The Wire with Caeden

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science this week, we chatted with our expert Professor Allan Blackman about genetic fingerprinting, mobile phones not being linked to brain cancer, and how eating habits can make you live longer. 

In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor spoke to MP Katie Nimon about the government’s newly announced transport plan and last week’s grocery commission. 

They also spoke to Professor of Māori Studies Margaret Mutu of Ngāti Kahu, Te Rarawa, and Ngāti Whātua, about Cabinet’s reviewing the first draft of ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill. 

On the Green Desk, Jack Marshall talked to Dung Beetle Innovations’ Dr Shaun Forgie about dung beetles and New Zealand's issues with manure.

And producer Josef spoke to Professor of Health Economics, Paula Lorgelly, about the economic impacts of Long COVID.

Dementia is expected to double in the next 20 years in Aotearoa, but for Pasifika and Māori, it’s expected to triple. 

New research shows the risk of developing dementia is 60% higher for people living in the most deprived areas of NZ compared to those in the least deprived areas.

Because of the disproportionate representation of Māori and Pasifika in lower socio-economic groups, the risk of those developing dementia also sits at a disproportionately high level. 

Senior lecturer in the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland, Etuini Ma’u led the public health expert briefing that took a deep dive into the research. 

Producer Evie spoke to Ma’u about the factors of poverty that lead to this increased dementia risk, and how these can be combated on both an individual and wider structural level.

Last Thursday, following a six day tangihanga to honour the passing of Kīngi Tūheitia, a new Māori monarch was selected.

That monarch is his youngest child and only daughter, Kuini Nga wai pono i te po. Kuini Nga wai is 27 years old making her the second-youngest Māori monarch to be appointed, and only the second female monarch of the Kiingitanga. 

Kuini Nga wai’s ascension to the throne signals a new era and forward movement for the Kiingitanga. 

Producer Evie spoke to University of Auckland kaiārahi, Waikato descendant, and whānau of the Kiingitanga, Tui Kaumoana-Steedman about how Kuini Nga wai was selected for the role. 

They also discussed how she may take the Kiingitanga in a new direction, what issues she’ll be aiming to highlight, and how her rule may have an effect on Aotearoa as a whole.

Earlier this week, the government announced it would raise the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy from $35 to $100, starting October 1st. 

The policy has been met with criticism, with the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment among others saying the implementation of this increase to $100 could be a deterrent for visitors. 

Producer Sofia spoke to Associate Professor at the University of Otago Department of Tourism, Julia Albrecht, about this announcement and how it might impact tourism in Aotearoa New Zealand.

She started the interview asking her what the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy is.