The Wire with Jessica

With recent news that Parliamentary Services is required to make budget cuts, Parliamentary cleaners are worried that their recently won living wage may be stripped away.

Parliament’s cleaners won the living wage under the previous Labour government, which had committed to a wage increase during the 2017 election campaign.

Castor spoke to Rachel Mackintosh, the National Secretary for E tū, the union covering cleaners, about the potential wage cuts and what they may mean for those affected.

Little is known about many parasites, despite their prevalence worldwide, in Aotearoa New Zealand. These parasites include cryptosporidium, and toxoplasmosis, which are both often transmitted from animals to humans. Research has shown both parasites are dangerous to humans, with symptoms including vomiting and fevers. 

Olivia spoke to Research Fellow at the University of Otago, Doctor Remy Muhsin, about these parasites, and the need for research funding in this area.

News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Lecturer in the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Dr Johanna Reidy, about school uniform equity in Aotearoa. 

Producer Olivia spoke to Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Otago, Warren Tate, about the links between ME/CFS and Long COVID.

She also spoke to Postgraduate Fellow in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Otago, Dr Remy Muhsin, about the prevalence of parasites such as toxoplasmosis and cryptosporidium.

The Coalition Government’s plans to dissolve mega polytechnic Te Pukenga has left the tertiary education sector in a state of uncertainty.

Last year individual polytechnics reported a collective loss of $185 million and strike action disrupted students' courses as tertiary education providers took concerns over pay and conditions to the government.

Nicholas spoke to the National president of the Tertiary Education Union, Dr Julie Douglas, about the issues facing Tertiary Education in 2024 as well as the policy areas she believes need to be at the forefront of the Minister for Tertiary educations plans.