The Wire with Joel

Lost and escaped domesticated parrots seem to be posing a problem to native bird species. Owning a parrot is surprisingly popular in New Zealand, with around 330 pet birds getting lost every year. University of Auckland's Margaret Stanley spoke with Charlie about the issue and how to keep your parrots safe.

This week on the show, host Jessica Hopkins investigated the newly announced critical worker home isolation exemption scheme. 

First, she spoke to Principal Investigator for Te Pūnaha Matatini COVID-19 modeling, Dr Emily Harvey about what replacing isolation with regular rapid antigen testing will mean. She also talked to First Union National Retail Organiser Ben Peterson and National Ambulance Coordinator Faye Mccan about how Omicron has affected retail workers and ambulance professionals. 

In her regular chat with Auckland Councillor Pippa Coom, Jessica asked about the outdoor dining grant scheme, and the launch of public consultation on the Councils annual budget.

Producer Liam Hansen spoke with doctor Kelly Burrows from The University of Auckland how new regulations for the sale of vape products could affect people's health.

Finally, Liam spoke to Saunoamaali’i Karanina Sumeo from the Human Rights Commission about pay transparency.

Hospitality businesses have been significantly affected by COVID-19 restrictions such as capacity limits and social distancing requirements. Today during my regular chat with Auckland Councillor Pippa Coom, we discussed an outdoor dining grant scheme supporting hospitality businesses to increase their outdoor dining capacity. 

We also revisited the Councils annual budget that has just gone out for public consultation, and Pippa responded to Howick ward councillor Sharon Stewart suggesting that projects such as cycleways and painted roads should be cut from the budget.

A group is campaigning for the government and Kiwirail to restore intercity rail services after the Northern Explorer between Auckland and Wellington, as well as the Coastal Pacific Service between Picton and Christchurch were cancelled.

Kiwirail said it is now planning to create multi-day experiences that showcase the best of New Zealand, both on and off the track.

But the Save Our Trains campaign says it wants a comprehensive national strategy for future passenger rail services built around concerns for climate action, accessibility, and economic development.

Paul Callister is a spokesperson for the campaign and a senior associate at the Institute of Governance and Policy Studies at Victoria University. 

He spoke to Justin Wong.