Launch in new window

Jura Soundsystem - Morning Star

You are here

The Wire with Caeden

Latest bCasts • View all

Email Scandals and Energy Security w/ the Green Party's Ricardo Menéndez March: 10th May, 2026

Email Scandals and Energy Security w/ the Green Party's Ricardo Menéndez March: 10th May, 2026 Email Scandals and Energy Security w/ the Green Party's Ricardo Menéndez March: 10th May, 2026, 20.77 MB
Wed 10 Jun 2026

The revelation of hidden correspondence shared between major NZ polluters and a private email account of someone working in the Prime Minister's Office has sparked a spiralling scandal. 

Why were the emails not revealed when any such correspondence had been specifically requested if it existed? 

Were key law changes made specifically to end a high-profile court case against these polluters? 

How could the government’s failure to provide such emails not be in breach of fundamental transparency rules? And what else might be hidden? 

The Greens are now asking the Ombudsman to expand his investigation into the emails to use the full breadth of the powers availableto him to determine what has gone down.

And this week the government walked back their plan to fund an import terminal for Liquid Natural Gas with a levy, or tax, on Kiwis’ energy bills. While the policy is still going forward, how it will be funded remains an open question.

And following the energy shock caused by the US war with Iran, the Greens highlighted their support for Rewiring Aotearoa’s Ratepayers' Assistance Scheme to provide cheap loans for installing home solar systems, which they say would make widespread solar uptake accessible to more kiwi’s, lowering energy bills and increasing energy security.

So for our weekly catch-up with the Green Party, Host Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the ongoing scandal over the government's missing emails and energy policy.

 

The Wire w/ Manny: 10th June, 2026

The Wire w/ Manny: 10th June, 2026 The Wire w/ Manny: 10th June, 2026, 83.54 MB
Wed 10 Jun 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 ongoing scandal over the government's missing emails with lobbyists; and energy policy.

Producer Toby spoke to senior lecturer in Law at the University of Waikato Dr. Amanda Turnbull-Rae about the future of Ai energy use

Producer Theo spoke to the Environmental Protection Authority acting manager of hazardous substances applications, Dr Shaun Presow, on upcoming groundwater testing of PFAS.

He then spoke to the University of Auckland’s Dr Gerhard Sundborn, a member of the New Zealand Beverages Guidance Panel, on the policy brief they released this morning calling for a ban on sugary drinks in schools.

2026 Budget and the State of Care Work w/ National Secretary of E Tū Rachel Mackintosh: 9 June, 2026

2026 Budget and the State of Care Work w/ National Secretary of E Tū Rachel Mackintosh: 9 June, 2026 2026 Budget and the State of Care Work w/ National Secretary of E Tū Rachel Mackintosh: 9 June, 2026, 10.15 MB
Tue 9 Jun 2026

Two weeks ago, the 2026 Budget revealed the government’s spending and funding plan. Notably absent, however, is support for care workers, except for a minor boost to mileage rates while the fuel crisis is ongoing. The E Tū union, however, has said that these changes do little to match the inflated costs, and still leaves support and care workers woefully unsupported in the midst of an already struggling health system.

Host Alex spoke with the National Secretary of E Tū, Rachel Mackintosh, about the state of care work in NZ, and what this budget means for the priority given to care work by the government.

 

The Wire w/ Alex: 9 June, 2026

The Wire w/ Alex: 9 June, 2026 The Wire w/ Alex: 9 June, 2026, 85.82 MB
Tue 9 Jun 2026

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman, chats with us about taking too many vitamins, bees, and AI failing psychological tests.

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Host Alex spoke with MP Ryan Hamilton about the US threat of further tariffs on New Zealand, our relationship with the US, and changes to local government committees to limit the impact of unelected members.

Producer Liam spoke to a range of people, including Chris Casey of the Cachet foundation, about the current deteriorating state of the former Carrington Hospital in Mt Albert, also known as Building One, and efforts to see it restored and repurposed. 

And Alex also spoke with Rachel Mackintosh, National Secretary of E Tū, about where the 2026 Budget leaves struggling care and support workers in Aotearoa.

The Carrington Residential Development and Building One’s Heritage Preservation : 9 June, 2026

The Carrington Residential Development and Building One’s Heritage Preservation : 9 June, 2026 The Carrington Residential Development and Building One’s Heritage Preservation : 9 June, 2026, 68.8 MB
Tue 9 Jun 2026

The Carrington Hospital, also known as Building One, was built in 1867 and stands as a monument to Victorian era healthcare in New Zealand. Until 2018, this category 1 heritage building was part of Unitec’s Mt Albert Campus, but was sold to the government as part of the Carrington Residential Development - Te Kukūnga Waka. The goal was to build 4,000 new homes in collaboration with Ockham Residential and various iwi. However, concerns have been raised by locals about the degrading state of Building One as well as whether local infrastructure will be able to cope with intensification.

I spoke to a range of individuals who want to see the building preserved, and attended some of their protests. This Carrington Building One movement is also active on Facebook and Instagram

Among the people I spoke to were Chris Casey, Chair of the Cachet Foundation, Helen White, MP for Mt Albert, Gareth Hughes, operator of the Waterview Coffee Project, Allan Matson, President of the Civic Trust as well as a high school student from Mt Albert.

I also reached out to the owner’s Ockham Residential and Marutūāhu, as well as Auckland Council and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, for comment. 

US Tariffs, Diplomacy, and Local Government Committees w/ The National Party MP Ryan Hamilton: 9 June, 2026

US Tariffs, Diplomacy, and Local Government Committees w/ The National Party MP Ryan Hamilton: 9 June, 2026 US Tariffs, Diplomacy, and Local Government Committees w/ The National Party MP Ryan Hamilton: 9 June, 2026, 10.45 MB
Tue 9 Jun 2026

Last week, New Zealand was included in a list of countries the US threatened with new tariffs of 12.5%, alleging that they imported goods produced through forced labour. While the government has rejected these accusations, Trade Minister Todd McClay said that, due to the volatility of the Trump Administration, these threats were not a surprise. At the same time, New Zealand has boosted its defence spending, while comments made by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth labelled NZ and other countries as ‘freeloading’ allies due to their low spending, bringing the relationship between the US and NZ under increasing scrutiny.

Last week also saw Local Government Minister Simon Watts reveal changes to local government committees that would strip unelected members of said committees of a deciding vote on changes, in a move to curb what the government says is ‘undemocratic’ policy, which has been met with criticism.

This week, Host Alex spoke with National MP Ryan Hamilton about these topics, starting with the US Tariffs.

 

Living in deprived areas linked to ‘deaths of despair’ w/ University of Auckland Social Sciences Professor Barry Milne: 8th June, 2026

Living in deprived areas linked to ‘deaths of despair’ w/ University of Auckland Social Sciences Professor Barry Milne: 8th June, 2026 Living in deprived areas linked to ‘deaths of despair’ w/ University of Auckland Social Sciences Professor Barry Milne: 8th June, 2026, 17.15 MB
Mon 8 Jun 2026

New research has been released which found people who spend more of their lives in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas have a significantly higher risk of premature ‘deaths of despair.'

These kinds of deaths include suicide, drug overdoses and alcohol-related diseases. The findings of the report suggest neighbourhood effects frequently operate independently of individual-level factors, indicating expanding public health beyond individual treatment to wider neighbourhood care may be necessary to help those most in need.

To discuss deprived area’s link to deaths of despair and how best to solve the issue producer Thomas talked to University of Auckland Social Sciences Professor Barry Milne.

 

Greenpeace calls for New Zealand to lower drinking water nitrate limit w/ Greenpeace freshwater campaigner Will Appelbe: 8th June, 2026

Greenpeace calls for New Zealand to lower drinking water nitrate limit w/ Greenpeace freshwater campaigner Will Appelbe: 8th June, 2026 Greenpeace calls for New Zealand to lower drinking water nitrate limit w/ Greenpeace freshwater campaigner Will Appelbe: 8th June, 2026, 18.15 MB
Mon 8 Jun 2026

Last week, the Danish government officially confirmed it will be lowering the legal limits for nitrate contamination in water according to recommendations from an independent scientific review commissioned by the Danish ministry for the environment.

The change came after outcry from Danish citizens over the country’s pork industry and its links to water contamination. Greenpeace Aotearoa is now saying New Zealand should follow Denmark’s lead and lower their legal nitrate levels to the same point.

There has recently been suggestions New Zealand is in a nitrate crisis, with the Canterbury regional council declaring an emergency last year and Southland is facing increasing calls to do the same.

To discuss the lowering of drinking water nitrate limits producer Thomas talked to Greenpeace freshwater campaigner Will Appelbe.

 

Does New Zealand need nuclear energy? w/ Co-director at the Geothermal Institute, Sadiq Zarrouk: 8th June, 2026

Does New Zealand need nuclear energy? w/ Co-director at the Geothermal Institute, Sadiq Zarrouk: 8th June, 2026 Does New Zealand need nuclear energy? w/ Co-director at the Geothermal Institute, Sadiq Zarrouk: 8th June, 2026, 9.59 MB
Mon 8 Jun 2026

Defence Minister Chris Penk recently tabled New Zealand’s nuclear free stance for debate, when he suggested it could be a topic New Zealand should look into. In an interview with Newstalk ZB’s Heather du Plessis-Allan, however, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon denied that the country’s stance would change any time soon.

While du Plessis-Allan asked about the military applications of nuclear technology, she also mentioned the potential benefits of nuclear energy. It’s an important question, especially as New Zealanders see rising energy prices and seek to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. 

To discuss the benefits of nuclear energy and how it compares to our current energy infrastructure in New Zealand, News Director Castor spoke to Associate Professor at the University of Auckland and co-director at the Geothermal Institute, Sadiq Zarrouk.

The Wire w/ Castor: 8th June, 2026

The Wire w/ Castor: 8th June, 2026 The Wire w/ Castor: 8th June, 2026, 83.87 MB
Mon 8 Jun 2026

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News director Castor spoke to MP Laura McClure, filling in for Simon Court. They asked about the Budget 2026 and funding for health, defence, and cuts to fees free. 

They also spoke to Associate Professor at the University of Auckland and co-director at the geothermal institute Sadio Zarrouk, about nuclear energy and if it has a place in New Zealand’s energy ecosystem. 

Producer Thomas spoke to University of Auckland Social Sciences Professor Barry Milne about a new study which has linked ‘deaths of despair’ with living in deprived areas. 

He also talked to Greenpeace freshwater campaigner Will Appelbe about the organisation calling for New Zealand to follow Denmark and lower the drinking water nitrate limit.