The Wire with Castor

It has been revealed that the Alpine Fault, which runs down the south island, has a 75% chance of creating a magnitude 8 or stronger earthquake in the next 50 years. Professor John Townend has spent many years studying the fault line to gain a greater understanding of the risks. He began by discussing what he has discovered recently.

On the show for Rāapa: 

We have our monthly catch up with the Auckland University Students’ Association, today we speak to Engagement Vice President Folau Tu'inukuafe. 

Andre Fa’aoso speaks to Ian Gordon, from PSA about Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s council budget, and PSAs statement saying that Brown’s budget proposal is holding public services hostage. 

On the Green Desk Jack Marshall speaks to Amanda Thomas, lecturer in environmental studies at the University of Wellington about stopping oil and gas exploration in Aotearoa. 

Alex speaks with Simon Oddie from Eke Panuku and Matt Wheeler from BECA about the proposal for a digital twin of Auckland.

Arno speaks with epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker to provide a COVID-19 update.

Michael Baker, University of Otago professor and epidemiologist, joins us today from Oslo, Norway, to talk about the latest updates on Covid in New Zealand, following an article published in the New Zealand Herald on Sunday. 

Although New Zealand has done comparatively well in managing the health crisis, hospital admissions are still high and a number of people are expected to die from Covid this year. 

Arno started the interview by asking Michael if people still needed to be worried by Covid.

The Government has released a report in response to the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation's petition to raise the age of free access to mammogram screening from 69 to 74. After originally committing to raising the age in 2017, the Government has now backtracked on the promise due to ICT issues at Breast Screening Aotearoa and a shortage of radiologists.

A recent report from the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation says a woman willl lose her life every month because of the decision. Tuesday Wire producer Rosetta Stone spoke to Adele Gautier, New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation's Research and Strategic Programmes Manager, about the consequences of the Government's decision.