The Wire with Jessica

Last week, on Monday 18th March, Whaikaha - the Ministry for Disabled People announced that it was making changes to its Purchasing Rules and Equipment and Modification Services. 

These changes mean that people can no longer use disability funding for expenses that provide respite, self-care services for carers and whānau, gifts for volunteers providing support, and overseas and domestic travel costs. 

The changes came into effect the same day they were announced. 

Producer Sofia Roger Williams spoke to Labour MP and Spokesperson for Disability Issues, Priyanca Radhakrishnan, about these changes and the implications they will have for disabled communities and whānau. 

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. 

For Dear Science this week, Doctor Cushla McGoverin spoke to Wire host Castor about newly identified marine species, preservation of brain tissue, and genetically modified cow’s milk. 

Castor also spoke to the National Party’s James Meager about the proposed vaping legislation and the changes to disability funding eligibility. 

He also spoke to the University of Otago’s Professor Michael Baker about long COVID and its implications. 

Producer Sofia spoke to the Co-founder of the Cannabis Clinic, Dr. Waseem Alzaher, about endometriosis treatments and using cannabis as pain relief in light of World Endometriosis Day this week. 

She also spoke to Labour Party MP and Spokesperson for Disability Issues, Priyanca Radhakrishnan, about the Whaikaha, Ministry for Disabled People, funding changes and the implications they will have for disabled communities and whānau. 

For their regular catch-up News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to ACT’s Simon Court about youth vaping, public sector cuts, and calls for the government to create a special humanitarian visa for Palestinians in Gaza with family connections to New Zealand.

She also spoke to Co-Founder of Vape-Free Kids NZ, Marnie Wilton, and Associate Professor at the University of Auckland Bioengineering Institute, Kelly Burrowes, about how effective they believe the government’s new measures to reduce youth vaping will be.

Producer Ezra spoke to Pharmacy Lecturer Dr Jay Gong, and Clinical Pharmacist, Hoda Fahmy, from the University of Auckland, about a rise in opioid misuse among older adult and post-surgery patients.