The Wire with Joel

Felix spoke to Green co-leader James Shaw about their Reasonable Rent campaign, the elimination of exclusive patents for Covid-19 vaccines, and their new petition to remove the newly implemented wage suppression rules.

The Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust provides dogs for people with disabilities who are unable to get them elsewhere. 

90% of their clients are children under 12 years old with autism and other neurodisabilities.

Currently their waiting list is five years, and with no government funding, these dogs are paid for through donations. 

Jessica Hopkins interviewed Mimi Hooper, the general manager of Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust about how an assistant dog can be life changing for families.

As many Western countries speak out against human rights abuses in China, New Zealand has found itself in a difficult position between prioritising ethics and economics. In recent weeks, the Labour government have started to speak out against the actions of China and, earlier this week, passed a motion declaring human rights abuses were taking place.

Noah Ferguson-Dudidng spoke to Director of the China Studies Centre at the University of Auckland, Stephen Noakes, on New Zealand's relationship with China. They discussed their decades-long trading relationship, China's actions in Hong Kong and against Muslim minorities, and how New Zealand's stance may change in the future.

Bronwyn sits down with Mark Pascall, one of the  founders of the Wellbeing Protocol, a project to empower communities using blockchain technology. Pascall is using his background in software development to combine his four passions: blockchain, alternative organisational management, open source and holistic wellness. 

The Wellbeing Protocol has been accepted into the GovTech Accelerator programme and has received funding to run a trial in Cannons Creek, in Eastern Porirua. Bronwyn talks to Pascall about the project, alternative methods of value transfer, and dispelling myths around blockchain.