Wellington city councillor, Nikau wi neera, has been involved with the Palestinian cause even before the start of the current conflict.
Not only has he been a speaker at more recent Palestine Solidarity marches he also helped lead the start of a sister city partnership with Ramallah, a city in Palestine region.
Rawan spoke to him this morning about his involvement with Pro Palestine marches and the significance of indigenous support from Aotearoa, from both iwi and political parties.
They then discussed the sister city partnership with Ramallah, looking at how it started and how the current conflict will impact the process.
With the mental health system not being able to support many New Zealanders’ mental health needs, experts have proposed alternatives to expensive treatments. One such alternative is group therapy, which experts have said has many benefits, including an increased sense of community between participants, and decreased costs for treatment.
Olivia spoke to public health physician and Senior Lecturer at the University of Canterbury, Dr Kaaren Mathias, about the importance of group therapy, and where the public can go to access these services.
Big food and alcohol company lobbying is prevalent in New Zealand. Corporations influence research and policy regarding food and alcohol, which can be disadvantageous for people’s health.
Experts have criticised this influence, and our lack of lobbying regulations. Olivia spoke to Co-Chair of Health Coalition Aotearoa and Professor at the University of Auckland, Boyd Swinburn, about this issue, and what action he wants the incoming Government to take.
Some businesses have proposed the need for tougher laws on people who are homeless, including trespassing people for anti-social behaviour. Organisations have criticised this approach, saying that harsh punishments are not the answer.
Olivia spoke to Lifewise Chief Executive Officer, Haehaetu Barrett, about these proposed laws, and possible alternatives for mitigating homelessness.
A survey of Pharmacists from around Aotearoa on the impact of fees free prescriptions found that a majority of respondents recognised significant benefits from the removal of copay prescriptions.
The survey found that 92% of pharmacists that responded were able to have longer conversations with patients, and 94% agreed that patients no longer had to choose which medications to leave behind.
A collective of pharmacists who responded to the survey are calling on the National Party to rethink their policy to reintroduce the previous copay system.
Nicholas spoke to Sir Collin Tukuitonga about the National Party’s plan to reinstate prescription fees.
He began by asking him how the previous system worked.
With 1 in 4 of all cats and dogs nationally being overweight, it is predicted that 1 in 300 dogs and 1 in 230 cats will suffer from diabetes in their lifetime.
Producer Sofia spoke to Michelle le Long, Chief Operating Officer of PD Pet Insurance about the risks of pet diabetes and how best look after your four legged friend.
This week Allan joined the crew to discuss allegations of manipulated data that supported a major stroke trial and important Alzheimer’s research, new research into the factors that influence decisions made by chess players and a new intravenous needle that softens once in the body.
Nicholas caught up with the National Party's Dr Shane Reti about the National Party's plan to reinstate prescription fees and Labour leader Chris Hipkins calling for a ceasefire.
Nicholas also spoke to Sir Collin Tukuitonga about the benefits of not having prescription fees on medicine.
Nicholas also spoke to John Middleton, a linguist who is working to revive the language of the Moriori people.
Producer Sofia talked to Michelle Le Long from PD Pet Insurance about pet diabetes in Aotearoa
Thanks for tuning in! E whai akei nei, on the show today:
Rosetta spoke to Auckland central MP Chloe Swarbrick about recent investigations by Waka Kotahi into the Waiheke island ferry route and why she believes the service should be subsidised as public transport.
Rosetta also spoke to Age Concern Aotearoa Chief Executive Karen Billings-Jensen about the charity’s collaboration with Driving Miss Daisy Aotearoa to produce the resource “Life without a car” for our older population who no longer drive or have access to cars.
For our weekly catch up with the ACT party, Lou spoke with ACT MP Karen Chhour about the coalition updates, funding for the department of conservation as well as ACT’s stance on calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
She also spoke with Claire Henry from the University of Otago in Wellington about the rise of Endometrial Cancer in New Zealand.
Lou also spoke to Alan Johnson from the Child Poverty Action Group following an open letter to the Government in their role to target the issue of Child Poverty in New Zealand.