The Wire with Caeden

New research published in the New Zealand veterinary journal has found that tuatara may be at risk from rat poison. The case has raised questions about pesticide and rodenticide use in Aotearoa, and weighing the risks to native wildlife against the benefits of pest eradication. 

To discuss the poisoning and its wider ramifications for conservation in Aotearoa, Wire host Castor spoke to the University of Auckland’s Professor James Russell.

A recent study from the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ has shown the links between vaping, and an incurable lung disease.

Producer Faith spoke to the foundation’s chief executive Letitia Harding about these findings, and how she thinks the government should address the issue.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon recently met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in London. Starmer thanked Aotearoa for its “support” for its “coalition of the willing” regarding safeguarding the potential peace deal being put forward by the Trump Administration.

However, concerns have been raised about what the administration is proposing, which could result in original Ukraine land annexed by Russia, such as Crimea in 2014, belonging to Moscow, and ruling out NATO membership for Ukraine.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Host, Joel, spoke to Robert Patman, a Professor of International Relations at the University of Otago, about his article on the Conversation, discussing his concerns regarding this and how New Zealand should move forward in reiterating support for Ukraine.

*This caption has been edited to add "safeguarding" regarding Luxon and Starmer's meeting in London while discussing Ukraine and Russia.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni about the government removing voting rights from prisoners and the strikes happening across Aotearoa for May Day today.

For International Desk, they spoke to Aleksi Toiviainen, co-organiser for Vote16 Canada and a democracy advocate, about the recent Canadian election result.  

And they spoke to University of Auckland Associate Professor Brendon Dunphy about the threats facing seabirds in Aotearoa and the recent Oceania Seabirds Symposium.

For City Counselling, Producer Sara spoke with Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson about the Waitākere Ranges management plan

She also spoke with Professor of Health Economics Paula Lorgelly about the latest review of Pharmac.