A new oversight panel for the recently launched International Science Council Covid-19 Scenarios Project has been announced.
The panel will report on possible Covid-19 scenarios, and choices for governments, agencies, and citizens.
I interviewed Sir Peter Gluckman, the President-elect of the International Science Council, about the panel and the importance of international collaboration.
We started by discussing the purpose of the panel and who is involved.
Today on the Southern Cross Zoe is joined in studio by Pacific Media Watch's director David Robie and contributing editor Sri Krishnamurthi to discuss the long term effects of French nuclear testing the Pacific, the worsening Covid 19 situation in Papua New Guinea, and also Papua New Guinea's biggest drug heist.
Rosetta and Milly chat with Lee and Jacqui, two of the organisers behind Merdeka - an epic night of music this Saturday February 7, fundraising to bring activists and academics over from West Papua, for the West Papua Solidarity Forum this March. Whakarongo mai nei!
West Papua Action Auckland has sent an appeal to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, calling on him to persuade the Indonesian authorities to allow an independent investigation of the humanitarian crisis in Nduga West Papua. Jemima spoke to Maire Leadbeater from West Papua Action Auckland about the appeal.
Recently, the World Health Organisation has declared an outbreak of Polio in Papua New Guinea.
Previously, the nation had been declared polio-free in 2000. However, Papua New Guinea faced an outbreak in 2018. This was eradicated in the same year.
Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, said that New Zealand is ready anytime to assist Papua New Guinea if needed, however, he says he has not received a formal request for help as of this morning.
News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Mark Thomas, an associate professor of infectious diseases at the University of Auckland, about the World Health Organisation’s declaration, and what needs to be done to mitigate future outbreaks heading forward.
Over the weekend, Associate Foreign Minister Aupito Williams announced that a medical and logistics team had been sent from New Zealand to Papua New Guinea to assist with the Covid-19 crisis there. Oxfam Aotearoa says this is a good start but argues that New Zealand can do more to support Papua New Guinea. News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Oxfam Aotearoa's Communications and Advocacy Director Dr Jo Spratt about how Covid-19 has impacted PNG, how New Zealand is stacking up as a good neighbour to PNG on an international scale and whether New Zealand has the means to support other nations during the economically devestating pandemic.
In the last week, RNZ has come under fire for its use of Te Reo with Don Brash among others annoyed by its presence on national radio, and television. Brash says he doesn’t understand the language, says it has no value to him, and that it is being rammed down peoples throats. Other people like media commentator John Drinnan say RNZ does not have a strategy for its use of Te Reo, with no reason given as to why it is being used and what is being said. The Monday Wire team were joined for a live panel discussion on the use of Te Reo in the media by news director Lillian Hanly, Morning Glory host Geneva Alexander-Marsters, and former Wire producer Atereano Mateariki.
Papua New Guinea's National Capital District is heading to the polls today, amid fears the election will be subverted. The governor of Port Moresby has claimed there are problems with the electoral roll and polling places. He's also told media that reports are circulating of illegal ballot paper printing, and people bribing officials of the Electoral Commission. Amidst all this, Transparency International have set up a corruption hotline to help people report wrongdoing in the election. Daniel spoke to head of Transparency Papua New Guinea Arianne Kassmen, and started by asking what they hope to achieve with the hotline.
Over 400 solar panels are now powering the school of architecture and design innovation at Victoria University in Wellington, after being installed on the roof of the building in July. The solar panels are expected to save up to 21 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide released into the environment each year. The initiative is part of the university’s zero carbon plan, which describes using the campuses as a living lab for climate action research.
Rosetta spoke to Alan Brent, Chair of sustainable energy systems at Victoria University, about the project, and what more needs to be done to make renewable energy more accessible in Aotearoa
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