A new ruling by the European Union means gene-edited plants are now subject to the same tough laws which Genetic Modified products are subject to. Jack Marshall, our resident Greendesk producer talked to Professor Peter Dearden from the University of Otago’s Department of Biochemistry about GMO’s, GM’s, and other things starting with G!
Jemima spoke with Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson about the Green Party annual general meeting held over the weekend. They discussed the party's new proposed changes to the Overseas Investment Act and their stance on the waka jumping bill.
This week for Green Desk, Ella speaks with Monica Peters about citizen science. Monica is a self-described "dot-joiner," bringing together the worlds of science, society, communication and art with a passion for community environmental restoration. Ella asked her to explain citizen science to the citizens:
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.
Protestors have occupied Owairaka maunga for nearly two weeks now, halting the integrated management plan by Tupuna Maunga Authority. This plan has been in place and publicly available since 2016, indicating the intention of restoring the maunga with native trees. That process would include the felling of 345 exotic trees. The group who have named themselves Honour the Maunga say they were unaware of the plan, and that consultation shoud have occured. They are against the felling and are concerned about the environment, that it is 'madness' to cut down mature trees in the time of a climate emergency. The Green Desk's Mitchell Fuller spoke with representative Anna Redford asking about their claims of lack of consultation and whether they understand the Tangata Tiriti responsibility that is possible here.
Zoë Larsen Cumming has her weekly chat with the Green Party Co-Leader James Shaw. This week's agenda included the Greens' amendments to the Education and Training Bill, the Equal Pay Amendment Bill, and also the Progressive Home Ownership project officially launched this week by Marama Davidson.
The Green Party has launched a petition calling on the Government to remove legislative barriers to to public ownership of our public transport depots, vehicles and services. Having privately run public transport services is proving to jeapordize the efficiency and ease of use of public transport for many Kiwis. Aneeka talks to Julie Anne Genter, the Green Party spokesperson for transport, about the petition and issues around privately run public transport in New Zealand.
Our weekly chat with James Shaw is back this week.
Jessica Hopkins talked to James about farmers protesting against ute tax, and environmental regulations, the arrest of four Kaitiaki at Putiki, and 35 years of homosexual law reform.
Jessica started off the interview discussing whether we can supporting farmers while reducing emissions from agriculture.
The state of renting in New Zealand has been an important discussion for the past few years. While rent prices continue to increase due to the ongoing housing crisis and high demand, the quality of rentals has remained largely the same. Many renters across New Zealand, especially university students and first-time renters find themselves living in uninsulated and unsafe flats which cost hundreds of dollars a week. Many landlords and property managers in New Zealand do not properly maintain the properties they are renting out to the Healthy Homes Standards which became law in 2019. Despite this, many renters have to stick it out in what are considered to be unhealthy living conditions due to the high demand for renting in New Zealand.
Emily Bell spoke to three university students from across the country about their experiences flatting and flat hunting for the first time, and the changes they would like to see. She also chatted to Green Party MP and spokesperson for renters Chlöe Swarbrick about the power imbalance between renters and landlords and what can be done to improve this. Finally, Emily spoke to Anna Bykova who is a spokesperson for the advocacy group Renters United. Renters United aims to raise awareness and aid those who are experiencing unfair renting situations.
If you would like to fill out the Green Party’s survey regarding renting as well as see what ideas they have to improve renting in New Zealand, you can go to greens.org.nz/reasonable_rents
If you are interested in learning more about Renters United’s Plan to Fix Renting or want to show support to them by donating, you can find all this information on their website at rentersunited.org.nz
Last week The Green Party released a statement addressing the proposed imigration changes by the government, and how they could fail to guarantee pathways to residency workers in the types of jobs deemed essential throughout the pandemic, by prioritising high income earners - instead of focusing on the wellbeing of workers and enabling migrants to put down roots.
Joe spoke to Green Party spokesperson for immigration, Ricardo Menedez March, on the proposed immigration changes from the government.
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