The Wire w/ Caeden: 27 August, 2026

News Director Castor spoke to Labour MP Shanan Halbert about a social media ban, a cap on rates increases, and reinstating the Smokefree Generation. For City Counselling, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about the next steps for congestion charging, the Government’s backtrack on a bed levy, and busking exclusion zones in the CBD. For Politics with Māni Dunlop, they asked about Te Pāti Māori’s campaign strategy, Act’s “one law for all” policy, and the government pushing ahead with a social media ban for under-16s. They spoke with Chloe Dilley, youth advocate and host of the radio show Chloe Dilley Seeking Talents, about young people's perspectives on a social media ban. And they spoke to Dr Michael Daubs, Senior Lecturer in Media and Communications at the University of Otago, about what evidence-based decision-making on regulating social media would look like.  Producer Eloïse spoke with Jane Searle, Mana Mokopuna Children’s Commissioner, about her view on the social media ban for under-16s.