This week Bronwyn spoke to tutor and PhD student at University of Canterbury, Ngārie Scartozzi about her "eClean bioreactor" technology which cleans contaminants from water bodies. She has just received a grant of $150,000 from Astrolab and has 12 weeks to build a prototype of the bioreactor which has been the focus of her research for the past 15 years. A key focus of Scartozzi's work is integrating mātauranga Maori with scientific research.
She began by telling us what started her off on this journey.
Last week the Ministry for the Environment released “Our Freshwater 2020” a report highlighting the declining state of our rivers, lakes, streams and catchments. An update on the 2017 report, this release emphasizes the significance and urgency of the situation. It identifies four common threats to freshwater: habitat changes, pollution, water use and climate change.
Bronwyn picks out some highlights from the report, as well as reactions from Forest & Bird, Fish & Game, Choose Clean Water, Federated Farmers and Ministers Eugenie Sage, James Shaw and David Parker.
This week Bronwyn spoke to Dr Daniel Hikuroa, a senior lecturer at the Te Wānanga o Waipapa, Māori Studies, at the University of Auckland who has just been appointed the UNESCO Commissioner for Culture for Aotearoa, New Zealand. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation was founded in 1946, and New Zealand was the second country to ratify the constitution. It mission is to build peace, eradicate poverty and foster sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, sciences and culture.
Hikuroa will replace the previous comissioner, Arapata Hakiwai, and hold the postition for three years. Bronwyn spoke to him about his expertise that he brings to the table, as well as his aspirations for the role.
We end the short week on a lovely note! Rod Oram dials in for a spot of Political Commentary, discussing Jacinda Ardern's legacy and the parliamentary crackdown on lobbyists. Delaney Mes comes in to chat nostalgic road trip snacks on Breakfast Food. Jazmine Mary is in the studio to chat about their new single Seagull. Jim phones up for some Greening Out ahead of Easter. Whakarongo mai nei!
Rachel speaks to Deputy Mayor of Tāmaki Makaurau, Desley Simpson, about it being the last day of Budget submissions, and Tāmaki leaving Local Government New Zealand. Submit on the Budget before 11pm tonight, and find templates for submissions at Stop The Cuts and A Better Budget For Auckland. The Green Party have also launched a submission guide.
The Green Party of Aotearoa announced a range of policies over the weekend, particularly focusing on tax reform. Co-leader of the Greens James Shaw spoke with Simon about these announcements, and also discussed the news that Labour is allowing an Australian mining billionaire to prospect on conservation land. Simon began by asking what the income guarantee is.
Max Harris gives some Political Commentary on the policies being proposed that address renter's rights from parties leading up to the election. Lucinda Bennett chats about egg styles (very contentious) and union-caramel-slice on Breakfast Food. On Greening Out with Jim, we have a yarn about the looming dry weather and how to prep. Natural Ange gives advice for impending hayfever, dry skin, and other seasonal woes. We recap your Top Ten. Whakarongo mai nei!
On What’s Up with Marama Davidson the co-leader of the Green Party speaks to Rachel about the Labour Party's climate policy announcement about the best start payment, the Green Party school lunch policy and recent polling. Rob Bollix takes us to The Mind Trench, investigating human beginnings (with logs). Steph Brown and Fen Ikner of LIPS chat about their vision for the musical performance of the Silver Scrolls ceremony- LIPS are the creative force behind the musical performances for the show. Whakarongo mai nei!
We’re currently a week away from the Aotearoa general election, and the majority of parties still don’t actually have a clear arts and culture policy.
It’s been a bit of an apathetic mood for arts in politics, with Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown threatening to cut back the funding for our local arts centres.
We also saw only one politician show up to the APRA Silver Scrolls on Wednesday Night, and unsurprisingly it was Chlöe Swarbrick.
Thankfully, after we reached out to each major party, Chloe was also the only MP willing to chat to us about their arts and culture policy! We recorded this during Fancy New Band, so sorry about the surfy backing track.
On What's Up with Marama Davidson the co-leader of the Green Party speaks to Rachel about the Green Party's calls for a ceasefire in the Israel/Gaza conflict, and the election results. Rob Bollix takes us to The Mind Trench, discussing the science of hand toes (thumbs). Luke Towart from Wurld Series dials in to talk about new singles and their forthcoming record The Giant’s Lawn, which is out November 17. Whakarongo mai nei!