The Wire with Castor

Pounamu is a famously tough rock, but we actually know very little about its physical properties. Stella speaks to Dr Nick Mortimer from GNS Science, who has just received a Marsden Fund grant to investigate this exact topic.

On Wednesday morning it was announced that the government would be giving $20,000,000 to developing nations to help address loss and damage caused by climate change.

The funding comes as part of the government’s commitment to deal with the impacts of climate change not covered by funding for adaptation measures.

This makes New Zealand one of only a few nations to make a loss and damage payment, which have also been described as reparations for the economic damage caused to developing nations by global warming.

Emilia spoke to Climate Change Minister James Shaw & Oxfam's Communications and Advocacy Director Jo Spratt.

With the COP27 climate summit underway and the recent agricultural emissions reduction plan the government released, attention is being drawn to how New Zealand will meet its emissions reductions target of net-zero by 2050.

For their weekly catch-up Casper discussed emissions reductions policy with National party MP Dr Shane Reti, how the National party differs from the government and what alternative approaches they’re considering.

They also spoke about recent concerns that have been appearing in the media and in policitcal messaging around the impact monetary policy is having on mortgage holders, and whether this debate is showing the whole picture.

With another Guy Fawkes come and gone, calls to implement stronger fireworks regulations have reignited amid several blazes wreaking havoc around the country this weekend. Every year, the public are urged to use fireworks safely, but some argue simply issuing annual warnings is not enough.

Christina discussed this with Alice Hayward, a spokesperson for Ban the Boom, a campaign which is hoping to "support fun not fear" and end the private sales of fireworks.