The Frontline with Dr Gary Payinda

One of the great minds of our nation, demographer and Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Senior Fellow at Koi Tū Centre for Informed Futures spoke with Dr Gary about immigration, productivity, xenophobia, and population growth in a New Zealand that is getting much older, more diverse, and more Auckland-centric. A far-reaching and heavy discussion with much food for thought.

People, place and prosperity: the case for a population strategy
https://informedfutures.org/population-media-release/

Midwives are the most understaffed healthcare professionals in NZ. They're in scarce supply in part because reimbursement and working conditions are based on a decades old contract that some would describe as archaic and unfair.

Listen in as ex-midwife Alison Eddy, CEO of the NZ College of Midwives, tells us all about the history of NZ midwifery, the recent High Court case they've won (which govt has already said they will appeal), and the ups-and-downs of a 24-hour a day profession caring for -- and sometimes saving -- the lives of mothers and babies.

Whether you're self-employed or an employee, public worker or private, this conversation on the nature of work, public service, and fair wages should have relevance.

When kids or adults face poverty, hunger, and a breakdown in social relationships, is it any surprise that they turn to gangs, drugs, or violence? Isopo Samu of Tokotoko Solutions has spent a lifetime working with at-risk youth as a police officer, a teacher, and for the past 15 years as the founder or director of multiple youth and work-training organisations. We talk about how we can best use our time and money to help keep kids in school, and families together.

A chat with Mike Casey, cherry orchardist, tech bro, and green energy advocate. He's the CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, a charity that envisions a time when NZ is free from its dependence on fossil fuels and foreign energy. We talk about electric cars, rooftop solar, learning from Australia's experience, and moving towards cheap, clean, and plentiful energy. Just a dream, or could it be a reality?

Who would dare argue against a 'knowledge rich curriculum' or 'back to the basics' education? But what happens when 'knowledge rich' turns into regurgitating memorised lists, or when 'the basics' don't include enough teachers aides, school nurses, or that most basic thing of all: food?
A reframing of the real problems and their solutions with education expert, teacher, principal, and President of the NZ Principals Federation Jason Miles, speaking to a recent report by 34 educational groups expressing concerns that the currently proposed education reforms may actually portend a return to the bad old days of rote memorisation and an educational framework based on an outdated industrial model that's not fit for NZ's needs, and which will not prepare our kids to be competitive in the modern world.