The Wire with Max

Earth Sciences NZ have released their first national risk model for Flooding, evaluating exposure of New Zealand’s infrastructure nation wide to floods and climate based harm. 

The data shows the potential costs in damage to infrastructure at the forefront of inshore and river flooding, as well as the areas that face a greater risk of damage. However, this also shows that there are remaining issues of climate justice around those who are most vulnerable, which have not been taken into account as much as they should have in this map.

Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to Lecturer in Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Auckland, and research lead at the Future Cities Research Centre Dr Iresh Jayawardena about this map, what it means for our infrastructure, and what still needs to be done.

In light of Guy Fawkes Day last week, the NZ First Party has launched a member’s bill that aims to ban the public sale and use of fireworks in the country. 

Party Leader, Winston Peters, in announcing the member’s bill, says the reason for this proposed move stems from its possibility to cause fires, and its harm to pets.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere, an Associate Law Professor at the University of Auckland, about the member’s bill, and the impact fireworks season has on animals, both companion and non-companion.

They also touched on why we have seen so many member’s bills come from the party, in light of an opinion piece by Spinoff journalist Joel MacManus.

Aotearoa’s progress in reducing smoking has slowed for Māori, Pacific and European adolescents, and vaping could be the reason, according to research published  in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific 

The study, conducted by researchers from the Universities of Otago, Auckland, and Sydney, along with the Daffodil Centre in Australia, analysed population-level data from almost 600,000 Year 10 students aged 14–15. The students were surveyed between 2003 and 2024 as part of the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Year 10 Survey.

They found rates of regular smoking among 14-15-year-olds declined significantly for Māori, Pacific, European, and Asian adolescents between 2003 and 2024. However, these declines in smoking slowed for Māori, Pacific, and European youth after vaping emerged in 2010.

Thursday Wire Producer Sanat spoke to the University of Auckland's Dr Lucy Hardie about these findings and what the response needs to look like from policy makers in order to mitigate the predicted harms.

Plan change 120, a new plan that seeks to allow for up to 2 million new dwellings in high density zones across mass rapid corridors throughout the city is currently up for public consultation. 

Although hotly contested during the election period, it seems as if the city is on its way to unlocking high density development and a strengthening of its urban landscape against natural hazards. 

Thursday Wire Producer Sanat talked to councilor Julie Fairey today about the consultation process, how people can get involved and what they should know about the plan change.

Sanat also talked to her about the process of going from being a candidate to actually starting a role in council, what the inauguration looks like and how the Auckland Council building feels as new Councillors settle in for their term.