Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.Drug Use and Dependency in the Regions
A Massey University survey has found higher drug dependency in the regions of the North Island. Preliminary findings from the latest New Zealand Drug Trend survey show the Waikato and Bay of Plenty as two of the worst affected areas. New Zealand Drug Foundation Executive Director Ross Bell told 95bFM news the results indicate that health boards need to do more at the lower end of the drug-addiction spectrum. “DHBs should be putting greater effort into being much more responsive, providing much more lower threshold services, so when someone puts their hand up for help, some help can be provided.” He added that the new research alone may not show the full picture: “It’s all very unclear, and this research I guess adds a little bit more to that clarity, but in itself, it’s a bit weak, because it’s a self-selecting online survey.” The survey looked at the proportion of participants that were willing to seek treatment in the regions most affected and was conducted between November 2017 and February 2018. Meanwhile, addiction support services are calling for more effective rehab assistance after a major drug bust occurred in the Bay of Plenty region yesterday morning. Family members suffering from drug addiction are struggling to get help and new rehab facilities will alleviate the pressure. Erin Scarlett, founder of Brave Heart, which supports families of drug users says for every person addicted to drugs, there are up to 10 affected family members. More local drug addiction services are planned to be placed in the region to prevent drug addiction, Scarlett says.Poverty Reduction Targets Set
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced new three-year targets in a bid to reduce poverty among children. The targets aim to decrease the number of children in material hardship by 30,000. They also seek to reduce those living in households that earn less than half the median income by approximately 70,000 children over the three-year period. Ardern says the targets will help towards putting an end to a political era that tolerated hardship and poverty among children.Carol Hirschfeld Resigns, Broadcasting Minister Faces Questions
Top broadcaster Carol Hirschfeld has resigned, after misleading her bosses over a meeting with broadcasting minister Clare Curran. The once-TV-anchor, now RNZ head of content, had a prearranged breakfast with Curran, but when questioned by bosses claimed it was a coincidental meeting. RNZ is tipped for an additional $38m annual funding boost from the government. Curran is also facing tough questions about the meeting, as she initially failed to correct the record when the select committee was told it was a chance meeting.Homosexual Offences to be Expunged
The Criminal Records Bill to amend historical gay convictions has passed its second reading. The bill allows those previously found guilty to apply for their conviction to be expunged for specific offenses decriminalised under the Homosexual Reform Act. Justice Minister Andrew Little says the bill serves as an effective way to right the wrongs of the past and empower those convicted.Fuel Tax on the Way
A bill designed to help Auckland meet its transport challenges has had its first reading in parliament yesterday. The Land Transport Management Amendment Bill would will allow regions to apply for a regional fuel tax on petrol and diesel. Auckland Council is expected to generate an extra $170 million per year from the fuel tax. The bill requires residents to be consulted, and Government approval is also needed before the taxes can be implemented.Northcote Up For Grabs
The resignation of Jonathan Coleman from parliament has triggered a by-election for the vacated Northcote seat. The National Party has opened nominations for candidates, with the final selection set of MP's announced on April 15. National Party President Peter Goodfellow said the candidate will pick up from where Coleman left and begin talking to Northcote Voters about the future of the area. Party leader Simon Bridges said he knows 10 people interested.Trump Fundraiser Under Fire
An American businessman is being investigated for allegedly wiring $2.5 million from the United Arab Emirates to a Trump fundraiser. George Nader is believed to have sent the money to fundraiser Elliott Broidy in the lead up to the US election, in a bid to encourage the US to take a hard line on Qatar. After receiving the donation, Broidy supported a conference on Qatar’s alleged ties to Islamic Extremism, and legislation was announced that condemned Qatar as a terror-supporting state.Syria Evacuation Continues
State media is reporting around 6,750 people have been evacuated from areas in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta. Thought to be the largest evacuation to date, a convoy of 100 buses was seen taking Syrian rebel fighters and civilians to safety. Evacuees will be driven to rebel-held territory in northwestern Idlib.French Childhood Education Starts at Three
New reforms by French President Emmanuel Macron will now mean children will begin primary education at the age of three. The new law will only affect 2.4 percent of the population in France not enrolled in schools at that age. Macron told BBC the change was intended to stop inequality in education, with all children starting at the same time.India Unemployment Still Huge
More than 20 million applications have been received for only 100,000 jobs at the state-run railway in India. Unemployment continues to plague the country, with some applicants said to be Ph.D. holders applying for technician roles. In 2015, 2.3 million applications were received for 368 government jobs in Uttar Pradesh. Officials say they are overwhelmed with the response.Additional reporting by Reuben Mclaren, Mark Casson & Ben Webber
LOCAL NEWS
A Massey University survey has found higher drug dependency in the regions of the North Island. Preliminary findings from the latest New Zealand Drug Trend survey show the Waikato and Bay of Plenty as two of the worst affected areas. New Zealand Drug Foundation Executive Director Ross Bell told 95bFM news the results indicate that health boards need to do more at the lower end of the drug-addiction spectrum. “DHBs should be putting greater effort into being much more responsive, providing much more lower threshold services, so when someone puts their hand up for help, some help can be provided.” He added that the new research alone may not show the full picture: “It’s all very unclear, and this research I guess adds a little bit more to that clarity, but in itself, it’s a bit weak, because it’s a self-selecting online survey.” The survey looked at the proportion of participants that were willing to seek treatment in the regions most affected and was conducted between November 2017 and February 2018. Meanwhile, addiction support services are calling for more effective rehab assistance after a major drug bust occurred in the Bay of Plenty region yesterday morning. Family members suffering from drug addiction are struggling to get help and new rehab facilities will alleviate the pressure. Erin Scarlett, founder of Brave Heart, which supports families of drug users says for every person addicted to drugs, there are up to 10 affected family members. More local drug addiction services are planned to be placed in the region to prevent drug addiction, Scarlett says.Poverty Reduction Targets Set
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced new three-year targets in a bid to reduce poverty among children. The targets aim to decrease the number of children in material hardship by 30,000. They also seek to reduce those living in households that earn less than half the median income by approximately 70,000 children over the three-year period. Ardern says the targets will help towards putting an end to a political era that tolerated hardship and poverty among children.
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Top broadcaster Carol Hirschfeld has resigned, after misleading her bosses over a meeting with broadcasting minister Clare Curran. The once-TV-anchor, now RNZ head of content, had a prearranged breakfast with Curran, but when questioned by bosses claimed it was a coincidental meeting. RNZ is tipped for an additional $38m annual funding boost from the government. Curran is also facing tough questions about the meeting, as she initially failed to correct the record when the select committee was told it was a chance meeting.Homosexual Offences to be Expunged
The Criminal Records Bill to amend historical gay convictions has passed its second reading. The bill allows those previously found guilty to apply for their conviction to be expunged for specific offenses decriminalised under the Homosexual Reform Act. Justice Minister Andrew Little says the bill serves as an effective way to right the wrongs of the past and empower those convicted.Fuel Tax on the Way
A bill designed to help Auckland meet its transport challenges has had its first reading in parliament yesterday. The Land Transport Management Amendment Bill would will allow regions to apply for a regional fuel tax on petrol and diesel. Auckland Council is expected to generate an extra $170 million per year from the fuel tax. The bill requires residents to be consulted, and Government approval is also needed before the taxes can be implemented.
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The resignation of Jonathan Coleman from parliament has triggered a by-election for the vacated Northcote seat. The National Party has opened nominations for candidates, with the final selection set of MP's announced on April 15. National Party President Peter Goodfellow said the candidate will pick up from where Coleman left and begin talking to Northcote Voters about the future of the area. Party leader Simon Bridges said he knows 10 people interested.
INTERNATIONAL
An American businessman is being investigated for allegedly wiring $2.5 million from the United Arab Emirates to a Trump fundraiser. George Nader is believed to have sent the money to fundraiser Elliott Broidy in the lead up to the US election, in a bid to encourage the US to take a hard line on Qatar. After receiving the donation, Broidy supported a conference on Qatar’s alleged ties to Islamic Extremism, and legislation was announced that condemned Qatar as a terror-supporting state.Syria Evacuation Continues
State media is reporting around 6,750 people have been evacuated from areas in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta. Thought to be the largest evacuation to date, a convoy of 100 buses was seen taking Syrian rebel fighters and civilians to safety. Evacuees will be driven to rebel-held territory in northwestern Idlib.French Childhood Education Starts at Three
New reforms by French President Emmanuel Macron will now mean children will begin primary education at the age of three. The new law will only affect 2.4 percent of the population in France not enrolled in schools at that age. Macron told BBC the change was intended to stop inequality in education, with all children starting at the same time.India Unemployment Still Huge
More than 20 million applications have been received for only 100,000 jobs at the state-run railway in India. Unemployment continues to plague the country, with some applicants said to be Ph.D. holders applying for technician roles. In 2015, 2.3 million applications were received for 368 government jobs in Uttar Pradesh. Officials say they are overwhelmed with the response.Additional reporting by Reuben Mclaren, Mark Casson & Ben Webber