Launch in new window

The Magnetic Fields - Take Ecstacy with Me

You are here

The Wire with Oto

Latest bCasts • View all

Flaws in New Zealand’s heart healthcare system w/ Chief executive of Kia Manawanui Trust Aotearoa, Letitia Harding: 12 August, 2025

Flaws in New Zealand’s heart healthcare system w/ Chief executive of Kia Manawanui Trust Aotearoa, Letitia Harding: 12 August, 2025 Flaws in New Zealand’s heart healthcare system w/ Chief executive of Kia Manawanui Trust Aotearoa, Letitia Harding: 12 August, 2025 , 18.07 MB
Tue 12 Aug 2025

A report commissioned by Kia Manawanui Trust has found that there are deep flaws in the healthcare system when it comes to heart health and disease.
According to chief executive Letitia Harding
"Heart care in New Zealand isn’t just stretched - it’s on the verge of collapse. We are failing in all aspects, and it's costing New Zealanders their lives."
From serious delays for patients, a workforce shortage, a so-called ‘post-code lottery’ relating to the availability of heart specialists, and disparate harm for Māori and Pacific people, the trust says this report should be a “wake up call” for the government.

Wire Host Sara spoke to Letitia Harding about this report and how the government should respond.

Treasury Long Term Insights Briefing & changes to the Road User Charges (RUC) system w/ National Party MP Carl Bates: 12 August, 2025

Treasury Long Term Insights Briefing & changes to the Road User Charges (RUC) system w/ National Party MP Carl Bates: 12 August, 2025 Treasury Long Term Insights Briefing & changes to the Road User Charges (RUC) system w/ National Party MP Carl Bates: 12 August, 2025, 23.26 MB
Tue 12 Aug 2025

Last week, Treasury delivered the Long Term Insights Briefing entitled ‘Te Ara Mokopuna’ which examines the use of fiscal policy in New Zealand to respond to challenges and economic shocks.

The report used stakeholder feedback and consultation to underscore how the government can seek to promote “fiscal sustainability and improving wellbeing for future generations of New Zealanders”.

Of particular interest, the report highlights the effect of spending decisions made during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As well, Transportation Minister Chris Bishop has announced the government’s plans to change up the road user charges system in what he says is the ‘biggest change to how we fund our roading network in 50 years’.

The changes are aimed at making charges fairer across road usage, reflecting the evolution in the types of cars now available. 

Legislative work will be carried out in 2026, with changes expected to come into effect in 2027.

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 12 August, 2025

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 12 August, 2025 Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 12 August, 2025, 40.68 MB
Tue 12 Aug 2025

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman talks to us about a novel way to administer vaccines, subtle light in our brains, and Schrödinger’s birthday.

Thanks Allan for joining us, thank you MOTAT, and thank you science!

Concerns around smoking/vaping on hospital grounds w/ the University of Auckland's Chris Bullen: August 12, 2025

Concerns around smoking/vaping on hospital grounds w/ the University of Auckland's Chris Bullen: August 12, 2025 Concerns around smoking/vaping on hospital grounds w/ the University of Auckland's Chris Bullen: August 12, 2025, 22.21 MB
Tue 12 Aug 2025

Rotorua Hospital has elicited concerns and outrage over people smoking and vaping in what’s meant to be their “smokefree” entrances. Hospital staff, patients, their visiting relatives, and public health experts think that those in charge of implementing the rules need to come down harder on smokers. 

Experts such as Professor Chris Bullen believe the smokefree regulations need to be reformed, and have questioned their effectiveness. Producer Faith spoke to Chris about his concerns, and how the issue of nicotine consumption on hospital grounds needs to be addressed.

Changes to NCEA w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 11 August, 2025

Changes to NCEA w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 11 August, 2025 Changes to NCEA w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 11 August, 2025, 15.46 MB
Mon 11 Aug 2025

Last week, the government announced a proposal to replace NCEA with an alternative educational curriculum.

NCEA, which has been in place since 2002, has received mixed responses. In announcing the move, Education Minister, Erica Stanford, says that due to the flexibility of NCEA, this has “come at a cost” for young people to develop critical thinking skills and knowledge for future pathways.

The proposed changes include replacing NCEA level 1 with a foundational test, solely focusing on numeracy and literacy, replacing NCEA’s level 2 and 3 with two new qualifications, requiring students take five subjects, and having to pass at least four to obtain a certificate.

This move is not without its criticisms and concerns, however. For example, Many teachers have told RNZ that the changes, which are set to be phased in from next year, are too swift, with teachers saying they will need additional support during the transition process.

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to him about potentially moving away from NCEA.

The Wire w/ Joel: 11 August, 2025

The Wire w/ Joel: 11 August, 2025 The Wire w/ Joel: 11 August, 2025, 83.16 MB
Mon 11 Aug 2025

This week on the Monday Wire:

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to MP Simon Court about the government’s proposed overhaul of the NCEA curriculum to a different curriculum.

Producer Alex spoke to Emeritus Professor at the University of Auckland, Ruth Bonita about the continued lower excise rate on heated tobacco products, and how it plays into combatting smoking harm and Aotearoa’s smokefree goals.

Joel spoke to Angela Ballantyne, a Professor of Bioethics at the University of Otago, on research she led into medical professionals using AI to transcribe patient notes and the concerns of doing so.

And Alex spoke to the Chair of the Meningitis Foundation, Gerard Rushton, about Pharmac’s decision to increase eligibility for the meningococcal B vaccine to all children under five, and the foundation’s desire to see funding expand to all young people.

Whakarongo mai!

Heated Tobacco Product Excise Taxes w/ University of Auckland's Ruth Bonita: 11 August, 2025

Heated Tobacco Product Excise Taxes w/ University of Auckland's Ruth Bonita: 11 August, 2025 Heated Tobacco Product Excise Taxes w/ University of Auckland's Ruth Bonita: 11 August, 2025, 18.55 MB
Mon 11 Aug 2025

In July last year, the government announced a one year period of lower excise rates on the Heated Tobacco Products produced by Philip Morris. Last month, the government extended that period by two years, with evaluation now set for July 2027. 

This move has been seen by some as a tax break or a corporate subsidy for Philip Morris, but some have argued that it is a positive step for harm prevention through encouraging smokers to buy healthier nicotine products.

Producer Alex spoke to Emeritus Professor in Population Health at the University of Auckland Ruth Bonita about the government’s move, what it means for Philip Morris, and how this will impact the health of New Zealanders.

Pharmac's changes to Meningococcal Vaccine eligibility w/ Meningitis Foundation Chair Gerard Rushton: 11 August, 2025

Pharmac's changes to Meningococcal Vaccine eligibility w/ Meningitis Foundation Chair Gerard Rushton: 11 August, 2025 Pharmac's changes to Meningococcal Vaccine eligibility w/ Meningitis Foundation Chair Gerard Rushton: 11 August, 2025, 19.19 MB
Mon 11 Aug 2025

At the end of July, Pharmac made the decision to expand eligibility to a fully funded Meningococcal B vaccine to all children under five. This decision has been supported and welcomed by the Meningitis Foundation, who say it will benefit over seventy thousand children in New Zealand. 

Now, the Foundation is calling for eligibility to be increased to a higher age limit, to account for all young people in New Zealand. Currently, younger people’s access to the funded vaccine is dependent on whether or not they fit a specific criteria, such as a first year student in halls, and the Foundation believes that young people would benefit greatly from the expanding of these criteria to cover a larger portion of the vulnerable young population.

Producer Alex spoke to Gerard Rushton, the chair of the Meningitis Foundation, about Pharmac’s decision, how meningitis affects young people, and why we should be expanding the eligibility to take care of young New Zealanders.

AI-scribing Patient Notes w/ the University of Otago's Angela Ballantyne: 11 August, 2025

AI-scribing Patient Notes w/ the University of Otago's Angela Ballantyne: 11 August, 2025 AI-scribing Patient Notes w/ the University of Otago's Angela Ballantyne: 11 August, 2025, 11.2 MB
Mon 11 Aug 2025

Concerns have been raised with medical professionals using AI scribes to transcribe patient notes.

This follows research by the University of Otago, where researchers surveyed 197 health providers in February and March last year into their experiences using AI in their practices.

40% surveyed had used AI scribes for patient notes, with most saying they had found AI helpful.

However, concerns have been raised over the potential legal and ethical consequences of AI scribing patient notes, such as through data security and  patient consent.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the lead researcher in the study, and Professor of Bioethics at the University of Otago, Wellington — Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, Pōneke, Angela Ballantyne, about AI scribing, and how AI should be regulated in this space.

State of Auckland’s Local Democracy and Regional Deals w/ Councilor Shane Henderson

State of Auckland’s Local Democracy and Regional Deals w/ Councilor Shane Henderson State of Auckland’s Local Democracy and Regional Deals w/ Councilor Shane Henderson, 16.52 MB
Thu 7 Aug 2025

The deadline for enrolling to vote in Local elections and nominations for candidates closed last week, with last minute pushes across the country to make sure as many seats as possible were being contested. 

There were concerns from the Electoral Commission and Local Councils across the country that some seats might go uncontested or only have one person running.

Producer Sanat wanted to understand what the state of local democracy is in Auckland and whether the council is doing enough to make sure it is healthy and thriving. 

Also in today’s discussion is a conversation about Regional Deals. Recently Auckland Council signed a memorandum of understanding with the government in order to begin “negotiating” a regional deal. 

Producer Sanat wanted to understand what a regional deal is and what it can do for Auckland, especially as recent unemployment and homelessness figures suggest that our city has been hit hardest by the recent economic downturn. 

He started off by asking Councillor Shane Henderson about the state of Auckland's Local Democracy.