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Zero Waste Network Aotearoa responds to proposal to update Waste Minimisation Act w/ Sue Coutts from Zero Waste Network Aotearoa: 23 April, 2025

Zero Waste Network Aotearoa responds to proposal to update Waste Minimisation Act w/ Sue Coutts from Zero Waste Network Aotearoa: 23 April, 2025 Zero Waste Network Aotearoa responds to proposal to update Waste Minimisation Act w/ Sue Coutts from Zero Waste Network Aotearoa: 23 April, 2025, 12.91 MB
Wed 23 Apr 2025

The Government announced its proposals for updating the Waste Minimisation Act and the Litter Act today. The proposals would combine these two Acts into one, extend producer responsibility and permit local government to use its share of the waste disposal levy on a wider range of activities unrelated to waste.

Labour party MP, Rachel Brooking, criticised the proposal for failing to include any mention of establishing a circular economy. However, Sue Coutts, an advocate for Zero Waste Network Aotearoa says that the proposal is a step in the right direction.

JBS exposed for rampant rainforest destruction, despite no-deforestation pledges w/ Amanda Larsson from Greenpeace Aotearoa: 23 April, 2025

JBS exposed for rampant rainforest destruction, despite no-deforestation pledges w/ Amanda Larsson from Greenpeace Aotearoa: 23 April, 2025 JBS exposed for rampant rainforest destruction, despite no-deforestation pledges w/ Amanda Larsson from Greenpeace Aotearoa: 23 April, 2025, 11.47 MB
Wed 23 Apr 2025

Greenpeace recently conducted an investigation into the meat processing corporation, JBS, which concluded that the company had failed to meet its deforestation-free commitment.

The Brazilian multinational is the largest meat processing enterprise in the world and largely operates in the Amazon Rainforest, where they have been accused of contributing to illegal deforestation, mistreating their livestock and even spreading zoonotic diseases.

In 2020, JBS announced their plan for zero deforestation by this year, which included a monitoring system for their suppliers. However, the Greenpeace investigation found that the company had made little progress on their commitment and was continuing to contribute to the Amazon’s deforestation.

Oto spoke to Amanda Larsson - Senior Campaign manager for Greenpeace Aotearoa, about their investigation into JBS and how they plan to hold them accountable for their deforestation of the Amazon rainforest.

The Wire w/ Oto: 23 April, 2025

The Wire w/ Oto: 23 April, 2025 The Wire w/ Oto: 23 April, 2025, 106.24 MB
Wed 23 Apr 2025

For our weekly catchup with the Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March, Oto speak to him about Simeon Brown’s Health Infrastructure Plan, the downgrading of climate change in the new Defence Capability Plan and the recently announced extension of military assistance to Ukraine.

He spoke to Amanda Larsson - Senior Campaign manager for Greenpeace Aotearoa, about Greenpeace’s investigation into meat processing corporation JBS and their role in the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest.

And he spoke to Sue Coutts, an advocate for the Zero Waste Network about their take on the government’s proposal to update the waste minimisation act.

Max spoke to the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa co-chair, John Minto, about the PSNA appeal to New Zealand Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, in which they requested that New Zealand initiate the call for an internationally enforced “no-fly” zone over Gaza.

Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa urges government to initiate international "no-fly" zone over Gaza W/ PSNA Co-Chair John Minto: April 23, 2025

Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa urges government to initiate international "no-fly" zone over Gaza W/ PSNA Co-Chair John Minto: April 23, 2025 Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa urges government to initiate international "no-fly" zone over Gaza W/ PSNA Co-Chair John Minto: April 23, 2025, 19.54 MB
Wed 23 Apr 2025

On the 22nd of April 2025, the Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa, or PSNA, wrote to the New Zealand Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, requesting that New Zealand initiate the call for an internationally enforced "no-fly" zone over Gaza.

PSNA Co-Chair, John Minto, said that it would be "a small but practical step to blunt Israel's continuing genocidal attacks on Palestinians".

Producer Max spoke with John Minto, to talk about the appeal to Foreign Minister Winston Peters, New Zealand's commitment to the region, as well as the impact it would have if New Zealand were to take action.

Research to be done into tattoo ink w/ The Environmental Protection Authority’s Shaun Presow: 22 April, 2025

Research to be done into tattoo ink w/ The Environmental Protection Authority’s Shaun Presow: 22 April, 2025 Research to be done into tattoo ink w/ The Environmental Protection Authority’s Shaun Presow: 22 April, 2025, 3.47 MB
Tue 22 Apr 2025

The Environmental Protection Authority is gathering information on how tattoo inks are manufactured, distributed, and used in Aotearoa to determine whether existing regulations are appropriate and effective. 

In 2020, the European Union restricted and banned several substances commonly found in tattoo inks due to the potential risk of adverse effects. 

Although such effects are very rare, the Environmental Protection Authority Te Mana Rauhī Taiao wants to examine whether their regulations should better align with international standards.

Producer Amani spoke with Manager of Hazardous Substances Reassessments at the Environmental Protection Authority, Shaun Presow, to find out more on this.

Findings show New Zealanders should be aware of working differences in Australia w/ Great Place to Work New Zealand & Australia’s Rebecca Moulynox: 22 April, 2025

Findings show New Zealanders should be aware of working differences in Australia w/ Great Place to Work New Zealand & Australia’s Rebecca Moulynox: 22 April, 2025 Findings show New Zealanders should be aware of working differences in Australia w/ Great Place to Work New Zealand & Australia’s Rebecca Moulynox: 22 April, 2025, 5.59 MB
Tue 22 Apr 2025

A recent study of 156,000 has shown that New Zealanders should be aware of the differences between Australian work culture, before considering crossing the ditch.

The study has found that Australia pales in comparison to New Zealand regarding a workplace being fair regardless of race, age, and sexual orientation, with only 51% of those saying they consider their workplace as a psychologically and emotionally healthy environment to work in.

This comes as there has been a surge in New Zealanders leaving to Australia, with Stats NZ findings from 2023 showing a net migration loss of 44,500. 

News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to the general manager of Great Place to Work New Zealand & Australia; a global human resources research and certification organisation, Rebecca Moulynox, about these findings, and what New Zealanders should consider before working in Australia.

The Wire w/ Castor: 22nd April, 2025

The Wire w/ Castor: 22nd April, 2025 The Wire w/ Castor: 22nd April, 2025, 106.63 MB
Tue 22 Apr 2025

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science our expert Professor Allan Blackman chatted with us about dimethyl sulphide found on the exoplanet k2-18b, plants farming nickel, and turning rain into electricity. 

In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about reserve bank budget cuts and new classroom developments in Auckland. 

They also spoke to Senior Lecturer in theological and religious studies, Dr. Nick Thompson from the University of Auckland about the passing of Pope Francis and its implications. 

Producer Amani spoke with the Environmental Protection Authority’s Shaun Prescow about the manufacture of tattoo inks in New Zealand. 

And News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to Great Place to Work New Zealand and Australia’s Rebecca Moulynox about a new study showing poorer working conditions in Australia compared to New Zealand.

The life and passing of Pope Francis w/ Senior Lecturer of theological and religious studies, Dr. Nick Thompson: 22nd April, 2025

The life and passing of Pope Francis w/ Senior Lecturer of theological and religious studies, Dr. Nick Thompson: 22nd April, 2025 Nick Thompson: 22nd April, 2025, 19.88 MB
Tue 22 Apr 2025

Yesterday, at the age of 88, Pope Francis passed away from stroke and heart failure. As head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis was also known for being outspoken on various rights issues, including around immigration, refugees, climate change, and the occupation of Palestine.

The next pope is expected to be decided over the coming weeks, with multiple people seen as frontrunners for the position. 

To discuss the life, accomplishments, and death of Pope Francis, Wire host Castor spoke to senior lecturer of theological and religious studies, Dr. Nick Thompson.

ACT Party using AI in social media w/ the University of Otago’s Dr Olivier Jutel: 17 April, 2025

ACT Party using AI in social media w/ the University of Otago’s Dr Olivier Jutel: 17 April, 2025 ACT Party using AI in social media w/ the University of Otago’s Dr Olivier Jutel: 17 April, 2025, 15.16 MB
Thu 17 Apr 2025

As artificial intelligence systems including the likes of chatbots and art generators become more advanced, their use has begun to pervade the political arena. 

Across the world, political leaders and parties including Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and now New Zealand’s own ACT Party, have used AI images to promote a certain political agenda or message. 

In the case of the ACT Party, an artificial stock image from Adobe AI titled “happy Māori couple sitting in a living room” was featured in a social media post underneath the tagline “Kiwis are saving over $150 per week on their mortgages since ACT entered government”.

Producer Sara spoke with University of Otago Media, Film and Communications Professor, Dr Olivier Jutel about this new era of AI political content. 

To begin, she asked him to discuss why ACTs recent social media post was so problematic.

Kāhui Ako's inconsistencies in wake of leaked cuts w/ Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Arts and Education at the University of Auckland, Camilla Highfield: 15th April, 2025

Kāhui Ako's inconsistencies in wake of leaked cuts w/ Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Arts and Education at the University of Auckland, Camilla Highfield: 15th April, 2025 Kāhui Ako's inconsistencies in wake of leaked cuts w/ Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Arts and Education at the University of Auckland, Camilla Highfield: 15th April, 2025, 9.52 MB
Thu 17 Apr 2025

Kāhui Ako is a government programme providing funding to teachers and schools identified by the government as having greater educational quality. Recent government leaks have revealed that the programme may be cut. 

While the programme did provide funding for the education sector, its implementation was inconsistent. 

To discuss the programme, why it's being cut, and what the government could do for education, Wire host Castor spoke to Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Arts and Education at the University of Auckland, Camilla Highfield.