Growing Pressures for Retailers w/ Chief Executive of Retail NZ, Carolyn Young: 14th January, 2026, 4.48 MB
Wed 14 Jan 2026

Two large retailers, Yoyoso and EB Games, recently announced their intention to close. The announcements follow the closure of multiple other retailers, as business owners struggle to stay afloat amidst rising costs and declining customer bases. 

To discuss the problem, its causes, and potential solutions, News Director Castor spoke to Chief Executive at Retail NZ, Carolyn Young.

 

ManageMyHealth data breach & National Party plans for 2026 w/ National MP Ryan Hamilton: 13 January 2026

 ManageMyHealth data breach & National Party plans for 2026 w/ National MP Ryan Hamilton: 13 January 2026 ManageMyHealth data breach & National Party plans for 2026 w/ National MP Ryan Hamilton: 13 January 2026, 19.81 MB
Tue 13 Jan 2026

At the beginning of January, private health provider Manage My Health shared information about a data breach via a ransomware attack which impacted 125,000 patients, predominantly in Northland, where Health NZ uses Manage My Health to share information with patients.

Northland GPs and New Zealand health experts have called for better transparency around data security and awareness around the impact for patients.

Wire Host Sara spoke to National Party Hamilton MP, Ryan Hamilton, about this data breach, first by asking if he was concerned about the breach or the health provider’s response to it.