Dub fission sub mission

This week on Ready Steady Learn, Rosetta and Milly are joined by Tui Kaumoana, who leads Māori Strategic Initiatives for the Faculty of Science, working at the intersection of Mātauranga Māori and Western science to shape how the University engages, protects, and advances Indigenous knowledge in research. Tui chats with the girls about the forthcoming Koroneihana ceremonies at Tūrangawaewae Marae. Whakarongo mai nei!

Thanks to UoA!

Mōrena e te whānau! E whai ake nei, coming up on the show today: Whakataukī o Tēnei Wiki with Arini, This Is How We Brew It with Dariush, and Loose Reads with Nate. Whakarongo mai nei!

Thanks to eighthirty coffee roasters!

Thanks to the The Tuning Fork

The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, a treaty New Zealand is a signatory to, is intended to guide policy around tobacco industry interference in policymaking. A new study from honorary research fellow at the University of Auckland, Melissa Jade-Gregan, has found that in many cases, politicians are unaware or actively flouting portions of the treaty, raising concerns over undue tobacco industry influence on legislation. 

To discuss the study, its implications, and potential solutions for the issues it identifies, News Director Castor spoke to author Melissa Jade-Gregan.

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about health sector underfunding and overcrowding in hospitals, ACT’s proposed working with children card, and the investigation into another harbour crossing. 

They also spoke to honorary research fellow at the University of Auckland, Melissa Jade-Gregan, about a study she authored into New Zealand’s adherence to international tobacco lobbying regulations. 

Producer Pranuja spoke to Dr Joanna Hikaka about why Māori are accessing aged-care services at much lower rates than non-Māori, and what needs to change for the system to work better for kaumātua and whānau. 

She also spoke to Associate Professor Tanya Evans about why women from girls-only schools are more likely to pursue engineering and computer science, and what that could tell us about the gender gap in STEM.

While the health sector has faced struggles over the past few years with overcrowding and understaffing, this year’s influenza spikes have seen the sector under particular strain. With emergency departments unable to meet the needs of patients, ambulances sometimes being rerouted between hospitals, and nurses consistently overworked, the health sector is bursting at the seams. While the government has enacted multiple policies aimed at addressing the issue, few have had significant impact. 

Also in the past week the ACT Party has proposed a new working with children card, that would see those working with children in Aotearoa assessed continuously rather than once every three years. The policy is aimed at cutting costs for the public sector and ensuring safety is monitored more closely.

Lastly, the government also announced last week a Detailed Business Case into a new Waitematā harbour crossing, with investigations into a tunnel, bridge replacements, or even a new bridge across Meola Reef as proposed by Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown. Transport Minister Chris Bishop believes the development, if it happens, would be the largest and most expensive infrastructure project in New Zealand history. The development is especially interesting given the recent history of CRL delays and ACT’s record of opposing large-scale government spending. 

To discuss each of these issues News Director Castor spoke with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, beginning with the issues in the health sector. 

Women who attended girls-only schools are overrepresented among female engineering and computer science students at the University of Auckland compared to women from co-ed schools, according to new research.

Researchers found no equivalent effect for men who attended boys-only schools, raising questions about what girls’ schools may be doing differently when it comes to confidence, gender stereotypes and encouraging students into traditionally male-dominated subjects.

Producer Pranuja spoke to University of Auckland Associate Professor of Mathematics Education Tanya Evans about what might be behind the difference and whether those lessons could be applied in co-educational schools.

New Zealand’s aged-care system is facing calls for major reform, with a new Ministerial Advisory Group report highlighting significant gaps in how older people access and experience care.

For Māori, those inequities are particularly stark. Māori with daily care needs are around half as likely as non-Māori to access community-based aged care, and around half as likely to enter residential care.

Producer Pranuja spoke to Dr Joanna Hikaka, Director of the Centre for Co-Created Ageing Research, about what is driving that disparity, and whether the Government’s proposed overhaul could deliver a more Māori-led and equitable aged-care system.

Selection of classic and current alternative Australian music ...more to come later as the indigineous playlist is still under construction.