The Wire with Charlie Parker

We start off with a conversation with ACT’s Brooke van Velden about a Ministry of Health memo released yesterday that advised for the end of MIQ way back in November 2021, and Auckland Council’s implementation of residential density legislation. 

Stella then speaks with James Oleson, Associate Professor of Criminology at the University of Auckland about the crime in the CBD. 

Frances then speaks with Cameron Mulgan on Eurovision, giving a general update on the situation in Ukraine, Finland and Sweden swinging towards joining NATO, the UK's refugee response (sending asylum seekers to Rwanda), French election polls (and some scandals) and the Venice Bienalle opening this weekend

Isla and Stella then host an episode of Tomorrow’s World, investigating viral dogs that have been trained to press buttons that speak human words with PhD candidate Dana Keating from the University of Auckland. 

I then speak with Flinders University’s Janet Klein on her research into microplastics in South Australian waters. 

Finally, I discuss her new, collaborative artpiece with the University of Auckland’s Alys Longley which was created across media during COVID

Micro plastics are an issue of growing concern, having been found in environments around the world while the impact on animal and human health has only just started to be quantified.
 

A team at Flinders University recently completed a study which found concerning levels of microplastic pollution in mussels in South Australia. Alex spoke with the leader of the research Janet Klein earlier today.

This week on our regular catch up with Dr Shane Reti from the National Party, News and editorial director Aneeka speaks to him about Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern heading off to Asia and the country’s recent move down to the orange traffic light setting.

The triennial report on the state of the environment in Aotearoa has changed the framework for how it reports its findings. It looks more at mātauranga Māori and exploring the connection between the environment and people. Joe spoke to Professor Amanda Black, Director at Bioprotection Aotearoa and Rutherford Discovery Fellow, as well as Dr. Dan Hikuroa, Senior Lecturer, Te Wānanga o Waipapa, Waipapa Taumata Rau (School of Māori Studies and Pacific Studies, at the University of Auckland on the matter.