The Big Q
Questions - Ideas - Scholarship - DebatesProject for Public Interest Media
Politics & Society
Climate change: Is a careful revolution possible?
In a chapter taken from the new book “A Careful Revolution: Towards a Low-Emissions Future,” David Hall discusses how to tread carefully as the world undertakes what amounts to a climate revolution.
What is the future of food?
Gilbert Wong looks at the forces shaping the future of food and how research is contributing to what’s likely to be on our plates in 2030.
A global explosion of people power?
Are we experiencing a global explosion of people power? David S. Meyer investigates.
Are New Zealand’s electoral finance laws failing? 🔊
The New Zealand First party has been in the news recently following reports the New Zealand First Foundation allegedly channeled donations through to the political party.
Was the “resignation” of Bolivian President Evo Morales actually a coup?
Over the last few weeks, Bolivia has been submerged in a climate of widespread violence and impunity following the “resignation” of President Evo Morales. But was his resignation actually a coup?
Should prisoners be allowed to vote? 🔊
A few days ago Justice Minister Andrew Little announced plans to change the current law on prisoner voting rights in time for the 2020 election, to allow prisoners serving sentences of three years or under to vote.
Science & Technology
Climate change: Is a careful revolution possible?
In a chapter taken from the new book “A Careful Revolution: Towards a Low-Emissions Future,” David Hall discusses how to tread carefully as the world undertakes what amounts to a climate revolution.
How does climate change impact our health?
A new Lancet Countdown report presents the lifelong health consequences that a child born today will face from climate change.
Safeguarding our ocean ecosystems from tipping points
Professor Simon Thrush talks about safeguarding our ocean ecosystems from tipping points.
What institutional reform befits the era of the long climate crisis?
On October 22, former MP and Green Party co-leader Russel Norman, who now leads Greenpeace Aotearoa New Zealand, delivered the 2019 Bruce Jesson Memorial Lecture at the University of Auckland, looking at institutional reform options for dealing with climate change, in light of Parliament’s recent passage of the Zero Carbon Bill.
What is the future of food?
Gilbert Wong looks at the forces shaping the future of food and how research is contributing to what’s likely to be on our plates in 2030.
The ethics of assisted dying: What could a law change mean for New Zealanders?
A new bill intends for terminally ill New Zealanders who have less than six months left of life, the option of requesting and receiving an assisted death from a qualified medical practitioner if they fulfil certain eligibility criteria.
Business & Economics
What is the future of food?
Gilbert Wong looks at the forces shaping the future of food and how research is contributing to what’s likely to be on our plates in 2030.
What would a merger between TVNZ and RNZ mean for New Zealand’s media landscape? 🔊
The New Zealand Government is considering significant changes to the configuration of public service media in New Zealand. Although there have been no announcements as to what these changes might be, one option is that TVNZ and RNZ might be disestablished in favour of an entirely new public service media entity.
How bad is poverty in New Zealand? 🔊
New research conducted by AUT’s New Zealand Work Research Institute has found that more than 50,000 working households are living in poverty across New Zealand.
Q+A: What are the best ways to mitigate climate change?
As California burns, oceans rise, storms intensify, and Greenland’s glaciers melt, the world continues to try to identify solutions to the ongoing climate crisis.
E-scooters and human rights: What are the ethical dilemmas in their supply chain and in consumers’ wellbeing?
E-scooters have taken off. But what are the ethical dilemmas in their supply chain and in consumers’ wellbeing?
Turning off the lights: Is the government to blame if Mediaworks’ TV3 shuts down?
Is the government to blame if Mediaworks’ TV3 shuts down? Peter Thompson looks into the crisis at the struggling network.
Arts & Culture
Why do people steal art? 🔊
The recent heist at the Green Vault within the Dresden Castle in Germany has been speculated to be one of the largest art heists in history.
What impact will Twitter’s political ad ban have on democracy? 🔊
Last week, Twitter announced it would ban all political advertising from the 22nd of November. Founder Jack Dorsey says that political reach should be earned not bought.
What would a merger between TVNZ and RNZ mean for New Zealand’s media landscape? 🔊
The New Zealand Government is considering significant changes to the configuration of public service media in New Zealand. Although there have been no announcements as to what these changes might be, one option is that TVNZ and RNZ might be disestablished in favour of an entirely new public service media entity.
Q+A: Scars of the past: What is historical memory and how does it change?
How important is historical memory in politics? What can we learn about how our memories of the past are manipulated to change current and future politics? What can we learn from memory entrepreneurs in places like the former Yugoslavia? How did they try to change understandings about the past to influence the future?
Turning off the lights: Is the government to blame if Mediaworks’ TV3 shuts down?
Is the government to blame if Mediaworks’ TV3 shuts down? Peter Thompson looks into the crisis at the struggling network.
Why do we need journalism?
Journalism is facing a profound financial crisis. Around the world, news outlets are closing, and journalists are losing their jobs. Should we be worried?