The Wire with Manny

As of last night, all of New Zealand entered an Alert Level 4 Lockdown, due to one community case that has now been confirmed to have the Delta variant. New Zealand is now being told to stay in their bubble, stay safe and to act as though they already have COVID-19 to reduce the spread of the virus. 

As well as this, Jacinda Ardern announced last night that all vaccinations will be paused for 48 hours to allow them to be undertaken safely. 

So today, Zazi spoke to ACT Party’s Brooke van Velden to hear her thoughts on New Zealand’s Alert Level 4 Lockdown, as well as talk to her about the vaccinations being paused for 48 hours.

This week on the Wednesday Wire, Zazi Hewlett and Frances Wright work remotely from home in their bubbles after the country went into lockdown last night, with Jemima hosting the show and bringing us the news. 

Frances has her regular segment Dear Science with Allan Blackman. They talk about a new analysis to do with a scurvy study that is leading to updates on vitamin C needs; chat about critics who say a Childhood Asthma Study unethically withheld care from its participants; and then finally discuss a new laser-powered nuclear fusion effort which neared ignition. 

Zazi then speaks to Professor Miguel Quiñones-Mateu, the department of Microbiology and Immunology. They talk about the investigation on wastewater and how it can be used to get a more accurate picture of COVID-19 cases in low-to-middle income countries.  

Frances also speaks with Research New Zealand’s managing partner, Emanuel Kalafatelis, about the results of a recent Research NZ’s recent housing survey.

Finally Zazi has her regular catch-up with ACT's Brooke van Velden, this week talking about New Zealand’s Alert Level 4 Lockdown, and the vaccination rollouts being paused for 48 hours as a result.

Today on the Wire Jemima Huston speaks to University of Otago Professor in Comparative Middle Eastern Politics Leon Goldsmith about the situation in Afghanistan. They discuss how the New Zealand government is working to get its residents out of the country and how the situation may impact international relations for New Zealand and global powers such as China and the US. 

Jemima talks to David Wait, the Industrial Adviser, DHB Sector for the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, live on about the hospital nurses and midwives strike set for Thursday this week.

This week for Tomorrow’s World, Stella Huggins and Isla Christensen dive into the future of our oceans. Talking to Dr Linn Hoffmann from the University of Otago, they cover the role of phytoplankton in the ecosystem, environmental stressors on our coastlines, and possible solutions. 

Jemima chats to Bindi Norwell, Group CEO at ProCare Health, about the role of general practises in the Covid-19 vaccine roll out. 

Joe Wickins wraps it up with an interview with Lisa McEwan, Senior Lecturer in Art & Design from AUT, about fast fashion and sustainability in fashion. 

This week, Stella and Isla dive into the future of our oceans. Talking to Dr Linn Hoffmann from the University of Otago, they cover the role of phytoplankton in the ecosystem, environmental stressors on our coastlines, and possible solutions.