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The Green Desk

95bFM's long-running green issues feature, The Green Desk, thanks to EcoFest 2025!

The Green Desk: The nationally critical shore plover with Rebecca Diederichsen, March 03, 2020

The Green Desk: The nationally critical shore plover with Rebecca Diederichsen, March 03, 2020 The Green Desk: The nationally critical shore plover with Rebecca Diederichsen, March 03, 2020, 26.76 MB
Tue 3 Mar 2020

This week on the first Green Desk of the year, new producer Bronwyn Wilde interviews with Rebecca  Diederichsen from Kotahi Aviary,  a captive breeding facility for the critically endangered shore plover bird. Formed in 2018 by the Department of Conservation and local Hawke's Bay philanthropist Andy Lowe, the aviary is the third of its kind in the country. With seven resident birds, its goal is to breed 40 chicks a year for release onto offshore islands.  Rebecca, the sole employee at the aviary, talks about some of the successes and challenges of the project so far.

If you’re thinking - what on earth is a shore plover!?!? Then you’re probably in the same boat as a lot of New Zealanders. An endemic shorebird, they are very much in need of the spotlight, as there are only around 250 birds left. Rebecca begins by telling us a bit more about what exactly a shore plover is.

The Green Desk: December 10, 2019

The Green Desk: December 10, 2019 The Green Desk: December 10, 2019, 21.61 MB
Tue 10 Dec 2019

Earlier this year on Green Desk, Mitchell Fuller spoke to Hugh Wilson from the Hinewai reserve. In July this year there was a film made about the reserve and about Hugh Wilson, the Manager. 
 the Fools and Dreamers film made by Happen Film can be found on YouTube at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VZSJKbzyMc&fbclid=IwAR3XF9C5LJ7U1q0no7f4u6Ozt_VCVVmQFDf1zyuHfLAL7wAjINhexPnLf1Q )

We thought we would revisit this story from earlier this year. Mitchell and Hugh discuss the carbon credits system available at Hinewai which has become increasingly popular with large businesses allowing them to offset unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions. The system has allowed the reserve to expand and encompass a significant area on the peninsula which has rejuvenated naturally without planting and minimal pest control. Mitchell begins by asking Hugh a little bit about the history of the Reserve and how its arrived at where its at today. 
 

The Green Desk: December 3, 2019

The Green Desk: December 3, 2019 The Green Desk: December 3, 2019, 19.87 MB
Tue 3 Dec 2019

This week on Green Desk, Mitch speaks Cawthron Institue’s Dr Susie Wood who is leading
the Lakes380 Project. Currently Lakes380 is the largest undertaking of data collection on
Lakes done in New Zealand possibly the world, making use of the best technology in the
world. Mitchell and Susie discuss the scale of the project and the processes involved with
such a large undertaking. To begin, Mitch asks Susie to explain what Lakes380 is.

Tomato Pill: The First Natural Male Fertility Pill w/ Sam Hunter November 19, 2019

Tomato Pill: The First Natural Male Fertility Pill w/ Sam Hunter November 19, 2019 Tomato Pill: The First Natural Male Fertility Pill w/ Sam Hunter November 19, 2019, 20.48 MB
Tue 19 Nov 2019

Male infertility is a serious issue in Australia and Aotearoa and there is currently no medical solution besides ‘getting healthy’ to solve it. It is an issue that isn’t discussed enough throughout society and is responsible for 50% of infertility in couples. This week on Green Desk Mitch speaks to Ateronon founder Sam Hunter about the Tomato Pill. Sam has been on a mission to create the first ever naturally occurring male fertility pill which was based off the information and statistics about the benefits of the mediterrenean diet. He has since developed the tomato pill which has enhanced the bioavailability of the lycopene in tomatoes to increase grade A sperm in men by up to nearly 50%. To begin, Mitch asks Sam what gives the tomato the ability to help with male infertility.

 

The Green Desk: November 12, 2019

The Green Desk: November 12, 2019 The Green Desk: November 12, 2019, 29.13 MB
Tue 12 Nov 2019

At the Green Desk today, Oscar Perress talks to Dr Julia Albrecht about the Tiaki Promise and about making a sustainable future for the tourism industry. Tune in to find out more! 

 

The Green Desk: November 5, 2019

The Green Desk: November 5, 2019 The Green Desk: November 5, 2019, 16.88 MB
Tue 5 Nov 2019

This week on Green Desk, Mitchell speaks to Tūpuna Maunga Authority Manager Nick Turoa about the recent planting of 3000 native species on Ōwairaka. Mitch and Nick discuss the TMA’s plans for the ecological restoration of Tūpuna Maunga and their next steps in removing the exotic species on  Ōwairaka. To begin, Mitch began by asking Nick about the establishment of the Tūpuna Maunga Authority, their role and aspirations for Tāmaki Makaurau’s Maunga.

 

The Green Desk: October 29, 2019

The Green Desk: October 29, 2019 The Green Desk: October 29, 2019, 21.09 MB
Tue 29 Oct 2019

This week, Mitchell speaks to Flinders University’s Professor of Hydrogeology Adrian Werner about his ongoing
research into groundwater exploration and occurrences in offshore aquifers. Adrian and his
fellows have been leading research into groundwater and offshore aquifers for some time
and found that there are definite and viable sources of freshwater under our oceans, which
in many cases we have already been tapping into. Mitchell and Adrian discuss what the
future of our water supply may look like which raises certain societal questions and some
potential implications. To begin, Mitchell asks Adrian about his research and some of their
findings.

The Green Desk: October 22, 2019

The Green Desk: October 22, 2019 The Green Desk: October 22, 2019, 21.69 MB
Tue 22 Oct 2019

Mitchell talks to Forest & Bird NZ's chief executive Kevin Hague about a marine report discussing four priority issues the government needs to focus on.

The Green Desk: October 8, 2019

The Green Desk: October 8, 2019 The Green Desk: October 8, 2019, 21.63 MB
Tue 8 Oct 2019

Mitchell Fuller speaks to PhD student Lauren Vargo about the quickly declining glaciers in New Zealand.

The Green Desk: September 24, 2019

The Green Desk: September 24, 2019 The Green Desk: September 24, 2019, 33.72 MB
Tue 24 Sep 2019

This week on Green Desk Mangrove Mitch koreros with Shark Scientist Riley Elliot about the global decline in shark populations. Riley and Mitch discuss the recent decision made by New Zealand to vote no against the protection or Mako Sharks at CITES and the change in behaviour that he has seen in sharks as a result of human impacts on their environment. To begin, Mitchell asks Riley about the role sharks play as apex predators and how important they are to our global ecosystems.