Baz Macdonald

Wellington

Video Journalist at Re:

Video Journalist at Re:. All opinions are my own.

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Articles

Cannabis clinics: Glorified dispensaries or filling patient need?

3 weeks ago | 1news.co.nz | Baz Macdonald

Five years ago, New Zealand introduced the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme which allows doctors to prescribe cannabis products to patients. But GPs have remained reluctant to prescribe it, with two thirds of doctors saying they would not prescribe it if a patient asked, according to research from Massey University. Baz Macdonald looks into the medicinal cannabis sector for Re: Investigates.
Life as a teen on the isolated West Coast

2 months ago | renews.co.nz | Baz Macdonald

This video discusses mental health. A quarter of New Zealanders aged between 15-25 say they are lonely - more than any other age group, the New Zealand General Social Survey found. This is most common in the regions. We follow a group of teenagers on the West Coast who have created a community where isolated young people can find purpose, place and support. The Regions is a docuseries that gives a snapshot of the lives of regional rangatahi in Aotearoa and what matters to them most.
Growing up in New Zealand’s most isolated hapū

2 months ago | renews.co.nz | Baz Macdonald

“It’s crazy to think my whānau have probably been on this stretch of coastline for 800 to 1000 years.”Te Tauraka Waka a Māui, located at the bottom of the South Island’s West Coast, is likely New Zealand’s most isolated marae. Maya Mahuika shares what it was like growing up in this beautiful, but isolated, landscape. The Regions is a docuseries that gives a snapshot of the lives of regional rangatahi in Aotearoa and what matters to them most. Watch the series now on TVNZ+ and YouTube.
I’m a seventh-generation fisherman on Stewart Island

2 months ago | renews.co.nz | Baz Macdonald

Stewart Island may only have 400 residents, but they’re all big characters. 18-year-old Tyler Dawson is the seventh generation of his family to live and fish on the island. He guides us through the oddities and opportunities of life at the bottom of Aotearoa. The Regions is a docuseries that gives a snapshot of the lives of regional rangatahi in Aotearoa and what matters to them most. Watch the series now on TVNZ+ and YouTube. Made with the support of NZ On Air.
Brotherhood of bogans: inside Southland’s boy racer scene

2 months ago | renews.co.nz | Baz Macdonald

A group of mates loading up in the car and driving around main street is an age-old tradition in Southland. Because, as one boy racer puts it, “nothing else to do in Invercargill”. We go inside the Southland boy racer scene with Sam, Luke and Addie. The Regions is a docuseries that gives a snapshot of the lives of regional rangatahi in Aotearoa and what matters to them most. Watch the series now on TVNZ+ and YouTube. Made with the support of NZ On Air.
Exploring the Stop Co-Governance movement

Nov 24, 2024 | 1news.co.nz | Baz Macdonald

As New Zealand debates the Treaty Principles bill, Re: News journalist Baz Macdonald takes a close look at a controversial grassroots organisation, Stop Co-Governance, which has campaigned for Treaty reform for years. Watch the full story on our home for news, in-depth and consumer stories TVNZ+. While the Treaty Principles Bill has brought the discussion of Treaty reform to Parliament and wider Aotearoa, there are many groups who have been advocating for this for several years.
We read through it so you don't have to

May 29, 2024 | renews.co.nz | Baz Macdonald

The coalition government has released their first budget, laying out how the government will spend its money over the next year. We’ve read through it and unpacked the biggest takeaways, so you don’t have to. The coalition government’s first budget follows through on many of the campaign promises made by National, ACT, and NZ First – to cut back government spending and deliver tax breaks, while reinvesting in targeted frontline services like health, police and infrastructure.
A young homeless person answers your questions

Apr 14, 2024 | renews.co.nz | Baz Macdonald

New Zealand has around 100,000 homeless people. We sat down with Saebyul, a 24-year-old who has spent the last three years largely couch surfing and sleeping in their car. They answered your questions about their experiences of being young and homeless, people’s perceptions of homelessness, and what others can do to help.
Is Wellington’s nightlife dying?

Apr 13, 2024 | renews.co.nz | Baz Macdonald

Courtenay Place is the heart of Wellington’s nightlife, but it’s in a tough spot right now - with high rates of alcohol-related harm, Council, Police, and bar owners arguing over who's to blame, and some party-goers saying the vibes just ain’t right. So we headed out on a Saturday night to get to the bottom of what is killing Wellington’s nightlife. More stories:Five key takeaways from the NZ drug use report.
Who are NZ’s biggest emitters?

Apr 8, 2024 | renews.co.nz | Baz Macdonald

New Zealand produces 77.6 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year. But who is responsible? Re: News journalist Baz Macdonald breaks down which companies and industries produce the most emissions and how we deal with that. More stories:While there’s some alignment between the two, there are a few glaring differences. The short answer is no. “It feels like all my climate anxieties are coming true and everything feels so out of my control.”