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Canadian-born billionaire James Grenon and NZME w/ E Tū Union's Michael Wood: 10 March, 2025

Canadian-born billionaire James Grenon and NZME w/ E Tū Union's Michael Wood: 10 March, 2025 Canadian-born billionaire James Grenon and NZME w/ E Tū Union's Michael Wood: 10 March, 2025, 11.6 MB
Mon 10 Mar 2025

Canadian-born billionaire James Grenon, after recently purchasing a 9.3% share of NZME; the media company that owns The Herald, as well as roughly half the country's radio stations, including Newstalk ZB, has announced plans to clear the NZME board and add himself, alongside three other directors, only keeping one of the original board members in their position.

This has resulted in concerns about whether Grenon will add his own political stances into media coverage of NZME platforms, especially in light of his involvement with the alternative media site, The Centrist, that has previously criticised the news coverage of The Herald.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the Director of E Tū Union; a union representing many journalists at NZME, Michael Wood, about his concerns with this move, and whether he believes there is an ulterior motive regarding these developments.

Firstly, they started off by asking him about what we know about James Grenon.

Local Government Calls for Four Year Terms w/ Chair of the LGNZ Electoral Reform Working Group Nick Smith: 9 March, 2025

Local Government Calls for Four Year Terms w/ Chair of the LGNZ Electoral Reform Working Group Nick Smith: 9 March, 2025 Local Government Calls for Four Year Terms w/ Chair of the LGNZ Electoral Reform Working Group Nick Smith: 9 March, 2025 , 8.09 MB
Mon 10 Mar 2025

The government has announced that it will introduce legislation for a four year parliamentary term - subject to referendum. 

Most parties are largely in favour of a four year term - feeling that it gives more opportunity to develop policy and make changes. 

However, exempt from this bill is Local Government, which also currently operates on a three year term. 

Local Government New Zealand are now also calling for a four year term, saying the legislation provides a strong opportunity for central and local government to become aligned. 

On Friday, Producer Evie spoke to Chair of Local Government NZ’s electoral reform working group, Nick Smith about why they are continuing to call for these changes.

Changes to the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme w/ Bowel Cancer NZ Chief Executive Peter Huskinson: 9 March, 2025

Changes to the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme w/ Bowel Cancer NZ Chief Executive Peter Huskinson: 9 March, 2025 Changes to the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme w/ Bowel Cancer NZ Chief Executive Peter Huskinson: 9 March, 2025 , 7.69 MB
Mon 10 Mar 2025

Bowel Cancer NZ has called the changes to screening ‘a step backwards for health equity.’ 

Māori face 50% and Pacific peoples 63% higher death rates from the disease once diagnosed. Māori, in particular, are diagnosed with bowel cancer an average of 10 years earlier than the general population.The organisation says a standard screening age does not adequately address the increased risk that Māori and Pasifika communities face.

Just one week earlier Bowel Cancer New Zealand presented proposals to the Health Minister -  detailing how parity with Australia – which screens from age 45 – could be fully achieved. 

The proposals also outlined how to ensure equitable screening access for Māori and Pacific communities, who face bowel cancer risk a decade earlier.

On Friday, Producer Evie spoke to Bowel Cancer NZ Chief Executive Peter Huskinson about the changes to screening and what impacts it will have on patients.

The Wire w/ Joel: 10 March, 2025

The Wire w/ Joel: 10 March, 2025 The Wire w/ Joel: 10 March, 2025, 114.85 MB
Mon 10 Mar 2025

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catch up with Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp, News and Editorial Director, and Monday Wire Host Joel, spoke to her about the coalition government’s free school lunch programme, and the recent comments from Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, regarding this, the first reading of The Land Transport Management (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill, and changes made to free bowel cancer screening.

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, Joel spoke to him about the changes to free bowel cancer screening, NCEA testing, and the Labour Party’s portfolio reshuffle.

Producer Evie spoke to the Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer NZ, Peter Huskinson, on the changes to free bowel cancer screening, and his organisation’s opinion that this move will be “a step backwards for health equity,” for Māori and Pacific people.

Joel spoke to the Director at E Tū Union, Michael Wood, about Canadian-born billionaire James Grenon purchasing 9.3% shares at NZME, which owns media outlets such as The Herald and Newstalk ZB, and the union’s concerns regarding this move.

Evie spoke to the Chair of Local Government New Zealand’s electoral reform working group, Nick Smith, on calls to make local governments four-year terms, in light of government introducing a four year parliamentary term.

And Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins us in studio to discuss major life changes for young people in Aotearoa.

Whakarongo mai! 

The Wire w/ Caeden: 6 March, 2025

The Wire w/ Caeden: 6 March, 2025 The Wire w/ Caeden: 6 March, 2025, 113.38 MB
Thu 6 Mar 2025

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour party Wire Host Caeden speaks to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about recent issues with the school lunch programme and the introduction of legislation that would change parliamentary terms to 4 years. 

For International Desk, they speak to Professor Richard Jackson from the University of Otago about the instability of United States foreign policy.

And they speak to Nicole Wallace from the Tertiary Education Union and Sean Sturm (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa), Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, about today’s strike.

For City Counselling, News and Editorial Director, Joel, speaks to Councillor Shane Henderson about Auckland Council recommitting $15 million in funding to restore the historic St James Theatre, and plans to convert over half of Takapuna Golf Course into wetlands.

They also speak to Retired Associate Professor in International Relations at the University of Auckland, Stephen Hoadley, about Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Velenskyy and US President, Donald Trump’s spat at the Oval Office, and Zelenskyy pursuing a mineral trade between the two nations.

The issue-ridden school lunch programme and 4 year parliamentary terms w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 6 March, 2025

The issue-ridden school lunch programme and 4 year parliamentary terms w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 6 March, 2025 The issue-ridden school lunch programme and 4 year parliamentary terms w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 6 March, 2025, 7.35 MB
Thu 6 Mar 2025

Earlier this week, an investigation was launched into the school lunch programme after baked-in plastic was found in several lunches. 

However, principals say the programme has already had various issues since Associate Education Minister David Seymour switched providers as a cost-saving measure last year.

And the coalition government is set to introduce legislation that would give the option of 4 year parliamentary terms.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy LeaderCarmel Sepuloni about both of these topics.

International Desk: The instability of United States foreign policy and what this means for global security w/ University of Otago’s Professor Richard Jackson: 6 March, 2025

International Desk: The instability of United States foreign policy and what this means for global security w/ University of Otago’s Professor Richard Jackson: 6 March, 2025 International Desk: The instability of United States foreign policy and what this means for global security w/ University of Otago’s Professor Richard Jackson: 6 March, 2025, 14.41 MB
Thu 6 Mar 2025

The United States has frequently been in the news cycle recently for the Trump administration’s unstable foreign policy decisions.

This includes their decisions to cut 90% of USAID foreign contracts and to pause military aid to Ukraine following a fiery meeting between the leaders of both countries.

University of Otago’s Professor Richard Jackson describes President Trump’s behaviours as a threat to global order and security.

For International Desk this week, Wire Host Caeden spoke to him about the instability of United States foreign policy and the global ramifications of this.

“A refusal to value staff”: Why University of Auckland staff are striking w/ Tertiary Education Union’s Nicole Wallace and University of Auckland’s Sean Sturm: 6 March, 2025

“A refusal to value staff”: Why University of Auckland staff are striking w/ Tertiary Education Union’s Nicole Wallace and University of Auckland’s Sean Sturm: 6 March, 2025 “A refusal to value staff”: Why University of Auckland staff are striking w/ Tertiary Education Union’s Nicole Wallace and University of Auckland’s Sean Sturm: 6 March, 2025, 15.8 MB
Thu 6 Mar 2025

Up to 1,600 University of Auckland Tertiary Education Union Members are striking today for four hours.

The Union says staff are frustrated at their “employer’s refusal to value staff.”

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Tertiary Education Union Organiser Nicole Wallace about today’s strike.

They also spoke to University of Auckland Associate Professor in Arts and Education Sean Sturm (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa) for their view on today’s strike.

Future of US Military Aid to Ukraine w/ The University of Auckland's Stephen Hoadley: 6 March, 2025

Future of US Military Aid to Ukraine w/ The University of Auckland's Stephen Hoadley: 6 March, 2025 Future of US Military Aid to Ukraine w/ The University of Auckland's Stephen Hoadley: 6 March, 2025, 11.39 MB
Thu 6 Mar 2025

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following his clash with US President, Donald Trump, has once initiated discussions to move forward a minerals deal with his US counterpart.

During the original discussions, Trump, alongside US Vice President, JD Vance, berated Zelenskyy, which resulted in the Ukrainian President walking out of the Oval Office without signing a minerals deal between the two nations, which the White House says is a precursor to peace talks.

This all comes as the US has abruptly halted US military aid to Ukraine.

News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to the honorary academic and retired Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations at the University of Auckland, Stephen Hoadley, about this clash, and his opinion that Trump will do a u-turn and start providing military aid to Ukraine, despite the US aligning closer to Russia.

They started off by asking how important this minerals deal is regarding the relationship between the US and Ukraine.

Urban Fire planning and Global Warming w/ Massey University's Bruce Glavovic: 5 March, 2025

Urban Fire planning and Global Warming w/ Massey University's Bruce Glavovic: 5 March, 2025 Urban Fire planning and Global Warming w/ Massey University's Bruce Glavovic: 5 March, 2025, 21.79 MB
Wed 5 Mar 2025

As global temperatures continue to rise through unprecedented global warming, the risk of urban and wildfires continues to expand. Many countries continue to fight increasing global warming by phasing out the sale of petrol cars. These countries include most in the European Union, and additionally Canada and China are expecting to do so by the 2030’s.

However, with the United States leaving the Paris Agreement following president Trump’s inauguration, the future of mitigating global warming becomes more unlikely. A temperature rise of four degrees is projected should we not take any action to reduce it.

Producer Sasha spoke with Professor Bruce Glavovic from Massey University about these issues in addition to urban fire planning in New Zealand. We talked about how we can avoid urban fire scenarios and the world’s state of global warming.