The Wire with Oto

Last month saw the release of an independent review examining the emergency management of Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke’s Bay last year. Insights revealed the key role marae, iwi and hāpu played in disaster response, heralding calls for strategies more inclusive of te ao Māori.

Producer Jasmine Gray spoke with Dr. Shaun Awatere, of Ngāti Porou, who is Kaihautū Māori Research Impact Leader and Manaaki Whenua at Landcare Research. He discussed the ways in which national and local bureaucracies can be more formally inclusive of te Ao Māori and mana whenua approaches.

Jasmine also spoke with Professor Christine Kenney, of Te Ātiawa ki Kāpati, Ngāi Tahu, and Ngāti Toarangatira. Amongst an impressive array of interdisciplinary roles in this area, Christine is the Chair of Disaster Risk Reduction at Massey University, and she provided us more insight about what the report’s findings mean for Aotearoa’s wider emergency management frameworks.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a UN organisation that evaluates and monitors the economic politics and financial situations of member states.

The IMF’s recent evaluation of New Zealand led to several recommendations.

Tax reform featured heavily in the recommendations, with the IMF suggesting New Zealand imposes a Capital Gains Tax as well as a Land Value Tax.

Nicholas spoke to Professor of tax law Craig Elliffe about the IMF’s recommendations.

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?

Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced a batch of legislation aimed at reducing the prevalence of vaping amongst young people. These changes include a ban on disposable vapes and increased fines for those selling vapes to underaged buyers. 

Additionally, recent changes around disability funding eligibility have been criticised by many for removing access to essential services or leisure activities. 

Wire host Castor spoke to James Meager about the new vaping legislation and the possible consequences for young people, along with the funding criteria changes and how they might affect disabled people and their carers.