The Wire with Caeden

The coalition Government has proposed a bill that would change the current process around the fast tracking of consents for developmental projects.

The legislation would enable the Ministers of transport, Infrastructure and Regional Development to approve consents for projects without going through the current considerations around communities and local and regional government, existing legislation regarding Te Tiriti and community participation.

The bill would mean that Minister’s could decide on projects, that would then be sent to an expert panel that will review their choices and apply any conditions before sending it back to Ministers for final approval.

The legislation would allow Ministers to veto any restrictions the expert panel places on projects.

Environmental activists have criticised the legislation as a potential avenue to undermine environmental considerations.

Nicholas spoke to Professor Nicolas Lewis about the proposed changes.

The previous Labour government introduced a ban on the live export of animals, with former agriculture minister Damien O’ Connor claiming the ban upheld New Zealand’s reputation for animal welfare standards.

The current National led government has been pressured by several lobbying groups to overturn the ban, including a million dollar campaign by Livestock Export New Zealand. 

Wire host Castor spoke to SAFE for Animals CEO, Debra Ashton, about SAFE, the possible repeal, and consequences for animals.

Many primary schools across the country have implemented “water only” policies, due to the low nutritional value of sugary drinks and their high impact on hospital visits among children. 

However, sugary drinks remain available at some primary schools and many intermediate and secondary schools, where they continue to greatly impact students’ oral and physical health. 

Wire host Castor spoke to spokesperson for the New Zealand Dental Association, Rob Beaglehole, about sugary drinks in these schools moving into World Oral Health day.

For Dear Science this week, Professor Alan Blackman chatted to us about daylight savings, handwriting for students, and a strange development for ladybugs. 

Wire host Castor spoke to CEO of SAFE, Debra Ashton, about the organisation and their recent petition against the potential repeal of the Live Export ban. 

Castor also spoke to Dr Rob Beaglehole, a spokesperson for the New Zealand Dental Association about sugary drinks in schools going into world oral health day.

Producer Sofia spoke to haka expert and University of Auckland Professional Teaching Fellow of Māori Studies, Paora Sharples, about political expression through haka. 

Sofia also spoke to Co-President of the New Zealand Association of Scientists, Professor Troy Baisden, about the impending expiry of National Science Challenges and the future of science research funding.