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The Wire with Caeden

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Children’s Screen Use Linked to Long-Term Difficulties w/ Claire Reid: May 7th 2026

Children’s Screen Use Linked to Long-Term Difficulties w/ Claire Reid Children’s Screen Use Linked to Long-Term Difficulties w/ Claire Reid, 17.99 MB
Thu 7 May 2026

New research from the University of Auckland has found children’s screen use is linked with later difficulties in skills like attention, planning, self-control, and emotional regulation. The study pulled together 58 studies from around the world, with 81 percent showing at least one negative association between screen use and executive function over time. Researchers caution this does not prove causation, but say the findings raise important questions about how screen use affects children’s development.

Producer Pranuja spoke with Doctoral Researcher Claire Reid about what the research found, what executive function actually means, and how parents, schools, and policymakers should think about healthy screen use.

Republicans and Renewable Energy w/ Dr. Ralph Cooney: 6 May 2026

Republicans and Renewable Energy w/ Dr. Ralph Cooney: 6 May 2026 Ralph Cooney: 6 May 2026, 19.17 MB
Wed 6 May 2026

For decades now, scientists have been raising the alarm about climate change, and urging those in power to move towards the adoption of greener, more renewable sources of energy production. These calls have often been met with fierce resistance from the political right in the United States, with republican president Donald Trump repeatedly describing climate change as a hoax and reversing efforts to transition away from fossil fuels.

At the same time, however, the sun-drenched regions of the Southern United States have immense potential for solar power. Many states in this region are now switching to renewable energy sources for simple economic reasons, despite being Republican strongholds.

Producer Toby spoke to chemistry expert Dr. Ralph Cooney about this growing trend.

Protecting Overdose Callers w/ the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March: 6 May, 2026

Protecting Overdose Callers w/ the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March: 6 May, 2026 Protecting Overdose Callers w/ the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March: 6 May, 2026, 11.76 MB
Wed 6 May 2026

Last week, the Green Party's bill to protect overdose emergency callers from legal risks received cross-party support, passing its first reading, keeping it on track to potentially become law. Minor infractions, such as minor possession and paraphernalia, would be overlooked when calling for emergency services to obtain help for someone overdosing. 

And an Official Information Request by the Herald into Winston Peter’s Foreign Minister’s office revealed disagreements between the NZ First Leader and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon over the Coalition government's stance on the war with Iran, with the prime minister pushing for greater support for the United States bombings.

So for our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, Host Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the Green Party’s overdose emergency callers bill and the revelations over the US war with Iran.

The Wire w/ Manny: 06 May, 2026

The Wire w/ Manny: 06 May, 2026 The Wire w/ Manny: 06 May, 2026, 69.84 MB
Wed 6 May 2026

This week on the Wednesday Wire...

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, host Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the Green Party’s bill to protect people placing emergency calls for drug overdoses and the tensions between National and NZ First over our stance on the Iran war.

Producer Toby spoke to Auckland University emeritus professor Dr. Ralph Cooney about the uptake of renewable energy in the United States.

Producer Theo spoke to Lo Aleen, campaigner calling for New Zealand to officially recognise the Armenian Genocide.

Dear Science w/ Dr Cushla McGoverin: 5 May, 2026

Dear Science w/ Dr Cushla McGoverin: 5 May, 2026 Dear Science w/ Dr Cushla McGoverin: 5 May, 2026, 20.04 MB
Tue 5 May 2026

For Dear Science this week, our Expert, Dr Cushla McGoverin, chats with us about AI predicting Pancreatic Cancer, Foetal Surgery, and the Yellowstone Volcano.

Thanks to MOTAT - Home of Powerful Play!

Lead-Free Plumbing Legislation w/ Professor Sally Gaw: 5 May, 2026

Lead-Free Plumbing Legislation w/ Professor Sally Gaw: 5 May, 2026 Lead-Free Plumbing Legislation w/ Professor Sally Gaw: 5 May, 2026, 14.1 MB
Tue 5 May 2026

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. 

The Wire w/ Alex: 5 May, 2026

The Wire w/ Alex: 5 May, 2026 The Wire w/ Alex: 5 May, 2026, 62.48 MB
Tue 5 May 2026

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Dr Cushla McGoverin, speaks with us about AI spotting Pancreatic Cancer, Foetal surgery, and Yellowstone.

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, I spoke with Ryan Hamilton about the emails between Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon released last week, what they mean for growing tensions and instability within the coalition, and proposed changes to Treaty Obligations that would see the Te Tiriti only need to be ‘taken into account’.

For Green World today, Producer Liam spoke with Max Harvey from the University of Otago, who lead a recent research study about the habitat usage of the Hector’s dolphin, about the research that they carried out on dolphin populations in Southland, what they discovered and what it tells us about how we can better look after this dolphin species. 

Liam also spoke to Professor Sally Gaw from the University of Canterbury, about the government’s new rules to reduce the amount of lead in drinking water pipes, what this means for New Zealand and why it was not done sooner. 

And Producer Flo spoke to Doctor Lucy Goodman, researcher at the University of Auckland’s School of Optometry and Vision Science about her study into accessible eye health and potential government funding of eye care.

Health risks of Nitrous Oxide and potential government responses w/ Postdoctoral fellow at the University of Otago, Christchurch, Jai Whelan: 4th May, 2026

Health risks of Nitrous Oxide and potential government responses w/ Postdoctoral fellow at the University of Otago, Christchurch, Jai Whelan: 4th May, 2026 Health risks of Nitrous Oxide and potential government responses w/ Postdoctoral fellow at the University of Otago, Christchurch, Jai Whelan: 4th May, 2026, 10.04 MB
Mon 4 May 2026

Health Minister Simeon Brown last week indicated that he’d like to crack down on the recreational use of Nitrous Oxide, commonly referred to as NOS or Nangs. 

Brown says nitrous oxide is “becoming a serious public health concern”. However, when compared to other recreational drugs in Aotearoa, it seems that the risk factor is relatively low. In addition, nitrous oxide is used for medicinal purposes fairly frequently, meaning its health risks in standard doses are well documented. 

To discuss the effects and risks involved with Nitrous Oxide, and how the government could develop a more holistic response, News Director Castor spoke to Postdoctoral fellow at the University of Otago, Christchurch, Jai Whelan.

The Wire w/ Castor: 4th May, 2026

The Wire w/ Castor: 4th May, 2026 The Wire w/ Castor: 4th May, 2026, 82.55 MB
Mon 4 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 stance on conflict between National and NZ First within the coalition government. I also asked about the government’s proposed changes to treaty principles and how they influence policy. 

They also spoke to Postdoctoral fellow at the University of Otago, Christchurch, Jai Whelan, about Nitrous Oxide use and its harms amidst plans for a government crackdown. 

Producer Thomas talked to E tū union director Mat Danaher about Tiwai Point workers taking industrial action this week.

He also spoke to Brake New Zealand Director Caroline Perry about road safety week and how the campaign is encouraging safe driving.

Road Safety Week w/ NZ Director of Brake Caroline Perry: 4th May, 2026

Road Safety Week w/ NZ Director of Brake Caroline Perry: 4th May, 2026 Road Safety Week w/ NZ Director of Brake Caroline Perry: 4th May, 2026, 7.5 MB
Mon 4 May 2026

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