All Episodes

July 4, 2021 6 mins
Living in New Zealand can be akin to living in Paradise - or it can be sheer hell. 
It's not about your ethnicity - although Māori are overrepresented in the worst stats - its about poverty and its about location. 
Look at the stories that have been in the news in the past week - wastewater testing has shown struggling rural towns are bearing the brunt of New Zealand's methamphetamine crisis. 
The New Zealand Herald says there are a handful of small towns where people there are consuming disproportionate amounts of meth - sometimes up to four times as much as the national average.  Kaitaia, Opokiki, Waiora, Kawerau, Tokoroa, Huntly - these are the towns being hit hard. 
Then we had a story on TV One - One News counted thirty cars on the main street of Kaikohe - half of them had expired warrants or registrations - and having been to Kaikohe on a number of occasions, I have often wondered just how road worthy many of the vehicles I see might be. 
The Sunday programme highlighted the chronic need for health funding for the people of the East Coast where life expectancy is much lower than anywhere else in the region  - the average man lives to 69 whereas the average New Zealander is 81. 
Meanwhile, over on Newshub the wait times for state houses has absolutely exploded - it's now taking more than six months to house the one per cent of those most on the at risk list. 
It's a tale of two New Zealands really - look at some of the announcements and pronouncements from the government too in the past week. 
Rebates on electric cars - vehicles that cost around 40 thousand dollars which is beyond the budget of any of these families in the small towns. 
The Boomers Bike Bridge to Birkenhead when these small towns are screaming for driveable roads so they can drive the many hundreds of kilometres they need to access hospital treatment or to simply be able to get supplies into their town - like Methven. 
It's difficult for anyone to access mental health and addiction services - but try getting help living in a small town. 
You have Nanaia Mahuta telling the people of Auckland that they can subsidise the water reticulation in the Kaipara district because a lot of Aucklanders have holiday homes in the North - seriously?! 
The vast majority do not.  The vast majority are struggling to get by.  Every cent counts.  They don't have a magical money tree that can be shaken to subsidise their every want and desire - unlike the government. 
If you are parking your Tesla at the flashest food markets, where imported delicacies are still able to be found despite constraints on the supply chain, life is sweet. 
There might be civilised debates at dinner parties over whether Māori names are being introduced by stealth and there'll be more impassioned arguments between those who believe the borders should be open and those who don't - but these are all theoretical discussions. 
Nothing really matters, because they have enough.  Their children have enough.  They can access the care they need, when they need it.
But it’s a different story in the other New Zealand.  And while I truly believe the government cares about this other New Zealand, caring isn't as important as delivery.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

Ruthie's Table 4

Ruthie's Table 4

For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

The Joe Rogan Experience

The Joe Rogan Experience

The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.