Stinky Grooves with Stinky Jim - Repeat
5am - 7am

Launch in new window

DJ's Choice

You are here

The Wire with Manny

Latest bCasts • View all

Broadcasting Minister Paul Goldsmith's communication with TVNZ and Select Committee Report on Youth Harm Online w/ The National Party's Ryan Hamilton: 10 March, 2026

 Broadcasting Minister Paul Goldsmith's communication with TVNZ and Select Committee Report on Youth Harm Online w/ The National Party's Ryan Hamilton: 10 March, 2026 Broadcasting Minister Paul Goldsmith's communication with TVNZ and Select Committee Report on Youth Harm Online w/ The National Party's Ryan Hamilton: 10 March, 2026, 11.73 MB
Tue 10 Mar 2026

Last week, Broadcasting Minister Paul Goldsmith made headlines over instances of interactions with news media over the reporting on crime numbers. After Police Minister Mark Mitchell expressed dissatisfaction over coverage in a story, Goldsmith first contacted the journalist responsible for the story, and was then called by TVNZ chair Andrew Barclay, where the story was briefly discussed, although Goldsmith has denied any involvement in editorial decisions, with a follow up story published later.

Last week also saw the release of the select committees final report on Youth Harm Online, which, along with a number of recommendations, has suggested that a ban on social for under 16 year olds could be on the cards, with the government echoing similar plans.

This week, Tuesday Wire Host Alex spoke to National MP Ryan Hamilton about all of these topics, beginning by briefly discussing last week's Curia Poll results and murmurs around Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s leadership.

Pay Equity and the role Tertiary Institutions can play w/ The Tertiary Education's National Secretary Amy Ross.

 Pay Equity and the role Tertiary Institutions can play w/ The Tertiary Education's National Secretary Amy Ross. , 12.15 MB
Tue 10 Mar 2026

Last year, the government scrapped Pay Equity rules in a move that was widely panned due to its speed and lack of notice. A recent select committee looking into pay equity, as well as international women’s day on Sunday, has brought forth the issue once more into the political limelight.

Tuesday Wire Host Alex spoke with the TEU’s Te Pou Ahurei | National Secretary, Amy Ross, about the Pay Equity situation, the reality for those facing pay equity struggles in the time since their channels were scrapped and, crucially, the role that tertiary institutions, as employers and influential voices, can play in supporting New Zealanders, and advocating for a return to pay equity

Broadcasting independence and its importance for democracy w/ Senior lecturer in Communication Studies at AUT, Gregory Treadwell: 9th March, 2026

 Broadcasting independence and its importance for democracy w/ Senior lecturer in Communication Studies at AUT, Gregory Treadwell: 9th March, 2026 Broadcasting independence and its importance for democracy w/ Senior lecturer in Communication Studies at AUT, Gregory Treadwell: 9th March, 2026, 8.3 MB
Mon 9 Mar 2026

Two weeks ago, 1News aired a story discussing the fact that gang members in New Zealand now outnumber police officers. The story was aired the same day as the government released data showing that the number of victims of violent crime has decreased. 

After the releases, Police Minister Mark Mitchell complained on Facebook that on the same day as the government announcement, 1News ran a story seemingly with a contrary argument. Later in the week, 1News aired a new story discussing the decrease in victims of violent crime. 

After the first story was aired, Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith confirmed he had called the journalist to share his thoughts. He then was called by TVNZ’s board chair, Andrew Barclay, where he says they discussed a range of matters, including the story.

The situation has drawn criticism from some, who say it could indicate biased reporting by 1News. To discuss the situation and the importance of independent journalism to a democracy, News Director Castor spoke to Senior Lecturer in Communication Studies at Auckland University of Technology, Gregory Treadwell.

The Wire w/ Castor: 9th March, 2026

 The Wire w/ Castor: 9th March, 2026 The Wire w/ Castor: 9th March, 2026, 81.72 MB
Mon 9 Mar 2026

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about New Zealand’s response to the US/Israel/Iran conflict and about changes to how ACC payments interact with payments from the Ministry of Social Development. 

They also spoke to Senior Lecturer in Communication Studies, Gregory Treadwell, about a recent incident where Media and Communications minister Paul Goldsmith contacted a TVNZ board member about 1News coverage. 

And Producer Thomas spoke to Tāhono Trust member Anjum Rahmen about the recently released Select Committee report on online harm to children and its recommended solutions.

He also talked to Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning Dr Tim Welch about Auckland’s March traffic madness and how public transport might be the answer.

Select Committee report on social media harm and suggested action w/ Tāhono Trust member Anjum Rahmen: 9th March, 2026

Last week, the Education and Workforce select committee released its final report on an inquiry into social media's harm on young people. The report included TWELVE recommendations to the government on action to take which would protect tamariki online. , 12.56 MB
Mon 9 Mar 2026

Last week, the Education and Workforce select committee released its final report on an inquiry into social media's harm on young people. The report included 12 recommendations to the government on action to take which would protect tamariki online.

These recommendations included a social media ban for under 16s, establishing an independent national regulator for online safety and addressing legislative gaps to increase companies' liability for harm. Some MPs have disagreed with the report’s findings however, with the ACT party calling for a patient, rather than fast changing, approach to online restrictions.

To discuss the findings of the report and how the government should address online protection Producer Thomas spoke to Tāhono Trust member Anjum Rahmen.

Auckland March madness and how to solve congestion w/ Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning Dr Tim Welch: 9th March, 2026

Auckland March madness and how to solve congestion w/ Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning Dr Tim Welch: 9th March, 2026 Auckland March madness and how to solve congestion w/ Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning Dr Tim Welch: 9th March, 2026 , 9.94 MB
Mon 9 Mar 2026

The road congestion phenomenon known as “March Madness” which hits Auckland every year has begun, with Auckland Transport estimating travel times on Motorways will increase up to 41% this month. 

The City Rail link is set to open later this year offering potential congestion relief in the future but Auckland Public Transport fares continue to increase, potentially offsetting this investment as a complete solution.

To discuss the extent of March congestion issues and how they can be solved Producer Thomas talked to Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning from the University of Auckland Dr Tim Welch.

West Papua Solidarity Forum w/ former Green MP and activist Catherine Delahunty: 5th March, 2026

 West Papua Solidarity Forum w/ former Green MP and activist Catherine Delahunty: 5th March, 2026 West Papua Solidarity Forum w/ former Green MP and activist Catherine Delahunty: 5th March, 2026, 9.96 MB
Thu 5 Mar 2026

This weekend will see the West Papua Solidarity Forum hosted at the University of Auckland’s Old Choral Hall. The forum looks into the struggles faced by the people of West Papua against ongoing colonialism and repression by the Indonesian government. 

As part of the forum, Academy Cinema will be hosting a West Papuan film night this Saturday, highlighting the struggles faced by locals. 

To discuss the context behind the struggles in West Papua and the event this weekend, News Director Castor spoke to activist and former Green MP Catherine Delahunty.

You can find more information about the event here. You can find more information about the screening of West Papuan films at Academy Cinema here. 

New Zealand’s Role in the Iran-US-Israel Conflict and the Crime and Victims Survey w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 5 March, 2026

 New Zealand’s Role in the Iran-US-Israel Conflict and the Crime and Victims Survey w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 5 March, 2026 New Zealand’s Role in the Iran-US-Israel Conflict and the Crime and Victims Survey w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 5 March, 2026, 8.21 MB
Thu 5 Mar 2026

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has stated that the United States and Israel breached international law with their bombing of Iran, especially with the strike that killed 150 people at a primary girls’ school. 

While former Labour Prime Minister Helen Clark says New Zealand should not provide military support for “an illegal invasion” of Iran.

And the New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey has published its latest results for the year leading up to October 2025.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to MP Shanan Halbert about both of these topics.

Concerns about US Government Access to New Zealanders’ Biometric Data w/ Council for Civil Liberties’ Thomas Beagle: 5 March, 2026

 Concerns about US Government Access to New Zealanders’ Biometric Data w/ Council for Civil Liberties’ Thomas Beagle: 5 March, 2026 Concerns about US Government Access to New Zealanders’ Biometric Data w/ Council for Civil Liberties’ Thomas Beagle: 5 March, 2026, 8.82 MB
Thu 5 Mar 2026

The New Zealand Government is currently in talks with officials from the United States (US) about a new border security agreement that would allow New Zealanders' biometric information to be handed over to the US government. 

The new agreement could give the United States full automated access to New Zealand's national databases.

Wire Host Caeden spoke to the chair of the New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties, Thomas Beagle, about this issue.

The Social Security Amendment Bill w/ the University of Auckland's Honorary Associate Professor Susan St John: 5th March, 2026

 The Social Security Amendment Bill w/ the University of Auckland's Honorary Associate Professor Susan St John: 5th March, 2026 The Social Security Amendment Bill w/ the University of Auckland's Honorary Associate Professor Susan St John: 5th March, 2026, 26.84 MB
Thu 5 Mar 2026

Late last year, the High Court ruled against the Ministry of Social Development on one of their practices in recovering welfare payments. MSD had, for the last twenty years, required that successful ACC claimants pay back any supplementary assistance they had received while waiting for their claim to be resolved, such as through the accommodation supplement. 

This approach would often mean claimants would be left with a significantly reduced payout, and even debt.

Last month, the government began passing legislation that would retroactively make these practices legal, slashing any hopes of forgiving the outstanding debts that were - until recently - unlawful.

The Social Security (Accident Compensation and Calculation of Weekly Income) Amendment Bill has been pushed through parliament in urgency, limiting scrutiny. However, despite a narrow timeframe to submit on the select committee, over eight hundred responses were received.

Producer Theo spoke to Dr Susan St John, Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Auckland - and one of the submitters to the bill’s select committee - about the consequences this legislation will have.