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The Wire with Joel

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Measles case highlights 'ticking time bomb’ w/ Helen Petousis-Harris from the University of Auckland: 14 May, 2025

Measles case highlights 'ticking time bomb’ w/ Helen Petousis-Harris from the University of Auckland: 14 May, 2025 Measles case highlights 'ticking time bomb’ w/ Helen Petousis-Harris from the University of Auckland: 14 May, 2025, 17.22 MB
Wed 14 May 2025

Just this week, New Zealand’s first measles case in 2 years was reported in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.

The patient contracted the disease while travelling in Asia before coming back to Aotearoa and, with global measles cases on the rise, concerns have been raised about the potential for an outbreak and its impacts on New Zealand’s already overburdened healthcare system.

Oto spoke to Helen Petousis-Harris, an Associate Professor in General Practice & Primary Healthcare at the University of Auckland, to discuss the recent measles case in Aotearoa and its potential implications.

The Wire w/ Oto: 14 May, 2025

The Wire w/ Oto: 14 May, 2025 The Wire w/ Oto: 14 May, 2025, 101.42 MB
Wed 14 May 2025

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March, Oto spoke to him about the government’s review of the Waitangi Tribunal, funding allocation for the victims of abuse in care redress program and changes to the wildlife act.

For this week’s Get Action! Oto spoke to Hugh Acton, a member of Climate Action Victoria University of Wellington, about a petition calling on the university to divest from fossil fuel companies.

And he spoke to Helen Petousis-Harris, an Associate Professor in General Practice & Primary Healthcare at the University of Auckland about Aotearoa’s most recent measles case and it’s implications for the health system.

Max spoke to Shaun Robinson, the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, about the recent withdrawal of the police from mental health callouts.

And he spoke to Valerie Morse, from Peace Action Wellington, to discuss the US military’s indication that they want to increase the number of space launches from Rocket Lab’s launchpad on the Mahia Peninsula.

Is Mahia Now a Nuclear Base? W/ Valerie Morse: May 14, 2025

Is Mahia Now a Nuclear Base? W/ Valerie Morse: May 14, 2025 Is Mahia Now a Nuclear Base? W/ Valerie Morse: May 14, 2025, 17.08 MB
Wed 14 May 2025

Recently, the US military indicated that it wants to increase the number of space launches from Rocket Lab’s launchpad on the Mahia Peninsula, including launching satellites that are involved in Nuclear command-control-and-comms.

Valerie Morse from Peace Action Wellington, has questioned this development over the lack of transparency from the US military about what they are launching into space, and urged New Zealand to stay firm on it’s stance on Nuclear Weapons.

To talk about this, as well as what it means for New Zealand’s independence, Producer Max spoke with Valerie Morse.

Petition to stop police mental health withdrawal delivered w/ Shaun Robinson: 14 May, 2025

Petition to stop police mental health withdrawal delivered w/ Shaun Robinson: 14 May, 2025 Petition to stop police mental health withdrawal delivered w/ Shaun Robinson: 14 May, 2025, 8.68 MB
Wed 14 May 2025

Yesterday, the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, delivered a petition, which was signed by more than 16,000 citizens. The petition calls on the government to stop the Police’s hasty withdrawal from mental health callouts, until an alternative service is up and running.

Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, Shaun Robinson, has said that “The Police are a critical safety net for people in distress needing urgent access to mental health support”, and that the government removing the support of the police without an alternative in place is comparable to removing the engine of a car while it is running. Robinson believes that both situations are “dangerous, and likely to lead to an accident”.

To talk about the dangers of this development, Producer Max spoke with Shaun Robinson

Social media restrictions and NZ First’ gender bill w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 13th May, 2025

Social media restrictions and NZ First’ gender bill w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 13th May, 2025 Social media restrictions and NZ First’ gender bill w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 13th May, 2025, 9.75 MB
Tue 13 May 2025

National Party MP Catherine Wedd recently filed a private members bill that would look at restricting social media use for young people, mainly those under 16. While the bill has received some criticism from the ACT party, other parties such as Labour have agreed that legislation around this issue is important. 

At the end of April New Zealand First MP Jenny Marcroft put forward a private members bill forward that would seek to define the word ‘woman’ in New Zealand law. The bill was received with criticism from opposition parties and the general public, who say the bill is drawing on transphobic sentiments to distract from more important issues.

In our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about each of these issues, starting with the potential social media restrictions. 

Pay Equity Amendment Bill affects on Wāhine Māori and Pacific Women w/ PSA's Janice Panoho: 13 May, 2025

Pay Equity Amendment Bill affects on Wāhine Māori and Pacific Women w/ PSA's Janice Panoho: 13 May, 2025 Pay Equity Amendment Bill affects on Wāhine Māori and Pacific Women w/ PSA's Janice Panoho: 13 May, 2025, 6.81 MB
Tue 13 May 2025

The government’s recent changes to laws on gender pay equity have received backlash from unions– particularly the Public Service Association.

Producer Faith spoke to the union’s kaihautu Janice Panoho about these changes, how they affect Maori and Pacifica women, and what steps need to be taken moving forward

The Wire w/ Castor: 13th May, 2025

The Wire w/ Castor: 13th May, 2025 The Wire w/ Castor: 13th May, 2025, 106.48 MB
Tue 13 May 2025

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Doctor Cushla McGoverin, chats with us about a new twist on the famous marshmallow experiment, a new snake antivenom, and new steps towards lithium batteries. 

In our weekly catch-up with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about social media restrictions for young people and NZ First’s recent gender bill. 

They also spoke to Director of Global Studies at the University of Auckland, Chris Ogden, about the India/Pakistan ceasefire and stability in the region. 

Producer Faith spoke to public health researcher, Professor Janet Hoek, from the University of Otago about Labour MP Dr. Ayesha Verrall’s tobacco transparency bill

She also spoke to the Public Service Association union’s kaihautu, Janice Panoho, about how the coalition government’s recent law changes will affect Maori and Pacifica women in particular

Tobacco Transparency Bill w/ University of Otago's Professor Janet Hoek

Tobacco Transparency Bill w/ University of Otago's Professor Janet Hoek Tobacco Transparency Bill w/ University of Otago's Professor Janet Hoek, 15.08 MB
Tue 13 May 2025

Producer Faith spoke with public health researcher and professor from the University of Otago Janet Hoek about the benefits of Labour's health spokesperson Dr. Ayesha Verrall's new bill.

India/Pakistan ceasefire and regional stability w/ Director of Global Studies at the University of Auckland Chris Ogden: 13th May, 2025

India/Pakistan ceasefire and regional stability w/ Director of Global Studies at the University of Auckland Chris Ogden: 13th May, 2025 India/Pakistan ceasefire and regional stability w/ Director of Global Studies at the University of Auckland Chris Ogden: 13th May, 2025, 7.6 MB
Tue 13 May 2025

Military confrontation between India and Pakistan has many regional and international actors concerned about stability in the region. While a ceasefire agreement has been reached, conditions are still uncertain, especially given indications that India doesn’t see it as a ceasefire. 

Wire host Castor spoke to Director of Global Studies at the University of Auckland, Chris Ogden, about the ceasefire both now and moving into the future. 

The Wire w/ Joel: 5 May, 2025

The Wire w/ Joel: 5 May, 2025 The Wire w/ Joel: 5 May, 2025, 116.09 MB
Tue 13 May 2025

This week on the Monday Wire:

For our weekly catchup with Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to her about changes to prisoners’ voting eligibility, the party calling for more funding for Whakaata Māori in Budget 2025, and ECE recommendations.

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, Producer Evie spoke to Simon Court about David Seymour’s proposal to reduce the size of cabinet, an ACT Members Bill aimed at removing mandatory climate-related disclosures for banks, as well as last week's unprecedented senior doctor strikes.

Joel spoke to Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland, about animal product imports to New Zealand, as a petition to Parliament to ensure imports are coming from country’s with animal welfare standards on par with ours.

Joel also spoke to Robert Patman, a Professor of International Relations at the University of Otago, about his article on the Conversation, discussing his concerns over the Trump Administration's proposed peace deal regarding Russia’s war on Ukraine, and how New Zealand should proceed with supporting Ukraine.

And Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins us in studio to discuss young people developing their political views through social media.

Whakarongo mai