Earlier this week, the government announced it would raise the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy from $35 to $100, starting October 1st.
The policy has been met with criticism, with the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment among others saying the implementation of this increase to $100 could be a deterrent for visitors.
Producer Sofia spoke to Associate Professor at the University of Otago Department of Tourism, Julia Albrecht, about this announcement and how it might impact tourism in Aotearoa New Zealand.
She started the interview asking her what the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy is.
Two New Zealand fishing companies are working with the World Wildlife Foundation to help reduce harm caused to Māui dolphins by commercial fishing along the West Coast of the North Island. The companies, Moana and Sanford, have promised to implement a range of changes, including no conventional trawling within a 100m depth in Māui habitat after 2022, and also video cameras & electronic tracking on all vessels. Pearl speaks to World Wildlife Foundation Head of Campaigns, Peter Hardstaff, and CEO of Sanford, Volker Kuntzsch, about this decision.
Check out the full podcast for this week's Tuesday show, where we look at the latest happenings in Tokelau and the wider Pacific, talk to Nicky Hager about Hit & Run and Marama Fox about Te Ture Whenua bill, and much more.
Earlier in the week, more than 100 medical students from the Auckland University Medical Students Association (AUMSA) rallied to call on the University of Auckland to cease investments in coal, oil, and gas companies, to protect public health and reduce the impacts of climate change. bFM reporter Katie Doyle talked to the spokesperson of the AUMSA, Ivan Mouraviev about this.
This Week host Tess and producer Joel speak to David Hines from the Secular Education Network about how religion is taught in schools. They have their weekly chat with National MP Jami Lee, the usual Radio Adelaide’s Nicole Wedding for all the latest in Australian news and a report on the clothing bins operated by Savemart.
All this and more on the Friday Wire - check out the full podcast here
Check out the full podcast for this week's Tuesday show, where we look into new Unitec research showing students are struggling to make ends meet, talk to the founder of a new civics education initiative, look at a new mattress recycling program by Auckland Council and speak to Victoria University lecturer Jason Young about China's new trade expansion.
Aidee, Alex and Joe are involved in different web series pilots, two of the top ten chosen from over 150 submissions, vying in TVNZ's 'New Blood' competition for $100,000 to make their full series a reality. And you, the viewer, get to decide who wins. Mike asks the hard questions: so, are you guys mortal enemies or what?
Following their partnership with the One Pacific Party, the Māori Party are proposing a new visa category for climate change refugees from the Pacific.
The Māori Party announced the policy last week, alongside an one-off amnesty for Pacific overstayers.
The new refugee status stands alongside the party’s other climate change policies of planting 100,000 hectares of forest over 10 years and subsidising solar panels in the regions and poorer communities.
Co-leader Marama Fox told reporter Mack Smith the threat of climate change was no longer on the horizon.
Today on bFM Breakfast: Jacinda discusses Labour's plans for their first 100 days in Government. Kiran from Unity Books reviews A Separation by Katie Kitamura; Aaannnd Natural Ange eases your inflamation.
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