Over the weekend, a severe blaze broke out across the Awarua-Waituna wetlands, burning 1000 hectares of the land. The fires have highlighted a need for the Government to implement climate protections for the wetlands as it acts as a major carbon sink and contains a unique ecosystem.

Trishil spoke to Tom Kay from Forest and Bird to discuss the impact of the fires, and policy that can be implemented so the wetlands can be protected.