Radio One 91FM

A new study from the University of Otago has found that young people experiencing homelessness need more income support. Led by Dr Brodie Fraser (University of Otago Wellington, Department of Public Health), the study followed 69 people experiencing homelessness in Aotearoa, examining a number of outcomes such as health, income and wellbeing whilst they were in housing. They were housed through the People Project, a social housing provider in Kirikiriroa which received assistance from the government's Housing First programme. Fraser says that although the programme is a success, Aotearoa needs systemic reform in housing, the economy, and numerous other aspects of society to prevent homelessness. 

The Ministry of Justice has recently announced an investigation into adoption reform in Aotearoa, addressing what many view as the outdated nature of the 1960 Adoption Act. This has the potential to include legal recognition of whāngai adoption. Dr Erica Newman, a lecturer from Te Tumu, says that while legal recognition of whāngai would be highly beneficial for Māori, it's a matter of how that recognition goes ahead, and whether or not whāngai matters are settled by Māori or the Crown.

This week on Business as Usual, Zac speaks to Trent Smith from the University of Otago's Economics Department about the idea of the rational consumer, if it's still a viable concept in the 21st century and the advent of behavioural economics.

The 56th Otago Foreign Policy School is taking place this weekend, and is set to tackle Aotearoa's role as a space-faring nation. We spoke to the school's director and space law specialist Dr Maria Pozza about the technological and commercial advantages and disadvantages further space exploration brings, and how Aotearoa can become a tour de force in space exploration.

Earlier this week, Justice Minister Kiri Allan unveiled a series of new changes to political party funding. The changes include a requirement for parties to publish annual financial statements and a $5000 limit on anonymous donations. The new law has garnered criticism from the Opposition; we spoke to National list MP Michael Woodhouse about how this impacts Aotearoa's democracy and what this means for the future of political party fundraising.

This week on Off To Market, Otago Farmers Market Manager Michele Driscoll tells us what's in season right now, the local produce available at the market, and shares some feast ideas for celebrations this winter. 

On Business as Usual this week, Murat Üngör (Department of Economics, University of Otago) speaks to R1 News reporters Amiria Pianta-Price and Zac Hoffman about Aotearoa's economic growth since the start of the pandemic, the pandemic’s cost on the global economy, stagflation caused by the war in Ukraine and the high likelihood of a global recession.

We spoke to Otago Farmers Market Manager Michele Driscoll about what's in season at the moment, facts about parsnips, what watermelon radishes are, as well as honey and other spicy preservatives available at the market.

The ACT Party's alternative budget puts a heavy emphasis on minimising the public sector, with the party proposing the abolition of  a vast range of government entities, including the Office for Crown-Māori Relations and the Ministry for Māori Development, Te Puni Kōkiri. R1 News reporter Zac Hoffman spoke to Māori politics expert Paerau Warbrick to investigate the implications of ACT's proposals for Māori.

New reasearch suggests that Alzheimer's could be caught before any decline in memory function begins with a simple blood test. R1 News reporter Zac Hoffman speaks to Joanna Williams, Associate Professor in the Anatomy Department at the University of Otago, about the implications of these findings for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Zac spoke with associate professor Joanna Williams from the University of Otago's Anatomy Department about her new research into Alzheimers detection. The decade-long research has uncovered new blood molecules which can be used to spot Alzheimers before any memory-loss symptoms take hold, meaning a simple blood test could be developed to detect the cognitive disease. 
 

Mother Tongue, a new exhibit at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, opened in April. It delves into the Pacific slave trade, known as 'blackbirding,' and showcases the artist's personal relationship to it. R1 News reporter Zac Hoffman speaks to Pacific history experts Associate Professor Jacquiline Leckie and Dr Frances Steel on the history of the South Pacific slave trade, as well as historian Charles Clark on the West Harbour shipwreck Don Juan and it's rumoured connection to blackbirding.

We caught up with Otago Farmers Market General Manager Michele Driscoll about what's good at the market this week.

Dr Kimberly O’Sullivan from the University of Otago spoke to Amiria Pianta-Price and Zac Hoffman about the new study on students living conditions. The survey, which involved 522 students, found 65% of respondents said they often or always felt cold in their homes and 74% of respondents said they cut down on heating to save money.

Photo: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

We are talking about tax: reflecting on the last tax year, tax evasion and what we pay tax for.

Photo: Wikipedia

The DCC is leaving Communities 4 Local Democracy, an anti-three waters lobby group. The Green Party sends an open letter to PM Jacinda Ardern calling for rent control. We spoke to Dunedin Mayor, Aaron Hawkins.

Starting April 1st, all public transport fares in Aotearoa will be half price for three months as part of the government’s response to skyrocketing fuel prices.

While the move has been celebrated as a win for accessibility and climate action, many are pushing for these temporary measures to become permanent, and for the fares to be scrapped altogether.

Zac Hoffman speaks to Adam Currie of the Free Fares campaign about the move.

Photo: Neighbourhood NZ website

Next week, new mental health not-for-profit organisation The Neighbourhood are hosting a No Small Talk dinner, facilitating tough conversations around men’s mental health.

Zac Hoffman spoke to the organisers and local mental health advocates about providing men space to talk openly.