The Wire with Sara

Over the weekend, the United Nations High Seas treaty — also called the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, received its 60th and final required ratification to allow it to take effect, from January 2026.

The treaty introduces historically significant measures for the protection of the ocean and marine biodiversity, especially in parts of the ocean that do not fall under the jurisdiction of a single nation.

After decades of negotiation, sixty countries have now ratified the agreement, with a further 145 countries, including New Zealand, being signatories. 

Some of the key aspects of the agreement will be the establishment of Marine Protected Areas, the introduction of legal obligations for countries to maintain high environmental standards around ocean activities, and the advancement of critical climate goals including the ban of bottom trawling and deep sea mining. 

Tuesday Wire Host Sara spoke with Victoria University law professor Joanna Mossop more about the significance of this treaty, and how effective its legal obligations on an international stage will be — starting with her research interest in international marine law

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman speaks with us about the Mars orbiter, ethanol in fruit and how to avoid mozzie bites.

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Host Sara spoke to MP Carl Bates about the latest GDP figures and the RNZ Reid Research poll 
For Green Desk, Sara spoke with University of Wellington Law Professor Joanna Mossop about the High Seas treaty and international ocean protection 

Producer Jasmine spoke with Professor Cindy Farquhar about new research exploring how whānau navigate wellbeing and conversations of whakapapa with donor-conceived children in Aotearoa

Last Week, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices met to review childhood vaccination recommendations in the US. The committee, whose members were appointed by anti-vaccination US Secretary of Health Robert F Kennedy Jr, have voted on a variety of recommendations for child vaccinations and restrictions of vaccinations from COVID-19 to Measles and Mumps immunisations. 

This move has been met with concern, both over the implications for the health and wellbeing of children and the public, and what it means for one of the most prominent countries and advisory bodies to make such a move. In particular, the move itself was rife with confusion, with the advisory committee being ill-equipped to review the recommendations.

Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, Helen Petousis-Harris, about the confused and muddled recommendations, what they mean for public health, and what this says about the state of vaccine regulation.

This week on the Monday Wire:

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about the new school subjects set to be implemented into the new, proposed curriculum, and the drastic changes to art history and outdoor education.

Producer Alex spoke with the University of Otago's Robert Patman about international support for Palestinian Statehood, and whether or not Foreign Minister Winston Peters will follow his Australian and Canadian counterparts.

Joel spoke to the Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad about the temporary pause of international adoptions, and what this means for children overseas.

And Alex spoke with the University of Aucklands Helen petousis-Harris about the CDC reviewing vaccine recommendations and regulations under an anti-vax committee.

Whakarongo mai!