Last week, the government announced new rules to transition the country to lead-free plumbing. The new law would ban the use of lead from drinking water pipes in new builds and renovations, and would require all pipes in contact with drinking water to contain less than 0.25% lead. Lead has long been known to be a neurotoxin and have negative effects on human development, and this move has been welcomed by experts as a way of improving New Zealander’s health.
Wire producer Liam spoke to Professor Sally Gaw from the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences at the University of Canterbury, about the new regulations, what this means for our health, and why a ban on lead drinking water pipes was not implemented sooner.
Last week, publicised tensions between Governing coalition members continued to grow as Foreign Minister Winston Peters released emails from Prime MInister Christopher Luxon from immediately after the beginning of the US-Israeli war on Iran, which seemed to show the Prime Minister considering an explicitly pro-US stance. Since the release of the emails, Luxon has said the emails mischaracterised his position and accused Peters of ‘playing politics’, while Peters has since apologised and chalked the release down to an error. The row has, however, sparked a range of voices commenting on the perceived conflict between the two parties, looking forward to this year's election.
Tensions have also popped up last week between the ACT Party and NZ First, after the two parties traded barbs over each other's immigration policy.
Last week also saw the reveal of proposed changes to Treaty Obligations. The changes would make it so the required level of engagement with Te Tiriti across government decisions would be to ‘take the treaty into account’.
Host Alex spoke with National Party MP Ryan Hamilton about these topics, starting with the released emails.
This the New Zealand Brake charity has organised road safety week. Sponsored by the NZ transport agency, Beca and ACC the campaign aims to raise awareness for driver safety and the continued high rate of serious trauma and deaths from crashes in New Zealand.
With a specific focus on youth due to their higher risk of being in crashes the campaign will have Beca and NZTA officials travel to schools around the country to run safety activities and teach kids about road safety.
This year the theme for the week is road safety heroes, shining a light on those who help save lives on the roads.
To discuss the road safety week campaign and how we can improve road safety in New Zealand producer Thomas talked to Director of Brake New Zealand Caroline Perry
Laika Rountree joins Matthew Crawley and producer Harry, chatting about what's currently happening, and what's coming up, in the theatre space in Tāmaki Makaurau, such as 'Nosferatu Looking for Love' a part of the NZ Comedy Festival! Whakarongo mai nei!
This week E tū union members at Rio Tinto’s Aluminium Smelter at Tiwai Point in Southland are taking industrial action, after over two and a half years of bargaining has led to no collective agreement.
Workers will take action for four days in an attempt to force Rio Tinto to make compromises and reach a fair agreement. They are asking for recognition of their working conditions and their contribution they make for the company. With Rio Tinto securing the long-term future of the smelter until 2044 the agreement would have a large long lasting impact.
To discuss the industrial action and why bargaining has reached this point producer Thomas talked to E tū Union Director Mat Danaher.
Matthew Crawley and producer Harry welcomed Billy T Award nominated musical comedy legends Tough Tiger Fist to the studio. Ben Cleland and Matt Parker joined us to chat about their new song ‘Milk’ and their upcoming shows as part of the Auckland Comedy Festival. They also gifted us each a packet of vegan Caesar salad dressing which we will both treasure deeply.
Producer Harry W completed his homemade lamp and Crawley’s tried the new Hallertau 95bFM beer!
We had Laika Rountree come in to tell us about the latest happenings in Auckland’s live performance scene for Stage Direction. Spoiler alert: there’s some great stuff out there.
Professor Emeritus Peter Lineham returns for That's The Spirit, coming in strong with a discussion of fascism and yoga. Fret not, there’s no need to burn your leggings or picket your local yoga studio just yet.
We also welcomed Billy T Award nominated musical comedy legends Tough Tiger Fist to the studio. Ben Cleland and Matt Parker joined us to chat about their new song ‘Milk’ and their upcoming shows as part of the Auckland Comedy Festival. They also gifted us each a packet of vegan Caesar salad dressing which we will both treasure deeply.
The past few weeks have seen the New Zealand First Party and the National Party trading jabs, with the crux of the issue beginning with the India Free Trade Agreement.
The issue began with NZ First refusing to support the trade agreement, leading Labour to collaborate with National and back it to fruition. NZ First Deputy Leader Shane Jones expressed his concerns over the bill, making derogatory comments about an implied mass arrival of Indian immigrants.
The comments were rejected by ministers in National, ACT, Labour, the Greens, and Te Pāti Māori. Despite these criticisms, little has been done in response, and the coalition government remains intact.
Following the incident, another disagreement was observed when NZ First Leader Winston Peters leaked emails that indicated a disagreement between him and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon over New Zealand’s response to US Strikes on Iran. The emails allege that Luxon wanted to express support for the strikes, though New Zealand’s official response only acknowledged them.
Finally, the government has also been looking into changing how treaty principles influence policy. The plan has been criticised for its similarities to the Treaty Principles Bill, which was rejected in parliament and by the public, who protested en masse in 2024 against the bill. The current proposed changes are not set to be discussed by parliament until August.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party's Simon Court, News Director Castor asked him about each of these issues, beginning with the party’s take on discourse between NZFirst and National.
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