The Wire with Alex

Yesterday's Tongan election saw a decisive victory, for the previously governing Democratic Party. Professor at Massey University, Malakai Kaloamatangi, joins us on the phone from Tonga where he has been working as an international observer. He shares his thoughts on the election, and what we might expect to see once the new Parliament has formed.

Yesterday was an historic day for Australia. The postal survey vote for marriage equality returned an overwhelming 61% yes vote, so now a bill can make its way through the senate and Australia can experience marriage reform, something new Zealand achieved four years ago. I spoke earlier with Labour MP Louisa Wall who wrote the New Zealand bill, about marriage equality, and the road thus far in both New Zealand and Australia.

On this week's Wire, Harry talks to Labour MP Louisa Wall about the Australian Marriage Equality referendum.

Lachlan talks to National MP Michael Woodhouse about the new government's Healthy Homes Bill.

Lachland also has a piece on a report into New Zealand's compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, talking to Children's Comissioner Andrew Beecroft, Jeni Cartwright from Child Poverty Action Group and the Human Rights Comission's David Rutherford.

Finally we have This Day in History, which takes us back to 1989, and the end of the Seperate Amenities Act in Aparthied South Africa.

On the Wednesday Wire today,

For Dear Science, Allan Blackman talks with us about DNA Sunscreen, how to get rid of pesticides from your fruit, and "fake news" allegations in science journals.  

Producer Will Parsonson talks to Rick Zwaan, spokesperson for the ‘Peoples review of renting report’, about amendments to be made to the poor conditions of rental properties.

Tracey Martin of NZ First talks to Lillian Hanly about what will replace National Standards and the Government inquiry into children who were abused while in state care.

Producer Reuben McLaren speaks to the General Secretary of the Rail and Maritime Transport Union, Wayne Butson, regarding the wide scale industrial action being taken by Rail Workers in Wellington tomorrow.