The Wire with Joel

Te Hiringa Mahara, the Mental Health and Well-being Commission released a report earlier this month about Pasifika’s mental health and well-being both during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The report highlights inequities Pasifika experienced during the pandemic and reflects on united Pasifika communities in the name of remaining resilient in adverse circumstances. In the report, there are key points that emphasise systemic inequities in regard to mental health support for Pasifika. The commission's findings reinforce the strong values-based relationships Pasifika have with others. Although the underlying call for more mental health and well-being support for the Pasifika community remains. 

To talk more about the report, its findings, and what recommendations can be made for targeted support and reform Andre Fa'aoso spoke to Karen Orsborn, Chief Executive of the Mental Health and Well-being Commission.

Welcome to the Tuesday Wire! This week on the show: 

• On Dear Science, Allan Blackman joins to talk dead flies, space brain and the size of the earth.  
• Milly has her weekly catch up with Dr Shane Reti where they talk about National’s proposed tougher consequences for gang members, Te Ara Oranga and the use of memes by political parties.
• Milly also speaks to Aphiphany Forward-Taua from Just Speak on National’s crackdown on crime.
• Beth speaks to Hema Sridhar, Strategic Advisor for Technological Futures at Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures, about social cohesion in Aotearoa.
• And Rosetta speaks to Camilla Highfield, Deputy Dean at the University of Auckland Faculty of Education and Social Work, about the secondary school teachers strikes.

Stay tuned for all this and more!

This week for her weekly catchup with Dr Shane Reti, Milly speaks to him about National's new policy surrounding being tougher on gang members, she also covers the world-class methanphetamine recovery programme Te Ara Oranga, and finally she touches on the use of memes in political social media. 

ACT Party Leader David Seymour has accused RNZ of “propaganda” and “Palestinian-friendly” framing. 

These comments came after pro-kremlin edits were found in RNZ’s coverage of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Palestinian New Zealander and descendant of Palestinian refugees Tameem Shaltoni. Shaltoni firstly provided some background into Israel's unlawful occupation of the West Bank. He also shared why Seymour's comments are concerning and his message to western media and political figures. 

She also heard from John Minto from the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa about his criticism of New Zealand and other western media's coverage of Israel's treatment of Palestine.