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The Wire with Castor

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School Uniform Prices and Impacts on Families w/ Dr. Johanna Reidy: 20th April, 2026

 School Uniform Prices and Impacts on Families w/ Dr. Johanna Reidy: 20th April, 2026 Johanna Reidy: 20th April, 2026, 12.02 MB
Mon 20 Apr 2026

A recent study by researchers at the University of Otago’s school of medicine has found that school uniform prices have become a barrier to education for many school students across Aotearoa. 

While some secondary schools have uniforms priced in the $200 range, some can get as expensive as $2000. The high prices force some families to take out loans or make sacrifices to afford education, while others are completely locked out of certain schools.

To discuss the scale of the problem, the impacts on students and families, and how school boards and the government can respond, News Director Castor spoke to Public Health lecturer Dr. Johanna Reidy.

City Counselling w/ Julie Fairey: 16 April, 2026

 City Counselling w/ Julie Fairey: 16 April, 2026 City Counselling w/ Julie Fairey: 16 April, 2026, 19.39 MB
Thu 16 Apr 2026

Earlier this week, Councillor Julie Fairey moved a resolution to investigate Auckland Council’s involvement with companies that are complicit in Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territory. 

And this week, Auckland Council launched an AI virtual assistant to report issues such as graffiti, roaming dogs, and noise complaints.

For City Counselling, Wire Host Caeden spoke with Councillor Julie Fairey about both of these topics.

The Wire w/ Caeden: 16 April, 2026

 The Wire w/ Caeden: 16 April, 2026 The Wire w/ Caeden: 16 April, 2026, 80.28 MB
Thu 16 Apr 2026

For City Counselling this week, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about Council voting to investigate Council ties to companies involved in illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land and Auckland Council's new AI assistant tool. 

And they spoke to Sue Coutts, Director of External Affairs at Zero Waste Aotearoa, about a proposal to export New Zealand waste to Fiji for incineration.   

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Producer Pranuja spoke to Shanan Halbert about the latest developments in the Iran conflict, rising fuel pressures linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, and the government’s response to recent cyclone events here in Aotearoa. 

She spoke with Professor Treasa Dunworth from the University of Auckland about recent comments from US President Donald Trump and what these developments could mean from a legal perspective.

And she spoke with Associate Professor Jennifer Frost from the University of Auckland about the US military draft and how it connects to broader concerns around power and militarisation.

US Moves to Automatic Draft Registration w/ Jennifer Frost: April 16th 2026

 US Moves to Automatic Draft Registration w/ Jennifer Frost US Moves to Automatic Draft Registration w/ Jennifer Frost, 11.54 MB
Thu 16 Apr 2026

Amid rising global tensions, the United States is set to introduce automatic draft registration later this year, meaning eligible young men will be added to the system using government data, rather than having to sign up themselves.

Producer Pranuja spoke with Associate Professor Jennifer Frost from the University of Auckland about what this shift signals, and how it connects to broader political movements and concerns in the United States.

The Wire w/ Toby and Theo: 15th April, 2026

 The Wire w/ Toby and Theo: 15th April, 2026 The Wire w/ Toby and Theo: 15th April, 2026, 73.89 MB
Wed 15 Apr 2026

This week on the Wednesday Wire...

For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, co-host Theo spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the recently signed City Deal between Auckland Council and the central government.

He also spoke to Associate Professor Alexandra Andhov on the implications of government adoption of AI 

And co-host Toby spoke to Auckland University’s Chris Ogden about the election results in Hungary and the future of right-wing authoritarianism.

Government and AI w/ the University of Auckland's Professor Alexandra Andhov: 15th April, 2026

 Government and AI w/ the University of Auckland's Professor Alexandra Andhov: 15th April, 2026 Government and AI w/ the University of Auckland's Professor Alexandra Andhov: 15th April, 2026, 12.49 MB
Wed 15 Apr 2026

The use of AI across industries and governments is increasing at a rapid rate. However, recent gaffs involving improper AI usage in government agencies have continued to raise concerns about these tools’ shortcomings, and how well regulated they are.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, the government has provided advice on how agencies should go about using AI, but has stopped short of regulating this technology itself.

This week, experts will be gathering at the University of Auckland for the Law, Technology, and Government Conference, which will discuss government use and regulation of AI, amongst other issues.

This morning, producer Theo was joined by Professor Alexandra Andhov, an organiser and speaker at the conference, to discuss Aotearoa New Zealand’s approach to AI and government.

Orbán’s Defeat w/ Dr. Chris Ogden: 15 April 2026

 Orbán’s Defeat w/ Dr. Chris Ogden: 15 April 2026 Chris Ogden: 15 April 2026, 20.17 MB
Wed 15 Apr 2026

Over the weekend, Hungary held its 2026 general election, which saw the largest voter turnout in Hungary’s history as a democratic state. The electrified populace delivered a landslide victory for the relatively new ‘Respect and Freedom party,’ securing them a two-thirds majority in parliament. 

Incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has lost power after 16 years. For some younger voters, he is the only Prime Minister they can remember. Orbán has been a controversial figure throughout his long political career. To some, he is a power-hungry authoritarian who has stood in the way of European unity. To his supporters— which include US president Donald Trump—he is precisely the kind of strongman that a country like Hungary needs.

Producer Toby spoke to Chris Ogden, professor of global studies at Auckland University, about what Orbán’s defeat means for the future of global authoritarianism.

The Wire w/ Alex: 14 April, 2026

 The Wire w/ Alex: 14 April, 2026 The Wire w/ Alex: 14 April, 2026, 86.03 MB
Tue 14 Apr 2026

This week, on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Dr Cushla McGoverin speaks with us about Male Contraceptives, osteoarthritis, and Kākāpō breeding

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Host Alex spoke with Ryan Hamilton about the Auckland City deal between the Council and the Government, and Cyclone Vaianu.

For Green World today, Producer Liam spoke to Troy Baisden, Co-president of the New Zealand Association of Scientists and Adjunct Professor at Victoria University of Wellington, about the Ministry for the Environment’s recent Our Freshwater 2026 report on the state of Aotearoa’s freshwater systems, and causes for concern as well as opportunities for change. 

Host Alex also spoke with Teaching Fellow in the International Office at the University of Otago, Dr Balazs Kigilics, about Viktor Orban’s defeat inm the Hungarian elections, and what it means for the country after 16 years.

Auckland City Deal and Cyclone Vaianu w/ National MP Ryan Hamilton: 14 April, 2026

 Auckland City Deal and Cyclone Vaianu w/ National MP Ryan Hamilton: 14 April, 2026 Auckland City Deal and Cyclone Vaianu w/ National MP Ryan Hamilton: 14 April, 2026, 15.67 MB
Tue 14 Apr 2026

Last week, the Government and Auckland Council agreed on the ‘Auckland City Deal’, which seeks to enhance co-ordination between the two bodies to enable better investment in the city to get the most out of what Mayor Wayne Brown has called the ‘Engine’ of the economy. This will see better communication between the mayor and prime minister, co-operation on certain legislation, and funding.

The weekend also saw Cyclone Vaianu hit the country, with parts of the country facing damage and flooding. The government now has the job of responding to the damage, and deciding what needs to change, looking forward to future cyclones.

This week, Host Alex spoke with National Party MP Ryan Hamilton about each of these topics.

Elections in Hungary and the End of Orbán’s Regime w/ The University of Otago’s Dr Balazs Kiglics: 14 April, 2026

 Elections in Hungary and the End of Orbán’s Regime w/ The University of Otago’s Dr Balazs Kiglics: 14 April, 2026 Elections in Hungary and the End of Orbán’s Regime w/ The University of Otago’s Dr Balazs Kiglics: 14 April, 2026, 20.22 MB
Tue 14 Apr 2026

On Sunday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán suffered an election defeat, heralding the end of his 16-year regime that has seen his government come under fire for a variety of claims regarding the illiberal and anti-democratic nature of his leadership. WIth the Tizsa party, led by Péter Magyar winning 138 seats to Orbán’s Fidesz’s 55, the election signals a rejection of Orbán’s platform, which has seen both an authoritarian domestic approach, and Hungary often working in opposition to the EU, in favour of Russia.

Host Alex spoke with a Teaching Fellow for the International Office at the University of Otago, Dr Balazs Kiglics, about the election, and what Magyar’s victory might mean for Hungary both domestically and internationally.