95bFM: The Wire

As the climate and sustainability crises continue to worsen and corporations and governments refuse to act the question must be asked, do we need to rethink our entire society? From one built on resource extraction for profit, to one built around sustainable local living. Producer Sam spoke to Professor of geology at the University of Auckland, Phil Shane, about the sustainability of our society.

This week on the Thursday Wire: For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to MP Shanon Halbert about the re-establishment on TEN polytechnics that were previously merged under Te Pūkenga, and Te Pāti Māori members accusing the party of being ‘greedy' for running MP Peeni Henare in the upcoming Tāmaki Makaurau by-election. For this week's City Counselling, Producer Sara spoke with Councillor Julie Fairey about her recent biking accident and her hopes for road safety in Auckland, as well as the recently released State of the City report. For International Desk, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Natasha Lindstaedt from the University of Essex on the backslide of democracy in Georgia, particularly due to Russian influence, and the public response. Joel spoke to Tom Wilkinson, a PhD Candidate in History at the University of Auckland, about Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, nominating US President, Donald Trump, for a Nobel Peace Prize. And on Monday, Producer Sam spoke to Peter Adams, a Professor in the School of Population Health at the University of Auckland, about the government's alcohol levy, in light of recent lobbying by the alcohol industry. Whakarongo mai!

On the 25th of June, our regular City Counselling guest Julie Fairey was involved in a road collision while she was biking in her local area. Fairey wrote about the close call, which she says could have been a lot worse, in a piece published in the Spinoff, as a reinvigoration of her previous advocacy around the need for road safety measures that improve how safely and efficiently Aucklanders can get around the city. As well, this week we've seen the release of the State of the City report, which compares Auckland on metrics including opportunity and prosperity, culture and experience, place and connectivity, innovation and knowledge, and resilience and sustainability. The report found that we are ‘falling behind' other cities, with the biggest emphasis placed on our poor economic productivity in comparison with similar locations. Producer Sara spoke with Julie Fairey about both of these topics, firstly by asking her what motivated her to write about her recent collision.

A number of experts have raised concerns recently regarding the “way too friendly” relationship between alcohol industry lobbyists and policy makers responsible for alcohol restrictions and laws in New Zealand. While we have had an alcohol harm-reduction levy in place for over forty years, some experts including University of Auckland School of Population Health Professor Peter Adams, believe that this levy isn't as positive as it seems. As alcohol lobbyists have been granted input and influence in the development of alcohol policies, Adams says that the levy is actually a smokescreen that allows the industry to profit from alcohol consumption without tangibly addressing its harms to the population. On Monday, Producer Sam spoke with Professor Peter Adams about this topic. 

Once a beacon of democratic progress, Georgia is at risk of sliding into authoritarianism, particularly due to Russian influence.  Six opposition leaders face criminal charges, and the major opposition parties have been banned, while “Georgia Dream”, the political party in power, faces allegations of corruption and voter fraud. However, the party faces increasing opposition within Georgia, including mass protests over their pro-Russia laws.  82% of Georgians feel their country is in crisis, with 78% directly citing the Georgian Dream political party as the cause.  Wire Host Caeden spoke to Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor in the Department of Government at the University of Essex, about Georgia's anti-democratic crackdowns and public response.

The government has announced that Te Pūkenga is set to return to ‘regional governance,' re-establishing 10 polytechnics that were merged under the previous Labour-led government. In 2020 under the previous Labour-led government, 16 polytechnics and nine industry training organisations were merged into the mega-institute Te Pūkenga, as a “head office”. Despite this, the polytechnics were allowed to maintain their unique images and continue operating. Vocational Education Minister, Penny Simmonds, announced the move, to establish a vocational education system that is “locally led, regionally responsible, and future-focused”. The move has faced backlash. The Tertiary Education Union's national secretary, Sandra Grey, says the move would be a disaster for regional education and that the sector is being treated as a “political football”. For our weekly catchup with the Labour Party, News and Editorial Director Joel spoke with MP Shanon Halbert, about this move from the government. They also discussed Te Pāti Māori members expressing concerns over Labour's choice of running MP Peeni Henare in the upcoming Tāmaki Makaurau by-election. Te Pāti Māori media liaison, Kiri Tamihere-Waititi, says a vote for Henare would be “wasted,” as Henare already has a seat in Parliament. She has called for people to vote for Te Pāti Māori's candidate, Oriini Kaipara, so that there would be two Tāmaki Makaurau-based Māori MPs in Parliament. But first, they discussed vocational education.

Towards the start of this month, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, nominated US President, Donald Trump, for a Nobel Peace Prize. News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to Tom Wilkinson, a PhD Candidate in History at the University of Auckland, about Netanyahu's nomination, the Nobel Peace Prize in general, and his belief that there is an ulterior motive to the Israeli Prime Minister's nomination.

Back in April, American company Colossal Biosciences had announced a successful project, from their point of view, to de-extinct the Dire Wolf. Now, the company has teamed up with Sir Peter Jackson, Canterbury Museum and the Ngai Tahu Research Centre, to begin the de-extinction of the South Island Giant Moa. In April, we conducted an interview with Associate Professor and Director of the Paleogenetics Lab at the University of Otago, Nic Rawlence, who was displeased with the American company's attempts at the Dire Wolf. Now, to talk about the recent news of Colossal Biosciences' attempts to de-extinct the Moa, Producer Max spoke to Rawlence once again.

Last week, The Green party issued a statement calling on the government to drop the Regulatory Standards Bill after the bill went through hearings at the select committee, with only 19 out of the total 208 submissions heard supporting the Bill. This week, the government confirmed their plan to re-establish 10 polytechnics that had been merged into Te Pūkenga under the previous labour government as part of the government's plan to gradually disestablish the wider institution. And the Greens recently announced that they wouldn't be standing any candidates of their own in the Tāmaki Makaurau by-elections, which are happening in September this year. For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March to get the party's take on all of these issues.

Extreme weather events such as the recent Tasman floods, are becoming more common in New Zealand. With that, the risk of severe flooding is only increasing. The question is: how prepared is Aotearoa for the next severe flood and what action is needed to prepare for it?  Producer Max spoke to Dr. Iresh Jayawardena, a lecturer in Urban Planning at the University of Auckland, to talk about New Zealand's lack of awareness when it comes to floods and why short term planning has left many areas vulnerable to severe weather.

Following up on my chat with Simon Court, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke with the Pōneke Anti-Fascist Coalition's Anne Campbell. The ACT Party's choice of James Lindsay as a keynote speaker has raised concerns about his spread of conspiracy theories and thoughts on minority communities, such as the LGBTQIA+ community. They spoke to Campbell about James Lindsay, his controversial comments, and what this means for Aotearoa.

Recently, Science and Technology Minister, Shane Reti, announced New Zealand's first-ever artificial intelligence, or AI, strategy. With this, Aotearoa becomes the last country in the OECD to establish guidelines around the use of AI. Despite the establishment of this strategy, which is aimed at enticing the private sector to incorporate and invest in AI, there are concerns that the strategy does not introduce any new legislation to regulate AI, rather using already existing legislation, and fails to address ethical concerns. News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Dr Collin Bjork — a senior Communications lecturer at Massey University, about this strategy document, and how much of an impact this strategy will have on the private sector to be better engaged with AI usage. They also spoke to AI and technology governor, Dr Karaitiana Taiuru, about how te ao Māori is engaged with this strategy, and whether more needs to be done.

This week on the Monday Wire:  For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about the party's annual rally that happened yesterday, and the choice of US author, James Lindsay, as a keynote speaker, as well as the recent public hearings into the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the government's Covid-19 response. Following up with their chat with MP Simon Court, Joel spoke to the Pōneke Anti-Fascist Coalition's Anne Campbell, about James Lindsay, and his controversial views. Joel spoke to Dr Collin Bjork — a senior Communications lecturer at Massey University, about the government's recently released AI strategy.  And Joel spoke to AI and technology governor, Dr Karaitiana Taiuru, about how the government's AI strategy coexists with te ao Māori. Producer Samantha spoke to University of Auckland Geology Professor, Phil James, about the sustainbility issues with modern society in the global north. Whakarongo mai!

Yesterday, the ACT Party held their annual rally, being called the “Free and Equal Rally”. Notably, US author, James Lindsay, was a keynote speaker at the event. Lindsay is the author of ‘Cynical Theories: How Activist Scholarship Made Everything About Race, Gender, and Identity—and Why This Harms Everybody' - among other titles, such as ‘Race Marxism: The Truth About Critical Race Theory and Praxis' and ‘The Queering of the American Child: How a New School Religious Cult Poisons the Minds and Bodies of Normal Kids'. Party Leader, David Seymour, says Lindsay is a “prominent advocate for free speech”. Prior to the event, a spokesperson for the party said Lindsay would discuss “reclaiming liberalism in an age of extremes”. For our weekly catch up, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the ACT Party's Simon Court about the rally, why the party chose Lindsay as a keynote speaker, and we address some of the concerns with Lindsay's previous comments. They also discussed the first public hearings into the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the former government's Covid-19 response, and what to expect heading into the next hearings in Wellington next month. But first, they discussed ACT's 2025 “Free and Equal” Rally.

United States President Donald Trump's mega-spending bill passed its final vote in the House of Representatives and is now set to become law. Despite its controversy and universal opposition from the Democrats, the bill has been supported by the vast majority of Republicans. For International Desk, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Associate Professor of Political Science at Boise State University, Charlie Hunt, about the bill and Republican support.

Public hearings as part of phase two of the Royal Commission into COVID-19 took place in Auckland this week. The second phase of the inquiry has a stronger focus on lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and the impact of the Covid-19 response on business and the economy. And yesterday, an independent reference group set up by the Ministry of Environment shared their recommendations for climate adaptation legislation. For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Arena Williams about both of these topics.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Arena Williams about Phase Two of the Covid-19 inquiry and advisory group recommendations on climate adaptation legislation. For International Desk, they spoke to Charles Hunt from Boise State University about United States President Donald Trump's “big beautiful bill”.  For this week's City Counselling, Producer Sara spoke with Councillor Shane Henderson about Mayor Wayne Brown's recent council body reforms, as well as concerns around homelessness in the CBD this Winter Regarding Phase Two of the Covid-19 Inquiry, she spoke with both Restaurant Association Chief Executive Marisa Bidois, and public health expert Sir Collin Tukuitonga

This week's second phase of the national covid-19 inquiry has seen public hearings from the community and experts talking about the wider impacts of mandates and lockdowns during the pandemic. As health experts are urging the government to anticipate and better prepare for a future pandemic, and people in all sectors across New Zealand still work through the ongoing effects of Covid-19, this inquiry needs to inform critical decision making and processes for the central government.  Speaking more about the inquiry and the general effects of Covid-19, I spoke with public health expert Sir Collin Tukuitonga about his research findings and the importance of pandemic preparedness, as well as Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois about the need to support businesses and hospitality in New Zealand

The Southerner was a passenger express train in the South Island running between Christchurch and Invercargill from 1970 to 2002. The train was eventually closed due a decline in passenger numbers and subsidies, although it was briefly revived in May this year for four days as part of a tourist experience. Recently, a group of campaigners from Save our Trains launched a petition calling on the government to restore the Southerner train route as a more accessible form of travel for South Islanders. Wednesday Wire Host Oto spoke with Dave Macpherson from Save Our Train - Southern, to discuss his petition and why the Southerner should be restored.

For the first time in its history, staff at the government drug-buying agency,  Pharmac, are going on strike. The action will happen this week, after Health economists, Māori health experts, and medical practitioners, who are members of the New Zealand Public Service Association, received what was described as an “unacceptable pay offer” and a “clawback of conditions”. Pharmac is responsible for deciding which medicines and medical devices are publicly funded in New Zealand – an important part of the country's healthcare system. To talk about the details surrounding the first-ever strike, Producer Max spoke with the Public Service Association's National Secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons.

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party News and Editorial Director Joel spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez-March about the recent study showing the increased speed of Antarctic ice melt, the removal of the Proud Boys designation as a terrorist group and The government's recent Family Boost announcement. For this week's Get Action! Wednesday Wire host Oto spoke with Dave Macpherson from Save our Trains Southern about a petition of his calling for the restoration of the Southerner Train line. Producer Max spoke with PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons, to talk about the historic strike that is occuring at Pharmac this week. Oto spoke with the co-head of Maori and Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland Gordon Nanau about French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to grant New Caledonia associated statehood. And Monday Producer Sam spoke to the Deputy Director Māori at the Centre of Brain Research Te Huinga Hinengaro, Dr Makarena Dudley, about her kauapapa to support rural Māori communities with members suffering from mate wareware, or dementia.

Recently, a study was conducted by researchers at the University of Southampton which uncovered a shift in the circulation of the Southern Ocean. The study showed that the shift would draw up more salt water from the deep ocean, subsequently accelerating the loss of ice in the Antarctic and leading to an increase of sea levels and global heating. The week before, the government allowed the terrorist designation given to the far-right ‘Proud Boys' group to expire, effectively decriminalising the act of funding or openly supporting the group here in Aotearoa. And, just yesterday Finance Minister Nicola Willis confirmed a number of changes to Family Boost which she said would help families with the cost of living. For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, News and Editorial Director Joel spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez March to get the party's take on all of these issues.

Dementia, or mate wareware is a devastating and life changing condition that affects 70,000 New Zealanders today.  There have been calls to support rural Māori communities with members who have the condition, as Māori are more likely to experience mate wareware than other groups in the country. A kaupapa has been launched by the University of Auckland's Dr Makarena Dudley and Sir Richard Faull to better provide rural Māori communities with better education, guidance, and support. On Monday, Producer Samantha spoke to Dudley, who is the Deputy Director Māori at the Centre of Brain Research Te Huinga Hinengaro, about the research, and what support is needed for these communities.

At a recent summit in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron proposed a number of options for New Caledonia's potential statehood, following island-wide unrest last year over voting reforms that led to 14 deaths. One of the options proposed by Macron involved granting New Caledonia “associated statehood” status, where the island would be largely self-governing while still being linked to the French state. Wednesday Wire Host Oto spoke with Gordon Nanau, co-head of Maori and Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland, about Macron's proposal to grant New Caledonia associated state status, and what this would mean for the Island's indigenous Kanak population who have largely been seeking independence from France.

Zohran Mamdani has all but won the Democratic Primary in New York City after key competitor Andrew Cuomo conceded the race.  Mamdani will now be the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor. His campaign was built on cost-of-living, where Mamdani presented himself as an authentic, Democratic Socialist, grassroots campaign leader. Wire Host Caeden spoke to 95bFM reporter and South Asia correspondent Sanat Singh about Momdani's win, what this means for the communities he represents, and where to from here.

NZ First MP Shane Jones recently announced that he'd be drafting a member's bill to force Ngāpuhi into a single commercial settlement. Under the proposal, hapū would be prevented from negotiating separate commercial redresses, and any reference to hapū sovereignty would be removed from the settlement terms. Professor of Māori studies at the University of Auckland, Margaret Mutu, said that, while the bill's announcement wasn't uncharacteristic of the Crown or Shane Jones's approach to treaty settlements, attempts to force Ngāpuhi into a single settlement claim would be met with fierce opposition, by Ngāpuhi, northland hapū and Iwi all across the Motu.

On Saturday, Destiny Church held a protest in the Auckland CBD under the slogan “no immigration without assimilation”, denouncing non-Christian religions and other groups in Aotearoa. The demonstration, which Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki described as a “lawful, peaceful protest”, involved the destruction and burning of flags including the Palestinian flag and the Rainbow Pride flag. Leaders from a collection of ethnic community groups have called for the toughening of hate speech laws in response to the intolerance displayed at this protest action, which political figures like Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour and Police Minister Mark Mitchell condemned as “unkiwi”, and “vile rhetoric and behaviour”. Seeking to dive deeper into the issue of extremism and hostility towards diverse cultures in New Zealand, I spoke with far right and alt-right extremism expert Byron Clark about the protest and the existence of these groups in Aotearoa. Producer Sara began the interview by asking Clark to explain the kind of ideologies that were on display at the protest.

In light of recent tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as the involvement of global superpower the United States, academics have raised concerns about nuclear proliferation and its consequences in the Middle East as well as on a global stage.  As the need for nuclear deterrence is critical, the latest exchange of attacks between involved parties risks escalating conflict in the region and presents an urgent challenge for diplomatic relationships to diffuse the situation. Producer Sara spoke to University of Auckland International and Political Relations doctoral student Tom Wilkinson about this topic, including the risk of nuclear proliferation in the region. She began by asking him to explain the recent events between Israel and Iran in the broader context of global militarisation and history of nuclear armament.

A reported 131,000 submissions were made on the Regulatory Standards Bill. The Bill, proposed by the ACT party, includes a set of principles outlining “responsible regulation.” Notably, it does not include any mention of either version of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Last weekend, hundreds of Destiny Church members marched on Queen Street in a rally that they called “in defence of faith, flag, and family.” And the Labour Party has criticised the framing of a poll question by the Taxpayers Union/Curia on whether or not Cook Islanders should retain automatic New Zealand citizenship.  For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden asked Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about all of these topics.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about the Regulatory Standards Bill, last weekend's Destiny Church protest, and the Taxpayers Union-Curia Poll on Cook Islands Citizenship. For International Desk, they spoke to 95bFM reporter Sanat Singh about Zohran Mamdani's all-but-confirmed primary win that has made him the Democratic nominee for the New York City mayoral race. For this week's City Counselling, Producer Sara spoke with Councillor Shane Henderson about the council's emergency preparedness plans for the disabled community, and the proposals for flood mitigation at the Takapuna Golf Course She also spoke with far-right extremism expert Byron Clark about last weekend's Destiny Church protest Finally, she spoke with University of Auckland doctoral student Tom Wilkinson about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, in light of tensions between Israel and Iran.

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, Oto spoke with MP Hūhana Lyndon about how the government's $200 million dollar gas exploration investment fund breaches the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability, Shane Jones drafting a member's bill forcing Ngāpuhi into a single commercial settlement and The Greens call to the government to condemn the recent US strikes on Iran. He spoke to retired Politics and International Relations professor at the University of Auckland Stephen Hoadley for a follow up conversation about the Iranian strikes and their potential impacts on oil prices And he spoke to Professor of Maori Studies at the University of Auckland Margaret Mutu for another follow up conversation about Shane Jones's Ngāpuhi settlement bill. Max spoke with Anna Elders, a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, to discuss how GP's and nurse practitioners will be able to start medical treatment for adults with ADHD. And he spoke to Will Appelbe, a Freshwater Campaigner at Greenpeace Aotearoa, to discuss the latest groundwater data published by StatsNZ.

From February 2026, GP's and nurse practitioners in Aotearoa will be able to start medical treatments, for adults with ADHD. It's a move that could drastically reduce long wait times, while improving access to care. Mental health experts, say the change is a big step forward for adults in New Zealand, who are particularly vulnerable to falling through administration gaps. Anna Elders, is a mental health nurse practitioner and a specialist in ADHD. Producer Max spoke with Anna to talk about what the change means, and why it could change the way primary care supports mental health, in Aotearoa.

Newly released data from StatsNZ, taken between 2019 and 2024, has revealed a growing crisis. Almost half of New Zealand's monitored groundwater sites have shown contamination levels that exceed national health standards. The findings raise several concerns about the safety of New Zealand's drinking water, particularly in rural communities. StatsNZ's data shows particularly high levels of both, E. coli and Nitrate, both have been linked to serious health risks, with Nitrate contamination being linked to certain cancers and preterm births. This comes just weeks after the government proposed changes that would further roll back freshwater protections. To talk about the latest StatsNZ report, Producer Max spoke to Will Appelbe, a freshwater campaigner at Greenpeace Aotearoa, to discuss what these figures mean and why he believes the government is putting public health at risk.

Earlier this week, the United States struck three of Iran's nuclear sites, marking the first time that the United States had directly struck Iranian soil. Although a ceasefire between Israel and Iran was recently achieved, the monumental change in the US's approach to the fighting between Iran and Israel, leading to speculations about regional tensions that almost instantaneously affected fuel prices and the stock market. Oto spoke with Stephen Hoadley, a retired associate professor from the University of Auckland about the US strikes on Iran and their potential impacts on fuel prices and the global economy.

Princess Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho of Tonga has called for legal personhood for whales, some of the most intelligent animals we share the Earth with. This would not be the first time that governments have recognised personhood for non human things, New Zealand having done so with a mountain, Taranaki Mounga, and the Whanganui river. Producer Samantha spoke with Dr Justin Sobion, Professor of Law at the University of Auckland about the legal and industrial implications of such a move.

This week on the Monday Wire: For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party's Simon Court, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to him about ACT local candidates opposing moves to mitigate the climate crisis at a regional level, the ban of Israeli MPs Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for visiting the country, and changes to proposed anti-stalking laws. Joel also spoke to Claudia Rozas — a lecturer in Critical Studies at the University of Auckland, about the new English curriculum, and the need for Māori and Pacific authors to be engaged with. Producer Samantha spoke to PSA organiser Claire Nickson about staffing and funding cuts at the National Geohazard Monitoring Centre and its implications for the public. Samantha also spoke to Justin Sobion, Professor of Law at University of Auckland about the Princess of Tonga calling for whales to be granted legal personhood. Whakarongo mai!

The government has reduced staff and funding at the National Geohazards Monitoring Centre by 25% This comes despite the siesmic activity expierenced throughout the country and the rising frequency of natural disasters, not only in New Zealand but around the world. The Wire producer Samantha sat down with PSA organizer Claire Nickson to discuss the implications of this move and its affects in the public.

On Friday last week, the consultation process for the proposed new English curriculum for intermediate and high school students ended. The proposed English curriculum will result in senior high school students learning Shakespeare and 19th-century texts, and spelling and keyboard lessons for younger students. However, concerns have been raised that the proposed curriculum is ‘Eurocentric,' does not engage with Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and lacks Māori and Pacific text. News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Claudia Rozas — a lecturer in Critical Studies at the University of Auckland, about why elements of te ao Māori should be incorporated into the English curriculum and the importance of Māori and Pacific text being engaged with.

Los Angeles is approaching a week of protests against ICE, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Over 200 protestors have been arrested since the protests began, and restrictions have been placed on protestors, including a curfew. The White House has sent 2,000 members of the National Guard to the city already, and another 2,000 are expected to be deployed. This is despite California Governor Gavin Newsom attempting to stop their deployment.  For International Desk, I spoke to Andre Fa'aoso from the Yale Daily News about the protests.

Trump's response to the LA protests has been a critical point this week for US politics, as the public onlooks the face-off of protesters against Trump's immigration policies and his excessive military backlash. US-trained legal academic Auckland University Associate Professor Scott Optican says the move threatens core rule of law and use of force principles that have guided past American presidents, saying this purposeful escalation allows him to employ “anti-immigrant rhetoric to stoke fear and galvanise his political base” University of Auckland's Politics and International Relations Associate Professor Maria Armoudian also said it's yet more evidence of Trump's unchecked power and the country's apparent slide into authoritarianism. Producer Sara spoke with Scott Optican about the implications of Trump's response to these protests, and the discourse around immigration. To start, she asked him to explain how Trump's use of force threatens the principle of appropriate use of force, and the rule of law.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza, sanctions placed on two ‘extremist' Israeli politicians, and the NBR rich list. For International Desk, they spoke to Andre Fa'aoso about the protests against ICE in Los Angeles. And they spoke to the National Business Review's Mike McRoberts about their recently published rich list. For this week's City Counselling, Producer Sara spoke with Councillor Shane Henderson about this week's release of falling housing valuations along with rising rates, and the progress on key Auckland City Rail Link stations.  As well, she spoke to Associate Professor Scott Opticon about Trump's use of force against the LA anti-ICE protesters.

New Zealand and key allies have imposed sanctions on two “extremist” Israeli politicians for their role in “inciting violence against Palestinians” in the West Bank. However, opposition parties, including Labour as well as the Greens and Te Pāti Māori, are calling for further action to be taken against Israel. It comes after Israel kidnapped 12 pro-Palestine activists on international waters, who were intending to break the aid blockade and reach Gaza. And earlier this week, the National Business released their annual rich list. For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, I spoke to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about these topics.