The Wire with Castor

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about Labour’s caucus reshuffle and the Taxpayers Union-Curia poll.

For International Desk, they spoke to University of Waikato Senior Lecturer Garritt Van Dyk and Yale Daily News’ Andre Fa’aoso about the emerging protest movements against the Trump administration in the United States.

For City Counselling, Producer Sara spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about the rise in homelessness in Tamaki, as well as Auckland Council’s recent announcement of an AI digital assistant for customer service support.

For their weekly catch up with the Green Party, Oto spoke to Ricardo Menendez March about Health Minister Simeon Brown’s major overhaul to New Zealand’s public healthcare system, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s favorability falling below Labour Leader Chris Hipkins in the latest Taxpayers’ union Curia poll and The Greens petition calling on the Government to extend visa-free travel to visitors from Pacific Island nations.

He spoke to Dr Sarah Kapeli, A lecturer in the school of psychology at the University of Auckland, about a study she and a team of researchers did on the wellbeing of students from minority communities at the University of Auckland.

And he speak to Dr Kerryn Galokale, a PHD Graduate in Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland, about the prevalence of Sorcery Related Violence in the Solomon Islands.

Today, Sasha spoke with Chris Ogden, Associate Professor in Global Studies at the University of Auckland about the United States potential decision of leaving the United Nations and the implications this may have for global order.

And, to kick off Green Desk for 2025, Producer Leilani speaks to Paul Geraets, New Zealand’s most prolific rammed earth designer and builder, about the benefits and history of these sustainable houses, as well as his related upcoming event for EcoFest 2025 - a month-long celebration of our unique environment and sustainable living across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland!

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman chats to us about an old meteorite crater in Aus, the ozone hole healing, and rat fat consumption linked to memory loss.

In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire Host Castor asked about changes to the health sector and recent targeting of woke legislation. 

They also spoke to Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, Shiloh Groot, about increased homelessness in Aotearoa. 

Producer Amani spoke to the Respiratory Foundation’s Letitia Harding about changes to Aotearoa’s vaping legislation.

There will be changes to Aotearoa's vape laws coming into effect on June 17, which aim to cut down on the high number of tamariki that are vaping.

Changes include a ban on displaying vape products in-store and online, with companies already exploring website redesigns and new customer engagement strategies to bypass the upcoming changes.

Producer Amani spoke to the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation's Chief Executive Letita Harding on how companies are already searching for loopholes and an update on how Aotearoa is tracking in terms of "Smokefree Aotearoa 2025".