The figures of animals used in testing and research in New Zealand are down. The Ministry for Primary Industries on Monday released the figures which showed in 2015 there was a 28 percent decrease from the previous year. However, in 2014, there was a 39 percent increase in the number of animals used in experiments, so this year’s decrease still means there are thousands more animals still suffering.
SAFE is an animal rights group that opposes animal testing in New Zealand. Their executive director Hans Kriek, spoke to 95bFM reporter Daniel Walker.
Last week Auckland mayor Phil Goff announced he is setting up a special task force to look into Auckland's housing shortage. Goff says the task force aims to get the most up-to-date information from the key players in the sector in order to address problems such as unaffordable homes, high rents and homelessness. He says local and central government must work together to address Auckland's housing crisis otherwise the issues associated with it will get worse. Reporter Sam Smith spoke to Goff about the new task force.
Last week it was announced Recorded Music NZ will begin incorporating Bandcamp sales statistics into the New Zealand music charts. The charts will now include physical and digital sales from the online music store which RMNZ says is part of their aim to make the charts more reflective of the way people consume and purchase music. The move follows the incorporation of album stream statistics from sites such as Spotify from earlier in the year. Reporter Sam Smith spoke to RMNZ's data manager Paul Kennedy about the changes.
New Zealand’s total emission rate has increased 23.2 percent since 1990, and makes up 0.2 percent of global emissions. A new online tool has been created that helps New Zealand households track and reduce their carbon footprint. Reporter Jess Smith speaks to secretary for the environment, Vicky Robertson, about this tool and what New Zealanders can do to reduce their carbon footprints.
The Te Piriti Special Treatment unit at Auckland prison at Paremoremo is home to a large horticultural garden that inmates work on to then give back to the community by giving all produce grown to charities such as Salvation Army. 95bFM producer Hannah Ross spoke to the horticultural instructor at the Te Piriti unit, Bill Bean, about what this garden project is and how it has progressed over the years.
The New Zealand Dental Association have released a consensus statement regarding sugary drinks and the changes that need to be made to reduce the amount of sugary drinks being consumed. 95bFM producer Hannah Ross speaks to Chief Executive Officer at the Public Health Association, Warren Lindberg, about the consensus statement and the associations thoughts towards it.
Prime Minister to-be Bill English steps into the spotlight for real this afternoon. The Wire host Angus Craig speaks to political commentator Jennifer Curtin about what we can expect as a result of the change.
The Māori Women's Welfare League has filed a claim in the Waitangi Tribunal challenging the policy changes proposed for the care and protection of children and young persons. 95bFM reporter Amanda Robinson spoke with Labour’s Whānau Ora spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta about the claim.
95bFM reporter Caitlin McIlhagga spoke with Sonja Cooper from Cooper Legal, a specialist firm in Wellington which deals with historic abuse and human rights cases. They spoke about the impact compensation payments received by the Crown have on means-tested benefits. This has come up in the news because a previously unused regulation which defines a Crown compensation payment as an income asset has started being used by WINZ.