The Wire with Sara

Members of New Zealand's Ethiopian community gathered in Wellington today to hand over a petition to encourage the government to formally recognise atrocities against the Amhara ethnic community in Ethiopia. Lyric spoke with Degu Geddebo, one of the campaigners, to find out what's happening in Ethiopia and why acknowledge matters.

For the Love of Bees, a community ecological project, is currently running the Earthworkers Programme. Programme particpants will learn from experts about organic regenerative farming processes and how these can be used in their own gardens or pieces of land. 

News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Sarah Smuts-Kennedy, the vision holder of the project For the Love of Bees, about what organic regenerative horticulture actually means. Jemima asks how this fruit and vegetable farming style is different to other farming practices taking place in Aotearoa. They discuss whether regenerative farming can work in urban settings and why a move towards organic regenerative horticulture is an important step for ecosystems, climate and communities. Finally, Sarah explains how people can take part in the Earthworkers Programme and learn more about these farming processes.  

Felix spoke to Green co-leader James Shaw about their Reasonable Rent campaign, the elimination of exclusive patents for Covid-19 vaccines, and their new petition to remove the newly implemented wage suppression rules.

The Auckland Council introduced its Western Springs Native Bush Restoration Project with the aim of returning the pine dominated vegetation to native bush by planting new trees.

But Steve Abel, an environmentalist and member of Mana Rākau says the bush is already native.

Jessica Hopkins talked to Abel who says the forest is being destroyed, not restored and is advocating to stop the felling of the Western Springs Native Forest.