The Wire with Joel

Since the Christchurch mosque attacks in 2019, the pandemic and the conspiracy theories and anti-government sentiment that developed in response, there has been increased scrutiny and media coverage of far-right groups in Aotearoa.

In his new book, FEAR: New Zealand's Hostile Underworld of Extremists, Independent researcher Byron Clark helps make sense of alt-right influence in Aotearoa, identifies the main perpetrators and looks at why we are susceptible to misinformation, conspiracy theories, and fear-mongering.

News & Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Clark about why we should be watchful and fearful of the alt-rights growing influence. 

Here is that interview…

For their first catch-up this year, News & Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Auckland University Students’ Association (AUSA) President Alan Shaker about the support available for students affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, their safe zones initiative in collaboration with the Auckland Council, aggressive religious recruitment on campus, and orientation week plans. 

Earlier this week the government announced a major policy overhaul, they called it a reshuffle, which included dropping some of the less popular or seemingly viable intitaitives like the TVNZ/RNZ merger to focus more on ‘bread and butter’ issues.
Also announced was a $1.50 hike to the minimum wage, a delay to the income insurance scheme and hate speech reform, the scrapping of the biofuel mandate, and ambiguous future changes to three waters.

Casper had a chat with National MP Dr Shane Reti about the announcement and how it’s been received by National.

For this week's Tuesday Wire, Allan Blackman joined Casper and Milly over the phone for Dear Science. Casper spoke to National’s Shane Reti about the government’s policy reshuffle announced this week and Dáithí Stone, climate scientist at NIWA about what’s driving Cyclone Gabrielle.

Milly speaks to Assad Shamseldin from the University of Auckland about improving our stormwater infrastructure. And Milly also spoke to epidemiologist Michael Baker about the new measles case identified in New Zealand.