The Wire with Caeden

Feral and unashamed, pigeons are the hallmark of any great city.

But the line between urban legend and rat with wings is blurred, leaving the pigeon an animal of mystery and intrigue. 

Once domesticated pets, pigeons now roam the streets as one of the biggest birds on the block.

It is estimated that there are between 250 to 400 million feral pigeons globally, raising the question: are there too many?

Sofia spoke to bird connoisseur and Auckland Regional Representative for Birds New Zealand, Ian Mclean, for insight into the complex existence of feral pigeons.

Last year alone, SIXTY THREE deceased organ donors, with support from whānau, donated organs following death, providing lifesaving kidney, liver, lung, heart or pancreas transplants for ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FOUR kiwis.

On Thursday, 30th November, Organ Donation New Zealand and organ donation recipients across the country will come together to say thanks to everyone involved in making organ donation possible.

Lou talked to Sue Garland, Donor Coordinator for Organ Donation New Zealand about this day further.

From November 1st to November 30th, Green Bottle and Auckland Council are running Drink Different, a promotion that encourages the public to participate in a survey about reusing glass bottles in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Beth spoke to Founder and Director of Green Bottle NZ Neil Pollett about Drink Different, and how Green Bottle hopes to inform change in the way that Tāmaki Makaurau thinks about and gets rid of their glass bottles.

The National, ACT and New Zealand First coalition government announced its coalition deal on Friday, and in the agreement is a pledge to repeal amendments to the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 and regulations before March 2024. This decision would push back against legislation that works towards denicotisation, reducing retail outlets, and the goal of creating a smoke free generation. The decision comes as somewhat of a surprise, as the National Party’s Dr Shane Reti, who is set to be sworn in as the Minister for Health, has been vocal in his support of smokefree legislation in the past.

Health Coalition Aotearoa has released a briefing for the incoming government, and in it the group urges the government to implement the laws and reach the goal of Smokefree 2025. Rosetta spoke to Co-chair of the smoke-free expert advisory group for Health Coalition Aotearoa, and national tobacco advocacy lead for the national public health organisation Leitu Tufuga about the incoming coalition government’s decision to repeal a series of smoke-free legislation. They also discussed the disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority, as well as other health policies announced in the coalition agreements.