The Wire w/ Castor: 8th June, 2026

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News director Castor spoke to MP Laura McClure, filling in for Simon Court. They asked about the Budget 2026 and funding for health, defence, and cuts to fees free. 

They also spoke to Associate Professor at the University of Auckland and co-director at the geothermal institute Sadio Zarrouk, about nuclear energy and if it has a place in New Zealand’s energy ecosystem. 

Producer Thomas spoke to University of Auckland Social Sciences Professor Barry Milne about a new study which has linked ‘deaths of despair’ with living in deprived areas. 

He also talked to Greenpeace freshwater campaigner Will Appelbe about the organisation calling for New Zealand to follow Denmark and lower the drinking water nitrate limit.