The Wire with Castor

Researchers have estimated that Long Covid could be costing the New Zealand economy $2 billion a year.

The finding follows an Australian study which calculated the economic impact of Long Covid in Australia.

Producer Josef spoke to Professor of Health Economics Paula Lorgelly about the study, Long Covid, and what New Zealand can do about its economic costs.

Last Thursday, following a six day tangihanga to honour the passing of Kīngi Tūheitia, a new Māori monarch was selected.

That monarch is his youngest child and only daughter, Kuini Nga wai pono i te po. Kuini Nga wai is 27 years old making her the second-youngest Māori monarch to be appointed, and only the second female monarch of the Kiingitanga. 

Kuini Nga wai’s ascension to the throne signals a new era and forward movement for the Kiingitanga. 

Producer Evie spoke to University of Auckland kaiārahi, Waikato descendant, and whānau of the Kiingitanga, Tui Kaumoana-Steedman about how Kuini Nga wai was selected for the role. 

They also discussed how she may take the Kiingitanga in a new direction, what issues she’ll be aiming to highlight, and how her rule may have an effect on Aotearoa as a whole.

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catch up, Producer Evie spoke to the ACT Party’s Simon Court about new concerns about the charter schools bill, a rushed gun reform bill and the final council consensus on Māori wards.  

For our weekly catch up with Te Pāti Māori, News and Editorial Director and Monday Host, spoke to Mariameno Kapa-Kingi about the passing and tangihanga of Kīngi Tūheitia, and the crowning of Kuini Nga wai pono i te po as the new monarch.

Evie spoke to Tui Kaumoana-Steedman, a University of Auckland kaiārahi, Waikato descendant, and whānau of the Kiingitanga about the new Maori monarch Kuini Nga wai pono i te po.

Joel spoke to Senior Research Fellow Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Auckland, Kathryn Bradbury, about a new study showing seafood product manufacturers are ‘greenwashing’ their merchandise through positive environmental claims.

And Evie spoke to Etuini Ma’u Senior lecturer in the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland about poverty leading to an increased risk of dementia.

Wire Host Caeden speaks to Labour’s Shanan Halbert about Labour’s attendance at Palestine protests in Tāmaki Makaurau and the newly announced National Land Transport Programme and its lack of support for public transport.

And for State of the States this week, they speak to Yale Daily News’ Andre Fa’aoso about the ballot measures, college political campaign groups, and the recent school shooting in the state of Georgia.

For City Counselling this week, Sofia catches up with Councillor Shane Henderson about changes to Auckland Council’s committee structure, a proposal to introduce fortnightly rubbish collection, and what the government’s National Land Transport Programme means for Auckland

She also speaks to Associate Professor at the Department of Tourism at the University of Otago, Julia Albrecht, about the government introducing an increase to the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. 

She also speaks to the National Chair of Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, John Minto, about the UK government suspending arms shipments to Israel and whether Aotearoa New Zealand should follow its lead.