The Wire with Manny

Justin talked to Health Minister Andrew Little about results of the mental health stocktake, National's Covid plan, and a report on health equity by the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists.

Justin spoke to Health Minister Andrew Little about a health equity report he received, National's COVID plan, and results of the mental health stocktake.

He also spoke to National's Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop about their plans to reopen New Zealand, and talked to Anu Kaloti of the Migrant Workers' Association on the government's new residency programe for temporary visa holders.

Neighbourhood Watch reports on SA banning spit hoods, traditional guardians of a QLD world heritage-listed rainforest getting back ownership, and Facebook running adverts of a controversial federal MP despite banning him.

Producer Trishil Kyle Dahya reports on the experiences of people who are on the autistic spectrum and autistic burnout.

Roughly 1-2% of New Zealanders are said to be on the autism spectrum. Those on the spectrum deal with difficulty with social interactions, communication, and repetitive behaviours. As someone on the spectrum, Trishil sought to reach out to report on the lived experience of autism.

Trishil speaks to Matt Pisauro about his experiences living on the spectrum and relates to his own experience along the way. The conversation touches on masking, meltdowns, diagnosis, and communicating with others.

In the second half, Trishil speaks to Autism New Zealand CEO Dane Dougan to discuss his work with the autistic community and autistic burnout. The conversation covers aspects of burnout, such as the effect of the pandemic, ways to deal with the feeling, and masking as a contributing factor.

This week Zazi Brooke have a chat about the ACT Party's COVID 3.0 plan, as well as the Government's interest deductibility policy. 

Zazi asks Brooke to compare the COVID 3.0 plan with the Government's opening up plan that was announced in August. They talk about some of the key points as well as the day they chose to release their plan, being days before the National Party release theirs. 

In the second half, Brooke talks about the Government's change in deductibility rules over housing, rules that are aiming to improve the housing crisis in New Zealand. Brooke tells Zazi why the ACT party does not support the interest deductibility policy and talks about the ACT Party's proposed GST-sharing scheme.