The Wire with Caeden

Today, the Anti-Vivisection Society put out a press release talking about the transparency around the University of Otago’s animal experimentation. The Anti-Vivisection Society has been investigating the University of Otago to expose them for their cruel and unethical experiments that have been conducted on animals. 

Zazi spoke to the Executive Director of the New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society, Tara Jackson. They spoke about the investigation in more detail, what proof NZAVS has on unethical experiments being conducted at the University of Otago and how this investigation could help change the way scientists and researchers treat animals.

Zazi then reads a written statement sent to her from the University of Otago media and communications team, which responds to the allegations the NZAVS are making.

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.

Last week, a vote no confidence was made against Judith Collins as leader of the National Party and she was ousted from the position. Collins' Deputy Dr Shane Reti swiftly took over as interim leader and announced that a new leadership team would be voted on next week. 

The sudden party fall out came after a late night statement from Collins that Simon Bridges, MP for Tauranga and previous party leader, had been demoted due to an allegation of serious misconduct by a colleague. This allegation was clarified by Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean who said Bridges had made inappropriate comments five years ago that upset her and Bridges had apologised for this at the time and again on that day. 

Today, Tuesday 30 November, is the day that the National Party is expected to vote on their new leadership team. Reports are suggesting that the competition for the top position is really between Bridges and Christopher Luxon, MP for Botany and ex-CEO for Air New Zealand with a mere two years of political experience.

News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to political commentator David Slack about the National Party fall out last week, the vote expected later today, some of the core candidates, and why Dr Shane Reti is never considered to be in the running for the leadership role. 

UPDATE: Christopher Luxon has been named as the new leader of the National Party, following Simon Bridges withdrawing his ticket. 

This week on the Wire, Emily Bell speaks with University of Canterbury Epidemiology Professor Arindam Basu about the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron. 

Jemima Huston talks to political commentator David Slack about the National Party leadership vote expected later this afternoon. 

Emily discusses the Afghanistan humanitarian crisis and the call for the New Zealand aid with the World Christian Service Director Murray Ovetron.

Jemima interviews Maria Bellringer from the Gambling and Addictions Research Centre at AUT about gambling habits in lockdown, online gambling in New Zealand and gambling regulation. 

Finally, Jemima speaks to Peter Dickens, Chief Executive of the Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ, about Giving Tuesday and supporting the Foundation.