The Wire with Castor

The Fast Track approval legislation would enable the Ministers of transport, Infrastructure and Regional Development to approve consents for projects without going through the current considerations around communities and local and regional government, existing legislation regarding Te Tiriti and community participation.

Environmental activists have criticised the legislation as a potential avenue to undermine environmental considerations.

Nicholas spoke to Green Party MP Ricardo Menéndez March about his Party’s stance on the legislation.  

They also spoke about the International Monetary Funds’ recommendations regarding reform in our tax system.

This week on the Wednesday Wire:

Nicholas spoke to Green Party MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the Fast Track Approval Legislation and the IMF’s recommendations regarding New Zealand’s tax system. 

He also spoke to Professor Craig Elliffe about the IMF’s recommendations regarding reform in our tax system.

Oto spoke to Letitia Harding, the chief executive of the Asthma and Respiratory foundation, New Zealand, to talk about the government’s recent ban on disposable vapes.

He also spoke to Dr Susan Maiava, the Co Founder of the ethical directory “Fair and Good” to talk about a petition her organisation made to the government to re-introduce modern slavery legislation. 

To end the show, Sofia spoke to Professor Moana Theodore on the world leading Dunedin Study: How Will You Age?

World Endometriosis Day is coming up this week on the 28th of March. 

Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus, causing severe pain in the pelvis. 

Endometriosis is hard to diagnose and there is currently no cure. 

However, international studies have shown that CBD oil is a promising natural treatment for endometriosis pain relief. 

Producer Sofia Roger Williams spoke to the CEO of the Green Leaf Group and Co-founder of the Cannabis Clinic, Dr. Waseem Alzaher, about the effectiveness of existing treatments and the use of cannabis to relieve pain.

For Dear Science this week, Doctor Cushla McGoverin spoke to Wire host Castor about newly identified marine species, preservation of brain tissue, and genetically modified cow’s milk. 

Castor also spoke to the National Party’s James Meager about the proposed vaping legislation and the changes to disability funding eligibility. 

He also spoke to the University of Otago’s Professor Michael Baker about long COVID and its implications. 

Producer Sofia spoke to the Co-founder of the Cannabis Clinic, Dr. Waseem Alzaher, about endometriosis treatments and using cannabis as pain relief in light of World Endometriosis Day this week. 

She also spoke to Labour Party MP and Spokesperson for Disability Issues, Priyanca Radhakrishnan, about the Whaikaha, Ministry for Disabled People, funding changes and the implications they will have for disabled communities and whānau.