This week on Creature of the Week, local zoologist Andrew Johnston is here to discuss deextinction (Jurassic Park style!) and how it relates to the case of the Tasmanian Tiger.

Tune into R1 News weekdays at 11am or catch up at https://www.r1.co.nz/news or https://instagram.com/r1newsnz

Kākāpō breeding season has just finished, and the much beloved parrot’s population numbers are up around 25%, from 197 to 252. It’s the second-most successful Kākāpō breeding season on record, and the kākāpō population is the highest it’s been in 50 years.

Kākāpō ranger Theo Thompson, who works for the Department of Conservation’s kākāpō recovery programme, says this increase in population is incredibly significant, and with the new Rakiura pest-eradication initiative, kākāpō may be able to soon go back to the Rakiura mainland.

Ranger Thompson spoke to us live from predator-free sanctuary island Whenua Hou about the latest breeding season, what the kākāpō recovery team does to facilitate kākāpō breeding, and the challenges they face.

Tune into R1 News weekdays at 11am or catch up at https://www.r1.co.nz/news or https://instagram.com/r1newsnz

In an attempt to rid Rakiura/Stewart Island of predators, a 2.8 million dollar research partnership has been signed by Manaaki Whenua/Landcare Research and Predator Free Rakiura. The eradication scheme will strive to rid the island of possums, feral cats, rats and hedgehogs in a world-first attempt to clear predators from an inhabited land mass. The eradication of such pests, if successful, will not only have important environmental implications but will also strive to uphold Te Tiriti obligations.

Tune into R1 News weekdays at 11am or catch up at https://www.r1.co.nz/news or https://instagram.com/r1newsnz

Peter from the Otago University Snow Sports Club breaks down the snow report for the week ahead, concluding with his top picks for skiing and snowboarding this weekend.

Tune into R1 News weekdays at 11am or catch up at https://www.r1.co.nz/news or https://instagram.com/r1newsnz

R1 News Bulletin for Wednesday the 17th of August

Tune into R1 News weekdays at 11am or catch up at https://www.r1.co.nz/news or https://instagram.com/r1newsnz

Haere mai ki te R1 News on Radio One 91FM

On programme today, we spoke to OUSSC’s Peter Barclay about the snow forecast for the week ahead, before discussing the mass pest eradication scheme planned for Rakiura and how it corresponds to Pākehā Te Tiriti responsibilities, with Project Director Campbell Leckie. Following that, Zac spoke with Kākāpō Ranger Theo Thompson from the Department of Conservation kākāpō recovery programme about the successful new kākāpō breeding season.

Tune into R1 News weekdays at 11am or catch up at https://www.r1.co.nz/news or https://instagram.com/r1newsnz

On Sunday the Ukrainian Ambassador to New Zealand expressed the desire for the Government to supply both military and diplomatic power in support of Ukraine in the ongoing Russian invasion.

To discuss New Zealand’s support for Ukraine, we were joined by Dr Peter Grac, from the University of Otago Politics Department.

Tune into R1 News weekdays at 11am or catch up at https://www.r1.co.nz/news or https://instagram.com/r1newsnz

The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has opened an inquiry into the future of inter-regional passenger rail in Aotearoa. Currently there are two inter-regional passenger rail lines running in the country, being the Te Huia connection between Auckland and Hamilton and the Capital Connection between Palmerston North and Wellington.

Save our Trains spokesperson Dr Paul Callister joined us to talk about the history of inter-regional passenger rail in Aotearoa, the benefits of it, and the process of the government's inquiry closing on the 6th of October 2022.

Tune into R1 News weekdays at 11am or catch up at https://www.r1.co.nz/news or https://instagram.com/r1newsnz

Travel through time with the Rātū R1 news team to hear what happened in the world on the 16th of August in previous years, covering sports, music and celebrity birthdays.

Tune into R1 News weekdays at 11am or catch up at https://www.r1.co.nz/news or https://instagram.com/r1newsnz

With local body elections a month away, R1 News is exploring how local government affects different communities. In this installment we were joined by spokesperson for Renters United, Eimhin O'Shea, to discuss Renters United’s 2022 Local Government Policy Platform, the current structure of tenancy services and the role local government can play in advancing conditions for renters.

Tune into R1 News weekdays at 11am or catch up at https://www.r1.co.nz/news or https://instagram.com/r1newsnz