The Wire with Sara

On Monday, midwives across New Zealand began their rolling eight-hour strikes around the country following failed negotiations over pay increases last week. The midwives' union refused to put the DHB's latest offer to members, saying it was worse than the two previous offers already rejected by its members.

On the Wire this Wednesday, Frances Wright spoke with Jill Ovens who is the co-leader for MERAS, the midwives union. They spoke about the DHB’s offer, the shortage of midwives across the country, and the lack of awareness about midwifery as a career option in high schools. She also spoke briefly with Mallory Fraser, a student midwife who was on shift working at the hospital that morning. We spoke about what it’s like at the hospital, and about being a student heading into the midwifery profession.

Today on the Wednesday Wire, we start with Dear Science with Allan Blackman. This week Christina Huang and Allan discuss scientists collecting samples from an asteroid, the first photos taken from a brand new telescope, (including a selfie!), and the link between personality traits and the music we listen to. 

Christina speaks with Auckland Pride Executive Director Max Tweedie as well as Dr Elizabeth Kerekere from the Green Party about the passing of the Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill in Parliament last night.

Aneeka Moheed speaks to Colin Hurst from Federation Farmers about the last few weeks of rain and cyclone over the weekend causing widespread damage to crops across the country and what that means for the supply chain

Jemima Huston talks to ACT Party Deputy Leader Brooke van Velden about the Conversion Therapy Ban Bill passing last night and the anti-mandate protests taking place in Wellington. 

the insurance company IAG has carried out a survey in Aotearoa investigating attitudes towards living in areas affected by climate change. Stella spoke to Dr Niki Harré about the psychological bases for these changes.

Liam is out of iso and here for some hard hitting JOURNALISM! On the show today:

Liam spoke to Pippa Coom on our regular city counselling segment about housing changes in Auckland and the upcoming local elections

As well as Doctor Stephen Child from Southern Cross about the link between health and the cost of living crisis. 

We’ve also got Paul Callister from Save our trains in to chat about the transport commissions new inquiry into inter-regional rail

And finally we have Taylor McGregor from Save Our Venues chatting to me about keeping the Crown Hotel in Dunedin!