Lately for Wednesday 24 February 2021

Photo: RNZ

10:20 Crimes against the environment in New Zealand

Today the Environment Court fined Silver Fern Farms more than $330-thousand for an ammonia leak at its plant in Hawera that was potentially lethal to its staff, emergency services and nearby residents. Yesterday Environment Minister, David Parker, expressed his frustration with the Tiwai smelter's stockpiling 100-thousand tonnes of hazardous waste beside a beach in Southland - the same day heavy fines were handed down for the spilling of 1.5 million cubic litres of human effluent into the Mangati Stream in New Plymouth. Karyn Hay asks Gary Taylor from the Environmental Defence Society if crimes against the environment are on the increase.

Silver Fern Farms facility at Hawera, Photo: Google Maps

10:40 Midweek Mediawatch: curious case of the MIQ martyr

Mediawatch's weekly catch-up with Lately tonight and Colin Peacock will speak with Karyn Hay about a Covid conspiracist getting the oxygen of publicity plus a mind-blowing radio resource and new apps from Māori TV.

Lucinda Baulch leaves MIQ and answers reporters questions. Photo: screenshot / Twitter (Joel McManus-Stuff)