The Wire with Alex

National Science Challenges were established in 2014 with the aim to tackle New Zealand’s biggest science-based issues and opportunities. 

They are funded through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. 

The challenges have invested over $680 million dollars of funding over ten years, however, they are due to expire at the end of June this year. 

Producer Sofia Roger Williams spoke to Co-President of the New Zealand Association of Scientists and honorary professor at the University of Auckland School of Environment, Professor Troy Baisden, about the impending expiry, the significance of this loss, and the future of science research funding in Aotearoa. 

Earlier this month, the women’s Super Rugby Aupiki team Hurricanes Poua kicked off their season with a new haka calling out the coalition government, raising concerns about its policies on te reo Māori, and acknowledging He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 

Additionally, last week a school in Palmerston North, Freyberg High School, performed a protest haka to visiting ACT Leader David Seymour over his parties’ policies on Te Tiriti, education, and workforce issues. 

Producer Sofia Roger Williams spoke to haka expert and University of Auckland Professional Teaching Fellow of Māori Studies in contemporary and traditional Māori performing arts and language, Paora Sharples, about the use of haka as political expression, how it’s been received, and movements led by rangatahi. 

For Dear Science this week, Professor Alan Blackman chatted to us about daylight savings, handwriting for students, and a strange development for ladybugs. 

Wire host Castor spoke to CEO of SAFE, Debra Ashton, about the organisation and their recent petition against the potential repeal of the Live Export ban. 

Castor also spoke to Dr Rob Beaglehole, a spokesperson for the New Zealand Dental Association about sugary drinks in schools going into world oral health day.

Producer Sofia spoke to haka expert and University of Auckland Professional Teaching Fellow of Māori Studies, Paora Sharples, about political expression through haka. 

Sofia also spoke to Co-President of the New Zealand Association of Scientists, Professor Troy Baisden, about the impending expiry of National Science Challenges and the future of science research funding. 

For their regular catch-up, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, speaks to ACT’s Simon Court about rates increases facing home-owners across the country and investment in public transport infrastructure.

She also speaks to Jewish New Zealander and Co-Founder of Dayenu: New Zealand Jews Against Occupation, Justine Sachs, about Winston Peters comments comparing co-governance in Aotearoa to Nazi Germany. 

And she speaks to The Future is Rail Spokesperson, Suraya Sidhu Singh, about their opposition to the government’s plans for transport.