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Reversal of the oil and gas exploration ban, the NCEA overhaul and US tariffs w/ National Party MP Carl Bates: 5 August, 2025

Reversal of the oil and gas exploration ban, the NCEA overhaul and US tariffs w/ National Party MP Carl Bates: 5 August, 2025 Reversal of the oil and gas exploration ban, the NCEA overhaul and US tariffs w/ National Party MP Carl Bates: 5 August, 2025, 20.39 MB
Tue 5 Aug 2025

On Thursday last week, the coalition government passed legislation to reverse the ban on oil and gas exploration — a ban which had been initiated by the previous government in 2018.

Minister Shane Jones who drove the reversal, highlighted the impact of the ban on economic growth and energy supply in New Zealand. Opposition parties have voiced concerns about the impact of this decision for New Zealand’s climate commitments.

As well, yesterday Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford announced an overhaul of the NCEA system, to be replaced with qualifications that they say will be better to understand, and more aligned with international standards.

Finally, as the United States places 15% tariffs on NZ exports, the Labour party have said the government needs to do more to strengthen our trade relationships to avoid a rise in the cost of living for kiwis.

Host Sara spoke with National MP Carl Bates about all these topics. Sara started by asking him to explain the government’s decision to reverse the ban on oil and gas exploration in New Zealand.

Dear Science w/ Dr Daniel Thomas: 5 August, 2025

Dear Science w/ Dr Daniel Thomas: 5 August, 2025 Dear Science w/ Dr Daniel Thomas: 5 August, 2025, 33.66 MB
Tue 5 Aug 2025

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Dr Daniel Thomas on history, pre-history, and the search for Atlantis.

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!

The government's statement on recognising Palestinian statehood w/ the University of Auckland's Treasa Dunworth: August 5, 2025

The government's statement on recognising Palestinian statehood w/ the University of Auckland's Treasa Dunworth: August 5, 2025 The government's statement on recognising Palestinian statehood w/ the University of Auckland's Treasa Dunworth: August 5, 2025, 16.63 MB
Tue 5 Aug 2025

Many believe that the government need to take stronger steps to recognise a Palestinian state. 

Producer Faith spoke to the University of Auckland's Professor Treasa Dunworth about the significance of the move, and what else needs to be done.

In climate news — NZ reverse oil and gas exploration ban & US seek to repeal the ruling that greenhouse gas emissions threaten health w/ Greenpeace executive director Russel Norman: 5 August, 2025

In climate news — NZ reverse oil and gas exploration ban & US seek to repeal the ruling that greenhouse gas emissions threaten health w/ Greenpeace executive director Russel Norman: 5 August, 2025 In climate news — NZ reverse oil and gas exploration ban & US seek to repeal the ruling that greenhouse gas emissions threaten health w/ Greenpeace executive director Russel Norman: 5 August, 2025, 29.2 MB
Tue 5 Aug 2025

The International Court of Justice has delivered a landmark, albeit nonbinding ruling, that countries have a legal obligation to act on climate change.

In this context, climate news in this past week has raised worry for climate advocates.

The New Zealand government has passed legislation to reverse the 2018 ban on new oil and gas exploration projects, which is predicted to increase the country’s emissions by 14.2 million tonnes according to official analysis. 

As well, the United States are seeking to negate the finding that greenhouse gas emissions pose any danger to human health, with the aim to reduce the power of the Environmental Protection Agency to restrict activities that produce these emissions.

Wire Host Sara spoke to Greenpeace executive director Russel Norman about these two cases and their potential consequences for global climate action.

Cardiovascular Disease Hospitalisations and Tropical Cyclones w/ Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupu Centre for Cancer Research’s George Laking: 4 August, 2025

Cardiovascular Disease Hospitalisations and Tropical Cyclones w/ Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupu Centre for Cancer Research’s George Laking: 4 August, 2025 Cardiovascular Disease Hospitalisations and Tropical Cyclones w/ Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupu Centre for Cancer Research’s George Laking: 4 August, 2025, 8.75 MB
Mon 4 Aug 2025

Recent findings from 6 countries, including New Zealand, of over 6.5 million cardiovascular disease hospitalisations, show a correlation between hospitalisations and the aftermath following a tropical cyclone.

The research looked into the hospitalisations of six different cardiovascular diseases, and showed that hospitalisations increased two months following a tropical cyclone and continued for six months after.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Professor George Laking from Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupu Centre for Cancer Research at the University of Auckland about this study, and a similar study he helped conduct following Cyclone Gabrielle - ‘Te Weu me Te Wai’

Geothermal Draft Strategy w/ the Geothermal Insitute's Dr John O'Sullivan: 4 August, 2025

Geothermal Draft Strategy w/ the Geothermal Insitute's Dr John O'Sullivan: 4 August, 2025 Geothermal Draft Strategy w/ the Geothermal Insitute's Dr John O'Sullivan: 4 August, 2025, 17.91 MB
Mon 4 Aug 2025

Last week, Minister for Resources & Regional Development Shane Jones announced ‘From the Ground Up: A draft strategy to unlock New Zealand’s geothermal potential’.

This draft strategy highlights a shift in focus towards the geothermal market, identifying it as one with potential for growth and innovation as a cornerstone of New Zealand’s energy environment.

Producer Alex spoke to the Co-Director of the Geothermal Institute within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Auckland, Dr John O’Sullivan, about geothermal energy and what this focus could mean.

Foodstuffs' Promise to Victoria Park Workers w/ Workers First Union's Jas Giri: 4 August, 2025

Foodstuffs' Promise to Victoria Park Workers w/ Workers First Union's Jas Giri: 4 August, 2025 Foodstuffs' Promise to Victoria Park Workers w/ Workers First Union's Jas Giri: 4 August, 2025, 16.07 MB
Mon 4 Aug 2025

Following the fire at the Victoria Park New World, Foodstuffs North Island promised to hire displaced workers at the soon to open New World Point Chevalier.

However, with the opening of the Point Chevalier store on the 19th of August, a significant number of displaced employees remain out of work, with 40% without job offers, as their paycheques come to an end.

Producer Alex spoke to Workers First Union Organiser Jas Giri about Foodstuffs’ promise, the current rehiring situation, and what the Union would like to see in the near future from Foodstuffs.

 

FBI Office in Wellington, Countries Recognising Palestinian State w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 4 August, 2025

FBI Office in Wellington, Countries Recognising Palestinian State w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 4 August, 2025 FBI Office in Wellington, Countries Recognising Palestinian State w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 4 August, 2025 , 13.16 MB
Mon 4 Aug 2025

Last week, it was announced that the FBI would open a dedicated attaché office in Wellington, to investigate threats, such as terrorism, child exploitation, and cyber crime.

Announcing the office, director of the FBI, Kash Patel, sez the event is a “historic moment” and that with this move, symbolises the FBI’s prioritisation of having a permanent presence across all Five Eyes countries, which New Zealand is a part of.

Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, says Patel’s visit to the country “send[s] a clear message to criminals” that they “cannot hide behind an international border”.

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel spoke to Simon about the FBI’s office, and some criticisms the move has had.

They also spoke about multiple countries recently indicating their moves to formally recognise a state of Palestine, and what plans Aotearoa has in this space.

But first, they discussed the FBI’s new office in the capital.

The Wire w/ Joel: 4 August, 2025

The Wire w/ Joel: 4 August, 2025 The Wire w/ Joel: 4 August, 2025, 77.49 MB
Mon 4 Aug 2025

This week on the Monday Wire:

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to MP Simon Court about the FBI opening up an office in Wellington, and multiple countries announcing their plans to formally recognise Palestinian statehood, and whether we plan to here, in Aotearoa.

Producer Alex spoke to the Co-Director of the Geothermal Institute at the University of Auckland, Dr John O’Sullivan, about the Government’s recent Draft strategy for geothermal energy, and what geothermal energy means for Aotearoa.

Joel spoke to Professor George Laking from Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupu Centre for Cancer Research at the University of Auckland, about new research, showing hospitalisations of cardiovascular diseases increasing following tropical cyclones.

And Alex spoke to Workers First Union Organiser Jas Giri about Foodstuffs North Island’s promise that the workers displaced by the Victoria Park New World Fire would be rehired at the new Point Chevalier store, which has not fully come to fruition.

Whakarongo mai!

Meth in the Pacific is posing a dire health threat to vulnerable communities. w/ Associate Dean Pacific Sir Colin Tukuitonga

Meth in the Pacific is posing a dire health threat to vulnerable communities. w/ Associate Dean Pacific Sir Colin Tukuitonga w/ Associate Dean Pacific Sir Colin Tukuitonga , 18.49 MB
Thu 31 Jul 2025

Through a mixture of seasonal migration, deportations and cost of living pressures, Pacific Island nations are facing an unprecedented influx of meth into their communities. 

Producer Sanat spoke to Sir Colin Tukuitonga, Associate Dean Pacific and Professor of Public Health at the University of Auckland about this crisis in health.

He says that “Meth poses a dire health threat in the Pacific. It’s extremely addictive, devastates people’s mental health, and is driving the spread of HIV in Fiji at an alarming rate, through needle and blood sharing. “

According to Sir Colin more needs to be done by international health organisations and law enforcement to help fund better rehabilitation services and stop the inflow of meth into Pacific Island nations. 

Here is that interview.