The Wire with Alex

Since last year, firefighters have been carrying out hour-long rolling strikes every week, criticising the state of Fire and Emergency New Zealand and labelling the present situation a “Dire Emergency”. Firefighters have been calling for increased staffing,  better pay and healthcare and a modern vehicle fleet. With frequent appliance breakdowns and short staffing, there are concerns that New Zealand’s emergency services are stretched to capacity. Some are also requesting an independent inquiry into the management and funding of FENZ. 

Producer Liam spoke with Martin Campbell, National Vice President and Auckland Secretary of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union, about the ongoing industrial action, what issues the fire service and firefighters currently face and what the Professional Firefighters Union hopes can be achieved.  

After years of hiring freezes, underfunding, and now cancelled pay equity claims, nurses' working conditions have continued to worsen, and many are now facing burnout, impacting their and their patients' well-being.

Despite a clear need for more nurses, with THIRTY SEVEN per cent of all nursing shifts in public hospitals being understaffed, many newly graduated nurses are still struggling to find work, and those who do are more commonly being put on part-time contracts.

With poverty and economic hardship increasing, emergency departments find themselves increasingly burdened and struggling to deliver quality care while being under-resourced.

To discuss the state of nursing in New Zealand and why it's leading to burnout, host Thomas talked to University of Auckland Professor of Nursing Andrew Jull.

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about the ACT Party’s new health policy focused on increasing the responsibilities of pharmacists, and about the government’s decision to scrap the BSA.

They also spoke to President of Te Aka Tauira the Victoria University of Wellington Student’s Association, Aidan Donoghue, and National Secretary of the Tertiary Education Union, Amy Ross, about the fees free programme in light of proposals to cut it from the next budget.

Host Thomas talked to University of Auckland Professor of nursing Andrew Jull about understaffing in nursing and how it is leading to burnout.

He also spoke to Chief Executive of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand, Letitia Harding, about new global care for children with asthma, based on New Zealand research. 

The Government is introducing a new citizenship test on the “responsibilities and privileges” of New Zealand citizenship for future applicants. 

Topics will include the Bill of Rights Act, voting rights, and the structure of government. Other proposed questions include human rights, certain offences, and general democratic principles. 

Currently, applicants only need to sign a form stating that they understand these topics. Existing requirements regarding residency, good character, and English skills will remain. 

The change was announced by Internal Affairs Minister and ACT MP Brooke van Velden, who says, “people seeking citizenship should understand New Zealanders believe in certain rights, like freedom of speech, or that no one person or group is above the law.”

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Sher Singh, President of the Migrant Rights Network, about this change.