New Zealand, Australia and many countries are experiencing a further Omicron wave driven by the latest BA.4/BA.5 subvariants. Our response to this threat is remarkably laissez-faire compared with past approaches, as society has pivoted more to “living with the virus”. But in both New Zealand and Australia, there’s a real risk current policy settings will be insufficient to prevent health services being overwhelmed – and more will need to be done in coming weeks.
Joe spoke to Professor Michael Baker from the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington, on the matter.
Joe speaks to Dr Nic Rawlence from the Palaeogenetics Lab at the University of Otago about extinct marine reptiles which once roamed Aotearoa's waters.
Today saw Casper host his final Friday Wire before the Second Semester Schedule Shakeup™ sees him take over the Tuesday Wire and Liam take on hosting duties from next Friday onwards! On todays show.
Casper had a chat with All Aboard Aotearoa about the recent High Court ruling on their case with Auckland Transport alongside City Counsellor Pippa Coom.
Liam had a chat with Michael Plank from the University of Canterbury about recent government changes making masks and RAT tests free.
They also spoke with Anita Rosentreter about First Unions court case against Uber.
Casper also had a chat with someone from the Real Estate Institute about housing market data and what all of the numbers mean.
And finally Liam chatted to Christchurch City Councillor James McLellan about Te Kaha, the city's new stadium, being given the go ahead.
The High Court has ruled in favour of Auckland Transport in a case brought against the council managed organisation by All Aboard Aotearoa.
The case was over Auckland Transport’s Regional Land Transport Plan or RLTP which would lead to a 6% increase in transport emissions in Auckland.
Casper spoke to Zoe Brentnall from All Aboard Aotearoa about the case and what the RLTP says about the council's commitment to combatting climate change.
The government has recently announced that they’re moving the make masks and RAT tests free to encourage people protecting themselves against the winter Covid wave.
Although we will not remain at Red, the country is likely to reach another peak of twenty one thousand towards the end of the month.
The masks and tests will be accessible fromm collection spots and incredibly important to getting us through winter according to Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield.
To learn more, Liam had a chat with Michael Plank, a professor at the University of Canterbury specialising in applying mathematics to health.
The latest Market Report released by the Retail Institute of New Zealand shows a slow in price growth as well as a decrease in the volume of house sales.
A move by the Reserve Bank this week to raise the official cash rate to 2.5 percent may lead to further impact on the real estate market.
To get a sense of what this data means, especially in terms of future housing affordability, Casper spoke to Jen Baird from the Retail Institute.
First Union and E tū have launched a court case against Technology and transport giant Uber.
The groups believe the company has been refusing to take responsibility for their workers and aren't treating them as employees.
Uber has been under mass criticism across the world lately, as a trove of leaked files have shown how the companies leaders were making unethical decisions consciously.
After weeks of tension, the Ōtautahii City Council has voted to begin construction on Te Kaha, a brand new stadium for the city.
The cost of 683 million dollars for construction has been a major point of contention, but the effects of civic pride and support for the city's events industry could make it worth it. .
Liam had a chat with Jake McLelland, the Christchurch Central West councillor about the stadium located in his ward.
Aneeka is covering for Emilia this week! On the Thursday Wire this week:
Tuva’a speaks to Labour Party’s Andrew Little about the five eyes countries linked to the attempted purchase of Pegasus spyware.
Emilia speaks to Claire Breen from the University of Waikato Law School about the concerns surrounding the Oranga Tamariki Oversight Bill.
She also speaks to Professor Richard Easther from the Department of Physics at Auckland Uni about the James Webb Space Telescope after the first images were released from it yesterday
And on Green Desk this week, Frances talks to Robyn Haygh, CEO of Trees That Count about their native tree planting initiative.
Earlier this week, Nasa unveiled a series of images taken from the James Webb Space Telescope. Launched on Christmas Day last year, the telescope is the largest optical telescope in space, and its greatly improved infrared resolution and sensitivity allows it to view objects too old, distant, or faint for the Hubble Space Telescope.
To get the reaction of astronomers and scientists to these images, Emilia spoke to Professor Richard Easther from the Department of Physics at the University of Auckland