Health
Teen cannabis use declining, research shows
More young people are staying away from cannabis, with research showing the proportion of teens using the drug each week halving in a decade. But it's unclear whether that's a conscious, sensible… Audio
Nope to dope: Young people pass on cannabis
From puff, puff, pass, to passing altogether, more young people are staying away from cannabis, with research showing the proportion of teens using the drug each week halving in a decade.
Bonus Episode: Happy Boss, Happy Business
Psychologist Sarb Johal and host James Nokise discuss founder stress and the importance of investing in yourself. Produced by Charlie Bleakley. Audio
Risky decisions & gambling addiction
Electronic gaming machines, or the pokies, are highly addictive. Sonia Sly investigates why problem gambling develops and how it is associated with other disorders. Audio
Our Changing World for 15 August 2019
Why playing pokie machines can easily lead to a gambling addiction, and the chemical element nickel is in more than just five cent coins. Audio
Mouldy, damp homes linked to respiratory infection hospitalisations
Māori and Pasifika children made up two thirds of children under two hospitalised with a respiratory infection according to a new study.
Rural reproductive health focus of new Vanuatu report
Reproductive health for rural communities in Vanuatu is the focus of a new report by Family Planning. Audio
Coroner's report causing undue worry for breastfeeding mothers - doctor
A doctor in Palmerston North wants a coroner to retract comments she made that breastfeeding mothers shouldn't drink alcohol. Last week coroner Debra Bell said it was likely that a two-year-old had… Audio
The health science diploma with a Māori worldview
A Rotorua-based polytechnic is trying to turn around the region's poor health outcomes by offering the first health science diploma with a Māori worldview.
Quarantine advised for students exposed to measles
Students from two Auckland high schools have been exposed to measles and principals are advising unvaccinated children be quarantined.
Sexual violence victims' advocates urge funding for courts
Victims' advocates are calling for sexual violence courts to be funded nationwide after a two-year trial found they cut wait times and were less traumatic for complainants. An evaulation released… Audio
Māori man rejected at airport security over walking stick
A Māori man says he was left angered and frustrated after Auckland Airport security would not let him board a plane with a walking stick - because they said it had Māori carvings and could be used as… Video, Audio
What to do about alcohol?
Major report into reducing alcohol harm ignored for almost a decade. For all the talk on cannabis…what about the drug that does the most harm ? Audio
Otago University opens Wellington office for Pasifika
New Zealand's Otago University has implemented the latest stage of its Pacific strategy with the opening of a new office focussed on its Pasifika students and faculty. Audio
NZ Fashion Week’s secret plan to bring big tobacco to the catwalk
Several labels turned down a proposal that would have seen a multinational cigarette manufacturer pay their fees and venue costs, The Spinoff's business editor Maria Slade reports.
Alcohol abuse 'costs $7.8b a year', yet no action
Public health experts have heard that alcohol abuse is costing the country $7.8 billion a year, and yet barely any action is being taken. A seminar organised by Alcohol Action New Zealand in… Audio
Get Out of Your Own Way
Entrepreneur Jenene Crossan talks to host James Nokise about resilience, excellence and the power of a good pink suit. Produced by Charlie Bleakley. Audio
State of Emergency over Dengue Fever in Marshall Islands
Dengue fever has struck Ebeye Island in the Marshall Islands with nine confirmed cases and over 103 people presenting with symptoms of the mosquito borne illness, triggering a State of Emergency. Audio
NZ woman's campaign sees drop in physical restraints in Japan
A woman whose son died after being tied down in a Japanese psychiatric hospital says physical restraint use has dropped 9 percent since she started campaigning against its use. Video, Audio
Men, eating disorders & body dysmorphia
26 year Christchurch journalist Luke Chivers talks with Kathryn about his four year struggle with bulimia and body dysmorphia. Audio