The Wire with Sara

An international study has shown that some animals have managed to adapt and evolve faster than previously thought.

The New Zealand Hihi bird, which was researched by Dr Anne Santure as a part of the wider study, is an anomaly among the animals in the study, being a threatened specials with a 'low capacity to adapt' according to the Department of Conservation.

Trishil spoke to Dr Anne Santure, co-author of the study about the study parameters and the hihi bird.

Today on the Friday Wire:

Casper talked to Auckland city councillor Shane Henderson about investment in cycling infrastructure, as well as the public consultation closing on Auckland housing intensification.

He also spoke to Meng Foon, the Race Relations Comissioner about new rights-based guidelines for school uniforms.

Liam had a chat with the Green Parties Golriz Gharaman about her electoral reform bill and moving the voting age to sixteen, as well as political psychology professor Danny Osborne to discuss how the proposed changes could affect voters.

Casper also talked to Maria Armoudian from the University of Auckland about barriers to regulating guns in the United States.

And finally Liam spoke to Wattie Watson from the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union about the strike action firefighters have voted for and the issues that the industry has been dealing with for the past few years.

The Green Parties Electoral (Strengthening Democracy) Amendment Bill has recently been drawn, allowing topics of electoral reform in Aotearoa to be brought to the surface.

The most talked-about part of the bill right now is the lowering of the voting age to sixteen, which would see New Zealand join countries like Scotland, Austria, Argentina, and Brazil amongst others.

Other aspects of the bill include enabling voters of Māori descent to change roll type at any time, implementing donation transparency and implementing the 2012 MMP Review recommendations.

To learn more, Liam spoke to the Greens spokesperson for electoral reform, Golriz Gharaman.

As this bill aims to vastly widen the eligibility to vote, many may question how people such as minors and prisoners could vote and change how our country works.

Thus, Liam also spoke to Danny Osborne, a political psychology professor from Otago University about how these groups may approach voting and how we could change our electoral system for the better.

The Government has today confirmed key details of the nationwide, rollout of cameras on commercial fishing vessels. Up to 300 inshore fishing vessels will be fitted with this technology by the end of 2024, providing independent, accurate information about fishing activity and better evidence for decision-making.

Joe spoke to Hon David Parker, the Minister for Ocean and Fisheries on the matter.