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The Australian federal election on the 21st of May saw the landslide collapse of the Liberal-National Coalition, and Australian Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese was sworn in as Prime Minister on Monday. R1 News reporter Scott Faville spoke to Dr Marija Taflaga, Director of the Australian Politics Studies Centre at the Australian National University, for an early analysis of the election results in both the Senate and House of Representatives

As Aotearoa's borders closed in March 2020 to keep COVID-19 out of the country, influenza was also prevented from making its way into the community, and it has stayed out until now. However, with the nation opening back up, influenza is making its way around the community, particularly those under 25. We spoke to Dr Michael Butchard, Medical Officer at the Southern District Health Board, about the spread of influenza this winter alongside the continued presence of Omicron in the community.

On Monday, care workers and nurses around the motu protested against a proposed 3% pay increase for care workers, which some have called a slap in the face. R1 News's Quintin Jane spoke to nurses and aged care workers at the protest outside Labour MP David Clark's office.

The Electoral (Strenghtening Democracy) Amendment Bill, drawn in the members ballot on May 19th, seeks to bring about a raft of electoral reforms including lowering the voting age to 16, extending voting rights to all prisoners, lowering the party vote threshold to enter parliament and more. Green Party List MP Golriz Ghahraman, who entered the bill into the members ballot, joins us to explain why these reforms are needed.

R1 News speaks to University of Otago academic fellow and research assistant Joshua James on the state of Aotearoa's unique flora and fauna, and the Government's plan to protect and ensure biodiversity.