The Wire with Sara

A recent briefing by the New Zealand Disability Support Network highlighted a $574 million annual shortfall in funding to the disability sector. They also estimaste that 15,000 people with disabilities are missing out on services entirely. Felix Walton spoke with Trish Grant from IHC New Zealand about how this shortfall affects the families of people with intellectual disabilities.

Protests sprung up last week on Owairaka maunga as the Tupuna Maunga Authority began to carry out their integrated management plan which has been in place since 2016. The plan includes the restoration of native fauna on the maunga, as well as many other initiatives to protect the 14 maunga in Tāmaki Makaurau including for example stopping private vehicles from reaching the summit of Maungawhau. The plan for the maunga also includes the felling of exotic trees which a number of people have raised issue with. Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira spoke with Paul Majurey, Chair of the Tupuna Maunga Authority to find out more. 

Just a clarification for people who might not know what the Tupuna Maunga Authority is:

"The Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau Authority (Maunga Authority) is the statutory authority established under the Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Act to co-govern the Tūpuna Maunga.

The Maunga Authority is comprised of equal representatives from Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau and Auckland Council, together with Crown (non-voting) representation."

Male infertility is a serious issue in Australia and Aotearoa and there is currently no medical solution besides ‘getting healthy’ to solve it. It is an issue that isn’t discussed enough throughout society and is responsible for 50% of infertility in couples. This week on Green Desk Mitch speaks to Ateronon founder Sam Hunter about the Tomato Pill. Sam has been on a mission to create the first ever naturally occurring male fertility pill which was based off the information and statistics about the benefits of the mediterrenean diet. He has since developed the tomato pill which has enhanced the bioavailability of the lycopene in tomatoes to increase grade A sperm in men by up to nearly 50%. To begin, Mitch asks Sam what gives the tomato the ability to help with male infertility.

The Disability Support Network has released its briefing paper in preparation for the 2020 budget and has identified worrying shortfalls in funding. They estimate there is a gap in funding of at least 514 million dollars to provide care and support to those who are entitled to it. The report also shed light on the large number of people missing out on services, with up to 15,000 people and their families not having access to disability supports . lachlan spoke with Dr Garth Bennie, Chief Executive of the Disability Support Network, about the briefing paper.