The Wire with Alex

On our regular City Counselling segment, Jessica Hopkins spoke to Auckland Councillor Pippa Coom about the year ahead for the Council.

They discussed the local elections happening this year, the Government's light rail announcement, and how our recent move to Red has affected Auckland residents.

She also asked Pippa about the controversy surrounding a proposal to put Auckland regional parks into the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.

Last week, researchers from the University of Auckland Psychology department released a study looking at prenatal determinants of depressive symptoms during childhood. Joe speaks to one of the researchers, Karen Waldie about the study and the importance of mental and physical health for prenatal women, as well as how it impacts their children. 

Justin spoke to the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand's chair Deb Hart about International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

He also talked to the Rotary Tree's Trust chair Russ Ballard about their North Shore tree-planting project being mowed down.

Producer Joe chatted to the University of Auckland's Karen Waldie on the relation between pre and post natal depression and mental health.

He also talked to Ruth McManus of Canterbury University on green burials.

Yesterday the government announced that face masks worn in the red setting must be medical, surgical or three-layer cloth masks rather than scarves, t-shirts or other face coverings. They are also expected to announce the next two phases of their Omicron response, including incorporating rapid antigen tests (RATs) more into New Zealand's testing strategy. 

News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to ACT Party Deputy Leader Brooke van Velden about the government's latest change to mask mandates under the red setting and bringing in the more regular use of RATs.