The Wire with Manny

University of Auckland researchers have been recognised by Quanta Magazine for one of the major biology breakthroughs of 2025.

The study suggests evolution often happens in short, intense bursts, rather than as a slow and steady process. Researchers looked at examples across cephalopods, ancient enzymes, and Indo-European languages to better understand how change happens over time.

Producer Pranuja spoke with Dr Peter Wills about punctuated equilibrium, the origins of genetic code, and why this research is gaining international attention.

In March, the Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation, and Technology Advisory Council released a report to the Prime Minister calling for a change in how science, innovation, and technology are funded in Aotearoa New Zealand. Of the $1.7 billion of government spending on science, innovation, and technology, the report identified $839 million for potential reprioritisation.

Needless to say, this marks a large shift in how research will be done in Aotearoa New Zealand, with an increased emphasis on ‘mission-led’ research (where the government determines what research is funded) compared to ‘investigator-led’ research, which is competitively funded and curiosity-driven. Within this ‘mission-led’ approach, the report calls for increasing funding for ‘advanced technology’, such as AI. However, many scientists are concerned with what this approach will mean for the areas Aotearoa excels in, and point to the significant disruption that the pursuit of ‘fashionable’ research, directed by bureaucrats, will cause.

So to better understand this shift in the direction of science research in Aotearoa New Zealand, producer Theo spoke with Professor Nicola Gaston, Director of the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, and Professor of Physics at the University of Auckland.

This week on the Wednesday Wire...

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the Green Party’s Dental policy and the Free trade agreement with India

Toby spoke to Auckland University’s Jennifer Frost about the so-called ‘redistricting war’ in the United States

Theo spoke to the Director of the MacDiarmid Institute, and Physics Professor at the University of Auckland, Professor Nicola Gaston, on the report to the prime minister on Prioritisation in New Zealand’s Science, Innovation and Technology system.

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman, speaks with us about molecules on mars, Schrödinger's cat, and the link between learning and living a longer life.

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Host Alex spoke with Ryan Hamilton about the derogatory comments made last week by NZ First Minister Shane Jones, and other barbs traded between Winston Peters and the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, the Treasury revisiting forecasts for the budget, and changes to infrastructure oversight.

Thursday Wire host Caeden spoke to Benjiman Law from the University of Auckland about an email he mistakenly sent to all undergraduate students. 

And Producer Liam spoke with Scott Burnett, Regional Conservation Manager for the Top of the South Island and Forest and Bird’s climate spokesperson, about the Climate Change Commission's recent advice to the government that the Emissions Trading Scheme is in a precarious state and in need of reform, what the consequences of the government's current approach are for New Zealand and what can be done to improve the situation.