A recent New Zealand Medical Record article looks into suicide rates in New Zealand, focusing on age and cultural patterns. The results showed that Maori suicide rates are at a record high, being 1.6 times that of non-Maori. Wire producer Jess Smith spoke to John Snowdon, an old age psychiatrist and the author of the article, about the results and some of the reasons for them.
Around 3000 junior doctors have begun their three day strike today in support of safer working hours and conditions. Currently, junior doctors are expected to work for seven nights in a row, and up to 12 day shifts in a row. They say this putting the lives of patients at risks and are demanding changes be made. bFM reporter John-Michael Swannix filed this report.
A new trade agreement between China and NZ will be giving kiwi exporters and advantage. The agreement launches a new joint data sharing system between the two customs improving the efficiency of exports. 95bFM producer Hannah Ross spoke to Customs Minister Nicky Wagner about the agreement and the advantages New Zealand can gain from it.
OXFAM will be released a report that exposes extreme wealth disparities in New Zealand. The report shows that 1% of New Zealanders own 20% of the country’s wealth and that the number of wealthy New Zealanders worth more than $50 million also grew by 20% in the past year. The Executive Director of OXFAM, Rachel Le Mesurier, spoke to 95bFM producer Martha Lees about the main findings of the report.
The Department of Conservation has reported huge numbers of walkers using New Zealand’s Great Walks this summer. Due to the strain this puts on DOC’s limited resources, they have said that they may consider charging a ‘differential fee’ for the Great Walks. While DOC considers the increased popularity to be a positive thing, some groups of trampers aren’t happy about the number of people using the walks. Federated Mountain Clubs Vice President Jan Finlayson spoke to 95bFM producer Martha Lees about the impact of the Great Walks’ renewed popularity.
A new Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory (Cath Lab) has opened at Tauranga hospital and will be taking its first patient this afternoon. The lab will provide care close to home in a one-stop-shop for heart patients. 95bFM producer Hannah Ross spoke to Clinical Nurse Manager Jason Money about the new lab.
Caitlin & Amanda review some of our favourite interviews and report from this year on The Wire. They look at rivers with authors Catherine Knight and Marama Muru-Lanning, National party highlights and priorities with National MP Jami-Lee Ross, a year in review of Australian news with Radio Adelaide's Ineke Mules, and a history of the current situation in the Syrian city of Aleppo.
Ximena & Pearl review some of their favourite pieces from this year on The Wire. They look at the housing crisis with economist Shamubeel Eaqub, how the Harambe meme is actually racist, the global drugs survey, the sale of RNZ's Auckland office & studio space, and the origin of the term 'yaaas'. They also have their weekly chat with Labour leader Andrew Little and US correspondent Jason Leopold about the year that was 2016.