The Wire with Sara

Joe speaks to the Chief Executive of Autism New Zealand, Dane Dougan, about a new online tool called Vaximate. Vaximate supports autistic people navigate the vaccination process.

Producer Joe Wickins talked to Otago University's Professor Michael Baker on New Zealand's next steps on the pandemic and preparing for an Omicron outbreak.

He also talked Dane Dougan from Autism New Zealand about Vaximate, an online tool to help autistic people with the vaccinatioin process.

International reports on embattled British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Justin spoke to Red Cross's Vivienne Euini on the situation in Tonga and the organisation's aid campaign.

He also spoke to Professer Jennifer Curtin of the University of Auckland for some political commentary on the week's biggest stories.

Justin spoke to the New Zealand Red Cross' Acting General Manager International Vivienne Euini about the latest situation in Tonga and the service the organisation is helping to provide.

This week on the Wednesday Wire, we start with Dear Science with Allan Blackman who joins us live in the studio for our first show of the year. Today Christina Huang asks Allan about the link between cataracts and dementia, the nutritional value of huhu bugs, and a clue on mars that could hint at past life on the planet.

Jemima Huston interviews ACT Party Deputy Leader Brooke van Velden about her party’s goals for 2022, the inevitable Omicron outbreak in New Zealand and the Tonga volcanic eruption and tsunami disaster. 

Christina talks to Dr Xaviour Walker from the University of Otago about the disaster in Tonga and the subsequent health impacts that will affect the Tongan people. 

Christina wraps up the show with a conversation with Associate Professor Leah Watkins about a recent study of marketing, where researchers found kids are exposed to one brand almost every minute.