95bFM: The Wire

This week on the Wednesday Wire...

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, Host Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the two Green Party members' bills that were recently drawn and concerns corporate lobbying at the highest levels may be undermining our core democratic processes.

Producer Toby spoke to US history expert Paul Taillon about the Trump administration’s stance on Cuba, and the possibility of military action.

Then Producer Theo spoke to trustee and founder of the Better Public Media Trust, Myles Thomas, on their petition calling for the strengthening of the Broadcasting Standards Authority, instead of the government’s plan to disestablish the authority.

Finally Theo also spoke to Dr Justin Nairn, a plant protection scientist at Scion and the New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science, about the government’s recent funding boost for wilding pine control.

In just over two weeks time, the FIFA world cup is set to begin across North America. This comes, however, in the face of increasing heats due to climate change, that could threaten the wellbeing of the players and fans, and force the game and competition to change.

This is further complicated, however, when we look at the role that FIFA and the competition themselves play in climate change, with serious concerns of greenwashing and sports washing. With World Cups being high-emission events, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino maintaining ties with leaders such as US President Donald Trump, who often antagonises attempts to reduce climate change.

Wire Host Alex spoke with Professional Teaching Fellow at the University of Auckland, Dr Chris McMillan, about how this temperature will affect athletes, and the role the competitions and FIFA have to play.

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman speaks with us about electricity from ambient moisture, bananas in smoothies, and whether or not we can cool the earth with tiny particles.

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Host Alex spoke with MP Ryan Hamilton about the Government’s increasing use of AI, The Legislation (Definitions of Woman and Man) Amendment Bill, and the government changing agency names to English before Māori.

Alex also spoke with Dr Chris McMillan, a Professional Teaching Fellow at the University of Auckland, about the dangerous temperatures facing athletes at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, how they will affect the game, and what FIFA's role in this is.

And for Green World this week, Producer Thomas spoke to the University of Waikato’s Associate Professor in Law Nathan Cooper, on New Zealand’s role in the United Nation’s latest resolution affirming the International Court of Justice’s ruling that states have a legal duty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment from the climate crisis. 

Earlier this month, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced details on the scheme replacing NCEA. The replacement, the New Zealand Certificate of Education, is aimed, according to the government, at tackling the ‘confusion’ of the current system. This will be the most recent of the government's changes to the education system, which have frequently been the target of criticism from teachers and education unions.

Tuesday Wire host Alex spoke with President of the Post Primary Teachers Association, Chris Abercrombie, about the replacement, and what it means for students and their teachers.

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about the government’s recent bill seeking to define “man” and “woman” in law. 

And they spoke to Green Party Co-Leader and MP for Auckland Central, Chloe Swarbrick, about a proposal to remove the post office from Lambs Pharmacy on Karangahape Road. 

And Tuesday Wire host Alex spoke to President of the Post Primary Teachers Association, Chris Abercrombie, about the NCEA changes and how they could affect schools. 

Producer Thomas spoke to Forest and Bird acting general counsel May Downing about a challenge against the Tukituki water storage project consent extension.

He also talked to Honorary Academic in Physics from the University of Auckland Kevin Trenberth about funding cuts to the global ocean observing system

A new paper on the global ocean observing system and how funding cuts may affect the quality of data it collects was released last week. The paper found that if the United States was to leave the system entirely, errors in data for how fast the ocean is warming could increase up to 163 percent.

The scientists behind the paper are warning that if defunding goes ahead it could undermine efforts to track warming and hurricanes, and forecast weather, increasingly important efforts as climate change’s impacts become worse.

To discuss the defunding of the global ocean observing system producer Thomas talked to honorary academic in physics from the university of Auckland Kevin Trenberth.

Last week environmental organisation Forest and Bird filed judicial review proceedings in the High Court to challenge extension of consents for the Tukituki Water Storage Project.

The consents, which were granted in 2015, were meant to expire after 10 years, but despite no physical work being done the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council, and Hastings District Council have decided to extend the lapse dates by an additional FIVE years.

Forest and Bird have argued the environmental context of the project has changed in the last decade and want to ensure decision makers go through the correct process. 

The organisation has a history opposing the project, winning a Supreme Court case in 2017 stopping a land swap allowing the dam to flood 22 hectares of public conservation land.

To discuss the challenge against the Tukituki water storage project consent extension producer Thomas talked to Forest & Bird acting general counsel May Downing.

Earlier this year, NZPost announced plans to take away the postal service in Lambs Pharmacy on Karangahape Road, after 30 years of service. 

Residents and business owners on Karangahape Road have protested against the announcement, with posters raising awareness and a petition that the owner of Lambs Pharmacy will pass on to Auckland Central MP Chloe Swarbrick . The event is set to run until 12:30, with Swarbrick set to table the petition in parliament on the 26th of May. 

News Director Castor spoke to Chloe Swarbrick about the announcement, beginning by asking about what the rationale is from NZ Post getting rid of the office at Lambs Pharmacy.

As the Government looks to reduce public sector roles, there has been growing discussion around whether artificial intelligence could help streamline public services. But experts are warning that frustration around slow AI uptake should not override the need for proper safeguards and consideration of the workers most affected.

Producer Pranuja spoke with Dr Mohsen Mohammadzadeh, Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning from the University of Auckland, about the risks of automating public sector work, the social consequences of AI, and what responsible implementation should look like.

A survey of Automobile Association members' views on time-of-use charging has been presented to the Auckland Council’s Transport and Infrastructure Delivery Committee. 

The survey found that members were open to congestion charging if it worked, even if they thought it was unfair.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins gave a ‘State of Auckland’ speech last week, focusing on the need for cross-party collaboration on infrastructure projects.

Wire Host Caeden spoke with Councillor Shane Henderson about both of these topics.