A series talking to councillors, politicians, and other people instrumental in our community.
Tangi Utikere is MP for Palmerston North and he joins us to discuss day 1 of the new Health entity in Aotearoa, and the first public holiday to mark Matariki. We also talk about the fair trade agreement with the EU, Liquor reforms being discussed in Parliament and the ongoing debates in the house that will determine the future of Huia st reserve in Palmerston North.
Matt Dallas is from the Manawatū Standard and he joins us to discuss what they have been reporting on including last Friday's matariki celebrations and a great front page article on a local Bollywood dancing group. We also acknowledge the MidCentral DHB's last meeting, and calls from the Cheltenham community to address a narrow bridge in the area. There's also the story of Woodville's meth queen turning her life around in prison and getting parole.
Rachel Keedwell is the Chairperson of Horizons Regional Council and she joins us to share how she spent the first matariki public holiday and discuss her first term as Chair in the lead up to the local body elections later this year. We discuss the reappointment of Michael McCartney as CEO, the activation of floodgates over the past two weeks and the giant snails that have appeared in Tōtara reserve.
Ian McKelvie is MP for Rangitikei and he joins us to discuss Soraya Peke-Mason heading to parliament for the labour party (she ran against him in the 2020 elections). We talk about proposed changes to law to protect BYO for race meetings, and talk about Sam Uffendell's victory in the Tauranga by-election. We also discuss general cost of living issues and the best structures for ensuring Maori are heard and enabled to tackle issues that disproportionally effect them.
Warren McNabb is a Professor of Nutritional Sciences at Massey University and the Riddet Institute, and he joins us to carry on our nutrition discussions that we started with Dr. Nick Smith a fortnight ago. We discuss the complexity of modelling, the limitations (politics!) and the accessibility of access to nutrition and protein across the globe.
Tangi Utikere is MP for Palmerston North, and we congratulate him on securing the position of Junior Whip following last week's reshuffle. We also talk about his recent bout of Covid and the Medicines Amendment Bill (No. 2). We also talk about the Queen's birthday and it's ongoing relevance (or otherwise). We also talk to the Schools investment package, helping schools engage in capital works, including in his electorate.
Renee Dingwall is a Palmerston North City Councilor and she joins us to discuss various topics including the council addressing racism, the removal of the Pioneer Highway planter boxes, new items being recycled in the city, and the annual budget deliberations.
Jimmy Ellingham is the regional reporter for RNZ and he joins us to discuss the stories he's been writing and broadcasting over the past couple of weeks. We talk about the aftermath of the Levin tornado, the inquest into the death of Shaun Grey 8 years ago and the new uses for the old gorge road. We also discuss how roads are funded in Aotearoa, the removal of the planter boxes on Pioneer Highway and the latest developments in three waters reform and Manawatū reducing their contribution to LGNZ.
Dr. Nick Smith is part of the sustainable nutrition initiative at the Riddet Institute and is based at Massey University. We discuss his work in complex mathematical modelling, creating predictive models around food sustainability and nutritional value. What does this mean for consumer choice and accessibility? Is a mode shift practical? What does it mean for poorer countries? How will we feed the world in the future?
Tangi Utikere is Member of Parliament for Palmerston North and he joins us to discuss international matters such as the Chinese delegation working around the Pacific Islands, and the Prime Minister's visit to America. We also look to domestic matters including budget 2022, and issues for the local electorate including Capital Connection funding, Ward 21 and the Old Gorge roads future.
Matthew Dallas is from the Manawatū Standard and he joins us to talk about the stories making headlines in the region including the inquest into the 2014 death of Shaun Grey and the state of Ward 21 at Palmerston North's Hospital. We also talk about the removal of the contentious planter boxes on Pioneer Highway, the future of the Old Gorge Road, a man taking a poisonous snake from the beach and PNCC's attempt to make the rates bill a tad more palatable.
Rachel Keedwell is the Chairperson of Horizons Regional Council, and she joins us to discuss the implications of Budget 2022 on Climate Change, and specifically the Capital Connection. We also talk rates bills across the Horizons rohe and the disparity in increases. We look to the future of the gorge road, and Waka Kotahi's investigations into possible uses and talk briefly about the future of public transport in the area.
Ian McKelvie is the MP for Rangitikei, and he joins us via phone from his electorate office to chat about Christopher Luxton's visit to the region, the Tauranga by-election, the history and future of NZ's meat exports, Gangs and guns, and the 4th Wellbeing Budget delivered by Grant Robertson last week.
Jimmy Ellingham is the RNZ Regional Reporter, and he joins us to discuss the Levin Tornedo, the destruction and also the rallying of volunteers. We also talk about the revival of local theatre post pandemic. We talk about covid related court delays and the horrible consequences of continually delayed proceedings. Finally, we discuss the ongoing Mental Healthcare woes at MidCentral DHB.
Tangi Utikere, MP for Palmerston North joins us to talk Budget 2022. We look at the Health investments planned for the next four years, and what it might really mean for patient experience. We also reference the Pharmac boost, and the PatientVoice Aotearoa response to it. We talk about the $350 per person payout from the government for the 'squeezed middle' and the effect it will have over the winter months. We also get a quick chance to acknowledge Tangi's Pecuniary Interests bill being passed.
Matthew Dallas from the Manawatū Standard would usually join us to talk about recent articles making headlines, but sadly he couldn't make it this morning. However, since he had already picked out a few pieces to discuss, Fraser made an abridged Catchup episode to quickly go over them. This included a cancer patient having to crowd fund for life extending drugs, the growth of alt right groups and dis- or mis-information, Christopher Luxon trapped in the PN Bridge Club for an hour, & more!
Jono Naylor is a Horizons Regional Councilor and he joins us to discuss the council's call for central government support in flood protection, and the wider implications of expanding flood protection. We also talk about the Climate Action Plan, and what Horizons needs to do to lower emissions. We talk about public transport and Horizons ultimate goals in the space, factoring in submissions received to the draft plan 2022 - 2032.
Lorna Johnson is a Palmerston North City Councillor and she joins us to discuss a PNCC application to Waka Kotahi for funding towards pathways in Ashhurst. We also discuss a shade audit conducted across the city's parks and playgrounds and what that might mean for tree planting in the future. We also tackle the Rates Issue and get a clear picture of the situation as it stands (including an education for Fraser!) We also look at the good news story of an urban marae being built on Opie reserve.
Jimmy Ellingham is the Regional Reporter for RNZ and he joins us to discuss a cooling of the housing market, particularly in Palmerston North and delays to the opening of the (fully functional) Mangaweka bridge. We also discuss the brief appearance of a Murray Ball mural and the state of mental health provision in MidCentral DHB.
Renata Muylaert is Massey University's School of Veterinary Science Disease Ecologist, and she joins us to discuss the recently published paper titled 'Community health and human-animal contacts on the edges of Bwindi Impenetrable national park, Uganda.' We discuss the implications of increased human-animal contact in our Covid landscape, the field of zoonotic disease research, the preservation of biodiversity and much more.
Wendy Carr is the manager of Feilding and District Promotion, and she joins us to discuss the economy of our more rural centres in Aotearoa, and how Manawatū is coping. We talk business support, including the upcoming Networking Q & A on the 25th of May at the Civic centre in Feilding. We also mention some upcoming events including the Great Manawatū Easter Hunt, the Arts Centre's after school programme and the Craft Market in Manfield on the 10th of June.
Tangi Utikere is the MP for Palmerston North and he joins us in the studio to discuss his new appointment as the Chair of the Health Select Committee. We also discuss the potential fragility of the economy as the plight of our logisitics infrastructure, the health system and the cost of living crisis all come to bear. We also talk about the actions of the American political system empowering vocal minorities, and what implications the potential overturning of Roe v Wade might mean. And more!
Matt Dallas joins us from the Manawatū Standard to discuss what's making headlines. We talk about the new proposals for a golf course on reserve land in Horowhenua and the sad death of Stephen Penn at the Teams Champs. We also look in more detail at the PNCC rates increases, with some rate payers expecting 8.3% and being billed for up to 30% increases! We look at a story covering filling the gaps in New Zealand's rugby history and the ongoing frustrations with Mental healthcare provision.
Mayor Helen Worboys of Manawatū District joins us to discuss the sad passing of Barbara Cameron, MDC Councillor and a true community champion. We also talk about delays to the opening of the Mangaweka bridge, the consultation on the Draft Waste Management Minimisation Plan, the future of local government in light of the various reviews and reforms underway, and an update on Three Waters reform.
Matthew Dallas from the Manawatū Standard joins us to discuss the health systems failure to help a Palmerston North woman receive breast reduction surgery that would greatly improve her quality of life. We also look at the KiwiRail freight hub, the potential 15 year wait until development starts and the impact that is having on residents with a now uncertain future in their homes. We join the arts and hospitality sectors in celebrating the move to the Orange traffic light, and more!
Ian McKelvie is the MP for Rangitikei, and he joins us to discuss the Easter Break, and the nature of Easter Trading Rules and Public Holidays in general. We also mention the new holiday - the recognition of Matariki later this year. We draw attention to ANZAC day, it's importance, the contributions of Australian and New Zealand troops over many decades, and the sombre relevance in the current Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Nigel French is a distinguished professor at Massey University working in the field of infectious diseases. Today he joins us on the catch up to try and break down some of the common perceptions the 'non-science types' like Fraser may face. What IS epidemiology? What is genomic testing? How does modelling work? What is the future of pandemic research? Does Fraser have Mad Cow Disease?
Tangi Utikere is MP for Palmerston North. He joins us to discuss his Local Government (Pecuniary Interests Register) amendment bill passing it's second reading, the new Countdown in Awapuni and changes to Road User Charges. We also talk public transport and government investment, Fair Pay Agreements and how he'll be spending the first Matariki as a recognised public holiday this year.
Jono Galuszka is from the Manawatū Standard, and he joins us to talk about stories making headlines this week including PNCC calls for a homeless shelter, the Horizons regional transport plan and the Moa bones at the site of Te Ahu a Turanga. We also chat about the mid central DHB covid numbers and trends, and the illegal Hells Angels bar in Hokowhitu.
Ian McKelvie is the MP for Rangitikei and Assistant Speaker of the House. He joins us to talk about the opening of Transmission Gully and how all the new infrastructure pointing to the central region will affect us. We also speak about the South African family trying to gain residency, the Primary Sector meeting and Groundswell's refusal to be involved and the proposed Pyrolisis plant in Feilding.
Brent Barrett is a councillor at Palmerston North City Council, and he joins us to discuss the city council's annual budget proposal of 8.3% increase, and what that REALLY means for rate payers, particularly across residential and commercial rates. We also talk about the Environmental Sustainability progress of PNCC and it's response to the climate crisis. And more!
Claire Matthews is an Associate Professor at Massey University's Business School, and joins us to try and improve some areas of financial literacy, including trying to breakdown some factors associated with the Cost of Living Crisis such as house prices, fuel prices, kiwisaver investments and more. We also talk about possible implications of the war in Ukraine on the kiwi economy.
Wendy Carr is the manager of Feilding and District Promotion. She joins us to talk about the impact of the relaxed covid protection settings, and the unfortunate headlines that the street art festival acquired regarding copywrite of a 'Wal and Dog' mural in the town. We also talk events such as the sadly postponed Kimbolton Sculpture Festival, the Steam rail society going off the tracks to Mangatainoka and the Great Manawatū Easter Hunt.
Tangi Utikere is the MP for Palmerston North and he joins us to talk about the relaxation of the covid protection framework, the state of our immigration legislation and and the 150 Nauru refugees that Australia has finally agreed to let NZ bring to the country. We also talk discounted fares on the Capital Connection, the Plastic Pollution Challenge and Tangi's Local Government (Pecuniary Interests Register) Amendment Bill.
Mayor Helen Worboys from Manawatū District Council joins us to talk about the governments serious downgrading of Covid protection framework settings and what that means for council facilities. We also talk about the submissions for the BioPlant pyrolysis facility and the council's support letter. She shares some highlights from the recent quarterly economic report, and indicates the councils intention to be involved in the Poppy Places Trust initiative.
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