Last Friday the Government launched Aotearoa New Zealand’s first Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People, and New Zealand’s first Ministry that will have a NZ Sign Language name, as well as Te Reo Māori and English names. This follows Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority also officially taking effect, in what is regarded as a fully national health service. Last year the government announced a suite of changes for disabled people as part of the Health and Disability System reforms. Budget 2022 also saw over $1 billion of new funding go into the disability sector.
Minister for Disability Issues Hon Poto Williams sez “In the spirit of ‘Nothing About Us, Without Us’, the new Ministry will start the ball rolling with ensuring the Ministry’s culture and values are mana-enhancing, the governance and partnership arrangements are meaningful, and the mechanisms that will give effect to disabled peoples voices are enduring. The Ministry will lead and coordinate disability policy across government, including improving outcomes for disabled people in areas such as employment, education, health and wellbeing.
Joe speaks with Hon Poto Williams about the launch of Whaikaha - the Ministry for the Disabled.
In a typically varied set, Def Jim splices gnarly nuggets from old stalwarts of the avant-garde with new releases from the likes of Ethnic Heritage Ensemble and Julian Lage, virtuosic guitar in both electric blues and finger-picked trio/duo settings and sundry sparkling album tracks bursting out of relative obscurity before closing out with some classic John Coltrane.
A typically up-to-the minute set from Def Jim, premiering new releases from David Murray, Kris Davis and Dave Douglas, and re-visiting notable recent offerings from Geri Allen, Jeff Parker, Michael Formanek, Ambrose Akinmusire and Thumbscrew before reaching back all the way to 1964 to end the Show with a classic Archie Shepp take on vintage 'Trane.
Thanks so much for tuning in. Very fun show today, featuring my album of the week, w/ The Producersby Paul St. Hilaire – some amazing dub techno spearheaded by a pioneer of the genre, with collaborations from producers across the electronica spectrum. Catch you all next week!
Australia’s national under-16 social media ban will be officially enforced as of Friday next week, with huge disruptions for rangatahi across the ditch. The Response has included two Australian teens, Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, backed by rights organisation, Digital Freedom Project, who have challenged the legislation in the high court with a staunch response from their federal government.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke with Dr. Alex Beattie, Senior Lecturer in Information Management at Victoria University of Wellington, about his concerns for how the legislation regards rangatahi and their digital rights, and the likelihood of Aotearoa following suit.