The Wire with Castor

For decades, dairy farming has been damaging New Zealand’s environment, and new legislation aiming to protect our rivers and wetlands is coming into action. However, some groups have been wary of these changes, believing it will negatively impact the industry and its economic contributions. In response, a study was commissioned by Forest & Bird, Greenpeace, and Fish and Game to understand the economic impacts of this new freshwater legislation (if any)! To find out more about the legislation and report, Olivia Holdsworth spoke to Forest & Bird’s Annabeth Cohen and began by asking why we even need freshwater legislation in the first place.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced plans last week to make the teaching of New Zealand history compulsory in schools. Reporter Felix Walton spoke to University of Auckland senior history lecturer Dr Aroha Harris to find out more, and started by asking whether New Zealanders know much about NZ history.

E whai ake nei, Coming up on the show today!

• For Green Desk Mitchel Fuller and Sherry Zhang talk to Hexacycle’s founder Neil Birrell about how maggots can close the loop on our existing and linear waste cycles.
• Next, Olivia Holdsworth talk to Forest & Bird’s Annabeth Cohen about the new freshwater legislation and its impact on the environment and agriculture industry alike. 
• After that, Jack Marshall talks to Gisborne Councillor Amber Dunn about housing on our beaches and coastal erosion.
• Then, Felix Walton talks to University of Auckland history lecturer Dr Aroha Harris about Labour’s announcement to make the teaching of New Zealand history compulsory in schools.
• And finally Rachel Simpson talks to Victoria University’s biology lecturer Stephen Hartley about The Great Kererū Count, and the impact citizen science projects can have on our environment.

Vaping is on the rise, with many people turning to them to help quit smoking cigarettes. While many still contain nicotine, they do not contain many of the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes that can often lead to death. A New Zealand study has found that those who use nicotine e-cigarettes in conjunction with other nicotine supplements such as patches have a higher chance of quitting than those who don’t. Lachlan spoke with the study’s lead researcher Dr Natalie Walker about the results.