The Wire with Max

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, News and Editorial Director Joel spoke with Willow-Jean Prime about Labour’s capital gains tax policy and the defunding of Te Karere and The Hui.

For International Desk, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Professor Amin Saikal, Middle East Analyst at Australian National University, on Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti and the responsibility of Israel for the leadership vacuum in Gaza and the West Bank. 

Producer Jasmine spoke to Dr. Helen Murray, Senior Research Fellow and Head of Brain Injury & Neurodegeneration Research at Waipapa Taumata Rau, on the recommendation to delay our tamariki starting contact sports until their early teens to reduce the risk of degenerative brain diseases later in life. 

Producer Sanat spoke to councillor Shane Henderson about people who are struggling to pay their rates, and regulations around fireworks. 

He also spoke to AUT’s Professor of Maori Philosophy of Education Georgina Stuart on the new changes to New Zealand’s Science Curriculum.

Thousands of households across the country are currently in rates arrears, struggling to pay their rates for the 2024/2025 financial year. 

Auckland Council's head of rates, valuations and data management, Rhonwen Heath, said 6.6 percent of rates, or 42,902 households were outstanding at the start of the 2025/2026 year.

As cost of living pressures continue to grow on households, with rising food, electricity and rents, Thursday Wire Producer Sanat wanted to chat to Auckland Councilor Shane Henderson about how Auckland Council plays a role in making life more affordable for everyday Aucklanders.

They also had a discussion about the role of fireworks in our community, with major festivals like Diwali prompting some communities to express concern about the disruption that fireworks are causing to their families, animals and the natural environment.

The government has finally released its long-coveted curriculum rewrite for subjects ranging from Science to Drama.

The new curriculum has faced growing criticism from sections of the education sector, with some calling the new curricula old fashioned, criticising it for sidelining Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori Knowledge 

Thursday Wire Producer Sanat spoke to Professor of Māori Education Georgina Stuart about her views on the changes specifically to New Zealand’s Science Curriculum and whether those changes are fit for purpose.

Recently, the Labour Party have unveiled their capital gains tax (CGT) policy.

The policy only targets properties, with the exception of family homes, and farms. The tax policy, according to Labour, will supply all New Zealanders with three free doctor visits yearly.

For our weekly catch up with the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March, News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to him about Labour’s CGT policy, and what the Green’s think of it.

They also discussed the funding cuts for the Māori news organisation’s Te Karere and The Hui, as well as how the Green Party will be campaigning 1 year out from the next general election.

But first, they discussed Labour’s CGT policy.