The Wire with Alex

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman will be talking to us about all things birds 

For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Host Sara spoke to MP Carl Bates about pressures on the education system, and New Zealand’s diplomatic relations
For Green Desk, Sara spoke to University of Auckland associate professor Maria Armoudian about a secret memo by the Ministry of Environment warning the government about the need to meet its global climate targets.

Producer Faith spoke to commercial law professor Alex Sims from the University of Auckland about AI-generated art, who owns the copyright, and what laws need to be put in place

A secret memo by the Ministry for the Environment intended for the central government reveals advice that New Zealand’s failures on climate action may negatively impact our diplomatic relations. 

The warning stated that, as New Zealand delays decisions and action on our commitments under the Paris Agreement, we may risk undermining our key alliances with countries like Australia, Canada, the UK and countries in Europe. 

More importantly, University of Auckland Associate Professor Maria Armoudian, director of Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society, says that our climate failings are reflective of a global “tragedy of the commons”, which will have urgent negative impacts for our Pacific neighbours.

For this week’s Green Desk, Sara spoke with Armoudian about this Ministry for Environment warning and how New Zealand should be seeking to improve its climate policies. 

She started by asking what her expectations and hopes are about the government’s response to this memo

Last week, Auckland Council voted to take draft changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan to consultation, which would see increased housing density, particularly around public transport networks.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop has spoken positively of the move, and sez it will provide an ‘alternative’ for the Government’s goal of 2 million new homes in Auckland, as well as emphasising how the move can operate alongside Public Transport Developments.

Producer Alex spoke to Senior Lecturer in school of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland, Bill Mckay, about the changes and what they will mean for housing in Auckland.

Last week, up to 19,000 secondary school teachers across the motu went on strike for a day over what they say is an inadequate pay offer of 1% each year for three years by the Ministry of Education.

The union, the Post Primary Teachers’ Association, or PPTA, say this pay offer is the lowest in a generation.

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to MP Simon Court about these strikes and the Ministry’s pay offer.

They also discussed New Zealand joining 26 other countries in calling for “immediate and independent” foreign media access into Gaza, and to allow Israel to protect journalists reporting from within the besieged strip.

The joint statement by the Media Freedom Coalition says, "Journalists and media workers play an essential role in putting the spotlight on the devastating reality of war. Access to conflict zones is vital to carrying out this role effectively. We oppose all attempts to restrict press freedom and block entry to journalists during conflicts".

Joel also spoke to Court about this, but first, we discussed last week’s secondary school teachers’ strikes.