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The first images from the James Webb Telescope - the successor to the Hubble Telescope - were released by NASA last week, with the images grabbing hold of communities across the internet. I spoke with Astrophysicist at the University of Otago Dr Jono Squire about the images, and what this telescope means for the field of astronomy. 

In a first for the Southern Hemisphere, Wairarapa based Tranzit Group has converted a diesel bus into one that runs on electricity. R1News spoke to project manager James Howard about the project and its implications for public transport in Aotearoa. 

Nurses are burnt out. Tired, overworked and underpaid, nurses are working in dangerous conditions just to keep the healthsystem afloat. This is being capitalised on by conspiracy theorists, using the struggles of nurses to push a dangerous misinformation campaign. I spoke to Kerri Nuku of the NZNO about vaccine mandates for nurses, and the working conditions the industry is facing. 

This week on Critic Korero we talk minions, Ōtepoti’s bar scene, and all things clickbait. 

Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick. Image: RNZ/Benjamin Brooking

An Auckland liquor store has come under fire after a Facebook post celebrated its introduction of buy now, pay later service Afterpay for alcohol purchases. I spoke with MP Chlöe Swarbrick about her Alcohol (Harm Minimisation) Members Bill, and its relationship to this incident, and Aotaaroa's wider relationship with alcohol.

A group of 14 Otago Mathematics Department alumni have penned an open letter to the University of Otago, expressing their concerns about the lack of support for the Department of Mathematics. I spoke to Louie Bernhardt, signatory and one of the authors, about the concerns and issues in the department that led to the letter being written.

A recent report found that Ōtepoti has the second highest number of deaths attributable to car emissions in Aotearoa, beating out larger cities such as Tāmaki Makaurau and Ōtautahi. I spoke to Mayor Aaron Hawkins about what is being done to reduce emissions from cars in Ōtepoti. 

Upset for the Colorado Lightning as their hopes of hosting the Stanley Cup for the first time in more than two decades is shifted back after a devastating home game loss. We speak to Radio One’s resident hoser Dave Borrie about the upset. 

Last week, to coincide with Matariki, the University of Otago announced its new Centre of Indigenous Sciences, which seeks to incorporate mātauranga Māori into research. We spoke to Dr Chanel Philips, co-director of Te Koronga, about the centre and its aims. 

12 people were hospitalised over the weekend for suspected fentanyl overdoses in the Wairarapa, highlighting the importance of drug harm reduction measures. We spoke to Brin Ryder of KnowYourStuff about important policy changes and harm reduction measures as fentanyl presents in the community. 

Civil liberties are under threat as the United States Supreme Court overturns the landmark Roe vs Wade ruling, which protected abortion rights at a federal level. Professor Annick Masselot (Faculty of Law, University of Canterbury) says New Zealanders shouldn’t be complacent, acknowledging that abortion rights have a young history here in Aotearoa.  

Some students will be left disappointed that they are ineligible for the cost of living payment - which requires them to have been in taxable employment in the last financial year to be eligible. This means that PhD students on scholarship, who aren’t demonstrating, or those who live solely on the living loan are ineligible. We spoke to OUSA President Melissa Lama about the issue. 

Last week, the Reserve Bank released its May Monetary Statement, which included the claim that unemployment is too low. We caught up with Brian Roper, Head of Politics at the University of Otago, to understand why low unemployment is considered a bad thing.

The Auckland University Students Association is set to leave the New Zealand Union of Students Associations. R1News looked into what the severing of ties means, and the history of Student Unions in Aotearoa. 

The proposed changes as a part of the long-overdue Albany street upgrade have been released to the public for consultation, and feature increased bus services, cycleways, and fewer carparks. R1 News spoke to OUSA president Melissa Lama about how these changes will affect students. 

On Monday, care workers and nurses around the motu protested against a proposed 3% pay increase for care workers, which some have called a slap in the face. R1 News's Quintin Jane spoke to nurses and aged care workers at the protest outside Labour MP David Clark's office.

This week on Critic Kōrero, Quintin speaks to Critic Te Arohi staff writer Lotto Ramsey on Issue 12 - the Menstruation Issue - and their article on transmasculine menstruation.

The Green Party has announced its candidates for the DCC and ORC for the 2022 local body elections. Mayor Aaron Hawkins is running for a second term, and Councilor Marie Laufiso is running for both Mayor and Council on the DCC. Outsider Alan Somerville is the Party's candidate for Otago Regional Council; R1 News reporter Quintin Jane spoke to him about his reasons for running.

Budget 2022 saw a raft of policy announcements, including close to one billion dollars for disability advocacy. This funding will see the creation of a new Ministry for Disabled Peoples. We spoke to co-president of the Otago Disabled Students Association Sean Prenter about what this new Ministry can do for the disabled community.

Aotearoa will fully open to the rest of the world from the end of July, with international students, cruise ships, and migrant workers welcomed back into the country. This comes with changes to immigration policy, which Green Party Immigration Spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez-March says may not be equitable.

Quitin Jane spoke to Critic Te Arohi Editor Fox Meyer about this weeks issue.

R1 News Reporter Quintin Jane spoke to KnowYourStuff Otago General Manager Brin Ryder about their upcoming drug testing campaign for the month of May. Know Your Stuff are doing testing at OUSA every Friday for the month of may, and also on, and the day prior to the Hyde Street Party. 

2022 is the first year student tenants will be subject to the changes to the RTA, that came into effect last year. R1 News Reporter Quintin Jane spoke to MP David Clark about how these changes will impact the unique rental market for students in Dunedin.

Last week, Edinburgh Realty retracted an email to tenants, which required current tenants to indicate their intention, if any, to re-sign their current flat for 2023. This is in breach of the Residential Tenancies Act, which stipulates that tenants give at minimum 28 days notice of their intention to continue a fixed-term tenancy. We speak to Patrice Le Sueur, OUSA Residential Representative about the letter sent to tenants, and the effect of the new RTA laws on tenants and property managers in Dunedin. 

Students face financial shortfall of up to $30,000 to complete Massey University Bachelor of Aviation

Massey University's Bachelor of Aviation is the only Bachelor's Degree in Aotearoa not fully funded under the Student Loan Scheme, with students facing a financial shortfall of up to $30,000 across the course of their degree. R1 News Reporter Quintin Jane speaks to Ashok Poduval, CEO of the Massey School of Aviation, on the sometimes prohibitive cost of the programme.

After 2 months, the anti-mandate occupation of Õtepoti has ended. Protestors started in support of the Wellington occupation. They have peacefully dismantled their camp. We cross live to Kaia Kahurangi Jamieson for R1 News.

We talk to Critic Te Arohi Editor Fox Meyer about this week's issue.

General Practitioners are stretched thin, with only 8 GPs in Dunedin accepting enrollments. Students are waiting up to two weeks to see someone at Student Health. How is this impacting the general well-being of students and where do we go from here?

Quintin Jane spoke to Lily Marsh (OUSA Welfare and Equity Representative).

Last week, as an April fools prank the Otago Daily Times announced the funding and reintroduction of heritage trams into Dunedin. The piece gained popularity with readers and has reignited the debate around the city's public transport system.

Quintin talked to Alan Robb, a tramway enthusiast, and tram driver in Christchurch, about the history of trams in Dunedin.

 What started out as a joke may now become legislation. Australian Comedian Tom Cashman's landlord reference stunt has made its way to the Australian Capital Territory State Government, where an Australian Labor MP has put forward a bill to enable tenants to ask their landlord for a reference from a previous tenant. 

The saga has sparked debate around the power imbalance between landlords and tenants -  with landlords often asking potential tenants for three or more references for a rental property before offering them a lease. Tenants, however, often know little about their prospective landlord before taking on a lease. 

R1 News spoke to Green Party MP Chloe Swarbrick this morning about her thoughts on the Landlord Reference.

Last week Air New Zealand announced that it would be beginning the largest capital-raising endeavor in the history of the company, setting out to raise over $2 billion NZD, to support the company as it repays its debts, and ramps up operations with the border reopening.

Quintin Jane spoke to Professor Helen Roberts from the Department of Finance at the University of Otago, to break down what the announcement really means.