The full length podcast of the Tuesday Wire for the 28th of Haratua May. Today, we had the privilige of talking to the Stop the Minerals Forum protest group as the protest unfolded and talking to Minister Tracey Martin about the announced transition support service. At the Green Desk, we discuss traps and collaboration with Good Nature and at the International Desk, we continue our discussion on the European Parliament elections. We were also lucky enough to be joined by German student and civics educator, Milad Tubesch at the International Desk to further our discussion.
Last year the government announced its plan to plant a billion trees by 2028 as part of offsetting our carbon footprint as a country. As great as that is however, the sudden demand for land on which to plant these trees has had unforeseen effects on NZ farmers.
Andy Scott is an ex-farmer and now a real estate agent in the Wairarapa. We were put in contact with him by the new lobby group “Fifty Shades of Green” which claim the planting incentives under the Emissions Trading Scheme, combined with changes to the Overseas Investment Act have lead to foreign investors buying up good farmland to plant trees and reap the carbon credits. These plantations tend to be pine rather than native trees, which is problematic becuase of the short life span of pine trees and their impact on our natural environment.
Scott speaks about the effect of increased land prices on farmers in his region as well as the importance of planting the right trees in the right place.
Yesterday morning a discussion document titled Te Koiroa O Te Koiora – Our shared vision for living with nature was launched, aiming to engage all New Zealanders in helping to shape Aotearoa’s biodiversity strategy for the next 30 years. The creation of the discussion document, which was led by the Department of Conservation outlines some key goals to be achieved by 2050. To find out more Olivia Holdsworth spoke to Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage and began by asking how this discussion document differs from the current Our Chance to Turn the Tide biodiversity strategy.
The recent heist at the Green Vault within the Dresden Castle in Germany has been speculated to be one of the largest art heists in history. City officials and experts consider the loss to be "priceless" and a "cultural loss", while the media considers the Baroque-era jewellery that was stolen to be worth one billion dollars.
The entire heist took about five minutes in total, and it may be possible that the jewels are already melted down or have been sold on the black market.
Rachel Simpson spoke to Dr Ngarino Ellis from the University of Auckland's art history department. Dr Ellis has a history in the law profession and is a member of the Art Crime Research Trust. Rachel and Dr Ellis spoke about the nature of art crime, why stealing art has historically been an assertion of power, and how exactly the Dresden thieves might have done it.
On the show today: Mary-Margaret speaks to Andrew Little about justice reform in 2020, Radio Adelaide's Zoe Kounandis recaps this year's Invasion Day, Sam Dene asks Generation Zero why they are opposed to the government's infrastructure announcement, and he learns about the nature of food exports and its effect on New Zealand's poorest
When it comes to conservation, new advancements in tools & technology could make the difference in restoring nature, so that indigenous species can thrive.
Just recently, The Department of Conservation announced they are investing nearly eight-hundred-thousand dollars to test a new predator-control drone and take another step towards a predator-free Aotearoa.
Drones are a new technology and have the potential to be a game-changer when it comes to conservation efforts, and the Kiwi startup behind this is Environment Conservation Technologies.
based in the Bay of Plenty, they’re developing automated technologies & providing professional services using drones, both locally & internationally.
Louis got in touch with Samuel Vye, co-founder of the start-up E.C.T., who is also in charge of managing the project.
Climate change has been the hot topic that’s been on everyone’s minds and tongues. Theater maker Amber Liberté takes this discussion to the stage. “Our Modern Earth (Is a F*cking Mess)” is a piece of theatre and dance that indulges in the discourse of climate change through the eons that have passed by. The play goes through a visual transformative journey through the use of organic material (like leaves and branches) to more man-made or mechanical material (like plastic). With supporting entities like Generation Zero, the play attempts to make its audience members question the rapid nature of climate change.
This production will unfortunately not go ahead due to COVID-19, but will later be adapted into a film.