The Wire with Alex

On their weekly chat, Justin and Health Minister Andrew Little talked about the traffic light system and the Government's plan for the Omicron variant.

International Desk reports on the unrest in the Solomon Islands.

Justin also talked to Professer Graham Le Gros of the Malaghan Institute on the pediatric Pfizer vaccine.

Producer Joe Wilkins spoke to NZEI's Liam Rutherford on funding for learning support.

He also talked to the New Zealand Initiative's Roger Partridge on changing the way to teach children reading, and the New Zealand Hostel Association chair Brett Duncan on the future of backpacker hostels in New Zealand

Justin spoke to Health Minister Andrew Little about the traffic light system and the government's plan for the Omicron variant.

Yesterday, it was announced that Christopher Luxon, MP for Botany, is the new Leader of the National Party and Nicola Willis, List MP, is the Deputy Leader. This latest leadership vote came after Judith Collins was ousted from her position last week by a vote of no confidence from the National Party caucus. 

For 95bFM listeners, Luxon taking the top position may have been a little surprising. On November 12 2021, as part of our weekly interview with the National Party on the Friday Wire, Luxon was asked whether he wanted to be the National Party leader in the future. Luxon answered, laughing, "No. I'm very focused on doing what I'm doing... I'm one of those people that do it day by day, job by job, and that's what I'm trying to do". A mere 17 days later, Luxon is elected the new leader of the Party. 

National has been looking for a refreshed leadership team for some time now. Will Luxon's very short term in parliament and CEO background, alongside Willis' long-term history with National and more liberal point of view be what the Party needs to revitalise their policies and bring voters back? 

News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston interviews Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations at the University of Auckland Jennifer Lees Marshment about the new National Party leadership team. Jennifer explains who Luxon is and what her thoughts are on the “liberal” pairing of Luxon and Willis.

Today, the Anti-Vivisection Society put out a press release talking about the transparency around the University of Otago’s animal experimentation. The Anti-Vivisection Society has been investigating the University of Otago to expose them for their cruel and unethical experiments that have been conducted on animals. 

Zazi spoke to the Executive Director of the New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society, Tara Jackson. They spoke about the investigation in more detail, what proof NZAVS has on unethical experiments being conducted at the University of Otago and how this investigation could help change the way scientists and researchers treat animals.

Zazi then reads a written statement sent to her from the University of Otago media and communications team, which responds to the allegations the NZAVS are making.