The Budget for 2025 came out last week on Thursday, with news for the nation on how funds will be allocated over the coming year. While some of the budget announcements were new news, the government had staggered others over the previous few weeks. In the new announcements were changes to Kiwisaver and the Jobseeker benefit.
The Kiwisaver changes involved a 50% reduction in the government’s Kiwisaver contribution, from around $500 a year to around $250. To compensate, the government increased the minimum employer and employee contributions from 3% to 4%. While this means people will end up with similar or greater amounts of money in Kiwisaver, it also means people will have access to less money right now.
The Jobseeker changes were also announced in the budget, with further restrictions added for 18-19-year-olds applying for the benefit. 18-19-year-olds applications will now be tested against their parents’ incomes, restricting large groups from accessing the support.
These changes both appear to primarily affect young people. While the government claims to care so much about education and schools, they seem comfortable with taking support away from Aotearoa’s young adults as soon as they finish high school. In our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about the Kiwisaver and Jobseeker changes in this year’s budget.
For Dear Science this week, our expert, Doctor Cushla McGoverin, chatted with us about night vision contact lenses, giant sloths, and how to best break down biofilms.
In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about Kiwisaver and the Jobseeker benefit in light of the Budget announcements last week.
Producer Faith spoke to the University of Auckland’s Dr. Brian Don about the links between economic hardship and wellbeing.
She also spoke to Dr. Joel Rindelaub about microplastics, and how they’re more common than we think.
Many studies show that mental health affects physical health, and vice versa.. But during a recession and cost of living crisis... what are the negative effects of financial insecurity- or one’s perception of their financial status, and comparing it to others? A recent study highlighted these correlations.
Producer Faith spoke to Dr. Brian Don from the University of Auckland about this study, and what is says about modern society.
In the 21st century, microplastics are in almost everything. They’re detrimental to both the environment, and those who consume them... But are we really aware of how easy they are to inhale?
Producer Faith spoke to the University of Auckland’s Dr Joel Rindelaub about a recent study showing how inhalable microplastics are actually more common indoors, rather than outdoors.
Featuring a chat with Brenna about the 7th annual gig photography showcase FromThePit, the fortnightly catch up with Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson on Isthmus'n That, a chat with a brainbox on Ready Steady Learn thanks to the University of Auckland.
Playlist
Space Food - Cama
Angelo Outlaw - Time Traveler
The Heavy Heavy - Desert Raven
Shanghai Restoration Project - Dark Horse Reverve
BlueMoonDisco - Bungle's Bungle
Curse Of Lono - Think I'm Alright Now
Bloc Party - This Modern Love
Surf Friends - Holiday
Ghost of Vroom - Pay the Man
Surf Friends - Outdoors
Roots Manuva - Clockwork
Chris Joss - You've Been Spiked
R.M.F.C. - Harmless Activity
Ringlets - Street Massage
Strawberry Fuzz - Bad Dreams
Jack Bromwich - Never Dreamed
ardini orca - Saint Mikhael and the Dragon
Pumice - A Huckory Crucifix.
LEAO - MEA UMA
Les Big Byrd - Roundhouse Blues
Beyond The Wizard's Sleeve - Creation (Psychemagik Rework Dub)
Jonny chats to Dave and Robin about the annual FromThePit exhibition, in it's 7th inception this year. You can catch the exhibition online and across heaps of locations across Tāmaki Makaurau. Head over to their website to see photos and videos capturing epic moments in NZ music from some of our most talented and where you can view it in the flesh.
Get ready to learn all about how rocks can tell us about ancient climate catastrophes from PhD candidate Katie Gilchrist. Katie was part of a team from the School of Environment whose recent Antarctic expedition took samples from sedimentary and igneous rocks in order to better understand the conditions during an extinction event over 183 million years ago. Curious to learn more? Whakarongo mai nei, then head over here to read more about the trip, and Katie's research.
On a very special edition of Spaced Out, Rosetta and Nick share their experience at The Silk Collective's listening party of Sanoi's unreleased album - which took place at The Stardome last week! The immersive experience allowed fans a unique opportunity to listen to the entire new album in The Stardome's planiterium. Nick and Rosetta share some interviews with the Silk Collective organisers, and some of the crowd who were there on the night. Our resident space-enthusiast and expert Josh also phones in to chat about the latest space news - including a newly discovered dwarf planet, and some amazing footage of Jupiter's aurora!
95bFM 
