The Wire with Castor

For their regular catch-up, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March about the scaling down of upgrades to Dunedin hospital, The end of free covid tests and the recent sign off on speed limit changes.

He spoke to Paula Lorgelly from the University of Auckland for an expert opinion on the end of free COVID test provision.

He spoke to Julie Harrison, also from the University of Auckland to discuss a research project she was involved in examining costs for Kaumatua in elderly life care.

And he spoke to Clair Mills from Te Kupenga Hauora Maori to discuss the government’s directive to adjust health services to focus on need instead of ethnicity.

95bFM News and Editorial director, Joel, spoke to Professional Teaching Fellow in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Auckland, Brian Marsh, about rising statistics of violence in schools, and how this relates to the Covid-19 lockdowns.

And they also spoke to Professor of Health Economics at the University of Auckland, Paula Lorgelly, about Associate Health Minister, Casey Costello’s, tax cuts for Heated Tobacco Products.

Last week, the government announced that planned developments to Dunedin’s hospital may exceed the planned budget of $1.88 billion, and reach as much as $3 billion. As such, ministers Chris Bishop and Shane Reti announced that the plans may require reductions or an extended timeframe. 

The announcement was met with mass opposition both on social media and in public, with some 35,000 protestors turning out on the streets of Dunedin on Saturday to march against the change.

The current government has been controversial for a range of its other policy decisions as well, particularly for how these policies shape up to campaign promises and expectations. 

While under delivery on campaign promises is not uncommon in politics, it can hurt a party when it comes to re-election, especially when it comes to regions like Dunedin which may see less directed policies than major centres like Auckland. 

Wire host Castor spoke to PhD candidate and researcher at the University of Otago, Michael Swanson, about the politics of this government and how the Dunedin hospital development plays into things moving into the next election.

Recently, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters, addressed the UN General Assembly, regarding the New Zealand government’s stance on world affairs.

Peters’ discussed a variety of different topics, such as calling for a veto reform, and announcing New Zealand’s plans to petition for a seat on the UN Security Council for the 2039-2040 term. 

News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to the spokesperson for Peace Action Wellington, Valerie Morse, about Winston Peters at the UNGA, specifically regarding whether or not Peace Action Aotearoa believes the Foreign Minister adequately addressed Israel’s war on Gaza and attacks on Lebanon, following the country previously agreeing on a UNGA resolution, calling for Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories within 12 months.

Last week job cuts were confirmed at Whakaata Māori as part of ongoing  budget cuts to the organisation. 

The national indigenous broadcaster is set to lose $10.3 million provided in the previous government’s budget. 

The cuts have resulted in the probable axing of the broadcaster's TV bulletin, with a plan to move to online content by March of next year. 

In parliament Former Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson pleaded with the government to invest in Whakaata Māori, calling the move yet another attack on Te Reo. 

The cuts come off the back of a tumultuous time for Aotearoa’s media space, following the closure of Newshub and major cuts at TVNZ. 

Producer Evie spoke to the University of Auckland’s Gavin Ellis about the cuts at Whakaata Māori, the effect they’ll have on te ao Māori media, public access to news and the direction our media sector is moving in.