The Wire with Castor

Recent research claims that the impacts of Covid-19 in children is much more severe than is commonly perceived. The study assessed 3000 children who had tested positive for the virus in ten countries, including information on underlying risk factors and long term effects. 

Louis was joined by the report's author, the University of Auckland's Dr Stuart Dalziel to talk about the findings, what this means for New Zealand's Covid-19 response and how it differs from impacts in adults. 

Recently, Allergy New Zealand and Pub Charity announced the relaunch of their Free EpiPen Campaign, FundaPen. Joe speaks to Mark Dixon, the Chief Executive of Allergy New Zealand, about the campaign.

Throughout 2021, the National Party has had a regular slot on the Friday Wire and Christopher Luxon has been our contributing politician. Former Friday Wire host Noah Ferguson-Dudding has interviewed Luxon every week since March and spoke to him last on November 12th. Since then, Luxon has become the new Leader of the National Party. 

In this interview Noah asks about Luxon’s previous statements made to 95bFM that he did not want to be leader of the National Party, whether the National Party has diverse representation, and the media's focus on Luxon’s faith. 

This week on the Wednesday Wire, it's the last Wednesday show of the year! We're recapping some of the best news pieces the 95bFM news team has produced this year with our Best of 2021 shows. So, today Zazi, Christina and Jemima bring you the best of the Wednesday Wire. 

The show kicks off with Christina highlighting pieces from this year’s Dear Science with AUT Professors Allan Blackman and Marcus Jones. Christina reminds us of some great science convo’s, including one about electric vehicles, another about plastic that can be broken down by enzymes, a third about how someones genetic code can tell us how homosexuality may have evolved, as well as one interview where Marcus talks about potty training cows!

Then, Zazi reflects back on Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. In September of this year, Zazi spoke with Dr. Daniel Hikuroa, a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland, about his journey with Te Reo Māori, and why it is an important language to celebrate.

After that, Zazi highlights some pieces done by Frances Wright, who was a producer on the show during the university semester. She has always had a soft spot for birds, so we go through her two interviews where she talks about Bird of the Year and encouraging Native birds to come into our backyards. 

Christina also brings us a round up of all the best (or worst) Covid news of 2021. 

And finally, Zazi replays her interview with Thomas Nail, a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Denver in the United States, about why walking is good for the brain.