Last week, the Save Science Coalition released a report looking at the impact of government cuts to science over the last two years, finding they have led to over 700 roles being slashed.
The report contained eleven stories of New Zealand scientists who had to move countries or shift into a different field to find work as a result of government cuts, and made suggestions for non-partisan long term funding to ensure the security of New Zealand’s research and development.
To discuss the impacts of cost cutting to publicly funded science and potential solutions to the problem, Monday Wire producer Thomas talked to Save Science Coalition spokesperson Ben Wylie-van Eerd.
Chris welcomes into the studio Liam, George & Paul from T& M (Productions) — new local independent imprint (Crook, Moon Unit) and driving force behind Tāmaki's Mercury Lane Alleyway gigs.
The best and freshest of Kiwi music — 100% tunes from Aotearoa New Zealand, thanks to NZ On Air Music!
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Straitjacket Fits - Brittle (From Red Hot's 'no Alternative'
For Dear Science this week, our expert, Dr Cushla McGoverin speaks with us about Poison Frogs, Songbirds generating Neurons, and Personalised Brain Sensors.
For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Host Alex spoke with Ryan Hamilton about New Zealand’s Fuel Stocks, and how the Government is moving forward with regards to fuel and positioning around the Strait of Hormuz.
Producer Flo spoke with Associate Professor Andrew Erueti at the University of Auckland’s law school about the government’s proposed changes to Treaty Obligations.
And Producer Liam spoke with Steve Bielby, director of the St James Holdings, about the rebuild of the historic St James Theatre, what challenges and opportunities it has brought and what this will mean for Auckland and its heritage.
After an NZ First initiative from within the coalition agreement, the government has proposed to weaken treaty obligations. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith claimed the government was attempting to create more consistency by changing the semanticUs of obligations to make the government take the treaty “into account” rather than prevous formulations such as “honour” or “have regard”.
Critics have sed the changes attempt to weaken obligations to the Treaty and have opened grey zones based on semantic understandings.
Flo spoke with Associate Professor Andrew Erueti at the University of Auckland’s law school about the government’s proposed changes to Treaty Obligations.
Last week, fuel stocks in the country went down by three or four days across each fuel type. The government recognised this as not enough to change to phase two in the national fuel plan, drawing some concerned comments from the political opposition around the state of our stocks, and when the government plans to actually move up phases.
Following a week that saw both Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon comment on the state of the Strait of Hormuz, and the way the United States has handled the ongoing conflict, Willis also travelled to the US to meet with White House advisors.
This week, Host Alex spoke with National MP Ryan Hamilton about these fuel crisis developments, and what the government’s approach going forward may look like.
To start our discussion, however, we spoke briefly about the confidence in Christopher Luxon’s Leadership.
The St James Theatre, which first opened in 1928, is a category 1 heritage building sitting on Queen street in Auckland’s arts precinct. Once a venue for many shows and concerts, and having hosted notable individuals including Queen Elizabeth II, it has since been in a state of disrepair after it closed following a fire in 2007. Its fate has long been debated as it further decayed and attempts to restore it had stalled due to lack of funding. Finally, in 2023, the government announced it would match Auckland Council’s pledge of 15 million dollars for the rebuild, allowing work to fully commence.
I spoke to Steve Bielby, director of the St James holdings, about how the rebuild is coming along now that funding is secure, what remains to be done and how the public is engaging with the news that the St James will one day reopen its doors.
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