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UNICEF to Launch Groundbreaking Project to 3D Print Prosthetics for War-Injured Gaza Children w/ Tania Sawicki Mead: April 30, 2025

UNICEF to Launch Groundbreaking Project to 3D Print Prosthetics for War-Injured Gaza Children w/ Tania Sawicki Mead: April 30, 2025 UNICEF to Launch Groundbreaking Project to 3D Print Prosthetics for War-Injured Gaza Children w/ Tania Sawicki Mead: April 30, 2025, 13.71 MB
Wed 30 Apr 2025

Gaza currently has the highest number of child amputees per capita in the world, with over 23,000 children having sustained conflict-related injuries, and many thousands facing disabilities and needing long-term rehabilitation.

This week it was announced that UNICEF would be launching a groundbreaking project to 3D print prosthetic limbs for war-injured children in Gaza, thanks to funding from the Federation of the Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ).

To talk about this project, as well as the impacts it could have on the children in Gaza, Producer Max spoke with the Head of Communications at UNICEF Aotearoa, Tania Sawicki Mead.

The Wire w/ Oto: 30 April, 2025

The Wire w/ Oto: 30 April, 2025 The Wire w/ Oto: 30 April, 2025, 98.04 MB
Wed 30 Apr 2025

For our weekly catchup with the Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March, Oto spoke to him about the government’s pre-budget announcement and cuts to the operating allowance, as well as the government rejection suggestions to review carbon subsidies and the Greens’ call to ban engineered stone products.

He spoke to PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimmons (Fit-Simons) for a follow up conversation about the pre-budget announcement.

And, for this week’s Get Action! He speak to Volunteer president of the Associated New Zealand ME Society Fiona Charlton about a petition to roll back the government’s benefit cuts for people experiencing long term hospitalisation.

Max spoke to Tania Sawicki Mead, Head of Communications at UNICEF Aotearoa, about the announcement that UNICEF would be launching a groundbreaking project to 3D print prosthetic limbs for war-injured children in Gaza.

And he spoke to Larah van de Meer, Research and Advocacy Manager at Autism New Zealand, about the recent study by the University of Otago, that showed that autistic pupils attend school at a noticeably lower rate than non-autistic students.

Budget 2025 Austerity w/ Fleur Fitzsimmons from PSA: 30 April, 2025

Budget 2025 Austerity w/ Fleur Fitzsimmons from PSA: 30 April, 2025 Budget 2025 Austerity w/ Fleur Fitzsimmons from PSA: 30 April, 2025, 20.23 MB
Wed 30 Apr 2025

Finance Minister Nicola Willis made her Pre-Budget speech, in the leadup to Budget 2025, in which she announced that the government would be halving the operating allowance from $2.4 Billion to $1.3 Billion, going to a select number of government departments that Willis has described as “the most important priorities.”

The PSA have referred to the government’s cuts to the operating allowance as an “irresponsible recipe for failure” for the health system and public sector and plan to strongly oppose any job cuts for public servants or health workers.

Oto spoke with PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons to discuss the government’s pre-budget announcement.

 

Urgent Need to Address Attendance Barriers for Autistic Pupils w/ Larah van de Meer: April 30, 2025

Urgent Need to Address Attendance Barriers for Autistic Pupils w/ Larah van de Meer: April 30, 2025 Urgent Need to Address Attendance Barriers for Autistic Pupils w/ Larah van de Meer: April 30, 2025, 11.81 MB
Wed 30 Apr 2025

This week, a University of Otago led study found that autistic pupils are significantly less likely to attend school regularly, particularly at a young age.

The researchers of the study had information on 654,438 pupils, of which 8427 were autistic. They found that autistic pupils' regular attendance was 55.3%, compared to 62.5% for non-autistic pupils. They also found that autistic students would experience about 78 fewer school days on average per year compared to their non-autistic peers.

Lead author, Dr Nick Bowden, of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, has said that "it's important to remember that behind the data are real children, whānau, and educators, trying to make it work, often without the tools or support they need".

Producer Max spoke with Larah van de Meer, Research and Advocacy Manager at Autism New Zealand, about the recent study by the University of Otago.

 

Concerns Over Announcement of Regulating Physician Associates w/ New Zealand Resident Doctors' Association's Dr Deborah Powell

Concerns Over Announcement of Regulating Physician Associates w/ New Zealand Resident Doctors' Association's Dr Deborah Powell Concerns Over Announcement of Regulating Physician Associates w/ New Zealand Resident Doctors' Association's Dr Deborah Powell, 5.88 MB
Tue 29 Apr 2025

Recently, the government has announced regulations for physician associates, or PAs. Minister of Health Simeon Brown says regulating this role "demonstrates the Government's commitment to patient safety and providing high quality care".

The aim of regulating PAs would allow for more workers in the medical sector, and to entice overseas workers to fill gaps in rural practices.

This move has faced backlash over concerns physician associates do not have the adequate medical expertise. 

In the UK, there have been multiple reports of medical malpractice resulting in patient deaths, which resulted in the launch of an independent review into the safety of PAs.

Currently in Aotearoa, Simeon Brown says there are 50 PAs across 29 different clinics.

News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to the National Secretary of the New Zealand Residential Doctors’ Association or the NZRDA, Dr Deborah Powell, about her concerns with this announcement.

The Wire w/ Castor: 29th April, 2025

The Wire w/ Castor: 29th April, 2025 The Wire w/ Castor: 29th April, 2025, 112.93 MB
Tue 29 Apr 2025

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science, our expert, Doctor Cushla McGoverin talks to us about a tree climbing salamander, lab grown teeth, and an early warning for volcanic eruptions. 

In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor about transport upgrades in Northwest Auckland and subsidies to teachers registration fees. 

Also on education they spoke to president of the Post Primary Teachers Association, Chris Abercrombie, about the subsidised teachers registration fees and new classroom developments for overcrowded schools. 

News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to the National Secretary of the New Zealand Residential Doctors’ Association, Dr Deborah Powell, about the organisation’s concerns for the regulation of physician associates.

Joel also spoke to Virginia Braun, a Professor of Psychology at the University of Auckland, about New Zealand’s traveller status to the US being ‘exercised increased caution,’ and what they recommend for those visiting or transiting in the United States.

The Need for a Risk Assessment Before Travelling to the US w/ The University of Auckland's Virginia Braun: 29 April, 2025

The Need for a Risk Assessment Before Travelling to the US w/ The University of Auckland's Virginia Braun: 29 April, 2025 The Need for a Risk Assessment Before Travelling to the US w/ The University of Auckland's Virginia Braun: 29 April, 2025, 7.15 MB
Tue 29 Apr 2025

The government has reviewed travel advice for those heading to the US, however, this status remains at ‘exercised increased caution’.

This comes alongside multiple cases of tourists visiting or transiting through the US being detained, strip-searched and deported, despite having adequate legal documents.

News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to Virginia Braun, a Professor of Psychology at the University of Auckland, about New Zealand’s travel advice to the US, and their recommendations for developing a travel risk assessment before travelling to, or through, the country.

The Wire w/ Joel: 28 April, 2025

The Wire w/ Joel: 28 April, 2025 The Wire w/ Joel: 28 April, 2025, 113.61 MB
Mon 28 Apr 2025

This week on the Monday Wire:

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, Producer Evie speaks to MP Simon Court about the government’s proposed changes to Early Childhood Education (or ECE) regulations, NZ First’s proposed gender bill and ACC’s ethnic outcomes target.

Evie speaks to early childhood representative on the NZ Educational Institute National (NZEI) Executive Zane McCarthy about the proposed changes to ECE, and why they spark cause for concern.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel speaks to Queer Endurance / Defiance member, Leliel Trethowen, about Winston Peter’s proposed gender bill.

Joel speaks to a board member of ECPAT Child Alert; an organisation aimed at ending child sexual exploitation Rebecca Kingi, about National MP, Greg Flemming, calling for cross-party support for anti-trafficking legislation.

And Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins us in studio to discuss changes in the way AI is being used.

Whakarongo mai.

ECE Regulation Review w/ Early Childhood Representative for NZEI, Zane McCarthy: 28 April 2025

ECE Regulation Review w/ Early Childhood Representative for NZEI, Zane McCarthy: 28 April 2025 ECE Regulation Review w/ Early Childhood Representative for NZEI, Zane McCarthy: 28 April 2025, 13.93 MB
Mon 28 Apr 2025

The government's proposed changes to ECE regulation have sparked concern among many early childhood educators. 

The New Zealand Education Institute or NZEI says called it a backwards step. Adding it will result in qualified teacher requirements watered down, safety criteria withdrawn, and quality teaching standards removed from centres’ licensing requirements. 

NZEI says “ECE centres' profit margins are the winners here. Tamariki and teachers are the losers.” 

Producer Evie spoke to early childhood educator and early childhood representative on the NZEI National Executive Zane McCarthy about why the proposed changes are such cause for concern.

How the use of AI has evolved over a year w/ Global Innovator. Matt Hart: 28 April, 2025

How the use of AI has evolved over a year w/ Global Innovator. Matt Hart: 28 April, 2025 Matt Hart: 28 April, 2025, 6.55 MB
Mon 28 Apr 2025

Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, and Producer Evie to discuss who the use of AI has durastically evolved over the past year!