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Raising Superannuation and the End of Fees Free w/ Green Party MP Ricardo Menéndez March: 13 May, 2026

 Raising Superannuation and the End of Fees Free w/ Green Party MP Ricardo Menéndez March: 13 May, 2026 Raising Superannuation and the End of Fees Free w/ Green Party MP Ricardo Menéndez March: 13 May, 2026, 39.88 MB
Wed 13 May 2026

Last week, the government announced plans to scrap a policy that gave university students one free year of study, known as fees free, with commitments to reallocate that funding to trades training. This comes at a time when an increasing number of young people are absent of employment, education and training.

And an OECD report spelled bad weather for the New Zealand economy. To correct course, they urged for reforms to increase the age of eligibility of Superannuation all the way up to 72, among other policies. This was picked up by the National Party, who are campaigning on moving forward with their previous plans to raise the retirement age up to 67.

So for our weekly catch-up with the Green Party, host Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the scrapping of fees-free and raising the eligibility age for superannuation, but as we called in, Mr Menéndez March was just leaving an extended sitting of parliament to scrutinise Erica Stanford's Immigration Amendment Bill, and we began with a discussion on how he believes it will hurt vulnerable migrant communities.

Opposition to raising the pension age w/ Susan St John: 13th May, 2026

 Opposition to raising the pension age w/ Susan St John: 13th May, 2026 Opposition to raising the pension age w/ Susan St John: 13th May, 2026, 35.45 MB
Wed 13 May 2026

A policy area looking to become a feature of this year's election is the Superannuation income allowance for those over 65.

Although often considered an insured privilege paid across one's life, Superannuation is paid out of the yearly budget and is by far the largest benefit in New Zealand.

Historically, it's been a thorny topic for any legislator, but as people live for longer and longer, and the age of eligibility for superannuation remains the same, the cost of the policy is increasing. A recent OECD autopsy of the New Zealand economy says this is becoming unsustainable, and the National Party says they agree and will campaign in this election to raise the age. 

Host Manny spoke to Honorary Associate Professor working in the Pensions and Intergenerational Equity Hub at the Economics Policy Centre, Susan St John, about why she opposes raising the age of retirement and what alternatives she prefers.

Scrapping the BSA, government complaints about media, and the new citizenship test w/ the National Party's Ryan Hamilton: 12th May, 2026

 Scrapping the BSA, government complaints about media, and the new citizenship test w/ the National Party's Ryan Hamilton: 12th May, 2026 Scrapping the BSA, government complaints about media, and the new citizenship test w/ the National Party's Ryan Hamilton: 12th May, 2026, 8.89 MB
Wed 13 May 2026

Last week the government announced plans to scrap the Broadcasting Standards Authority, the entity that serves to ensure television, radio, and internet broadcasters remain accountable to members of the public.

While the government saysit trusts broadcasters to self regulate, it’s unclear what this regulation could look like, especially without the all encompassing BSA to ensure that a universal standard is met. 

In addition, ACT Party Leader David Seymour has expressed dismay at some of the recent publications by state funded broadcasters TVNZ and RNZ. Since Seymour is one of the ministers responsible for appointing the board for each organisation, his comments and criticisms are being compared to threats of censorship. 

Lastly, the government has announced a new test for prospective immigrants to New Zealand, which would see them quizzed over topics relating to New Zealand values, our Bill of Rights, and our system of government. While the government is proposing this standard of knowledge for immigrants, many New Zealand citizens could be unable to answer the questions. 

For this weeks catchup with the National Party's Ryan Hamilton, News Director Castor asked about these topics, beginning with the BSA.

The Wire w/ Castor: 12th May, 2026

 The Wire w/ Castor: 12th May, 2026 The Wire w/ Castor: 12th May, 2026, 82.05 MB
Tue 12 May 2026

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman chatted with us about stress in sports, the chemistry behind the taste of beer, and Nobel Prize Winner Dorothy Hodgkin. 

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, News Director Castor spoke with MP Ryan Hamilton about plans to scrap the Broadcasting Standards Authority, the government’s stance on TVNZ and RNZ, and the proposed new test for immigrants. 

For Green World this week, Producer Liam spoke to Richard Capie, Chief Advisor at Forest and Bird, about the government’s proposed Conservation Amendment Bill which could make it easier for the government ministers to sell off conservation land, and what this could mean for Aotearoa’s natural heritage. 

He also spoke to Martin Campbell, Vice President of the New Zealand Professional Firefighter’s Union, about the continuing firefighter strikes in New Zealand, what issues the fire service currently faces, and what the Professional Firefighters Union hopes to achieve. 

Firefighter Industrial Action and Collective Bargaining w/ NZPFU Vice President Martin Campbell: 12 May, 2026

 Firefighter Industrial Action and Collective Bargaining w/ NZPFU Vice President Martin Campbell: 12 May, 2026 Firefighter Industrial Action and Collective Bargaining w/ NZPFU Vice President Martin Campbell: 12 May, 2026, 29.77 MB
Tue 12 May 2026

Since last year, firefighters have been carrying out hour-long rolling strikes every week, criticising the state of Fire and Emergency New Zealand and labelling the present situation a “Dire Emergency”. Firefighters have been calling for increased staffing,  better pay and healthcare and a modern vehicle fleet. With frequent appliance breakdowns and short staffing, there are concerns that New Zealand’s emergency services are stretched to capacity. Some are also requesting an independent inquiry into the management and funding of FENZ. 

Producer Liam spoke with Martin Campbell, National Vice President and Auckland Secretary of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union, about the ongoing industrial action, what issues the fire service and firefighters currently face and what the Professional Firefighters Union hopes can be achieved.  

New Global Asthma Guidelines and NZ’s role w/ Chief Executive of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand, Letitia Harding: 11th May, 2026

 New Global Asthma Guidelines and NZ’s role w/ Chief Executive of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand, Letitia Harding: 11th May, 2026 New Global Asthma Guidelines and NZ’s role w/ Chief Executive of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand, Letitia Harding: 11th May, 2026, 6.52 MB
Mon 11 May 2026

Last week, the Global Initiative for Asthma released an update to the recommended approach for treating asthma in children. The change now advises that children should follow the same treatment approach as adults, using a 2-in-1 anti-inflammatory reliever inhaler rather than the currently commonly used reliever-only inhaler.

The announcement was based in part on findings from a study conducted by the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, which found that the change in treatment could reduce asthma attacks in children by an average of 45%.

To discuss the potential impacts of the global treatment update and New Zealand’s role in the change, host Thomas talked to the Chief Executive of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand, Letitia Harding.

 

Nursing burnout and understaffing w/ University of Auckland Professor of Nursing Andrew Jull: 11th May, 2026

Nursing burnout and understaffing w/ University of Auckland Professor of Nursing Andrew Jull: 11th May, 2026 Nursing burnout and understaffing w/ University of Auckland Professor of Nursing Andrew Jull: 11th May, 2026 , 8.33 MB
Mon 11 May 2026

After years of hiring freezes, underfunding, and now cancelled pay equity claims, nurses' working conditions have continued to worsen, and many are now facing burnout, impacting their and their patients' well-being.

Despite a clear need for more nurses, with THIRTY SEVEN per cent of all nursing shifts in public hospitals being understaffed, many newly graduated nurses are still struggling to find work, and those who do are more commonly being put on part-time contracts.

With poverty and economic hardship increasing, emergency departments find themselves increasingly burdened and struggling to deliver quality care while being under-resourced.

To discuss the state of nursing in New Zealand and why it's leading to burnout, host Thomas talked to University of Auckland Professor of Nursing Andrew Jull.

 

The Wire w/ Thomas: 11 May, 2026

 The Wire w/ Thomas: 11 May, 2026 The Wire w/ Thomas: 11 May, 2026, 73.64 MB
Mon 11 May 2026

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about the ACT Party’s new health policy focused on increasing the responsibilities of pharmacists, and about the government’s decision to scrap the BSA.

They also spoke to President of Te Aka Tauira the Victoria University of Wellington Student’s Association, Aidan Donoghue, and National Secretary of the Tertiary Education Union, Amy Ross, about the fees free programme in light of proposals to cut it from the next budget.

Host Thomas talked to University of Auckland Professor of nursing Andrew Jull about understaffing in nursing and how it is leading to burnout.

He also spoke to Chief Executive of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand, Letitia Harding, about new global care for children with asthma, based on New Zealand research. 

Cuts to Fees Free w/ VUWSA President Aidan Donoghue and National Secretary of the TEU, Amy Ross: 11th May, 2026

 Cuts to Fees Free w/ VUWSA President Aidan Donoghue and National Secretary of the TEU, Amy Ross: 11th May, 2026 Cuts to Fees Free w/ VUWSA President Aidan Donoghue and National Secretary of the TEU, Amy Ross: 11th May, 2026, 11.56 MB
Mon 11 May 2026

Last week, NZ First Leader Winston Peters leaked that the government is planning to cut the fees free programme that would see University students not paying course fees during their last year of study. The plan was later confirmed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.

Many students and educators have expressed displeasure at the announcement. The original policy, fees free for the first year of study, was changed by this government earlier in its term to affect the final year. At the time, the argument was that the change would motivate students to finish their degrees. Now, with the programme set to go, it’s unclear what the reasoning is from the government. 

To discuss what the fees free programme meant for students and the financial benefits it presented, News Director Castor spoke to President of Te Aka Tauira the Victoria University of Wellington Student’s Association, Aidan Donoghue.

Next, to discuss the educator perspective on the announcement, they also spoke to National Secretary of the Tertiary Education Union, Amy Ross

The Problem with Scrapping the Broadcasting Standards Authority w/ Victoria University and Better Public Media’s Peter Thompson: 7 May, 2026

 The Problem with Scrapping the Broadcasting Standards Authority w/ Victoria University and Better Public Media’s Dr Peter Thompson: 7 May, 2026 The Problem with Scrapping the Broadcasting Standards Authority w/ Victoria University and Better Public Media’s Dr Peter Thompson: 7 May, 2026, 16.26 MB
Thu 7 May 2026

The Media and Communications Minister, Paul Goldsmith, has announced that the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) will be scrapped, with media to self-regulate instead. 

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Dr Peter Thompson, Associate Professor in Media and Communications at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University and trustee at Better Public Media, about the change.