The Wire with Caeden

This month, the government will begin a roll out of roadside drug testing, starting in Wellington. The move is aimed at tackling road safety concerns around the impairment of drivers on substances such as marijuana, methamphetamine, Cocaine, and MDMA, among others.

While this aim is noble, concerns have been raised over the effectiveness of these tests at controlling impairment – compared to alcohol, Marijuana remains detectable in the system for far longer, raising concerns for those using medical marijuana, and potentially those using New Zealand's most common illicit drug.

Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to a Research Fellow at the department of primary healthcare and rural health at the Dunedin School of Medicine, Dr Geoffrey Noller, about this testing, and what problems around impairment and drug usage remain.

New research shows the potential of gene therapy to rescue heart function in a type of heart failure that people with diabetes are more likely to experience. 

The type of heat failure that diabetes increases the risk of is currently difficult to treat, but the latest research offers new hope. 

Wire Host Caeden spoke to University of Auckland Associate Professor Dr Kim Mellor about her work on this research and what the next steps are for it to turn into a viable treatment. 

Bay of Plenty Reggae festival One Love have announced their 2026 cancellation earlier this week, citing the ongoing cost of living crisis and unforeseen behind-the-scenes developments as the reason why. Speculation around the cancellation continues to tie the festival's legacy to its previous promoter and founder, Pato Alvarez, following his sex offending conviction in 2023.

Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to musician and sound engineer Lora Thomson, about what the cancellation of the festival indicates for Aotearoa’s live music scene, and the accessibility of venues and touring circuits for musicians in Aotearoa.

Last week, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced plans to add feral cats to the government’s list of pests to be eradicated by 2050. The decision follows a campaign promise from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made in a debate in 2023. 

Feral cats pose numerous wildlife risks when compared to other predators such as rats or stoats. In addition, their larger size makes trapping more difficult, meaning new techniques will need to be developed. To discuss the change, why it’s important, and how it fits in with the larger predator free 2050 mission, producer Castor spoke to Professor of Conservation Biology at the University of Auckland, James Russell.