The Wire with Castor

On the Monday Wire, Jessica Hopkins talked to Green Party Co-leader James Shaw about the farmers protest against the Ute Tax and recent environmental regulations, and 35 years of homosexual law reform in New Zealand. 

Jessica also be spoke to Associate Professor Susan Fountaine about the gender gap in news.

Producer Louis Macalister brings you an interview with the Police Association's President, Chris Cahill on Police demands for better protection for officers.

Louis was joined by Samoa Observer journalist James Robertson to discuss the recent developments Post-election in Samoa.

Lastly, Louis had one more piece, talking to Dr Lisa Reynolds from the University of Auckland about LSD microdosing for cancer patients. 

The New Zealand Police Association have called for better protections for officers, including faster access to firearms and working in pairs. This has come after violence, in particular from firearms, towards officers has increased in recent years. 

Louis spoke the President of the Police Association Chris Cahill about the demands and why police deem these necessary. 

Recent protests in Pūtiki Bay have escalated in recent weeks, with conflict between security guards and protesters, and an increasing police presence. Protestors argue a marina being built in the area will harm the environment, and have criticised the developers for insufficient consultation.

Noah Ferguson-Dudding spoke to Director of Kennedy Point Marina, Kitt Littlejohn, about the protesters' beliefs and actions. Noah also spoke to Lissy Fehnker-Heather from Forest & Bird, and Emily Weiss from Protect Pūtiki, to understand the environmental and cultural concerns around the construction.

A recent paper from the University of Otago proposes changing New Zealand's five-tiered Covid-19 alert system to seven tiers. Noah Ferguson-Dudding spoke to a contributor to the paper, Professor Michael Baker, about why a change is necessary.