The Wire with Manny

Current US foreign policy under the Trump administration has significantly broken with long-term partnerships and traditional structures of the so-called international rules based order. With the US being at odds with its long-term strategic partners Canada and Europe, the future of NATO as well as security in the pacific have become contentious issues. Trump’s actions have revealed contradictions within the previous dominant functioning of International Relations with his administration’s foreign policy radically utilising the power position asserted and given to the US on the world stage.

Flo spoke to Dr John Battersby, senior fellow for the center for defence and security studies at Massey University about current global security, the practical absence of an international rule based order and implications of US foreign policy on New Zealand.

The government had announced meat would be inspected by officers employed by meat companies rather than independent inspectors, as is the current model. The PSA's National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says companies will be able to cut corners in terms of inspection and bow to company pressures. 

She also says the privatisation can impact New Zealand's reputation as a meat exporter as well. 

The Outdoor Access Commission, Herenga ā Nuku, published Aotearoa’s first report on the state of national public land access. The report revealed how up to a third of Māori land is ‘landlocked’, citing this as one of the biggest challenges to public access in 2025. 

Producer Jasmine Gray first spoke to Strategic Relationships Manager of Herenga ā Nuku, Doug Macredie, about the research journey and the address of increasing accessibility to landlocked areas for land owners. 

She then spoke to Professor Margaret Mutu, who spoke on the report from the wider historical colonial context of the ability of Tangata Whenua to access their land. Margaret particularly highlighted the discrepancies between Pākeha landowners and Māori in their legal and physical abilities to access and utilise land under their ownership with ease.

Both perspectives provide valuable insight into the background and significance of the report.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced that the election will be held on November 7th.

November 7th is also what is known as ‘Public Service Day’, marking the anniversary of when the first Public Service Act became law in Aotearoa.

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Public Service Association National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimmons about the significance of the election date.