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The Government’s Science Investment Plan, Budget 2026 and Science Funding in New Zealand w/ Professor Richard Easther : 23 June, 2026

 The Government’s Science Investment Plan, Budget 2026 and Science Funding in New Zealand w/ Professor Richard Easther : 23 June, 2026 The Government’s Science Investment Plan, Budget 2026 and Science Funding in New Zealand w/ Professor Richard Easther : 23 June, 2026, 21.3 MB
Tue 23 Jun 2026

This description has been edited to include a response from the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment. 

Scientists in New Zealand have faced increased cuts to science funding in the last few years, with the removal of the Marsden fund for blue-sky research and further cuts announced in this year's budget, with a greater emphasis placed on research commercialisation and funds controlled by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Enterprise. 

Producer Liam spoke with Professor Richard Easther, head of the Department of Physics at the University of Auckland, about what impact the current government’s policies have had on science and what this means for the future of science in New Zealand.

ADDENDUM:

The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment reached out to 95bFM shortly after this interview aired to respond to some of the claims made by Easther. These responses were discussed in this interview with General Manager of Science, Systems, and Performance at MBIE, Danette Olson. 

An additional response from Deputy Head of the New Zealand Space Agency, Andrew Johnson, discussed the MethaneSat mission. This response is presented in full:

While it’s undoubtedly disappointing the MethaneSat mission ended early, the mission has delivered space infrastructure that New Zealand previously did not have and has also elevated our scientific partnerships internationally.

The Misson Operations Control Centre (MOCC) at the University of Auckland’s Te Pūnaha Ātea – Space Institute is currently flying a cubesat, TPA-1. The MOCC will also be used to fly the Space Institute’s upcoming cubesat mission, TPA-2, partly funded through the Kiwi Space Activator pilot programme. The MOCC has built important capabilities among researchers and students, inspiring the next generation of space innovators.

It has been well canvassed that the technical failure was outside of New Zealand’s control and within the bounds of accepted risk in space missions. Importantly, the sensor - MethaneSAT’s most innovative element - performed exceptionally well and delivered meaningful science data which New Zealand researchers are utilising now.

An independent expert with experience in space missions found MBIE’s decision to rely on MethaneSAT LLC’s design, procurement, and risk management processes as outlined in the review was reasonable.

As the MBIE review report found last year, we acknowledge there were areas we need to improve for future missions, including in relation to public communications and setting clear public expectations for high-profile space investments.

The Development of Tiny Wireless Brain Sensor w/ University of Auckland Senior Research Fellow Dr Sarah-Jane Guild: 22nd June, 2026

 The Development of Tiny Wireless Brain Sensor w/ University of Auckland Senior Research Fellow Dr Sarah-Jane Guild: 22nd June, 2026 The Development of Tiny Wireless Brain Sensor w/ University of Auckland Senior Research Fellow Dr Sarah-Jane Guild: 22nd June, 2026, 19.62 MB
Mon 22 Jun 2026

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.

The Wire w/ Castor: 22nd June, 2026

 The Wire w/ Castor: 22nd June, 2026 The Wire w/ Castor: 22nd June, 2026, 76.99 MB
Mon 22 Jun 2026

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.

Making food health star ratings mandatory w/ University of Auckland Professor Dr Sally Mackay: 22nd June, 2026

 Making food health star ratings mandatory w/ University of Auckland Professor Dr Sally Mackay: 22nd June, 2026 Making food health star ratings mandatory w/ University of Auckland Professor Dr Sally Mackay: 22nd June, 2026, 7.37 MB
Mon 22 Jun 2026

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.

 

Conservation Amendment Bill w/ University of Auckland Professor James Russell: 22nd June, 2026

 Conservation Amendment Bill w/ University of Auckland Professor James Russell: 22nd June, 2026 Conservation Amendment Bill w/ University of Auckland Professor James Russell: 22nd June, 2026, 13.63 MB
Mon 22 Jun 2026

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 Wire w/ Castor: 18th June, 2026

 The Wire w/ Castor: 18th June, 2026 The Wire w/ Castor: 18th June, 2026, 82.52 MB
Thu 18 Jun 2026

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.

Should Paramedics Be Able to Prescribe Medicines? w/ Professor Bruce Arroll: June 18th 2026

 Should Paramedics Be Able to Prescribe Medicines? w/ Professor Bruce Arroll Should Paramedics Be Able to Prescribe Medicines? w/ Professor Bruce Arroll , 18.56 MB
Thu 18 Jun 2026

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.

The state of Aotearoa's Mental Health Services w/ Te Hiringa Mahara's Dr. Ella Cullen: 18th June, 2026

 The state of Aotearoa's Mental Health Services w/ Te Hiringa Mahara's Dr. Ella Cullen: 18th June, 2026 Ella Cullen: 18th June, 2026, 8.76 MB
Thu 18 Jun 2026

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.

Assessing outcomes for Māori in state care and protection w/ Children's Commissioner Claire Achmad: 18th June, 2026

 Assessing outcomes for Māori in state care and protection w/ Children's Commissioner Claire Achmad: 18th June, 2026 Assessing outcomes for Māori in state care and protection w/ Children's Commissioner Claire Achmad: 18th June, 2026, 10.67 MB
Thu 18 Jun 2026

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.

 

How to fix budget holes for good w/ the Green Party's Ricardo Menéndez March: 17th June, 2026

 How to fix budget holes for good w/ the Green Party's Ricardo Menéndez March: 17th June, 2026 How to fix budget holes for good w/ the Green Party's Ricardo Menéndez March: 17th June, 2026, 32.1 MB
Wed 17 Jun 2026

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.