The Wire with Emilia Sullivan

At an international climate summit in Germany, experts urged the world to transition towards plant-based diets. 

IPCC research has shown that an uptake in such plant-based diets having the potential to massively reduce carbon emissions, and could be one of the major lifestyle changes necessary to combat climate change.

Casper spoke to Claire Insley, spokesperson for the Vegan Society of Aotearoa, about the impact of our diets on climate change and how it might be possible to reduce emissions by having more people transition to plant-based.

Matariki is just two weeks away on June 24th, and progressively more discussions on how to properly celebrate the public holiday are taking place. 

A specific spotlight has been placed on light pollution, with some regional councils receiving backlash on plans to put on fireworks displays.

A petition has also been launched, calling for turning off lights in central cities to clear the skies and make the constellation visible.

To learn more about light pollution, Liam spoke to Richard Easter from UoA about how it could affect Matariki as well as the world in general.

Alongside the environmental effects of Light Pollution, many are talking about the cultural issues of the inability to see Matariki in central cities. 

This is only one of many fears of how Matariki will be celebrated, with concerns being raised of the commercialisation of the holiday and the loss of its meaning. 

I also spoke to AUT’s Paul Moon, who is a professor for the schools NZ history and Māori culture programmes, about the holiday, its significance and what meaning could be at risk.

Legislation implemented in 2018 and 2020 has purported to make cannabis legal and accessible for people who use it for medicinal or therapeutic reasons, however, the reality is that it still remains out of reach for many.

People suffering from chronic pain and illnesses first have to get over the hurdle of finding a GP who is willing to prescribe them cannabis, only then to be faced with the hurdle of the price. 

Emilia Sullivan spoke to Fiona Hutton, Associate Professor at the Institute of Criminology at Victoria University.

This week on The Wire for Rāpare Thursday!

Tuva’a speaks to Labour Party’s Andrew Little about the selection of the Hauora Maori Advisory Board, Hauora Healthy Futures Bill and COVID-19 booster access for vulnerable groups. 

Joe will speaking to Dr Holly Winton about the first microplastics being found in Antarctica, he’ll also be speaking to SAFE For Animals & A Dairy Farmer about the He Waka Eke Noa Emissions Pricing Plan

Emilia talks to Dr. Neal Curtis about what’s next for Boris Johnson after surviving a no-confidence vote, and she also speaks to Associate Professor Fiona Hutton from Victoria University about why medicinal cannabis is still out of reach for many despite being legal.

That's us for the Thursday Wire!