The Wire with Joel

Earlier this week, the government announced a plan to invest $1.9 Billion dollars into corrections facilities across Aotearoa, which would be used to recruit and train staff, provide rehabilitation for inmates on remand, and the expansion of 810 new beds at Waikeria prison, which had previously been damaged during a prison riot in 2020. 

For their weekly chat, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez March to discuss the party’s take on the corrections investment. We also talked about the central bank’s recent Financial Stability report, as well as the Remuneration authorities decision to increase pay for MPs.

In 2022, the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act amended the Human Rights Act 1993 to make conversion practices unlawful in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

A new study, ‘Conversion practices in Aotearoa New Zealand: Developing a holistic response to spiritual abuse’, highlights support needed for people wanting to escape conversion practices in faith-based settings. 

Led by Director of Kaitiaki Research and Evaluation and Adjunct Professor at Victoria University, Doctor Michael Roguski, the study identified interventions required to ensure those experiencing religious conversion practices have a “pipeline to safety”.

Producer Sofia Roger Williams spoke to Roguski about the study, beginning the interview asking him about his research process.

She also spoke to Lived Experience and human rights advisor, Andre Afamasaga, about how Te Kāhui Tika Tangata, the Human Rights Commission, provides support to survivors of conversion practices and the importance of this [from 12:00]. 

She asked him firstly to introduce himself and describe what his role was at Te Kāhui Tika Tangata.

For Dear Science this week, Dr Cushla McGoverin chatted to us about an orangutan treating its own wounds, beluga whales changing their shape, and a plant based bandage for burns.  

Wire host Castor spoke to the National Party’s Katie Nimon about the National government’s education approach and their two main policies: “structured learning” and “away for the day.” 

He also spoke to Forest and Bird’s Climate spokesperson, Geoff Keey, about the organisation’s submission opposing the Fast Track Approvals Bill.

Producer Sofia spoke to Director of Kaitiaki Research and Evaluation and Adjunct Professor at Victoria University, Doctor Michael Roguski, about his research article, ‘Conversion practices in Aotearoa New Zealand: Developing a holistic response to spiritual abuse’. 

She also spoke to Lived Experience and human rights advisor, Andre Afamasaga, about how Te Kāhui Tika Tangata, the Human Rights Commission, supports survivors of conversion practices and the significance of Doctor Michael Roguski’s research. 

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a neural-disability caused by prenatal alcohol exposure which can affect memory, intellectual ability, and emotional regulation.

The Ministry of Health estimates that between three to five percent of the population in Aotearoa are affected by FASD, with around 1800 to 3000 babies being born with FASD each year.

The government has recently announced it will be establishing new guidelines to help health professionals diagnose FASD, a programme to support families, and launching a FASD prevention campaign.

First, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Care Action Network (FASD-CAN) Chairperson, Leigh Henderson. FASD-CAN is a non-profit, incorporated society made up of parents, caregivers, extended whānau and professionals. She spoke to Henderson about how the government can better support those with FASD.She started off the interview asking Henderson what difference she believes the government’s proposed initiatives will make?

She also spoke to Clinical Neuropsychologist and Clinical Director of the FASD Centre Aotearoa, Dr Valerie McGinn. The FASD Centre Aotearoa assesses and helps with the management of children, young people, and adults with FASD. She started off the interview asking for her thoughts on the government’s announcement. 

To hear from a person with FASD, she spoke to Byron, a young adult with FASD, about his experience and what support he would like to see from the government.

And she spoke to leader of Kick Back Make Change, a non-profit organisation serving rangatahi experiencing homelessness, about support needed for young people experiencing homelessness who have disabilities including FASD.