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The Wire with Oto

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The Wire w/ Oto: 7 March, 2025

The Wire w/ Oto: 7 March, 2025 The Wire w/ Oto: 7 March, 2025, 110.49 MB
Wed 7 May 2025

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March, Oto spoke to him about The $2 billion boost for naval helicopters, the voting ban for prisoners and the party’s new members bill to ensure that imported products meet animal welfare regulations.

For this week’s Get Action! He spoke to Tara Forde from Aotearoa Covid Action to discuss a petition of hers calling for improvements to the air quality in schools.

And he spoke to Rachel Mackintosh from E Tu Union to discuss Brooke Van Velden’s changes to pay equity claims

Max spoke to National Co-chair of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, John Minto, about the attack on the ‘Conscience’, a Freedom Flotilla boat which was loaded with life-saving humanitarian aid for Gaza, before being disabled off the coast of Malta.

And he spoke to Ronan Payinda, a student at the University of Auckland, who led a study which looked into the location and frequency of Vape stores, around schools in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Northwest transport upgrades and teachers registration fees w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 6th May, 2025

Northwest transport upgrades and teachers registration fees w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 6th May, 2025 Northwest transport upgrades and teachers registration fees w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 6th May, 2025, 21.67 MB
Tue 6 May 2025

This past week the government announced plans to reinstate the prisoner voting ban. The ban was altered in June 2020 by the Labour led coalition government in a change which allowed prisoners serving a sentence of less than three years to vote in elections. This change followed a recommendation from New Zealand’s High Court, which found a prisoner voting ban was inconsistent with New Zealand’s Bill of Rights.

In 2025, the government is now looking at repealing the bill and reinstating the ban. The National Party has argued that there are certain responsibilities that members of society must uphold, and that those who do not fulfil these responsibilities will have their rights taken away. Asked about human rights concerns and the High Court ruling on the bill, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said “I do not care what anyone else says about it.” The bill is set to join others as part of this government’s “tough on crime” approach. 

In our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about the prisoner voting ban and how the change would benefit the general public. 

The Wire w/ Castor: 6th May, 2025

The Wire w/ Castor: 6th May, 2025 The Wire w/ Castor: 6th May, 2025, 107.7 MB
Tue 6 May 2025

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman chats with us about false eating reports, fluoridated water, and the Sodom comet. 

In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about the government’s plans for prisoner voting rights. 

They also spoke to Professor James Russell from the University of Auckland about a recent case where some tuatara were potentially poisoned with rodenticides. 

Producer Faith spoke to criminology lecturer from the University of Auckland, and press spokesperson for People Against Prisons Aotearoa Dr. Emmy Rākete, about her concerns with the blanket ban on prisoner voting.

She also spoke to the chief executive from Asthma Foundation NZ Letitia Harding about a new study showing the link between vaping and a lung disease.

New study shows link between vaping and incurable lung disease w/ Asthma Foundation NZ's Letitia Harding

New study shows link between vaping and incurable lung disease w/ Asthma Foundation NZ's Letitia Harding New study shows link between vaping and incurable lung disease w/ Asthma Foundation NZ's Letitia Harding, 10.57 MB
Tue 6 May 2025

A recent study from the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ has shown the links between vaping, and an incurable lung disease.

Producer Faith spoke to the foundation’s chief executive Letitia Harding about these findings, and how she thinks the government should address the issue.

Risks of pesticides to native wildlife w/ the University of Auckland’s Professor James Russell: 6th May, 2025

Risks of pesticides to native wildlife w/ the University of Auckland’s Professor James Russell: 6th May, 2025 Risks of pesticides to native wildlife w/ the University of Auckland’s Professor James Russell: 6th May, 2025, 16.02 MB
Tue 6 May 2025

New research published in the New Zealand veterinary journal has found that tuatara may be at risk from rat poison. The case has raised questions about pesticide and rodenticide use in Aotearoa, and weighing the risks to native wildlife against the benefits of pest eradication. 

To discuss the poisoning and its wider ramifications for conservation in Aotearoa, Wire host Castor spoke to the University of Auckland’s Professor James Russell.

Prisoner voting ban w/ People Against Prisons Aotearoa's Emmy Rākete: 6 May, 2025

Prisoner voting ban w/ People Against Prisons Aotearoa's Emmy Rākete: 6 May, 2025 Prisoner voting ban w/ People Against Prisons Aotearoa's Emmy Rākete: 6 May, 2025, 7.51 MB
Tue 6 May 2025

In light of the government’s announcement to reinstate the prisoner’s voting ban, the decision has received significant criticism.

Such criticisms include the ban being described as a violation of fundamental rights, and a weak incentive for criminals

Producer Faith spoke to criminology lecturer from the University of Auckland, and press spokesperson for People Against Prisons Aotearoa Dr. Emmy Rākete, and how she feels about the move.

New Zealand, and Trump's Russia/Ukraine peace deal w/ the University of Otago's Robert Patman: 5 May, 2025

New Zealand, and Trump's Russia/Ukraine peace deal w/ the University of Otago's Robert Patman: 5 May, 2025 New Zealand, and Trump's Russia/Ukraine peace deal w/ the University of Otago's Robert Patman: 5 May, 2025, 8.71 MB
Mon 5 May 2025

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon recently met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in London. Starmer thanked Aotearoa for its “support” for its “coalition of the willing” regarding safeguarding the potential peace deal being put forward by the Trump Administration.

However, concerns have been raised about what the administration is proposing, which could result in original Ukraine land annexed by Russia, such as Crimea in 2014, belonging to Moscow, and ruling out NATO membership for Ukraine.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Host, Joel, spoke to Robert Patman, a Professor of International Relations at the University of Otago, about his article on the Conversation, discussing his concerns regarding this and how New Zealand should move forward in reiterating support for Ukraine.

*This caption has been edited to add "safeguarding" regarding Luxon and Starmer's meeting in London while discussing Ukraine and Russia.

Legislation aimed to change New Zealand's imports of animal products from countries with different animal welfare standards w/ the University of Auckland's Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere: 5 May, 2025

Legislation aimed to change New Zealand's imports of animal products from countries with different animal welfare standards w/ the University of Auckland's Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere: 5 May, 2025 Legislation aimed to change New Zealand's imports of animal products from countries with different animal welfare standards w/ the University of Auckland's Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere: 5 May, 2025, 8.4 MB
Mon 5 May 2025

Currently, a lot of animal products imported into the country are coming from countries with animal welfare standards behind those of Aotearoa, such as in the US and China.

In a report released earlier this year by Animal Policy International, findings show that 60% of all pork eaten in the country comes from overseas.

In light of these concerns, a petition will be delivered to Parliament tomorrow, aiming to better regulate imports of animal products into the country to fit our standards.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland about this, and what he hopes comes out of this petition.

Young people, social media, and politics w/ Global Innovator, Matt Hart: 5 May, 2025

Young people, social media, and politics w/ Global Innovator, Matt Hart: 5 May, 2025 Young people, social media, and politics w/ Global Innovator, Matt Hart: 5 May, 2025, 7.18 MB
Mon 5 May 2025

Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, and Producer Evie, in studio, to discuss young people, social media, and politics.

Latest review on Pharmac's services and culture w/ Professor Paula Lorgelly: 01 May, 2025

Latest review on Pharmac's services and culture w/ Professor Paula Lorgelly: 01 May, 2025 Latest review on Pharmac's services and culture w/ Professor Paula Lorgelly: 01 May, 2025, 15.74 MB
Thu 1 May 2025

A recent review of Pharmac, also known as Te Pātaka Whaioranga,  has found their current approach not fit for purpose, calling for an overhaul of their strategy and internal culture. 

The pharmaceutical management agency faced criticism last year as a result of a lack of credibility and inconsistency of services. 

With the proposal this week to scrap Pharmac’s Māori directorate, concerns were especially emphasised about the equitable outcomes for Maaori and Pasifika populations.

While the aim of the independent review was to look into ways to improve the services of Pharmac, it found that staff were sceptical that any meaningful changes could occur.

Producer Sara spoke with University of Auckland’s Professor of Health Economics Paula Lorgelly about the review and what changes are necessary. She started by asking about the key findings