95bFM: The Wire

The government's COVID-19 inquiry recently returned a series of recommendations around New Zealand's preparations for future pandemics. While the government accepted the vast majority of these recommendations, there are concerns about the implementation, especially as the pandemic and its management have become a topic of significant political polarisation.  To discuss the inquiry and how politics is influencing our disease management, News Director Castor spoke to Professor of Public Health Michael Baker.

This week on the Monday Wire... For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about discriminatory comments from NZ First MPs and candidates, and about the possibilities of plug in solar in Aotearoa.  They also spoke to Professor of Public Health Michael Baker about the recommendations from the latest COVID-19 Inquiry and how politics is influencing pandemic management.  And Producer Pranuja spoke to Associate Professor of Social Sciences, Carisa Showden, about proposed changes to New Zealand's sexual consent laws.

Last week, NZ First leader Winston Peters made derogatory comments towards Green Party MP Lawrence Xu-Nan. The comments echoed racist stereotypes about immigrants and led to strong backlash from members of the public and politicians across parliament. This is not the first example of discriminatory comments from NZ First politicians this year. Candidate Stuart Nash spouted misogynistic rhetoric about National MP Katie Nimon earlier this year, and Deputy Leader Shane Jones made some derogatory comments about Indian migrants even earlier in the year. While MPs continue to call out these comments, little is being done to actually respond to them, especially as ACT and National continue to support NZ First in power. Also this past week saw the Ministry for Regulation advising that legalising plug-in solar could provide significant benefits. While plug-in solar rarely generates enough electricity to power a home, it can alleviate power costs especially in sunny months, reducing the burden on households and the electrical grid.  For this week's catchup with ACT's Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about each of these issues, beginning with NZ First leader Winston Peters' comments.

This week on the Tuesday Wire... For Dear Science this week, we chat with our expert, Dr Cushla McGoverin, about a new giant salamander that lived over 3 million years ago being described in Japan, fungi which can eat polystyrene and how sperm whales sleep vertically.  For our weekly catchup with the National Party, news director Castor spoke with MP Ryan Hamilton about comments by Stuart Nash and New Zealand's climate targets. Host Thomas spoke to PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons about the employment leave bill and the 200,000 workers it might make worse off. And Producer Liam spoke to Dr Kerry McInerney, a computer science lecturer from the University of Auckland, about public perceptions towards AI Data Centres in New Zealand.

Over the weekend, the Green Party announced their proposal to have a one year national moratorium on the consenting of new Artificial Intelligence Data Centres until proper regulations have been set up. Consent for a 3.5 billion dollar hyperscale AI data centre has already been approved for Southland, which is set to be the second highest consumer of electricity in the country, requiring 280 MW of power. While supporters claim that it will bring in jobs and allow New Zealand to be at the forefront of the AI industry, many have raised concerns about the harm it could cause to New Zealand's natural environment, the strain it will put on our energy and water resources, and the fact that projects have been seemingly approved with little public consultation.  I spoke to Dr Kerry McInerney from the School of Computer Science at the University of Auckland, about public perceptions towards AI Data Centres in New Zealand, concerns that have been raised and whether there can be a social license for data centres to be implemented.

Workplace relations minister Brooke van Velden's employment leave bill is set for its third reading today. The bill is meant to replace the Holidays Act and move to a hours-based accrual system with a leave compensation payment for additional and casual hours. The Public Service Association has spoken out against the bill, calculating that it could leave up to 200,000 workers worse off due to the change to overtime payments. Over half of those negatively affected workers are in the healthcare sector. Van Velden has denied the calculation saying it wouldn't be accurate as the new bill only sets new minimum standards, meaning worker conditions may stay the same. The PSA has accused the government of feigning ignorance of the harm the bill will cause. To discuss the employment leave bill and the 200,000 workers who may be worse off, host Thomas spoke to PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons.  

An ongoing inquiry into Fire and Emergency NZ has identified that the organisation is making multiple questionable spending decisions. Not only are equipment and vehicles for firefighters underfunded, but higher-ups are consistently seeing pay bumps.  Also on firefighting, Labour's Kieran McAnulty recently had his member's bill drawn, which would see volunteer firefighters covered by ACC for injuries.  Last week saw an announcement that inflation has reached a two year high, mostly due to the ongoing fuel crisis thanks to the US/Iran conflict. As the conflict wears on, pressure is on the government to improve fuel resilience and expand our use of renewable energy. For our weekly catchup with ACT's Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about each of these issues, beginning with Fire and Emergency NZ funding.

This week on the Monday Wire... For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about Fire and Emergency NZ, ACC cover for firefighters, inflation at a two year high, and improving Aotearoa's fuel resilience.  They also spoke to Professor of Communications, Mohan Dutta from Massey University about a Facebook post from the ACT Party's Parmjeet Parmar criticising a University of Auckland lecturer.  And they spoke to E tū director Mat Danaher about a proposed digital restructure at Stuff and broader trends at media organisations looking to digitise jobs.  And Producer Pranuja spoke to Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe about the Climate Change Commission's warning that New Zealand is off track to meet its emissions targets, and whether the Government's climate policy changes are responsible.

News media company Stuff is proposing a restructure to its digital team, with up to eight cuts. The announcement follows cuts across different news organisations in Aotearoa, with Newshub and Re: News announcing closures and job cuts at multiple other organisations.  E tū has raised concerns over the cuts in particular, noting the importance of well staffed news organisations in holding the government accountable and keeping people up to date on current affairs.  To discuss E tū's concerns, News Director Castor spoke to the organisation's director Mat Danaher.

One week ago, ACT MP Parmjeet Parmar posted on Facebook to criticise University of Auckland Law Lecturer Treasa Dunworth over her comments about the ACT Party and the Treaty Principles Bill. The post generated a multitude of responses - many supportive of Dunworth and many criticising her teaching style and suggesting she should be fired.  In an article released also last week, the situation was compared to broader international movements criticising academics for speaking out against culture-war issues.  To discuss the issue, how it works in Aotearoa, and what it might mean for academics, News Director Castor spoke to the article's author, Professor of Communications Mohan Dutta.

A new report from the Climate Change Commission has warned that New Zealand is no longer on track to meet its emissions-reduction targets, with agricultural methane identified as a significant risk. Greenpeace says the findings reflect a series of climate policy reversals by the Luxon Government, including the return of offshore oil and gas exploration, the removal of the Clean Car Discount and changes to methane targets. To discuss whether New Zealand's climate progress has stalled and what would be needed to get the country back on track, Producer Pranuja spoke with Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe.

For City Counselling, Wire Hosr Caeden spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about Council passing amendments to Plan Change 120 earlier this week and the Regional Historic Heritage Grant opening for applications.  For our Politics with Māni Dunlop from Te Ao Māori News, they asked about the Government scrapping Mana Whakahono ā Rohe iwi-council agreements, the latest Jobseeker numbers from the Ministry of Social Development, and rising inflation. For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Shanan Halbert about inflation, Fire and Emergency NZ, and criticisms of move-on orders.

The Government has scrapped Mana Whakahono ā Rohe council-iwi agreements, with Resource Management Reform Minister Chris Bishop rejecting claims the change is racist. Jobseeker numbers remain amongst the highest recorded in the past five years, with Māori continuing to be disproportionately represented. And inflation has risen to its highest level in two years.  For Politics with Māni Dunlop of Te Ao Māori News, Wire Host Caeden asked about these topics.

A recently released study from researchers at the Otago, Canterbury, and Massey universities has found an association between nitrate concentrations in drinking water, and pre-term births. The study is the first of its scale to investigate the health impacts of nitrate on health, involving the birth records of over 735,000 babies born between 2008 and 2021.  It comes after the Ministry of Health launched a review into the health effects of nitrate in drinking water earlier this year, with groups such as Greenpeace long-arguing for a reduction in the maximum acceptable value of nitrate in drinking water for Aotearoa New Zealand. So, to learn more about what the study found, Producer Theo spoke to its lead author, the University of Canterbury's Associate Professor Tim Chambers.

The government's move-on orders policy has been under some scrutiny, with primary criticisms claiming that it does not adequately address the issue or that it unreasonably punishes the most disadvantaged groups in society.  To discuss the specific impacts that the policy would have on Aotearoa's young people, the impacts of homelessness more broadly, and how we can better manage the issue, News Director Castor spoke to Children's Commissioner Claire Achmad.

This week on the Monday Wire...  For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about newly announced ACT candidate Paul Henry, default union membership, and scrutiny over the ban on puberty blockers. They also spoke to Children's Commissioner Claire Achmad about problems with the proposed move-on orders bill and particularly how it can impact young people in Aotearoa.  Wednesday Wire producer Theo spoke to University of Canterbury Associate Professor Tim Chambers about the impacts of nitrate levels on pre-term births.  And Monday Wire producer spoke with Dr Terryann Clark, the Cure Kids Professorial Chair in Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the University of Auckland, about banning social media for under 16-year-olds in Aotearoa.

Last week, the ACT Party announced that former broadcaster Paul Henry will be running as a candidate in this year's election. Henry has been subject to some controversy in the past, with derogatory comments made towards multiple public figures during his time as a breakfast show host.  Also last week, the Green Party announced a policy of default union membership, meaning that a person will be automatically signed up for the appropriate union when they start a new job. The ACT Party says this policy impedes on personal freedoms, though the Greens have reiterated that people can still leave unions.  Lastly, the government's ban on puberty blockers has been under scrutiny following a court case from the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa. The association has put forward multiple critiques, primarily that the ban appears to be based in ideology rather than medical evidence.  For this week's catch-up with the ACT Party's Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about each of these issues, beginning with Paul Henry's appointment as a candidate.

A New Zealand parliamentary inquiry has backed stronger regulation of social media, including a possible ban for users under 16. Supporters argue a ban could protect young people from addictive platforms, harmful content and worsening mental health. But University of Auckland researchers say the evidence does not support blaming social media as the main cause of rising youth distress. To discuss this, Producer Pranuja spoke with Dr Terryann Clark, the Cure Kids Professorial Chair in Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the University of Auckland.

Workers at the Department of Internal Affairs went on strike on Monday, over a pay offer from the government which does not match the increased cost of living.  To discuss the importance of the Department of Internal Affairs, why workers are striking, and how the government is responding, Tuesday Wire host Alex spoke to National Secretary of the Public Service Association, Duane Leo.

A new Infometrics report, commissioned by the Waitākere Indian Association, estimates that Kiwi-Indian businesses, households, international students and visitors contributed $37.3 billion to GDP in the year to March 2025. The report highlights the economic power of Kiwi-Indians and argues that New Zealand could be making better use of the community's skills, calling for improved recognition of overseas qualifications and greater support for migrant-owned businesses. The report launched in Auckland just before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit, the first by an Indian prime minister in 40 years. Producer Pranuja attended the launch and spoke to community leaders, economists and politicians about what the findings mean and whether closer ties with India will translate into meaningful benefits for Kiwi Indians. Producer Pranuja spoke to President of the Waitākere Indian Association Sunil Kaushal, Chief Executive and Principal Economist at Infometrics Brad Olsen, Secretary of the Waitākere Indian Association Sanjay Dutt Sharma, Labour's immigration spokesperson and Te Atatū MP Phil Twyford, and Minister for Auckland, Revenue, Climate Change and Local Government Simon Watts. To find out more on the report, go to kiwiindians.nz.

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) have released two new research papers outlining the impact of high housing costs.  The reports show that housing costs are leaving families without enough income to cover essentials, particularly as the supply of affordable rental homes decreases across the motu.  Wire Host Caeden spoke to research author Greg Waite about the findings.

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Child Poverty Action Group Housing Researcher Greg Waite about two new reports from the organisation on the cost of housing.  Tuesday Wire Host Alex spoke to National Secretary of the Public Service Association, Duane Leo, about Department of Internal Affairs workers striking on Monday.  For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Producer Pranuja spoke with Shanan Halbert about the 6% Tertiary fee increase and Indian Prime Ministers Narendra Modi's visit last friday. And Waitakere Indian Association released The Economic Contribution of Kiwi Indians in New Zealand commissioned by Informetrics. Pranuja attended the launch and interviewed community leaders about the impact of these figures for the Kiwi Indian Diaspora.

  Ahead of the CRL's much anticipated opening later this year, many people have been reflecting on how expensive it has become to produce infrastructure in New Zealand and the waste that goes into projects that are thrown out after a change in government. Consensus seems to be building around the need for a consistent pipeline that staggers works to maintain a consistent flow for industry and build agreement across parliament. This week has seen the government introduce their Major Transport Projects Pipeline, or MTPP which in many ways motions towards this debate while also taking a step back from many roads whose costs have ballooned. But how do opposition parties feel about this this Policy? Has agreement been found? And this week, the visit of controversial Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sparked opposition from two radically differing sides, from those concerned with India's human rights record to those hostile to migration from India. So for this week's catch-up with the Green Party's Ricardo Menendez March, we discuss the Green Party's issues with the new MTPP and the political climate that has surrounded Modi's visit.  

This week on the Monday Wire... For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to ACT MP Simon Court about selling conservation land, youth unemployment, and arts and culture funding for Auckland's CBD.  Producer Thomas spoke to University of Auckland Professor of conservation biology James Russell, about the Conservation Amendment Bill. He also talked to University of Auckland Professor Dr Sally Mackay about making food health star ratings mandatory. And Producer Jude spoke to Auckland University senior research fellow, Dr Sarah-Jane Guild about the development of wireless brain sensors.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand is currently consulting on a proposal to make health star ratings mandatory, with the present voluntary system coming under fire. Currently, only 36% of eligible packaged foods in New Zealand display a health star rating, well short of the 70% goal set by food ministers in November 2025.  Additionally, a recent briefing by the Public Health Communication Centre had nutrition experts arguing that labels can help improve dietary choices, encourage product reformulation and strengthen transparency. Front-of-pack nutrition labelling is also recommended by the World Health Organisation. To discuss making food health star ratings mandatory, producer Thomas spoke to University of Auckland Professor Dr Sally Mackay.  

One hundred Kiwi kids are diagnosed with a life-threatening condition called Hydrocephalus yearly. Hydrocephalus is a condition where the brain gets an abnormal amount of fluid buildup, which causes harmful pressure on brain tissues.   The current standard treatment for it is a shunt implantation, which is a tiny silicon tube that gets inserted into the brain to drain any excess fluid into other parts of the body harmlessly. However, these shunts have the tendency to get blocked about fifty percent of the time. And if they don't get replaced in time the raised pressure in the brain could cause huge damage and even death. The major problem is that symptoms of a failed shunt are very common and are hard to interpret.  To fix this, researchers have been developing an implantable wireless brain sensor, which will be able to read brain pressure wirelessly and safely at home.  To learn more about this new technology and how it will work in the future. Producer Jude spoke to University of Auckland Senior Research Fellow Dr Sarah-Jane Guild.

After passing its first reading in May submissions are currently open for the conservation amendment bill, which would see up to 60 percent of current conservation land become open for sale as long as it's not considered important for threatened species.  Additionally, the bill adds a new responsibility to the Department of Conservation to recognise and enable economic opportunities as much as possible from the land and resources it manages. The bill has faced significant public pushback, with a recent poll finding that 64% of New Zealanders oppose it, including the majority of the current government coalition's regular voters. With submissions closing on the 2nd of July, producer Thomas spoke to University of Auckland Professor of conservation biology James Russell about the bill and its contentious proposals.

The Government is considering expanding prescribing powers for emergency paramedics, allowing them to prescribe certain medicines, including antibiotics, for conditions such as respiratory and ear infections.  Supporters say the move could improve access to healthcare, particularly in underserved communities, but some experts are warning that stronger safeguards are needed to prevent unnecessary antibiotic use and growing antimicrobial resistance.  Producer Pranuja spoke with Professor Bruce Arroll from the University of Auckland about the safeguards needed with this policy to protect public health.

Last week, the Independent Childrens Monitor Aroturuki Tamariki released its second annual report on outcomes for Māori in the care and protection system. The report looks at the existing context of Māori children and young people's struggles in state care systems, and assesses current outcomes. It examines what is currently being done to support Māori within the system, and what more could be done to remediate the current inequities.  To discuss the report, and what more New Zealand's protection and care systems could be doing to support our tamariki Māori, News Director Castor spoke to the Children's Commissioner Claire Achmad.  

This week on the Thursday Wire... For City Counselling, News Director Castor spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about Labour's $20 fare cap policy, proposed scenarios for changes to PC 120, and Council's plans for Matariki.  They also spoke to Director of Wellbeing, System Leadership, Data, and Insights at Te Hiringa Mahara, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Dr Ella Cullen, about the state of Mental Health services in Aotearoa. And they spoke to the Children's Commissioner, Claire Achmad, about a recent Aroturuki Tamariki report on Māori outcomes in the care and protection system.  For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Producer Pranuja spoke with Shanan Halbert about the Government's Jobseeker target, and the fallout from the Immigration New Zealand controversy.   She also spoke with Professor Bruce Arroll from the University of Auckland about the proposed prescribing powers for paramedics and the safeguards needed to protect public health.

Te Hiringa Mahara, the mental health and wellbeing commission, released a system report on Tuesday this week. The report looks into the state of mental health services in Aotearoa - whether they adequately provide for everyone, who falls through the cracks, and what kind of improvements could be made.  To discuss the findings from the report, News Director Castor spoke to Director of Wellbeing, System Leadership, Data, and Insights at Te Hiringa Mahara, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Dr Ella Cullen, about the state of Mental Health services in Aotearoa.

This week on the Wednesday Wire... For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, Host Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the call for a budgetary office, the growing wealth disparity, and gig workers rights.  Producer Theo spoke to the Executive Director of Transparency International New Zealand, Julie Haggie, on the regulation of political donations in Aotearoa New Zealand. Then, for this week's Get Action, Theo spoke to the Sudan Advocacy Network Aotearoa's Fatima Sanussi, on their petition to urgently establish a Sudan Special Humanitarian Visa Pathway. Finally, Producer Toby spoke to Dr. Chris Wilson and Michal Dziwulski about their new book ‘He Told Us,' examining the 2019 Christchurch terrorist attack.

While the election is still over four months away, parties are already deploying what has become an election period staple, the budget hole. The idea that a party vying for government may have bungled the numbers is quite the attack, but without every kiwi trying to break down the numbers themselves, we often have to be taking at least someone at their word. The Green party is among a number of voices proposing a fix to this - a parliamentary budget office that would vet the costs of party policies and be able to answer that age old question, how big is their hole. And ahead of the release of their own tax policy the Greens have highlighted that The richest 150 New Zealand individuals and family dynasties now own as much as half of the country between them. These numbers, from the National Business Review, show that this small group of kiwis grew their collective wealth from  $102b to $129b last year, that's a 26% increase in just one year. As the current government gives tax breaks to landlords, and cuts to social services, the Green party says they should be looking at this growth instead, but how do they propose we claw that wealth back? For our weekly catch-up with the Green Party, Host Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the call for an independent parliamentary budgetary office, the growing wealth disparity, and gig workers rights.  

This week on the Monday Wire... For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, host Thomas spoke to ACT MP Simon Court about the party's proposed Nationally Determined contribution towards the Paris Agreement, funding for the Liquified Natural gas import terminal and public transport policy. He also talked to Victoria University Professor of Climate Science & Physical Geography James Renwick about a study which found concerns with costal flooding events in Wellington. And he spoke to Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Sarah Dalton about Pharmac changing eligibility criteria for diabetes medication and Health NZ stopping cardiology groups from objecting. Caeden also spoke to Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand Chief Executive Letitia Harding about calls from the World Health Organisation to ban flavoured tobacco products.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has renewed calls to ban flavoured nicotine products, particularly sweet, fruity, and confectionery-style flavours, which it says drive addiction amongst young people.  WHO has warned that tobacco and nicotine companies are deliberately creating products that are “more appealing, easier to use and harder to quit” for adolescents and young people. Thursday Wire Host Caeden caught up with Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand Chief Executive Letitia Harding about the calls for restrictions and how this applies in a New Zealand context.

A new study has been released that shows the impact of human-induced climate change on global sea levels, focusing on the change from 1900 to 2005.  It found that, worldwide, one in a hundred-year flooding event had a median increase to the 1 in 8-year event average over this time. Even more concerningly, the study found that the increase was not geographically balanced, and Wellington coastal floods have increased to roughly a twice-per-year occurrence. Relevantly, last week Wellington faced large swells up to 9 metres, resulting in a state of emergency and mandatory evacuation orders at numerous bays in the area. To discuss the results of the study and how best to respond to the findings, host Thomas talked to Victoria University Professor of Climate Science & Physical Geography, James Renwick.

Pharmac has recently proposed changing who can receive funded treatment for key diabetes medication, moving it in line with a cabinet directive from 2024 saying public services should be prioritised on the basis of need, not race. There has been an outcry from health professionals, such as the cardiac network, saying data shows that Maori and Pacific people are more at risk of diabetes, regardless of their socio-economic status, and the best way to maximise health benefit for dollars spent is by targeting these groups. Further criticism has been directed at Health NZ, which has banned the cardio network from objecting to the removal of eligibility criteria, saying it would breach the 2024 cabinet directive. Cardiologists will be forced to make submissions as individuals, a move the network has said is silencing scientific evidence in the name of politics  To discuss the eligibility changes and Health NZ silencing cardiologists, host Thomas spoke to Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Sarah Dalton.

The Green Party has announced a new policy to fine individuals and companies for privacy breaches. This includes fines of up to $500,000 for breaches by individuals and $10 million for corporates.  Wire Host Caeden spoke to Professor Gehan Gunasekara, a privacy law expert at the University of Auckland Business School, about this proposal. 

For Politics with Māni Dunlop from Te Ao Māori News, Wire Host Caeden asked about a new investment from the Government in Māori businesses and funding for Māori organisations in Budget 2026.  And they spoke to Professor Gehan Gunasekara, a privacy law expert at the University of Auckland Business School, about a new Green Party policy that would fine individuals and businesses for privacy breaches.  For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, News Director Castor spoke with Shanan Halbert about the party's newly announced $20 fare cap and its broader policy plan for this year's election.  And Castor spoke to Professor Michael Baker from the University of Otago about influenza management and improving New Zealand's public health response.

Labour has announced its first major policy in over six months: a proposal to cap public transport costs at $20 a week in major centres and $10 elsewhere. The party says the policy would help with the cost of living and make public transport more accessible. The announcement comes after the coalition government removed several public transport subsidies introduced under Labour, including half-price fares for young people and free fares for children. Alongside the fare cap, Labour has already announced a targeted capital gains tax to fund three free GP visits a year and a proposed Future Fund aimed at investing in infrastructure and innovative Kiwi businesses. For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, News Director Castor spoke with Shanan Halbert about these policies.

The Government has announced it is investing $5 million into Māori-owned businesses as part of its initiatives to support economic growth and create jobs.  It follows a mixed bag of funding and cuts to Māori organisations in Budget 2026.  For Politics with Māni Dunlop from Te Ao Māori News, Wire Host Caeden has Māni on the line to discuss these recent announcements. 

Per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (or, PFAS) have been called ‘forever chemicals'. That's because these synthetic chemicals are incredibly durable, lasting thousands of years. This durability has made this large group of chemicals useful in a variety of industries, from cosmetics to electronic and cookware. However, PFAS have been linked to a myriad of health risks including cancers, liver damage, and suppressed immunity, bad news, given their ubiquity within the environment and humans. Recently, the Australian Government moved to sue the manufacturing giant 3M for $2.4b NZD, for their use of forever chemicals in firefighting foam, which contaminated numerous defence force bases across the country. While no such legal action is yet on the cards for New Zealand, increased attention is being given to the presence of PFAS in our environment. In 2022 PFAS were for the first time included in the suite of compounds analysed in a quadrennial groundwater survey. However, there is still a lack of information on how present PFAS are in Aotearoa New Zealand, so later this year the Environmental Protection Authority will be engaging with councils and other agencies to carry out further groundwater testing. To learn more, producer Theo spoke with the Environmental Protection Authority's acting manager of hazardous substances applications, Dr Shaun Presow.