The Wire with Alex

Medical Students are finding it increasingly difficult to finish their degrees if the government doesn't lift the EFTS cap. Postgraduate students can spend up to eight years completeing their degree, with many unable to find the money to pay their fees once their EFTS have run out. Spokesperson for the 'Let us Finish Campaign' Kera May spoke to Lachlan about the group's petition and wider goals.

Today on the show, the Wednesday team takes a look at water as an election issue. This comes just after an announcement yesterday that Federated Farmers are committed to helping make New Zealand’s rivers swimmable, which is a goal already shared by a number of different environmental, political and conservation groups. However, not everyone seems to agree on the best way to reach this goal, as often the interests of the stakeholders involved - from farmers to environmentalists - are at odds with each other. We speak to Choose Clean Water’s Marnie Prickett, eco farmer John King, Federated Farmers’ Water spokesperson Chris Allen and the University of Otago’s Marc Schallenberg to learn about why water matters as an election issue and what solutions have the most to offer for the future of New Zealand’s fresh waterways.
 

On today's Wire, India, Lucy and Mack talk to two of the journalists behind a new documentary series The Valley which investigates the New Zealand Defence Force’s role in Afghanistan, Paula Penfold and Jon Stephenson.

As we're focussing on the environment this week, we explore the issues of climate change in the context of this year’s election. We hear perspectives from Māori Party co-leader Marama Fox, The Opportunities Party's Deputy Leader Geoff Simmons, and Nigel Brunell, the Director of Financial Markets at OMF.

On the Green Desk, Lilly Peacocke speaks to an environmental protection group looking after Auckland’s Meola Creek.

Nigel Brunell is the Director of Financial Markets at OMF and an expert on carbon trading. He joined us to discuss New Zealand's emissions trading scheme and what voters should look for in climate change policy.