The Wire with Joel

The Supreme Court in the recent Smith v Fonterra case ruled that Iwi Leader Mike Smith can proceed to trial against Fonterra, and six of the other largest greenhouse gas emitters. In this case, he argued that their emissions would harm him and his interests to customary land, including loss of cultural and spiritual sites, and fisheries. 

Olivia talked to Associate Professor at the University of Auckland Law School, Vernon Rive, about this decision. He also discussed what judicial decisions means for overarching climate action, and other implications of this case.

The government has announced its intention to scrap legal funding for section 27 cultural reports. These reports are used in court sentencing for judges to learn more about the offenders’ cultural background and their lives. This decision has been criticised, with experts saying that scrapping reports would make trials slower and more expensive, and would negatively impact Māori. 

Olivia talked to Professor of Law at AUT, Kris Gledhill, about this decision, the issues with it, and how Aotearoa New Zealand compares with other countries.

This week on The Wire, Milly rejoins the news team for a fleeting moment alongside her producer Sofia! Castor speaks to National's James Meager about the Three Waters replacement and changes to the sex and gender school curriculum, Sofia speaks to Gerard Rushton Chairman of Meningitis Foundation Aotearoa about vaccines and first year university students, as well as  Professor Troy Baisden, the Co-President of the New Zealand Association of Scientists, talking about impending cuts in the science sector. There's also Dear Science with Alan Blackman. Do not be surprised by impromptu updates on Grant Robinson's resignation from parliment!

National's government announced the axing of Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways: a large science reform program set up only last year.

It has left scientists concerned that budget cuts will further hit the already struggling sector; including the end of an 11-ten-year collaborative science programme known as the National Science Challenge

Producer Sofia Kent spoke to Professor Troy Baisden, the Co-President of the New Zealand Association of Scientists, about what the future of science research looks like in Aotearoa.