The Wire with Oto

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. 

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.

Since October, the Gaza Strip has been experiencing one of the largest escalations of violence it has seen in years, with the death toll of civilians killed by Israeli airstrikes surpassing 13,000 as of 22 November.

UNICEF have described the conflict as a humanitarian crisis that will cause lifelong psychological trauma for Gaza's children.

Senior Lecturer in Comparative and International Education at the University of Auckland, Dr Ritesh Shah, published a report in January in collaboration with the Norwegian Refugee Council, detailing the impacts of the Israeli occupation of Gaza, the West Bank, and East-Jerusalem on the optimism and mental health of Palestinian children, prior to 7 October, with a particular focus on the role of education and the impact of COVID-19 and home-based learning on their wellbeing.

Oto spoke to Dr Shah about his research in the occupied Palestinian territories, the state of Palestinian children's mental health, and measures introduced by NGOs and the UN to create safer learning and working environments for Palestinian students and teachers. 

Ta rē Moriori, the language of the Chatham Islands, currently has no native speakers. 

The language went into a dormant state after the last native speaker died in the early 1900s.

However, a collaborative effort led by Hokotehi Moriori Trust and the University of Auckland is seeking to re-awaken the language.

Nicholas spoke to linguist John Middleton from the University of Auckland about the 

He began by asking Mr Middleton about the work that has been done so far.