The Wire with Alex

This week on the Wednesday Wire, the show kicks off with Christina having her regular segment Dear Science with AUT Professor Allan Blackman. They speak on the running of the bulls; discuss how spaceflight can affect the body; and talk about why getting rid of cataracts in our eyes could reduce the risk of dementia.

After that, Christina speaks with the Chair of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, Hayden Wano, about their Te Rau Tira wellbeing report, and how we can improve outcomes for vulnerable communities in Aotearoa. 

Then, Zazi talks to the Director of Research for Massey Business School and Professor of Retail Management, Jonathan Elms, about the Franchise sector growing in contribution, despite the pandemic.

And finally, Zazi has her regular talk with ACT's Brooke van Velden, where they talk about Brooke’s favourite political moments of the year, goals for next year as well as her summer plans. 

Now that  Auckland is in the red setting,  Auckland Transport is having to adapt their public transport services to suit the new restrictions with reinstated metro night bus services, increased capacity on individual vehicles and timetables remaining reduced due to fewer people using public transport over summer. 

News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Stacey van der Putten, Group Manager of Metro Services at Auckland Transport, about how lockdown has impacted public transport in Auckland. They discuss moving to the new red setting and keeping people safe with Covid-19 remaining a community threat. 

National's newly elected leader Christopher Luxon has publicly stated that he has a pro-life stance when it comes to abortion. ALRANZ Abortion Rights Aotearoa's Emma Shepherd responded to Luxon's opinion and discussed with Charlie why this stance still comes as a concern despite abortion being decriminalised in New Zealand in 202.

Released today, the Child Poverty Monitor has found that poverty targets for Maori, Pasifika, and disabled children are not going to be met. It claims that there are still major structural barriers, such as racism and ableism, that have led to differentiated results of poverty alleviation schemes.

Louis spoke to the Maori Children's Commissioner Glenda Philip Barbara and NZEI's Liam Rutherford about the monitor, the challenges that child poverty pose, and what changes need to be made.