The City Mission will receive $16.7 million in funding from the government to improve and expand their detoxification services. Jemima talked to Auckland City Missioner, Chris Farrelly, about how this funding will be used and why it is so important for Auckland.
Huntington’s is a genetic neurodegenerative disease. About one in every 10,000 people has Huntington’s Disease, but one in 1000 people are affected by its effects. It is caused by an expanded gene in a person’s DNA. Every person has that particular gene, but only some have the mutation. The biggest breakthrough in Huntington’s research occurred in the 90s, but more recently, there has been breakthroughs in regards to possible treatments. Malvindar Singh-Bains is a Research Fellow at the University of Auckland Centre for Brain Research and has had extensive involvement in researching this disease. Lillian Hanly, whose family has the Huntington’s disease, caught up with Malvindar for quite a long chat at the end of last year about her work, Huntington’s research, and possible drug treatments. These drug trials are being considered the biggest breakthrough in terms of the disease since the gene itself was discovered in the 90s.
Community Legal Centres play a vital role in helping New Zealanders avoid legal problems or resolve those problems through education & legal representation. There has recently been a significant increase to Community Law Centres’ funding which has been made permanent in the Wellbeing Budget for this year. This was the first increase since the previous National Government froze core funding seven years ago. Additional funding will allow the 24 active Community Law Centres to expand on their work, as well as to provide fair and accessible legal support for New Zealanders. Louis talked with Green Party MP, Golriz Ghahraman, on the importance of these community law centres getting more recognition for their services to Aotearoa’s most vulnerable communities.
On Dear Science with AUT’s Allan Blackman we are going to kick off the year looking at some anniversaries, as well as what happens when a science paper is retracted.
We have a chat with Rod Oram that Lillian actually did at the end of last year, just after the government’s big infrastructure announcement. We didn’t get a chance to play it then so will have a listen today, but it’s a good chance to refresh our memories at the start of this big political year of the government's spending intentions prior to the more specific announcement that will be made early this year.
Felix has a piece today on the ever-expanding waitlist for state housing, he talked to Ricardo menendez March from Auckland Action Against Poverty about this ongoing housing crisis.
Felix also spoke with Forest & Bird about their naming of 2020 as the “year of the seabird” and the need for greater protection of our seabirds.
On the Wire today, Bronwyn takes over from Lillian as host of the Wednesday Wire, joined by producer Felix in studio.
Dear Science's Marcus Jones talks the mystery of our expanding universe, “human challenge” trials for COVID-19, and universities in the United States returning to in-person study, despite the health risks.
Jessica Hopkins speaks to Ryan Wei from NZISA about concerns about the impacts our border rules are having on international student.
NZ First’s Tracey Martin talks about some of the policies announced at the party’s campaign launch over the weekend, as well as why the party wants the passing of the Sexual Violence Legislation Bill to be delayed.
Bronwyn also speaks to National MP Chris Bishop to get his response to the criticisms surrounding the party’s Upper North Island Transport Package.
Today the government announced a number of housing measures aimed at helping first-home buyers get on the property ladder. Some of these include, increasing the income cap for first home grants, expanding the rules around who can access 5% deposits and a $3.8 billion injection into the country's housing supply.
News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Jarrod Kerr, the Chief Economist at Kiwibank, about what impact the government expects these measures to have and whether they will make a difference to New Zealand's exorbitant housing market.
Jemima then talks to Lesley Harris, Director and Representative of the First Home Buyers Club about the hurdles that exist for first-home buyers and whether the government's new policies will effectively mitigate them.
95bFM 