The Wire with Castor

A University of Otago study assessing the harm reduction behaviours of people who consume MDMA and their use of reagent testing and KnowYourStuff's drug checking service, found most MDMA consumers engage in harm reduction practices relatively frequently.

News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to lead author of the study, PhD candidate in the Department of Psychology at the University of Otago, Jai Whelan, about why it is important for drug-checking services to be accessible in Aotearoa.

She started off the interview by asking Whelan about what harms MDMA can cause and how to prevent it.

Ngaruroro is a brand new Māori well-being. 

Created to fill a gap in self-reporting well-being models; Ngaruroro ‘s development was a collaborative process.

The model includes eight key themes in relation to wellbeing;

1) Here tāngata (social and familial ties)

2) Te taiao (the environment)

3) Taonga tuku iho (cultural treasures)

 4) Tinana (body) 

 5) Wairua (spirit)

 6) Ngākau (inner-system)

7) Matea (core needs)

and,

 8) Mana (authority)

Nicholas spoke to the lead author of the article and PhD researcher at Victoria University of Wellington, Finely Ngarangi Johnson (Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu) about Ngaruroro. We also spoke about the application of well-being models.

To find out more got to;

@tutukakakaupapa on Instagram

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board will be soon launching their Youth Seat Trial programme, built in partnership with local youth board Younite, to facilitate further meaningful youth engagement in local democracy for year 12 and 13 students in the area. Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Chair, Toni Van Tonder, about this initiative.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour party Caeden chats to Priyanca Radhakrishnan about funding cuts to disability caregivers and job cuts at the Department of Conservation.

For City Counselling they also speak to Councillor Shane Henderson about Watercare signalling an increase in Water Rates, and a boost in funding for arts in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Caeden also speaks to Lola Fisher about the disestablishment of the Whanganui Youth Council.

And they speak to Professor Ralph Cooney for the University of Auckland about the importance of communicating Climate Change to the community.

Jasmine speaks with Devonport-Takapuna local board Chair Toni Van Tonder about their upcoming Youth Seat trial and the importance of youth inclusion and engagement in local government.

And she speaks with Research Fellow Marnie Prickett about the Public Health Communication Centre of Aotearoa’s submission against the fast-track approvals bill ahead of opportunities for feedback on the legislation formally closing tomorrow.