Fifty years ago, on the third of March 1975, at 5:00pm the University of Canterbury held its first-ever Māori studies class.

The milestone was the culmination of years of student-led activism, reflecting the growing recognition of the importance of Māori language and culture in Aotearoa’s education system.

Shrinkflation refers specifically to the reduction in product size or quantity without a corresponding drop in price, while skimpflation describes a decline in the quality of goods or services as companies cut costs.

A new study by the University of Canterbury has revealed significant contamination of organic waste from microplastics, raising alarms about the long-term effects of the persistent pollutant. Isla talks to research leader Helena Ruffell.