The Wire with Caeden

The government has recently announced changes to the national GP funding formula which aims to better resource GP offices across the country with funding that is more reflective of the communities they serve. 

This formula had previously not been changed for the last 20 years and has faced calls for substantial reform. A recent report found that the introduction of morbidity, social deprivation and ethnicity data into this formula would lead to more equitable health outcomes.

The government has included most of these recommendations, but has specifically excluded ethnicity data from this formula, even though the government has previously acknowledged that ethnicity does play a role in determining health outcomes if evidence exists. 

Producer Sanat talked to the University of Otago’s Dr Gabrielle McDonald on these changes to the formula and why it is so important to include ethnicity data.

Many questions have come up in recent weeks due to the government’s proposal to ditch the NCEA curriculum by 2030. Most people are wondering what the future of education will look like in Aotearoa, given that NCEA has been used throughout most of New Zealand since the start of the millennium.

Professor John Morgan is the head of the School of Critical Studies in Education at the University of Auckland. Morgan published an article earlier this week to look at what caused NCEA to be introduced in the first place and what the larger context of this new educational reform is.

Producer Max spoke to Morgan to discuss how recent global events have impacted education and what the future of schools might look like in Aotearoa.

In the lead up to the US Presidential elections, one of Donald Trump’s key campaign promises was to broker a truce between Russia and Ukraine within 24 hours, dubbing himself the “President of Peace.”

Almost 7 months into Trump’s presidency and more than 3 years since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, the war has only continued to escalate and no peace or ceasefire deals have been achieved yet.

However, hopes for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine have been reignited for some following the announcement of Talks between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that will take place this Friday.

Albeit, there have also been concerns surrounding those same talks, noting that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other EU leaders haven’t been invited, with Russia insisting on holding on to it’s territorial gains as part of ceasefire conditions. 

Oto spoke to Stephen Hoadely, a retired Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of Auckland, about the upcoming talks between Trump and Putin to negotiate a ceasefire in Russia’s war on Ukraine.

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman talks about a novel way to administer vaccines, subtle light in our brains, and Schrödinger’s birthday

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire Host Sara spoke to MP Carl Bates about the latest Treasury Long Term Inisghts report & the government’s plan for a new road user charges system
Sara also spoke to chief executive of Kia Manawanui Aotearoa about the latest findings relating to New Zealand’s heart healthcare system.

Producer Faith spoke to Professor Chris Bullen from the University of Auckland’s public health faculty about regulations on smoking and vaping on hospital grounds, and whether the current restrictions are effective enough.