The Wire with Castor

Last Friday the Government launched Aotearoa New Zealand’s first Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People, and New Zealand’s first Ministry that will have a NZ Sign Language name, as well as Te Reo Māori and English names. This follows Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority also officially taking effect, in what is regarded as a fully national health service. Last year the government announced a suite of changes for disabled people as part of the Health and Disability System reforms. Budget 2022 also saw over $1 billion of new funding go into the disability sector. 

Minister for Disability Issues Hon Poto Williams sez “In the spirit of ‘Nothing About Us, Without Us’, the new Ministry will start the ball rolling with ensuring the Ministry’s culture and values are mana-enhancing, the governance and partnership arrangements are meaningful, and the mechanisms that will give effect to disabled peoples voices are enduring. The Ministry will lead and coordinate disability policy across government, including improving outcomes for disabled people in areas such as employment, education, health and wellbeing.

Joe speaks with Hon Poto Williams about the launch of Whaikaha - the Ministry for the Disabled. 

On the 23rd June 2022, The US Food And Drug Administration moved to ban JUUL e-cigarettes from the United States market. Their reasoning? Their business model fails to assure that their user base remains safe while using the e-cigarette. This motion follows a two year investigation into their parent company Juul Labs. 

Trishil deep dives into the state of affairs in the United States, as well as speaking to Sarah Helm from the New Zealand Drug Foundation about the perception of vaping in New Zealand and how the US ban could affect us.

This week on The Wire for Rāhina Monday!

Joe speaks to Sara Tolbert, Associate Professor of Science and Environmental Education at the University of Canterbury, about Plastic Free July. He also talks James Hita from Greenpeace about New Zealand’s silence surrounding deep sea mining. 

Trishil speaks to Nina Santos from MindTheGap for regular segment with OurActionStation. They talk about their mission to ensure that the pay gap is closed for women and ethnic communities. Trishil also speaks to the Green Party's Drug Reform Spokesperson Chloe Swarbrick and Dr Nicki Jackson from Alcohol HealthWatch about the Alcohol Harm Minimisation Bill.

That's us for the Monday Wire!

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Harm Minimisation Amendment Bill, introduced by Green Party Drug Reform Spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick, seeks to overhaul the state of alcohol awareness and advertising in New Zealand. The bill will also allow local councils to control policies that affect their communities.

Trishil spoke with Chlöe Swarbrick and Alcohol Healthwatch Executive Director Dr Nicki Jackson about the provisions of the bill, including the establishment of Local Alcohol Policies and restrictions of Sponsorships and Advertising.