Photo: (RNZ )
Filthy waterways, dying patients denied their pain relief of choice, and working families forced to live in their cars, these are some of the big issues that have got New Zealanders fired-up. They've also been the focus of political campaigning in the run up to the election. As voting day draws ever closer, we've gathered together some of our recent Insight podcasts, to help you get clued up on the big issues before you put pen to ballot paper.
Wishes at support centre for those struggling to find a home. Photo: RNZ / Lauren Baker
Working families with young children and babies are being left homeless and sleeping in cars in Auckland, as they struggle to get into emergency housing, and are turned off or away from Housing New Zealand. Parents say even with accommodation supplement benefits, their wages can't cover rising rents, and living in garages or spending nights on floors of friends and family are the only options they have. Lauren Baker investigates the plight of homeless families, and speaks to people who say it seems the system is working against the most vulnerable.
Coes Ford in Summer 2017 - hardly flowing and full of algae Photo: ( Supplied / Fish and Game )
Bill would, but Jacinda wouldn't swim in a favourite childhood swimming hole now, would you? Warnings over the quality of New Zealand's lakes and rivers have been as prolific as ever, despite action and plans to improve matters. And there is still debate over what is an acceptable standard for freshwater. Philippa Tolley checks out if enough is being done to clean-up the country's lakes and rivers.
Medicinal cannabis balm: Demand for medical cannabis use appears to be growing. Photo: RNZ/Hans Weston
Demand for medical cannabis' use is growing, but much of the research that might get robustly tested and affordable products into people's bathroom cabinets, is still underway and will take time. So what are patients, their carers, health officials and the police doing in the meantime? Teresa Cowie talks to some of those living life in an 'illegal limbo'
Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Every week on average, 10 people in New Zealand commit suicide. New Zealand has some of the highest youth suicide rates in the developed world, and suicide rates for Māori are 54 percent higher than they are for non-Māori. The Ministry of Health describes suicide prevention as complex and with no quick fix. But as the prevention strategy that has been in place for 10 years comes to an end, where to from here?
A class at South Wellington Intermediate School discusses myths and legends. Photo: ( RNZ / John Gerritsen )
Schools in New Zealand have faced huge change since 2008. RNZ Education Correspondent John Gerritsen investigates what impact nine years of National Party policies have had on schools and the children in them.
Voting and digital influence Photo: ( Supplied )
Social media and big data companies are harvesting and vast amounts of information from users' online profiles to increase the effectiveness of political advertising. Adam Bennett explores how this played out in recent US and British elections and how far New Zealand political parties will use the same techniques in this year's election campaign.
