Guest Author • Oct 30, 2020 •
Jeanne Snelling, University of Otago and Andrew Geddis, University of Otago The preliminary results of New Zealand’s referendum on the End of Life Choice Act were conclusive. Some 65.2% of voters supported the law coming into force, while 33.8% opposed it. Although around 480,000 special votes are still to be counted, the margin is so great there is no chance … Read More
Guest Author • Sep 18, 2020 •
Jacqui Maguire, registered clinical psychologist This podcast episode highlights how difficult it is to have effective conversations about euthanasia due to how polarised people’s views are. I’m a clinical psychologist, with a passion for science communication. In early 2020 I founded the podcast Mind Brew, with an aim to make psychological research accessible for New Zealanders to foster … Read More
Ken Perrott • Mar 31, 2017 •
We are all used to political activists fiddling statistics – but this has gone too far. Local anti-fluoride activists are so narcissistic they are now presenting their own clamouring as representing public opinion – even putting figures to it. I find this really offensive. As a Hamiltonian, I objected to the undemocratic put our council took in stopping fluoridation in 2013. Read More
Michael Reddell • Jul 23, 2016 •
Since the successful Brexit vote on 23 June, there has been a great deal of (mostly rather disdainful) attention paid in some quarters to the demographic breakground of the support for Leave and Remain. Among aggrieved Remainers there has been a particular focus on the fact that – at least among those who bothered to turn out to vote – … Read More
Ken Perrott • Jul 18, 2014 •
A recent US blog article made some very pertinent points about the role of elected officials, such a local body councillors, on important social health issues like fluoridation. These officials have a responsibilty to avoid pressure from misinfomred activists and … Continue reading → … Read More
Ken Perrott • Mar 27, 2014 •
The Hamilton City Council voted this afternoon to recommence fluoridating the city’s water supply The vote was overwhelming - 9 for, 1 against. The overwhelming support for fluoridation in last year’s referendum was decisive in the decision. There is a threat … Continue reading → … Read More