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The Wire with Joel

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The Wire w/ Oto: 3 September, 2025

The Wire w/ Oto: 3 September, 2025 The Wire w/ Oto: 3 September, 2025, 75.21 MB
Wed 3 Sep 2025

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party Oto spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez-March about the new laws allowing Foreign Investors to buy homes in Aotearoa, the ongoing nurse strikes happening this week and the Greens members bill to change laws regarding overdose responses.

He then spoke to New Zealand Nurse Organisation Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku for a follow-up conversation about the current nurse strikes.

Max spoke to John Minto, Co-Chair of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, to discuss the ‘Gaza Riviera’ plan that was leaked to the Washington Post earlier this week.

And he also spoke to Dr. Ritesh Shah from the University of Auckland, to discuss why Universities in New Zealand choose to stay neutral on topics such as Gaza and whether a neutral stance is right

Should Universities Remain Neutral on Global Issues? w/ Dr. Ritesh Shah: September 03, 2025

Should Universities Remain Neutral on Global Issues? w/ Dr. Ritesh Shah: September 03, 2025 Ritesh Shah: September 03, 2025, 24.73 MB
Wed 3 Sep 2025

Lately, our government, civil society organisations and UN bodies have all condemned the range of human rights abuses Israel is currently committing against the Palestinian population. However, universities in New Zealand, like in many other parts of the world, have made an intentional decision to remain neutral in their position on Gaza, despite public sentiment shifting on this issue. 

This stance of international neutrality can be traced back to a 1967 study known as the Kalven report. But was this report ever relevant? And should it still apply today? 

To discuss this, as well as what Universities could potentially do to act against Israel, Producer Max spoke to Dr Ritesh Shah, a senior lecturer of comparative and international education and the co-director of the Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Study at the University of Auckland.

If you'd like to sign this open letter you can find it here.

United States ‘Gaza Riviera’ Plan Leaked w/ John Minto: September 03, 2025

United States ‘Gaza Riviera’ Plan Leaked w/ John Minto: September 03, 2025 United States ‘Gaza Riviera’ Plan Leaked w/ John Minto: September 03, 2025, 18.75 MB
Wed 3 Sep 2025

Earlier this week, The Washington Post published a leaked prospectus for a ‘Gaza Riviera’ plan that had reportedly been circulating the White House. 

Named the “Gaza Reconstitution, Economic Acceleration and Transformation Trust” or ‘GREAT’, the plan includes the forced displacement of Gaza’s entire population of 2 million people, as well as the territory being placed into a US trusteeship for at least a decade. Although it’s not yet clear whether the plan reflects US policy, it seems to match US President Donald Trump’s previously stated ambitions to “clean out” Gaza and redevelop it.

Critics of the plan identify it as a blueprint for mass deportation and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people disguised as a marketing development, and that if the plan were to be executed it would include international crimes on an unimaginable scale.

To discuss what the leaked plan says about US foreign policy under Trump and how Aotearoa, as well as other countries, should respond to this, Producer Max spoke with John Minto, Co-Chair of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa.

How doctors carrying out assisted dying can be better supported w/ University of Auckland’s Dr. Aida Dehkhoda: September 2, 2025

How doctors carrying out assisted dying can be better supported w/ University of Auckland’s Dr. Aida Dehkhoda: September 2, 2025 Aida Dehkhoda: September 2, 2025, 27.85 MB
Tue 2 Sep 2025

Act Party MP Todd Stephenson has recently re-lodged his End of Life Choice Amendment Bill, and incorporated all 25 recommendations from the Ministry of Health’s independent review.

Many doctors believe that in order to effectively carry out assisted dying practices, they need to be properly supported.

Psychological medicine researcher Dr. Aida Dehkhoda recalls that while most of these doctors and nurses affirm their patients’ autonomy and right to choose… challenges still persist.

Producer Faith spoke to Dr. Dehkhoda about how these practitioners can be better supported, and some of the challenges faced on the frontlines.

Tawaki Project takes a comprehensive look at New Zealand penguin populations w/ project co-leader Dr Thomas Mattern: September 2, 2025

Tawaki Project takes a comprehensive look at New Zealand penguin populations w/ project co-leader Dr Thomas Mattern: September 2, 2025 Tawaki Project takes a comprehensive look at New Zealand penguin populations w/ project co-leader Dr Thomas Mattern: September 2, 2025 , 20.37 MB
Tue 2 Sep 2025

The Tawaki Project based at the University of Otago and driven by the mahi of international researchers, has taken a deep-dive into the population genetics of three Aotearoa crested penguin species – tawaki/Fiordland penguins, erect-crested penguins, and Eastern rockhopper penguins.

Findings reveal how genetic health and marine habitat changes have impacted these species.

For this week’s Green Desk, Host Sara spoke with co-leader of the project, Dr Thomas Mattern about what the study learned about these penguin populations, starting with a general overview of the research

The Wire w/ Sara: 02 September, 2025

The Wire w/ Sara: 02 September, 2025 The Wire w/ Sara: 02 September, 2025, 140.84 MB
Tue 2 Sep 2025

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Dr Daniel Thomas all about ‘interactions’ 

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Host Sara spoke to MP Carl Bates about the government’s plans to fix up the supermarket duopoly, changes to the Alcohol Sale and Supply act, and Judith Collins legislation for Defence Force workers

For Green Desk, Sara spoke to University of Otago’s Dr Thomas Mattern about the Tawaki Project on New Zealand’s penguin populations

Faith spoke to psychological medicine researcher Dr. Aida Dehkhoda about assisted dying, and how doctors, patients, and their families can be better supported

Supermarket duopoly, Alcohol Sale and Supply Act changes, and Defence Force strikes w/ National Party MP Carl Bates: September 2, 2025

Supermarket duopoly, Alcohol Sale and Supply Act changes, and Defence Force strikes w/ National Party MP Carl Bates: September 2, 2025 Supermarket duopoly, Alcohol Sale and Supply Act changes, and Defence Force strikes w/ National Party MP Carl Bates: September 2, 2025, 21.64 MB
Tue 2 Sep 2025

In the past week, we’ve seen several noteworthy legislative moves across sectors. 

First, the government is seeking to address New Zealand’s supermarket duopoly as the cost of groceries for kiwi remains high across the motu. 

Economic Minister Nicola Willis announced numerous legislative changes that she hopes will improve supermarket competition in New Zealand.

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has also shared some proposed changes to the Alcohol Sale and Supply Act, including limiting barriers to the approval of liquor licenses and making it easier to provide alcohol in special circumstances.

Finally, Defence Minister Judith Collins has approved changes that make it easier for the Defence Force to cover the operations of striking workers. 

Tuesday Wire Host Sara spoke to Bates about these topics.

Supermarket duopoly, Alcohol Sale and Supply Act changes, and Defence Force strikes w/ National Party MP Carl Bates: September 2, 2025

Supermarket duopoly, Alcohol Sale and Supply Act changes, and Defence Force strikes w/ National Party MP Carl Bates: September 2, 2025 Supermarket duopoly, Alcohol Sale and Supply Act changes, and Defence Force strikes w/ National Party MP Carl Bates: September 2, 2025, 21.64 MB
Tue 2 Sep 2025

In the past week, we’ve seen several noteworthy legislative moves across sectors. 

First, the government is seeking to address New Zealand’s supermarket duopoly as the cost of groceries for kiwi remains high across the motu. 

Economic Minister Nicola Willis announced numerous legislative changes that she hopes will improve supermarket competition in New Zealand.

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has also shared some proposed changes to the Alcohol Sale and Supply Act, including limiting barriers to the approval of liquor licenses and making it easier to provide alcohol in special circumstances.

Finally, Defence Minister Judith Collins has approved changes that make it easier for the Defence Force to cover the operations of striking workers. 

Tuesday Wire Host Sara spoke to Bates about these topics.

Dear Science w/ Dr Daniel Thomas: September 2, 2025

Dear Science w/ Dr Daniel Thomas: September 2, 2025 Dear Science w/ Dr Daniel Thomas: September 2, 2025, 37.3 MB
Tue 2 Sep 2025

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Dr Daniel Thomas all about ‘interactions’: strangers who have the same reactions to movies are more likely to become friends, a study has found that apes do have object permanence, and spiders use trapped fireflies to catch more prey. 

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!

Todd Stephenson’s End of Life Choice Amendment Bill, Four-year Parliamentary terms, Potential changes to multiple ministries w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 1 September, 2025

Todd Stephenson’s End of Life Choice Amendment Bill, Four-year Parliamentary terms, Potential changes to multiple ministries w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 1 September, 2025 Todd Stephenson’s End of Life Choice Amendment Bill, Four-year Parliamentary terms, Potential changes to multiple ministries w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 1 September, 2025, 17.79 MB
Mon 1 Sep 2025

Early last week, ACT MP, Todd Stephenson, re-lodged his End of Life Choice Amendment Bill, which seeks to expand the eligibility of the End of Life Choice Act.

This follows recommendations from the Ministry of Health’s office review into the law, which was an official requirement of the original 2019 Act. Stephenson’s bill has accepted all 25 recommendations.

National’s coalition agreement with ACT requires any proposed changes to the Act having to be progressed through as a member’s bill.

As well as this, Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche, has not ruled out absorbing ministries such as the Ministry of Women and Ministry of Pacific People into larger ministries.

In 2023, the ACT Party had campaigned on removing these ministries.

And last week, The Justice Select Committee report into four-year parliamentary terms recommended a referendum on the potential move, but had recommended some provisions of ACT Party Leader, David Seymour, be scrapped.

These provisions include an incoming government only being allowed a four-year term if the government agreed to give the opposition the majority in the select committee. This would mean that some governments would be three-terms, and some would be four terms.

For our weekly catchup with ACT MP Simon Court, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to him about all these topics, starting with Todd Stephenson’s members bill.