The Wire with Caeden

International Desk reports on the aftermath of unrest in the Solomon Islands, as New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea deployed peacekeepers.

Justin spoke to Griffith University's Dr Tess Newton Cain about the situation.

Justin spoke to Health Minister Andrew Little about the traffic light system and the government's plan for the Omicron variant.

This week on the Wednesday Wire, the show kicks off with Zazi speaking to the Executive Director of the New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society, Tara Jackson, discussing their recent investigation on the University of Otago’s treatment towards animals that are experimented on. 

Then, Jemima speaks to University of Auckland political commentator, Jennifer Lees Marshment, about Christopher Luxon taking over as the new National Party Leader.

After that, Zazi has her regular talk with ACT's Brooke van Velden, where they talk about Christopher Luxon being announced as the new National Party Leader and the new Omicron coronavirus variant.

Then, Christina talks to the CEO of Surf Lifesaving New Zealand, Paul Dalton, about the organisation’s recent surf safety report and how we can keep ourselves safe this summer.

And finally, Christina has her regular segment Dear Science with AUT Marcus Jones. They talk about the new variant of Covid-19 spreading across the globe; chat about a record number of people using the Hubble telescope; and discuss the unfortunate side effect of anti-flood barriers in Venice.  

Yesterday, it was announced that Christopher Luxon, MP for Botany, is the new Leader of the National Party and Nicola Willis, List MP, is the Deputy Leader. This latest leadership vote came after Judith Collins was ousted from her position last week by a vote of no confidence from the National Party caucus. 

For 95bFM listeners, Luxon taking the top position may have been a little surprising. On November 12 2021, as part of our weekly interview with the National Party on the Friday Wire, Luxon was asked whether he wanted to be the National Party leader in the future. Luxon answered, laughing, "No. I'm very focused on doing what I'm doing... I'm one of those people that do it day by day, job by job, and that's what I'm trying to do". A mere 17 days later, Luxon is elected the new leader of the Party. 

National has been looking for a refreshed leadership team for some time now. Will Luxon's very short term in parliament and CEO background, alongside Willis' long-term history with National and more liberal point of view be what the Party needs to revitalise their policies and bring voters back? 

News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston interviews Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations at the University of Auckland Jennifer Lees Marshment about the new National Party leadership team. Jennifer explains who Luxon is and what her thoughts are on the “liberal” pairing of Luxon and Willis.