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The Wire w/ Joel: 15 September, 2025

 The Wire w/ Joel: 15 September, 2025 The Wire w/ Joel: 15 September, 2025, 86.27 MB
Mon 15 Sep 2025

This week on the Monday Wire:

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to MP Simon Court about this weekend’s Palestine rally, the ‘March for Humanity’ and Regulations Minister, David Seymour, not ruling out changes for the labelling on alcohol, nicotine, and tobacco products.

Thursday Wire Host Caeden, Thursday Producer Sanat, and Tuesday Wire Host Sara interviewed participants at Saturday’s ‘March for Humanity’ as well as Aotearoa for Palestine organiser Nadine Mortaja.

Joel spoke to Emma Anderson, a PhD Candidate at the Bioethics Centre at the University of Otago, about a recent study she was the lead author in, showing New Zealand news media’s coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic having nationalistic and ‘us versus them’ elements in its reporting.

Producer Alex spoke with the University of Otago’s Robert Patman about recent Russian drone incursions in Poland, and what they mean for NATO and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

And Alex also spoke to The University of Otago’s Michael Holland about artists leaving spotify, and the issues with the platform.

Whakarongo mai.

Artists Leaving Spotify w/ The University of Otago's Michael Holland: 15 September, 2025

 Artists Leaving Spotify w/ The University of Otago's Michael Holland: 15 September, 2025 Artists Leaving Spotify w/ The University of Otago's Michael Holland: 15 September, 2025, 10.84 MB
Mon 15 Sep 2025

In recent months, there has been a growing exodus of artists and bands moving away from Spotify. These decisions are being made along political and ethical lines, as the platform continues to come under fire for a range of business practices and investments.

In the streaming era, however, artists cannot make this decision lightly. Musicians often depend on streaming services like Spotify for a consistent source of income. 

Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to the University of Otago’s Michael Holland about why these artists are leaving spotify, and what it means for artists to leave streaming services.

The ‘March for Humanity’ protest, and Seymour on alcohol, nicotine, and tobacco labelling w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 15 September, 2025

 The ‘March for Humanity’ protest, and Seymour on alcohol, nicotine, and tobacco labelling w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 15 September, 2025 The ‘March for Humanity’ protest, and Seymour on alcohol, nicotine, and tobacco labelling w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 15 September, 2025, 16.77 MB
Mon 15 Sep 2025

On Saturday, roughly 20,000 marched in the pro-Palestine rally, the ‘March for Humanity,’ with protesters walking from Aotea Square to Victoria Park in Auckland’s CBD. 

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Simon about the rally and what protestors are calling on the government for, regarding their response to Israel’s war on Gaza, as the death toll in Gaza reaches over 64,000, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.

As well as this, Regulations Minister and ACT Party Leader, David Seymour, has not ruled out changes to the labelling of alcohol, nicotine, and tobacco products.

However, firstly, they discussed the ‘March for Humanity’ rally.

Study into New Zealand news media’s coverage of Covid-19 and nationalism w/ University of Otago’s Emma Anderson: 15 September, 2025

 Study into New Zealand news media’s coverage of Covid-19 and nationalism w/ University of Otago’s Emma Anderson: 15 September, 2025 Study into New Zealand news media’s coverage of Covid-19 and nationalism w/ University of Otago’s Emma Anderson: 15 September, 2025, 9.79 MB
Mon 15 Sep 2025

A study from the University of Otago, looking into how New Zealand news coverage depicted the country’s responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, has shown elements of nationalism and creating a sense of competition.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Emma Anderson, a PhD Candidate at the Bioethics Centre at the University of Otago, about the study and the harmful consequences of this framing.

Aotearoa for Palestine's 'March for Humanity' w/ Attendees and Spokesperson Nadine Mortaja: 15 September, 2025

 Aotearoa for Palestine's 'March for Humanity' w/ Attendees and Spokesperson Nadine Mortaja: 15 September, 2025 Aotearoa for Palestine's 'March for Humanity' w/ Attendees and Spokesperson Nadine Mortaja: 15 September, 2025, 19.71 MB
Mon 15 Sep 2025

On Saturday, tens of thousands of people joined the ‘March for Humanity’ in Tāmaki Makaurau. The protestors were calling on the government to sanction Israel over its actions in Gaza.

Producer Sanat and Thursday Wire Host Caeden were at the protest and spoke to rangatahi, politicians, and community members about why they were there.

Tuesday Wire Host Sara also spoke to Aotearoa for Palestine spokesperson Nadine Mortaja about the protest and the movement’s demands for the New Zealand government.

Russian Drone Incursion in Poland w/ The University of Otago's Robert Patman: 15 September, 2025

 Russian Drone Incursion in Poland w/ The University of Otago's Robert Patman: 15 September, 2025 Russian Drone Incursion in Poland w/ The University of Otago's Robert Patman: 15 September, 2025, 10.11 MB
Mon 15 Sep 2025

Last week, Poland confirmed that Russian drones had entered and caused damage in Polish airspace. This incursion has been met with strong opposition, with Poland and NATO allies threatening retaliation. 

Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke with the University of Otago’s Robert Patman about the drones, other similar occurrences, and what the geopolitical implications of these incursions in regards to Russia, the US, and Europe.

Harbour Bridge March for Palestine, Tāmaki Makaurau By-Election, and Pacific Islands Forum w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 11 September 2025

 Harbour Bridge March for Palestine, Tāmaki Makaurau By-Election, and Pacific Islands Forum w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 11 September 2025 Harbour Bridge March for Palestine, Tāmaki Makaurau By-Election, and Pacific Islands Forum w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 11 September 2025, 7.2 MB
Fri 12 Sep 2025

Pro-Palestine protestors are set to march across the Harbour Bridge in Auckland on Saturday.

Last week, Te Paati Māori’s Oriini Kaipara won the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election, beating Labour’s Peeni Henare.

And this year’s Pacific Islands Forum is taking place this week in the Solomon Islands.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke with Shanan Halbert about all of these issues. 

The Harm of Online Abuse Against Politicians w/ University of Canterbury’s Cassandra Mudgway: 11 September, 2025

 The Harm of Online Abuse Against Politicians w/ University of Canterbury’s Cassandra Mudgway: 11 September, 2025 The Harm of Online Abuse Against Politicians w/ University of Canterbury’s Cassandra Mudgway: 11 September, 2025, 12.08 MB
Fri 12 Sep 2025

Earlier this week, Green Party MP Benjamin Doyle (Ngāpuhi) resigned from Parliament.

They cited concerns for their safety following receiving ‘hate, vitriol and threats of real-world violence.”

Earlier this year, research found online threats of physical and sexual violence have caused Members of Parliament to feel ‘fearful, anxious and distressed.’

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Canterbury, Cassandra Mudgway, about this issue and potential solutions.

International Desk: The Death of Charlie Kirk and Prominence of Political Violence in the United States w/ Yale Daily News’ Andre Fa’aoso: 11 September, 2025

 International Desk: The Death of Charlie Kirk and Prominence of Political Violence in the United States w/ Yale Daily News’ Andre Fa’aoso: 11 September, 2025 International Desk: The Death of Charlie Kirk and Prominence of Political Violence in the United States w/ Yale Daily News’ Andre Fa’aoso: 11 September, 2025, 11.44 MB
Thu 11 Sep 2025

This week on International Desk, an unfolding story from the United States.

Conservative political organiser Charlie Kirk has died after being shot during an event at Utah Valley University. 

Kirk was a controversial figure, known for his pro-gun and Christian Nationalist views, as well as his close allyship with United States President Donald Trump.

Kirk’s death comes shortly after other stories of political violence in the United States.

In June, Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were assassinated in a shooting in their home. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were also injured the same day. 

Following the news about Kirk’s death, Wire Host Caeden reached out to Andre Fa’aoso from the Yale Daily News to find out how people were reacting in the United States.

The Wire w/ Caeden: 11 September, 2025

 The Wire w/ Caeden: 11 September, 2025 The Wire w/ Caeden: 11 September, 2025, 83.73 MB
Thu 11 Sep 2025

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden asked Shanan Halbert about the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election result, this weekend's march across the Harbour Bridge for Palestine, and the Pacific Islands Forum.

For International Desk, they spoke to Yale Daily News’ Andre Fa’aoso about the death of Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk and the prominence of political violence in the United States.

They also spoke to Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Canterbury, Cassandra Mudgway, about the online abuse faced by politicians, especially those who are women and/or minorities. 

For City Counselling, News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey on the major ‘shakeup’ of Auckland Transport.

And Joel spoke to John Fraser, the former Dean of Faculty of Medical Sciences and current research professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology at the University of Auckland, on US health secretary RFK Jr’s cancellation of $500 million US dollar worth of funding for mRNA vaccine research.

Producer Jasmine spoke to Dr. Nona Taute about the tool he’s developed through his PhD research to centre mātauranga Māori and empower iwi decision-making in geothermal engineering in Aotearoa.