Launch in new window

DJ's Choice

You are here

The Wire with Joel

Latest bCasts • View all

Measles case highlights 'ticking time bomb’ w/ Helen Petousis-Harris from the University of Auckland: 14 May, 2025

Measles case highlights 'ticking time bomb’ w/ Helen Petousis-Harris from the University of Auckland: 14 May, 2025 Measles case highlights 'ticking time bomb’ w/ Helen Petousis-Harris from the University of Auckland: 14 May, 2025, 17.22 MB
Wed 14 May 2025

Just this week, New Zealand’s first measles case in 2 years was reported in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.

The patient contracted the disease while travelling in Asia before coming back to Aotearoa and, with global measles cases on the rise, concerns have been raised about the potential for an outbreak and its impacts on New Zealand’s already overburdened healthcare system.

Oto spoke to Helen Petousis-Harris, an Associate Professor in General Practice & Primary Healthcare at the University of Auckland, to discuss the recent measles case in Aotearoa and its potential implications.

The Wire w/ Joel: 5 May, 2025

The Wire w/ Joel: 5 May, 2025 The Wire w/ Joel: 5 May, 2025, 116.09 MB
Tue 13 May 2025

This week on the Monday Wire:

For our weekly catchup with Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to her about changes to prisoners’ voting eligibility, the party calling for more funding for Whakaata Māori in Budget 2025, and ECE recommendations.

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, Producer Evie spoke to Simon Court about David Seymour’s proposal to reduce the size of cabinet, an ACT Members Bill aimed at removing mandatory climate-related disclosures for banks, as well as last week's unprecedented senior doctor strikes.

Joel spoke to Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland, about animal product imports to New Zealand, as a petition to Parliament to ensure imports are coming from country’s with animal welfare standards on par with ours.

Joel also spoke to Robert Patman, a Professor of International Relations at the University of Otago, about his article on the Conversation, discussing his concerns over the Trump Administration's proposed peace deal regarding Russia’s war on Ukraine, and how New Zealand should proceed with supporting Ukraine.

And Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins us in studio to discuss young people developing their political views through social media.

Whakarongo mai

Social media restrictions and NZ First’ gender bill w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 13th May, 2025

Social media restrictions and NZ First’ gender bill w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 13th May, 2025 Social media restrictions and NZ First’ gender bill w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 13th May, 2025, 9.75 MB
Tue 13 May 2025

National Party MP Catherine Wedd recently filed a private members bill that would look at restricting social media use for young people, mainly those under 16. While the bill has received some criticism from the ACT party, other parties such as Labour have agreed that legislation around this issue is important. 

At the end of April New Zealand First MP Jenny Marcroft put forward a private members bill forward that would seek to define the word ‘woman’ in New Zealand law. The bill was received with criticism from opposition parties and the general public, who say the bill is drawing on transphobic sentiments to distract from more important issues.

In our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about each of these issues, starting with the potential social media restrictions. 

Pay Equity Amendment Bill affects on Wāhine Māori and Pacific Women w/ PSA's Janice Panoho: 13 May, 2025

Pay Equity Amendment Bill affects on Wāhine Māori and Pacific Women w/ PSA's Janice Panoho: 13 May, 2025 Pay Equity Amendment Bill affects on Wāhine Māori and Pacific Women w/ PSA's Janice Panoho: 13 May, 2025, 6.81 MB
Tue 13 May 2025

The government’s recent changes to laws on gender pay equity have received backlash from unions– particularly the Public Service Association.

Producer Faith spoke to the union’s kaihautu Janice Panoho about these changes, how they affect Maori and Pacifica women, and what steps need to be taken moving forward

The Wire w/ Castor: 13th May, 2025

The Wire w/ Castor: 13th May, 2025 The Wire w/ Castor: 13th May, 2025, 106.48 MB
Tue 13 May 2025

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Doctor Cushla McGoverin, chats with us about a new twist on the famous marshmallow experiment, a new snake antivenom, and new steps towards lithium batteries. 

In our weekly catch-up with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about social media restrictions for young people and NZ First’s recent gender bill. 

They also spoke to Director of Global Studies at the University of Auckland, Chris Ogden, about the India/Pakistan ceasefire and stability in the region. 

Producer Faith spoke to public health researcher, Professor Janet Hoek, from the University of Otago about Labour MP Dr. Ayesha Verrall’s tobacco transparency bill

She also spoke to the Public Service Association union’s kaihautu, Janice Panoho, about how the coalition government’s recent law changes will affect Maori and Pacifica women in particular

Tobacco Transparency Bill w/ University of Otago's Professor Janet Hoek

Tobacco Transparency Bill w/ University of Otago's Professor Janet Hoek Tobacco Transparency Bill w/ University of Otago's Professor Janet Hoek, 15.08 MB
Tue 13 May 2025

Producer Faith spoke with public health researcher and professor from the University of Otago Janet Hoek about the benefits of Labour's health spokesperson Dr. Ayesha Verrall's new bill.

India/Pakistan ceasefire and regional stability w/ Director of Global Studies at the University of Auckland Chris Ogden: 13th May, 2025

India/Pakistan ceasefire and regional stability w/ Director of Global Studies at the University of Auckland Chris Ogden: 13th May, 2025 India/Pakistan ceasefire and regional stability w/ Director of Global Studies at the University of Auckland Chris Ogden: 13th May, 2025, 7.6 MB
Tue 13 May 2025

Military confrontation between India and Pakistan has many regional and international actors concerned about stability in the region. While a ceasefire agreement has been reached, conditions are still uncertain, especially given indications that India doesn’t see it as a ceasefire. 

Wire host Castor spoke to Director of Global Studies at the University of Auckland, Chris Ogden, about the ceasefire both now and moving into the future. 

Our final chat w/ Global Innovator, Matt Hart: 12 May, 2025

Our final chat w/ Global Innovator, Matt Hart: 12 May, 2025 Our final chat w/ Global Innovator, Matt Hart: 12 May, 2025, 5.66 MB
Mon 12 May 2025

Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, in studio for a last chat!

Banning under-16-year-olds from social media w/ B416's Anna Curzon and the Victoria University of Wellington's Dr Alex Beattie: 12 May, 2025

Banning under-16-year-olds from social media w/ B416's Anna Curzon and the Victoria University of Wellington's Dr Alex Beattie: 12 May, 2025 Banning under-16-year-olds from social media w/ B416's Anna Curzon and the Victoria University of Wellington's Dr Alex Beattie: 12 May, 2025, 17.45 MB
Mon 12 May 2025

Recently, National MP, Catherine Wedd, has launched a members bill, that has been supported by the wider party, to ban under-16-year-olds from social media. Since, Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, has announced that Education Minister, Erica Stanford, will be “exploring options” that would be brought to Cabinet.

As such, Stanford’s education portfolio will be amended to ensure she can commission advice and direct officials to mitigate the harms of social media on under-16-year-olds.

Luxon says that he has received an "overwhelmingly positive response from mums and dads," regarding these moves. At the end of last year, in light of Australia passing a similar bill, a 1News Verian poll showed 68% were in support of New Zealand passing a similar bill, 22% were opposed, and 10% were undecided.

These moves come alongside the launch of B416, a group pushing to ban social media access to under-16-year-olds.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the co-chair of B416, Anna Curzon, about why she supports this outright ban.

Despite a lot of support, what has been proposed has also received a lot of criticism.

Many are concerned about how effective this bill, if passed into law, would be.

As mentioned previously, Australia passed a similar bill last year, which is set to go into effect at the end of this year. However, there are still hurdles in the way before the implementation of this policy in December, such as what tech will be used to ensure under-16-year-olds aren’t on social media, and whether social media platforms themselves will comply.

Here in New Zealand, what is currently being proposed has seen relatively mixed opinions. NZ First supports the move, however, ACT does not. The ACT Party previously called the member's bill hastily drafted, simplistic, and unworkable, and has instead called for a “public inquiry” before the select committee.

Joel also spoke to Dr Alex Beattie, a lecturer in Media and Communications at the Victoria University of Wellington about what has been proposed, and his concerns regarding the bill.

The Wire w/ Joel: 12 May, 2025

The Wire w/ Joel: 12 May, 2025 The Wire w/ Joel: 12 May, 2025, 111.47 MB
Mon 12 May 2025

This week on the Monday Wire:

For our weekly catchup with Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to her about the Pay Equity Amendment Bill being passed, as well as the draft framework for relationship and sexuality education, or RSE.

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, Producer Evie, speaks to Simon Court about the government passing the pay equity amendment bill under urgency, as well a National members bill proposing a social media ban for under 16’s. 

Joel spoke to Anna Curzon, the co-chair of B416; an organisation pushing to ban under 16 year olds from social media, in light of National MP Catherine Wedd’s members bill.

Joel also spoke to Dr Alex Beattie, a lecturer in Media and Communications at the Victoria University of Wellington, about his concerns with Wedd’s members bill, and what other ways we should regulate social media for young people as opposed to an outright ban.

Evie speaks to Theology Researcher at University of Otago Dr Greg Marcar about the selection of the new pope, Leo XIV.

And Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins us in studio for our last chat!

Whakarongo mai!