This week on Green Desk, Mitch speaks to University of Canterbury’s Jo Carpenter who recently published her thesis on seed dispersal in Aotearoa’s flightless birds. The research had a rather specific focus on Weka, which are often be seen as a nuisance amongst campers and trampers, however Jo’s research has discovered that Weka are excellent seed dispersers and are essential to the survival of certain species. The research also showed the significant implications of human interaction with Weka, where those which experienced interaction through camping or picnicking tended to be 40 and 50% less effective in their role functions. Mitchell and Jo discuss the findings of her research and begins by asking her how it began and what she was set out to achieve.
Sherry speaks to Green Party co-leader James Shaw on the Landfill Levy increase. This will rise from $10 per tonne to $50/$60 by 2023. We also speak about the suicide prevention office, recently set up by the goverment to deal with New Zealand’s concerning high rates of suicide.
Sherry begins by asking him why New Zealand has one of the high rates per capita in the developed world of waste production.
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National's police spokesperson Simeon Brown joins Justin live in studio to discuss Northland iwi setting up COVID checkpoints alongside public highways. These checkpoints have been already shut down by police.
Jade talked to Emilie Rākete of People Against Prisons Aotearoa about the recent Mihi Bassett case that has been brought to the district court. Bassett faces more potential prison time to her current sentence following a protest in which she and other inmates set property on fire following inhumane and degrading treatment at the Auckland Women's Prison.
Noah Ferguson-Dudding spoke to Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson about Auckland Transport's plans to combat climate change, and the city's transport in general. They also discussed the recent National Policy Statement on Urban Development, which sets out how Auckland can manage rapid population growth.
Justin spoke to Health Minister Andrew Little about the nurses' strike, which are set to go ahead on August 19 and September 9 and 10, after members of the New Zealand Nurses' Organisation voted to reject an agreement with the DHBs.
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