The Wire with Caeden

The Level Four Lockdown has had a huge impact on Auckland's central city businesses - they have lost an estimated 45 million dollars in consumer revenue alone, according to business association Heart of the City. Conor speaks to the association's chief executive Viv Beck on what can the government do to support businesses during this time.

This week on the Wednesday Wire, Zazi Hewlett and Frances Wright continue to produce remotely from home as Auckland remains in Level 4 Lockdown, with Jemima hosting the show and bringing us the news. 

The show starts off with Frances having her regular segment Dear Science with Allan Blackman. This week Frances and Allan celebrate the life of Ernest Rutherford the week after what would have been his 150th birthday; discuss why Pluto is no longer considered a planet; and talk about the discovery of the world’s northernmost island.

Frances then speaks with both Deputy Controller for Auckland Emergency Management, Rachel Kelleher, and NIWA Meteorologist, Ben Noll, about the flooding in West Auckland.

Zazi talks to the Professor of Philosophy at the University of Denver in the United States, Thomas Nail, about the benefits walking has on the brain, and whether walking while learning could actually help students.   

Finally Zazi has her regular catch-up with ACT's Brooke van Velden, this week talking about ACT refusing to have Parliament sit virtually and Butchers being closed during lockdown. 

Earlier this week Thomas Nail, a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Denver in the United States, wrote an article titled: Why is walking so good for the brain? Blame it on the "spontaneous fluctuations".  

This article spoke about walking: how it affects our brains, and whether it could actually help students in school - to remember better, to think more creatively and help build more positive relationships between both students and teachers.

Given that New Zealand has gone back into lockdown we, as a result, are going on a lot more walks. Zazi wanted to speak to Thomas about this research to see if walking should continue to remain part of our daily lives, past the lockdown climate, as well as be incorporated into our education systems. 

Zazi began by asking Thomas what the connection is between walking and thinking.

On Dear Science this week Frances Wright talked with AUT Professor Allan Blackman, celebrating the life of Ernest Rutherford the week after what would have been his 150th birthday, discussing why Pluto is no longer considered a planet and the unlikely discovery of the world’s northernmost island.