The Wire with Caeden

Pharmac recently switched the generic breast cancer pharmaceutical Herceptin to Herzuma, which will give cost savings while at the same time saving and improving quality of life. 

Unfortunately, they are restricting usage of Herzuma to a one-time course for those suffering from advanced breast cancer, while research overseas has shown it remains effective at lengthening and treating life and quality of life beyond just a single course. 

Pharmac has opened a consultation period for those who know somebody afflicted by breast cancer to protest this limited use of Herzuma, which is more effective but also more expensive than chemotherapy at targeting certain types of breast cancer. 

Arno spoke to Adele Gautier of the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation about Herzuma to find out more about this topic.

The Public Health Communication Centre recently conducted a survey about political parties’ plans to protect Aotearoa’s drinking water sources, which revealed that Greens, Te Pati Māori and Labour had the best policy, while National and Act had little to no plans to protect Aotearoa’s drinking water.

Since then, National and Act have spoken about their intentions surrounding protecting the health of Aotearoa’s water. Beth spoke with Marnie Prickett again to talk about what they said and what this means.

E whai akei nei, on the show today…

Rosetta spoke to Chair of Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa John Minto about recently announced aid for Palestinians in Gaza from the New Zealand Government, and media coverage of the situation in Gaza.

News and Editorial Director Jessica spoke to Far North Mayor Moko Tepania about the Far North Council’s Māori name change.

Rosetta also spoke to Forest and Bird General Manager of Conservation Advocacy Richard Capie about the government's plans for fast-tracking consent as part of reforms to the resource management process.

Finally, Rosetta spoke to Georgie Dansey, director at Etū union, about the rights of migrant workers in Aotearoa and what impact the reintroduction of 90-day trials for employers will have on this.

Caeden speaks to Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni about renewed calls to review how dating impacts benefits, and Tāmaki Makaurau a year on from the flooding.

They also speak to Tuhi-Ao Bailey (Taranaki, Te Atiawa, Ngati Mutunga) about Climate Justice Taranaki’s case at the Waitangi Tribunal.

And they speak to Executive Director of Greenpeace Russel Norman about the government’s environmental protection policies.

Beth speaks to Counsellor for Manukau, Lotu Fuli, about Wayne Brown’s ruling that all work on projects funded by the Regional Fuel Tax are to be stopped, following the scrapping of the tax by the National Party.

She also speaks to Head of Campaigns for Greenpeace Aotearoa, Amanda Larssen, about the Supreme Court’s ruling that Northland iwi leader Mike Smith (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu) has the right to sue seven big polluters in Aotearoa New Zealand, including Fonterra.

Castor speaks to Lecturer of Emergency Management at Massey University’s Joint Center for Disaster Research, Doctor Lauren Vinnell about the term “one in one hundred year event.”