The Wire with Alex

The recent social security amendment bill is an extension of the government’s agenda to cut those on benefits by 50,000. While this may seem like a strategic move by the government, it is important to consider that they are not creating any new jobs and unemployment is at 4.8 percent as of September 2024.

The proposed changes aim to make it harder for those struggling to receive the benefit, additionally introducing 'money management' schemes, which splits the MSD payment onto a card which can only be used at specific locations. These changes are unrealistic, because many people already pay more than half of their income for rent.

Anti-Poverty groups have spoken out about this amendment and are aiming to raise awareness around this. These groups want the government to move away from using sanctions against people who need income support.

Sasha spoke to the Child Poverty Action Group’s Executive Officer, Sarita Divis about the social security bill amendment, and potential consequences for those seeking support.

This week on the Wednesday Wire... 

For our weekly catch up with the Green Party Evie speaks to Ricardo Menendez March about the Treaty Principles Bill submissions and the Regulatory Standards Bill. 

Sasha speaks with Sarita Divis, Executive Officer of the Child Poverty Action Group about the recent social security bill amendment and its implications for New Zealand’s human rights.

And Evie also speaks to  the University of Waikato’s Joe Ulatowski about Meta deciding to ditch its third party fact checkers, and the risk of disinformation on social media as a result. 

Whakarongo mai!

The New Zealand Drug Trend Survey (NZDTS) for 2024 has been released, and results have revealed an increase in participation in the 2020 Medicinal Cannabis Scheme. 

The percentage of people with prescriptions for medicinal cannabis increased from just 9% in 2022 and 2023, to 37% last year, while the percentage of users who have never asked for prescriptions decreased from 85% to 60%.

Producer Athena spoke to Associate Professor at the Massey University College of Health, Marta Rychert, about the medicinal benefits of cannabis, and what the survey results suggest about the current culture surrounding cannabis.

This week on the Monday Wire...

News and Editorial Director, and Monday Wire Host, Joel, speaks to Principal Scientist at GNS Science, Dr Nick Cradock-Henry, about NIWA’s annual climate summary, showing that 2024 was the 10th warmest year on record in Aotearoa.

They also speak to the Co-Director and Senior Research Fellow for the Centre of Pacific & Global Health at the University of Auckland, Dr Roannie Ng Shiu, about a report she was involved in in December, showing that vulnerable Pacific nations will be facing a multitude of devastating consequences due to the climate crisis.

Producer Evie speaks to the Director of Global Studies at the University of Auckland, Chris Ogden, about what we can expect from Donald Trump’s inauguration, one week out from him taking office.

She also speaks to Climate Justice Taranaki’s Catherine Cheung about the government’s controversial Regulatory Standards Bill.

And finally, Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins us in studio to discuss the concept of new year resolutions.

Whakarongo mai!