Uncategorized | Maddi's News reporting

By Maddison Molenaar 07/06/16 Climate change

PRESERVING OUR ATMOSPHERE: The Emissions trading scheme has been deemed a failure at keeping New Zealand’s clean green image.

A University of Auckland lecturer has criticised the current Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in New Zealand.

Prue Taylor, who teaches urban development, said the trading scheme has been effective at “distracting the country from doing anything serious on emissions” and “enabling our greenhouse gas emissions to continue climbing”.

She added that they needed to not only look at rectifying the problem, but also need to do two things.

“They need to consider whether or not we should continue to have an ETS,” said Mrs Taylor.

“The other thing they need to look at is if they decide to keep it and fix it’s problems, they have to also consider what policies need to fit our mould.”

Greenpeace climate campaigner Simon Boxer added that Greenpeace considered the ETS as “nothing short of a joke”, and too easy for companies to acquire credits.

“Basically it’s our belief that the government uses it internationally to sound like they’re trying to do something on climate change,” said Mr Boxer.

“It was never meant to be the sole way of dealing with emissions.”

Mr Boxer also cited the scandal where the Russian Mafia was creating false credits from Russia, which the New Zealand government was allowing companies to purchase.

Paul Young of Generation Zero, a youth-led climate change organisation in New Zealand, agreed that there was work needed on the scheme. However, he also said the ETS is “a tool that can be made to work”.

“It can be undermined by Government choices or some loopholes and that’s definitely what’s happened so far,” said Mr Young.

“It’s improving now that it’s operating as a New Zealand only scheme again.”

The emissions trading scheme was first introduced in 2002 under the Climate Change Response Act to meet obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The scheme was intended to reduce emissions from various companies across New Zealand involved in a number of industries including forestry, farming, and fishing.

The ETS has previously been criticised by a number of news organisations including the NZ Herald and Sunday Star Times for being a ‘step backwards’ for the fight against climate change.

By Maddison Molenaar 30/05/16 Sports

A New Zealand White Sox player is fundraising for the World Championship through the use of health and fitness.

Gillian Wills, 22, hosted the fundraiser at Auckland’s Les Mills gym on Victoria Street on Sunday, where friends and family turned up to have a work out in their infamous spin class.

The class consists of a half an hour work out on a stationary bike, where the instructor directs attendees on what speed they go and how hard they push themselves.

Wills said she wanted to do something different from the standard fundraising events, which usually involved alcohol.

“I thought having spin classes was a good way to get people involved rather than just sitting at a bar table and doing quizzes and all that and fundraisers are usually associated with drinking,” said Ms Wills.

Gillian softball story — PEDDLING TO OKLAHOMA: Gillian Wills (right) instructing a spin class with another instructor.

Wills’ softball club teammate Jenny Williams agreed that the fundraiser was a welcome change from the normal money raising tactics.

“Other people do bingo nights or trivia nights and I’ve actually never heard of or come across somebody that’s done a fundraiser fitness wise,” said Williams.

“It’s usually the nights where you go out and drink.”

“It’s out of the norm and a good opportunity.”

The fundraiser managed to raise $200.00 towards her goal of $4,600.00, which Wills needs to achieve by the 10^th of June. She already has plans for another class involving staff and members of Les Mills in June.

Fellow softball player and softball New Zealand writer Beth Stavert said the fundraiser highlighted a need for increased funding in the women’s game in New Zealand.

“A lot of the time they don’t get paid leave either so they’re taking a month off work and a month away from their children to go and compete for their country but having to pay for it at the same time,” said Ms Stavert.

“If they do well in this World Series they should get funding.”

“If they’re expected to act like professional athletes then they need that support.”

The New Zealand White Sox leave on the first of July, where they’ll have a five-day gap before the tournament officially starts of the 5^th of July.