The Wire with Castor

This week on Dear Science Frances Wright spoke with AUT Professor Allan Blackman about infectious music, a cautionary tale from the Soviet Era’s deadliest scientist and the incredible story of American astronomer Carolyn Shoemaker. 

This week the Government revealed proposed ACC changes to cover birth injuries, with only birth injuries that are the result of a treatment injury, being covered by the scheme currently. 

This comes in the same month that the Green Party launched an open letter to the Minister for ACC, asking for all birth injuries and trauma to be covered. The Green Party has received a lot of support, having over 36,000 signatures so far. The Green Party has shown support to the Government’s proposed ACC changes to cover birth control, however, wishes that all birth injuries were included, rather than a selected few.

Zazi speaks with Green Party MP and ACC spokesperson Jan Logie about the government’s proposed changes, as well as the Green Party's open letter, that is close to their 40,000 signature goal.

In the second half, Zazi speaks to the Chief Executive of the New Zealand College of Midwives, Alison Eddy, to get her opinin on the proposed amendments to the ACC legislation too, as well as her thoughts on the updated Maternity Action Plan. 

Zazi began by asking Alison if she had any criticisms with the changes, and if so what.

Today on the Wire, Jemima Huston speaks to Shaun Robinson, the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, about Mental Health Awareness Week this week and lockdown fatigue. 

Joe Wickins talks to Dr Alex Risos from the University of Auckland about his work on preventing water contamination in Aotearoa.

Jemima interviews AUT Associate Professor and Director of the Gambling and Addictions Research Centre Maria Bellringer about the recently released global gambiling guidelines for low-risk gambling. 

Tomorrow’s World is back! This week Isla Christensen and Stella Huggins speak to community psychologist Dr Niki Harré about the recent controversy surrounding the proposed CBS show 'The Activist' and Harré's work on the psychology of environmental activism. 

Pasifika ethnic specific COVID-19 vaccination drives are proving successful across Aotearoa, and now efforts are turning towards increasing youth vaccinations rates. 

Organisations like Pasifika Futures are currently exploring ways to reach out and support Pasifika young people getting vaccinated. 

Jessica Hopkins spoke to Communications Manager, Emily Muli about Pacific Youth Stand Up, a group of nominated people coming together to share insights on the experiences of Pasifika youth during COVID-19.