The Wire with Joel

News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins takes you through the Wednesday Wire. 

For our regular catch up with ACT’s Brooke Van Velden, Jessica asks Brooke about her thoughts on the Government's multi million dollar package to tackle retail crime and reoffending after concerns about a lack of protection for retail workers. 

She also speaks to University of Auckland Masters students Izzy Renton and Maria Kopilevich, who have lauched a student-led petition in support of the Tertiary Education Union's strike action. 

She also talks to Kaiārahi at Talent Rise New Zealand, Jessica Te Moananui about their report that suggests for young people in Aotearoa, job search confidence is low and fear of the future relating to gaining employment is high.

And The Green Desk is back, hosted by producer Troy Matich. She talks to University of Auckland PhD Candidate Sam Ladewig about a recent study on  the effects of microplastics in the Waitemata Harbor. 

Sir Collin Tukuitonga speaks to Milly regarding the daily smoking rate in Pasifika students being at an all time low at less than two percent according to the most recent Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) survey. 

Many have brought up concerns around the government’s implementation of the merger of TVNZ and RNZ into a single entity, the details of which are still unclear.

For Casper's regular chat with National party MP Dr Shane Reti, they discussed the merger, what concerns National has about it and what else could be done to bolster New Zealand journalism.

Spike speaks to Jodi Johnston from Campaign for Better Transport about the government's new $350m transport funding package.