The Wire with Jessica

For our regular catch-up with the Labour Party, Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader, Carmel Sepuloni, about the 2023 Pacific Islands Forum. 

News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Epidemiologist, Professor Michael Baker, about his concerns that Aotearoa is entering a ‘fifth wave’ of Covid-19. 

Producer Beth spoke to Counsellor for Waitakere, Shane Henderson, about the Council’s consultation on government direction and improvement to Tāmaki Makaurau’s freshwater and community involvement in freshwater management

She spoke to Professor of Law at the University of Auckland Claire Charters about the relationship between co-governance, te Tiriti o Waitangi and human rights in Aotearoa New Zealand, and how our co-governance arrangement could better reflect te Tiriti and the rights of indigenous peoples

She also spoke to Volunteer at the Better NZ Trust Rob Birnie about national support for the Clean Car Discount and the National Party’s plan to scrap the policy

Producer Castor spoke to Professor of Environment at the University of Auckland, Giovanni Coco, about the removal of mangroves across Aotearoa and its negative consequences for the environment.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders. The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand has released a patient handbook, which includes information about patient conditions, and recommendations for COPD treatments and managements. 

Olivia spoke to Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ’s Education and Development Manager, Joanna Turner, about what COPD is, and steps people can take to prevent and mitigate it.

Antony Lowenstein is a Jewish-Australian Journalist and Author who has reported on Palestine for many years and at the beginning of this year published a book titled the Palestine Laboratory. 

The book looked at how Israel has been, for many years, testing military and surveillance equipment on Palestinians. 

Rawan spoke to him months ago about the book and today they discussed the current Israel and Palestine conflict.

Rawan started off by asking him about his time living in occupied Palestine from 2016 to 2020 and what Palestine was like before October 7th. 

They then discussed the content of his book and the way it links to the United States’ support of Israel. 

They then talked about Western mainstream media coverage of the issue as well as his view on pro-Palestine marches as someone who is part of the jewish community.

Host Rawan spoke to Green Party MP, Ricardo Menendez March, about election results, Waiheke ferry services, and their attendance at pro Palestine marches.

She also spoke with author and journalist, Antony Loewenstein, about Palestine before the current war and Israel’s connections with the west.

And she chatted to Senior Lecturer in Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland, Dr Anna Serlachius, about discrimination against diabetes patients.

Producer Olivia spoke to ActionStation’s climate spokesperson, Pania Rei (Ngāti Toa Rangatira), about climate justice and the importance of including indigenous perspectives. 

She also spoke to Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ Education and Development Manager, Joanna Turner, about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).