Latest news with #MargaretWard
NZ Herald
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Letters: Why don't we have a Question Time for the public to press our politicians?
Concert radio The RNZ Concert programme is an oasis in a desert of negative news in the world dominated by bigotry and prejudice. The interviews with musical guests performing often with the NZSO and other talented musicians such as the superb recently crowned New Zealand youth choir contact are a joy to hear – the interviewees are not verbose and egocentric but are appreciative, informed music lovers like myself. Margaret Ward, New Zealand Waikato medical school The short course opening to graduates at the new Waikato medical school, concentrating on training for general practice and rural medicine, raises two questions. Will the new doctors have a different form of medical registration to those who undergo the longer training at Otago and Auckland Universities, thereby restricting their work to areas in which they are specialised? Secondly, will their qualification be recognised worldwide as a complete or limited medical training? Stewart Hawkins, St Heliers. Building costs The cost of building construction throughout New Zealand – already in crisis – is worsening as more and more building projects fold almost on a daily basis. Has anyone noticed? Gary Hollis, Mellons Bay. Property buy-outs It is understandable that the Government cannot continue to fully compensate home owners when properties are damaged and destroyed through natural events. However, when the authorities encourage and permit housing to be built on flood plains and unstable land, then they should be made responsible to fully compensate those affected by random natural events. Insurance companies will not insure property that is deemed high risk, and no doubt banks will be reluctant to lend to buyers of dodgy housing. If we want to maintain confidence in the housing industry, support should be provided when common sense is not followed. Kay Agar, Onehunga. Homelessness Homelessness is becoming a major problem worldwide and appears to be driven mainly by drug and alcohol addiction. I watched an interesting news item from America that showed the extreme lengths they are going to in order to help their homeless. They provide financial support, meals, drug rehab programmes and shelter. In exchange, they require participants to participate in drug rehab and submit to regular drug tests. Unfortunately, people would rather live on the streets and use their welfare payments on drugs and alcohol. Where do we go to from here? If they won't help themselves, what can be done? Jock MacVicar, Hauraki. Naked little man I understand there have been a number of complaints about the nude skier in Lotto's recent TV advertisement. However, the little man who advertises Pak'nSave has been cavorting naked across the screen for years without any complaint. In today's politically correct society, couldn't that be interpreted as some form of discrimination? David Trower, Auckland Central.
Irish Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
The Juggle: the issues facing women with young children when balancing childcare and their careers
This week we're looking at the Juggle that women with young children have to make in Ireland to find a work-life balance. It's an age-old problem in Ireland with no solution yet in sight. Margaret Ward writes about Work issues each week for the Irish Times as well as running her own consultancy business Clear Eye and she's written a series of articles on the Juggle in recent weeks. Aideen Finnegan is an audio producer with The Irish Times and the host of the Better with Money podcast. She has two young children, and you'll hear her tell host Ciarán Hancock about the daily grind she and her husband face to get their kids to creche and school while also commuting to work to earn a living. Both of them offer their clear views on what Government and employers need to do to help young mothers balance their responsibilities at home and in the workplace. READ MORE Also in this episode of Inside Business, Donald Trump recently got his Big Beautiful Act through Congress, which allows for major cuts in taxation while boosting spending in key areas to support his policies. It will also involve cuts in Medicaid and other assistance offered to the most vulnerable in the US. Keith Duggan joins host Ciarán on the line from Washington to discuss this and the latest developments in Trump's tariff threats. Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound.
