The Wire with Caeden

Justin spoke to Health Minister Andrew Little about a health equity report he received, National's COVID plan, and results of the mental health stocktake.

He also spoke to National's Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop about their plans to reopen New Zealand, and talked to Anu Kaloti of the Migrant Workers' Association on the government's new residency programe for temporary visa holders.

Neighbourhood Watch reports on SA banning spit hoods, traditional guardians of a QLD world heritage-listed rainforest getting back ownership, and Facebook running adverts of a controversial federal MP despite banning him.

Producer Trishil Kyle Dahya reports on the experiences of people who are on the autistic spectrum and autistic burnout.

Almost 165,000 migrants are eligible to be fast-tracked for New Zealand residency after a new resident visa has been announced today.  It will be available to most work-related visa holders, including Essential Skills, Work to Residence, and Post Study Work visas and their immediate family members.

Anu Kaloti is the President of the Migrant Workers' Association and she spoke to Justin Wong.

Aotearoa’s beloved native kākā hit the news this week with the release of three new birds at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary in Ōtepoti, Dunedin as part of their South Island kākā breeding programme. The kākā are native parrots who gather to socialize in the mornings and evenings and are known for their boisterous calls and mischievous mid-air antics. This week on the Wire, Frances Wright spoke with Elton Smith, Conservation Manager at Orokonui Ecosanctuary, about the ups and downs of the programme and what it has been like watching the population numbers grow.

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.