The Wire with Sara

Only 32.6% of eligible voters voted in local elections, the worst turnout in 36 years. 

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the ceasefire in Gaza.

And politicians across the house have criticised Te Pāti Māori for the confusing infighting between members that has played out over the past few days.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shanan Halbert about all of these issues.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is celebrating a landmark moment for women’s health today as the Government officially extends breast screening nationwide to women aged up to 74.

After campaigning for eight years to increase the screening age limit from 69 to 74, the Foundation’s Chair, Justine Smyth, says the national roll-out marks a significant victory for early detection.

“A woman’s risk of breast cancer is actually higher at 70 than it is at 50, which is why we campaigned so hard to get the age limit raised,” Justine says.

“Thanks to the extension, more women will have the chance to detect breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable. And early detection means less invasive treatment, faster recovery, and most importantly – more lives saved.”

Thursday Wire Producer Sanat spoke to Justine about the changes, what they mean for families and communities across the country, their advocacy journey and the next steps for Breast Cancer awareness. 

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke with Shanan Halbert about the local elections turn-out, the ceasefire in Gaza, and the infighting in Te Pāti Māori.

On City Counselling this week, Producer Sanat spoke to freshly elected councilor Shane Henderson about his campaign and what he’s most looking forward to over the next three years. 

He also spoke to Justine Smythe, chair of the Breast Cancer Foundation about the extension of free mammogram screenings to women up to 74 year olds. 

Lastly, he had a conversation with Te Punaha Matatini’s Co-Director Markus Luczak-Roesch about the Science System Advisory Group’s latest report and changes to New Zealand’s science research funding regime.

And Producer Jasmine spoke with Meg de Ronde, CEO of Te Kāhui Tika Tangata (Human Rights Commission), on the mahi and obligations of Aotearoa as signatories to the UN Subcommitee on the Prevention of Torture, in light of their visit earlier this month.

This week on the Wednesday Wire:

For our weekly catchup with the Green Party News and Editorial Director Joel spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez-March about the government’s downgrade of methane targets, the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, and the country’s oceans warming 34% faster than the global average.

For this weeks Get Action Producer Manny speaks to The chair of the Public Issues for the Association of Psycho therapists, Rick Williment, on the open letter from Mental Health Professionals calling on the New Zealand Government to act on Palestine

Joel spoke to Ritesh Shah, a Senior Lecturer in Critical Studies and Education and the Co-Director of the Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies at the University of Auckland, about the most recent ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel and whether it will stick.

Manny spoke to the Chief Executive of Retail New Zealand Carolyn Young about the government's plans to ban stores passing on the contactless pay wave fee

Tuesday Wire Host Sara also attended the Auckland Central World Homeless Day event on Friday, and spoke with Lifewise director Pam Elgar.

Whakarongo mai!