The Wire with Alex

Today on the Wednesday Wire, it was Zazi Hewlett's first time hosting!

We have our regular segment Dear Science with Marcus Jones. This week we discuss a giant tsunami causing fossilised 'megaripples', questional research practices amongst scientists and the effectiveness of a quarter dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. 

News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Dr Jin Russell, a Developmental Paediatrician, about the government’s plans to overhaul health programme for zero to five year olds, Well Child Tamariki Ora. 

Zazi talks to ACT Party Deputy Leader Brooke van Velden about Jobs for Nature funding and the 2.75 million dollars from Proceeds of Crime funding that was given as koha to a drug rehabilitation programme associated to the Mongrel Mob. 

Zazi also chats to the Senior lecturer at UoA's Department of Psychological Medicine, Etuini Ma'u, about his recent study on dementia, how it can be prevented and some of the potential modifiable risk factors in New Zealand. 

Finally, Jemima wraps it up with a chat with Richard Clark from Auckland Unlimited about the Elemental Auckland festival that begins today. 

Yesterday the government committed to overhaul Well Child Tamariki Ora. The health programme screens babies between the ages of zero to five and provides parenting support and advice through the work of Whānau Āwhina Plunket and many other non-governmental organisations. A review has shown that the programme is outdated and is failing to keep up with the challenges facingwhanau today such as poverty, mental health, drug-use, family and housing situations. 

News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Dr Jin Russell, a Developmental Paediatrician working in Auckland, to provide an experienced view of the problems with Well Child Tamariki Ora.They discuss the history of the programme, the government’s decision to make significant changes to it, and whether the National and ACT Party’s criticism that Labour is enforcing seperatist policies are appropriate when it comes to whanau focused health policy changes in Aotearoa. 

95bFM reporter Conor Head-McCarthy also provides comment from Associate Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall about the government's decision to overhaul Well Child Tamariki Ora. 

This week on Dear Science, Marcus takes Jemima and Zazi through a wide range of scientific topics.

Marcus talks about the impact of a giant tsunami from a dino-killing asteroid, revealed in fossilized ‘megaripples’.

Jemima and Zazi learn about a landmark research integrity survey, finding questionable practices are surprisingly common.

Finally, Marcus explains that the quarter-dose of Moderna COVID vaccine still rouses a big immune response.

It was recently announced that both New Zealand and Australia will routinely offer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at any stage of pregnancy. 

Jessica Hopkins talked to Dr Michelle Wise from the University of Auckland about new research that suggests vaccination during pregnancy is safe and beneficial.