The Wire with Caeden

Last week, a public servant at the Ministry of Health who leaked an official document was dismissed. The leaked document showed the Associate Minister of Health, Casey Costello, requesting advice on freezing the annual increase in tobacco excise tax. 

Health Coalition Aotearoa has released a consultation document advocating options to address and improve transparency in public policy-making and the regulation of lobbying in New Zealand.

Producer Sofia spoke to co-chair of Health Coalition Aotearoa and Professor of Māori Health and Nutrition at Massey University, Lisa Te Morenga, about the coalition government’s plans to repeal the Smoke Free legislation and the current legal requirements for public policy-making transparency in Aotearoa. 

In their leadup to the 2023 election, the National party campaigned on increasing assessment in primary schools. 

Castor spoke to doctoral student at the University of Auckland, Tom Pearce, about assessment based education, the campaigned policies, and alternative methods to increase learning for students.

E whai ake nei, coming up on the Wire for Rāpare Thursday!

Beth spoke to Counsellor for Waitakere, Shane Henderson, about the impact the government’s recent repeal of Three Waters will have on the Council in terms planning of water services and infrastructure.

Castor spoke to The University of Otago’s Professor Michael Baker about increased measles risk in Aotearoa and possible countermeasures.

Caeden spoke with Acting Chief Commissioner, Dr Karanina Sumeo, about Aotearoa's human rights issues and what the impacts of the Universal Periodic Review could be.

Spike spoke to Unite Union Contact Center organiser Sam Burnside-Woods about unionisation at One NZ, work from home policies and the ongoing redundancy waves.

And Castor spoke with doctoral student at the University of Auckland, Tom Pearce, about assessment based education, the campaigned policies and alternative methods to increase learning for students. 

High vaccination rates from 1969 onwards have prevented measles outbreaks during recent years, but a dropoff in vaccinations has increased risks. 

While previously the 95% vaccination rate necessary to prevent outbreak was achieved from around 2014 to 2017, currently vaccination rates sit at around 83%. 

Producer Castor spoke to The University of Otago’s Professor Michael Baker about increased measles risk in Aotearoa and possible countermeasures.