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Water Sector Priorities, Natural Hazards Direction and climate resilience w/ National Party MP Ryan Hamilton: 20 January 2026

 Water Sector Priorities, Natural Hazards Direction and climate resilience w/ National Party MP Ryan Hamilton: 20 January 2026 Water Sector Priorities, Natural Hazards Direction and climate resilience w/ National Party MP Ryan Hamilton: 20 January 2026, 26.63 MB
Tue 20 Jan 2026

More than 200 scientists, researchers and water professionals were involved in the development of a Water Research Roadmap, offering the government 20 priorities for development in the water sector.

Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop and Minister for Agriculture Todd McClay reported on their updated National Direction for Natural Hazards across New Zealand last week, as the government seeks public feedback on their resource management plan through the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill.

This all comes as the United Nations shared a bleak report on “the era of global water bankruptcy” in which they say that many water systems are being chronically and unsustainably overused — to the threat of global water security. 

Wire Host Sara spoke to National MP Ryan Hamilton about all of these topics, starting with water sector priorities in Aotearoa.

The Wire w/ Castor: 19th January, 2026

 The Wire w/ Castor: 19th January, 2026 The Wire w/ Castor: 19th January, 2026, 83.07 MB
Mon 19 Jan 2026

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about Labour’s proposed streaming levy and recent IT issues in the Health sector, including the ManageMyHealth data breach and IT outages last week. 

They also spoke to Professor of Law at the University of Auckland, Jane Kelsey, about the World Trade Organisation and its future as the United States becomes more isolationist. 

Thursday Wire Host Caeden spoke to Samira Ghoreishi, womens rights advocate and researcher on social movements and civil society in Iran, on the nuances of the current political situation following a week of mass demonstrations and government crackdowns. 

And Producer Alex spoke to Senior Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Otago, Robert Patman, about Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs on major EU member states over their opposition to the potential of the US Taking control of Greenland, what that says about Trump, and what it means for the EU and NATO.

The changing role of the World Trade Organisation under the new world order w/ Professor of Law at the University of Auckland, Jane Kelsey: 19th January, 2026

 The changing role of the World Trade Organisation under the new world order w/ Professor of Law at the University of Auckland, Jane Kelsey: 19th January, 2026 The changing role of the World Trade Organisation under the new world order w/ Professor of Law at the University of Auckland, Jane Kelsey: 19th January, 2026, 11.23 MB
Mon 19 Jan 2026

The United States is increasingly moving away from global institutions in a pursuit of populist isolationism. In its wake, it leaves multilateral organisations founded on the assumption of US support, which many smaller nations are dependent on for foreign affairs, health support, defence, or trade. 

The World Trade Organisation is facing such pressures now, with a looming threat of US exit following similar policies curbing the organisation’s influence. To discuss what the WTO is, how dependent it is on US support, and what it could mean for a changing global society if the US withdrew, News Director Castor spoke to Professor of Law at the University of Auckland, Jane Kelsey.

President Trump's EU Tariff Threats over Greenland w/ The University of Otago's Robert Patman: 19 January, 26

 President Trump's EU Tariff Threats over Greenland w/ The University of Otago's Robert Patman: 19 January, 26 President Trump's EU Tariff Threats over Greenland w/ The University of Otago's Robert Patman: 19 January, 26, 18.01 MB
Mon 19 Jan 2026

This weekend, Donald Trump announced his plans to levy tariffs against European countries who oppose his plans to press for Greenland. The move, which is an attempt to levy America’s economic position to dissuade what has been fervent european opposition to his desire for the territory, has been met with severe responses from Europe.

With the EU threatening retaliatory tariffs, and the ties between the US and the rest of NATO increasingly fraught, serious concerns and questions are being raised about how the US view Europe, and indeed all their allies, under this Trump Administrations ‘America First’ agenda.

Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke with Senior Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Otago, Professor Robert Patman, about these tariffs, what they say about Trump's intent, and what sort of reaction we may see.

 

X AI’s ‘Grok’ and the Generating of Non-Consensual, Explicit Images w/ University of Canterbury’s Dr Cassandra Mudgway: 15 January, 2026

 X AI’s ‘Grok’ and the Generating of Non-Consensual, Explicit Images w/ University of Canterbury’s Dr Cassandra Mudgway: 15 January, 2026 X AI’s ‘Grok’ and the Generating of Non-Consensual, Explicit Images w/ University of Canterbury’s Dr Cassandra Mudgway: 15 January, 2026, 11.6 MB
Thu 15 Jan 2026

Grok, an artificial intelligence chatbot on X AI, has come under fire for allowing users to edit images of real people to show them in revealing outfits. 

These include potentially pornographic and non-consensual images involving women and children. 

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Dr Cassandra Mudgway, senior lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Canterbury, about this issue and what regulation should look like. 

The Lawsuit Against the US Government to Protect Endangered Dolphins w/ Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders’ Christine Rose: 15 Jan, 2026

 The Lawsuit Against the US Government to Protect Endangered Dolphins w/ Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders’ Christine Rose: 15 Jan, 2026 The Lawsuit Against the US Government to Protect Endangered Dolphins w/ Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders’ Christine Rose: 15 Jan, 2026, 10.57 MB
Thu 15 Jan 2026

Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders, a small New Zealand charity, has launched another court case against the United States government at the Court of International Trade.

The organisation already won a case at the Court last year against the US government’s decision to allow fish imports from set net and trawl fisheries on the west coast of New Zealand.

Maui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders are now challenging the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s latest comparability report based on fish still being caught in both Māui and Hector’s dolphin habitats. 

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Christine Rose, founder and chairperson of the Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders, about the case.

City Counselling w/ Shane Henderson: January 15, 2026

 City Counselling w/ Shane Henderson: January 15, 2026 City Counselling w/ Shane Henderson: January 15, 2026, 10.11 MB
Thu 15 Jan 2026

NZ Fire and Emergency Strike action has continued this month, with the planned strike coinciding with the substantial blaze last Friday at The Pita House in Pakuranga. Volunteer firefighters arrived on the scene in half an hour, with a statement from the emergency service saying employed responders would have otherwise been at the scene in four minutes. 

Tāmaki has also been hosting the ASB Classic, with the final taking place earlier this week, crowning Ukrainian Elina Svitolina as winner. 

I spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about these topics, as well as his focus areas for council mahi in 2026.

Store Closures and Growing Pressures for Retailers w/ Chief Executive of Retail NZ, Carolyn Young: 14th January, 2026

 Store Closures and Growing Pressures for Retailers w/ Chief Executive of Retail NZ, Carolyn Young: 14th January, 2026 Store Closures and Growing Pressures for Retailers w/ Chief Executive of Retail NZ, Carolyn Young: 14th January, 2026, 4.48 MB
Wed 14 Jan 2026

Two large retailers, Yoyoso and EB Games, recently announced their intention to close. The announcements follow the closure of multiple other retailers, as business owners struggle to stay afloat amidst rising costs and declining customer bases. 

To discuss the problem, its causes, and potential solutions, News Director Castor spoke to Chief Executive at Retail NZ, Carolyn Young.

 

Dear Science w/ Dr Cushla McGoverin: 13 January 2026

 Dear Science w/ Dr Cushla McGoverin: 13 January 2026 Dear Science w/ Dr Cushla McGoverin: 13 January 2026, 42.15 MB
Tue 13 Jan 2026

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Dr Cushla McGoverin chats with us about a new technique for diagnosing microbial infections, new research on climate risk perceptions, and a Danish invention that could prevent counterfeiting.

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!

Te Whatu Ora job cuts w/ Professor Andrew Jull

 Te Whatu Ora job cuts w/ Professor Andrew Jull Te Whatu Ora job cuts w/ Professor Andrew Jull, 13.82 MB
Tue 13 Jan 2026

A new analysis by the Public Service Association shows that the government’s funding cuts to Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand have forced the national health body to conduct over 30 restructures over the last two years, resulting in 2,100 job cuts, along with 640 healthcare workers taking voluntary redundancy.

Producer Vihan spoke to the University of Auckland’s Professor of Nursing, Andrew Jull, about what this actually means for nurses and patients alike, and what the wider public could do to support healthcare workers.