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The Wire

Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Jessica Hopkins, Castor Chacko, Nicholas Lindstrom, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.

Rise of the Right in Aotearoa w/ Ian Hyslop: 8 February, 2024

Rise of the Right in Aotearoa w/ Ian Hyslop: 8 February, 2024 Rise of the Right in Aotearoa w/ Ian Hyslop: 8 February, 2024, 26.68 MB
Thu 8 Feb 2024

In recent years Aotearoa has seen a rise of far-right-wing ideologies and Trumpian thinking.

Beth spoke to Professor of Counselling, Human Services and Social Work at the University of Auckland, Ian Hyslop, about this phenomenon. She began by asking him whether different factors can be attributed to this regression or if we’re seeing a natural pendulum swing.

The Wire w/ Jessica: 8 February, 2024

The Wire w/ Jessica: 8 February, 2024 The Wire w/ Jessica: 8 February, 2024, 73.81 MB
Thu 8 Feb 2024

For our weekly catch up with the Labour Party, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about Waitangi, and the government’s announcement yesterday that it will no longer fund cultural reports used in sentencing.

Beth spoke to Professor of Counselling, Human Services and Social Work at the University of Auckland, Ian Hyslop, about this phenomenon. She began by asking him whether different factors can be attributed to this regression or if we’re seeing a natural pendulum swing.

She also spoke to  Counsellor for Waitakere, Shane Henderson, about the government's intentions to roll back usage of Te Reo Māori in the public sector, and whether this affects Auckland Council.

Producer Castor spoke to HIV Prevention researcher at the University of Auckland’s School of Population Health and one of the report’s authors, Peter Saxton, about the current legislation and what change could mean.

And finally, Beth spoke to Professor of History at the University of Auckland, Jennifer Frost, about the historical suppression of the youth vote in the United States, including grassroots movements fighting for the vote, past bills and the significance of the 26th Amendment.

The Wire w/ Jessica: 7 February, 2024

The Wire w/ Jessica: 7 February, 2024 The Wire w/ Jessica: 7 February, 2024, 104.25 MB
Wed 7 Feb 2024

News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to Green Party Co-Leader, James Shaw, about his announcement he will be stepping down as Co-Leader, Waitangi, and New Zealand deploying a NZDF team to the Red Sea.

She spoke to Action Station Director, Kassie Hartendorp (Ngāti Raukawa), about Waitangi yesterday.

She spoke to Associate Professor of Commercial Law at the University of Auckland and convenor of the NZ Privacy Foundation’s surveillance working group, Gehan Gunasekara, about how we can improve our privacy laws in Aotearoa.

And for Get Action! she spoke to Common Grace Aotearoa Co-Director, Kate Day, about their campaign for the Electricity Authority to better protect families struggling with power prices.

Resignation, Waitangi, and New Zealand deploying NZDF team to the Red Sea w/ Green Party Co-Leader James Shaw: 7 February, 2024

Resignation, Waitangi, and New Zealand deploying NZDF team to the Red Sea w/ Green Party Co-Leader James Shaw: 7 February, 2024 Resignation, Waitangi, and New Zealand deploying NZDF team to the Red Sea w/ Green Party Co-Leader James Shaw: 7 February, 2024, 10.71 MB
Wed 7 Feb 2024

For their first weekly catch-up since his resignation, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to Green Party Co-Leader, James Shaw, about his decision to leave politics, his experience at Waitangi, and their opposition to New Zealand deploying  a NZDF team to the Red Sea.

New Zealand’s Privacy Laws w/ Associate Professor of Commercial Law at the University of Auckland and convenor of the NZ Privacy Foundation’s surveillance working group, Gehan Gunasekara: 7 February, 2024

New Zealand’s Privacy Laws w/ Associate Professor of Commercial Law at the University of Auckland and convenor of the NZ Privacy Foundation’s surveillance working group, Gehan Gunasekara: 7 February, 2024 New Zealand’s Privacy Laws w/ Associate Professor of Commercial Law at the University of Auckland and convenor of the NZ Privacy Foundation’s surveillance working group, Gehan Gunasekara: 7 February, 2024, 8.36 MB
Wed 7 Feb 2024

When it comes to our privacy laws in Aotearoa, according to experts, we may be lacking behind.

News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to Associate Professor of Commercial Law at the University of Auckland and convenor of the NZ Privacy Foundation’s surveillance working group, Gehan Gunasekara, about why he believes we need to pressure politicians to keep our privacy laws current, especially concerning children.

She started off the interview by asking Gunasekara about his work with the Privacy Foundation’s surveillance working group.

Waitangi Reflections w/ Action Station Director Kassie Hartendorp (Ngāti Raukawa): 7 February, 2024

Waitangi Reflections w/ Action Station Director Kassie Hartendorp (Ngāti Raukawa): 7 February, 2024 Waitangi Reflections w/ Action Station Director Kassie Hartendorp (Ngāti Raukawa): 7 February, 2024, 8.34 MB
Wed 7 Feb 2024

The largest hikoi protest to Waitangi Grounds in modern history took place this Waitangi, with thousands gathering to voice their concerns about the new government’s proposed policies, including a referendum on the principles of Te Tiriti, ending co-governance, and removing Te Reo from the names of public services.

News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to Action Station Director Kassie Hartendorp (Ngāti Raukawa), about what this significant show of solidarity against their policies means for the government and her reflections of the day.

Forest and Bird Codemns Government's Fast-Tracking w/ Richard Capie: Rāhina February 5, 2024

Forest and Bird Codemns Government's Fast-Tracking w/ Richard Capie: Rāhina February 5, 2024 Forest and Bird Codemns Government's Fast-Tracking w/ Richard Capie: Rāhina February 5, 2024, 20.96 MB
Mon 5 Feb 2024

As part of its 100 day plan, the government is currently processing reforms to resource management, and one of these changes is introducing what it calls a “fast-track consenting one-stop shop regime” for speeding up infrastructure developments. The plan forms part of the New Zealand First and National coalition agreement, with Minister for Resource Management Act reform Chris Bishop and Minister for Regional Development Shane Jones at the forefront of this movement. They argue that the current frameworks that infrastructure developments are operating under are inefficient and costly, as current consenting processes cost infrastructure projects 1.3 billion dollars every year. However many groups have been highly critical of how a widespread fast tracking approach could cost our environment and place the power of big infrastructure decisions in the hands of cabinet ministers. 

Rosetta spoke to Forest and Bird General Manager of Conservation Advocacy Richard Capie about his concerns with the policy, and how he feels infrastructure planning needs to change moving forward.

Migrant Workers disproportionately affected by employment law reforms w/ Georgia Dansey: Rāhina February 5, 2024

Migrant Workers disproportionately affected by employment law reforms w/ Georgia Dansey: Rāhina February 5, 2024 Migrant Workers disproportionately affected by employment law reforms w/ Georgia Dansey: Rāhina February 5, 2024 , 12.9 MB
Mon 5 Feb 2024

In December of 2023, the government passed legislation to fully reinstate 90-day trials for employers, which was campaigned for by both National and ACT in the lead up to the election. The policy means that employees can be dismissed within 90 days of starting work without a given reason. Migrant workers are proving to be disproportionately affected by reforms in the employment sector. Just in the past week, A group of ten migrant workers, previously employed by S.E.A.L. Security have been made redundant months into their three-year employment agreement, after paying up to 70,000 dollars to secure employment in Aotearoa. Etū, one of the largest worker advocacy groups and unions in the country, has expressed serious concern about what new policies in the employement sector will mean for these workers.

Rosetta spoke to Director at Etū Georgie Dansey about what 90-day trials and the repeal of Fair Pay Agreements will mean for our most vulnerable Migrant Workers.

What NZ Aid will mean for Gaza w/ John Minto: Rāhina February 5, 2024

What NZ Aid will mean for Gaza w/ John Minto: Rāhina February 5, 2024 What NZ Aid will mean for Gaza w/ John Minto: Rāhina February 5, 2024, 22.32 MB
Mon 5 Feb 2024

The government has recently announced a 5 million dollar aid programme for Palestinians in Gaza through UNICEF and World Food Programme. This comes as funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees is still halted from New Zealand, as the organisation is under investigation for staff involved in the October 7th Hamas attacks. Prior to halting this funding, New Zealand was contributing 1 million dollars annually to UNRWA, and with this new aid, the government has contributed a total of 15 million dollars since October through UNICEF, WFP, International Committee for Red Cross, to civilian humanitarian aid.

Several Palestinian advocacy groups in Aotearoa have been highly critical of the decision to cut UNRWA funding due to its direct link to civilians in Gaza. UNRWA has also stated that due to suspended funding from the UK and USA, they may be forced to cease operating in the Middle East by the end of the month. UNRWA not only runs schools and refugee camps across Gaza and The West Bank, but also Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. 

Rosetta spoke to John Minto, Chair of Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, about what the New Zealand government aid will mean, the importance of UNRWA, and issues that Palestinian advocacy groups in Aotearoa are noticing with media coverage of the situation in Gaza.

Pacific representation in Government and the mood at Rātana w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 1 February, 2024

Pacific representation in Government and the mood at Rātana w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 1 February, 2024 Pacific representation in Government and the mood at Rātana w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 1 February, 2024, 13.55 MB
Thu 1 Feb 2024

For our weekly catch-up with Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni, Caeden asked about the mood at Rātana and the expected mood at Waitangi, as well as the lack of MPs from the Pacific in this government. 

The vandalisation of the Karangahape Road Rainbow crossing, the end of half-price fares, and Wayne Brown’s relationship with Auckland Tranport w/ Lotu Fuli: 28 March, 2024.

The vandalisation of the Karangahape Road Rainbow crossing, the end of half-price fares, and Wayne Brown’s relationship with Auckland Tranport w/ Lotu Fuli: 28 March, 2024. , 15.65 MB
Thu 28 Mar 2024

For City Counselling this week, Wire host Caeden spoke with Counsellor Lotu Fuli about the early morning vandalisation of the Rainbow Crossing on Karangahape Road.

They also ask about the end of half-price fares for under 25s, and the relationship Wayne Brown, as well as Auckland Council more generally, has with Auckland Transport.

Get Action! w Susan Maiava, Co-founder of Fair & Good

Get Action! Modern Slavery Legislation w Susan Maiava Co-founder of Fair & Good Get Action! Modern Slavery Legislation w Susan Maiava Co-founder of Fair & Good, 14.86 MB
Wed 27 Mar 2024

It is estimated that 50 million people worldwide are currently involved in some form of slavery. Many of those who have been enslaved for their labour, and work as child labourers, produce goods that we import and consume on a regular basis here in Aotearoa. 

Currently, there is no existing legislation in Aotearoa that requires companies to disclose the source of their goods, or to ensure that their products are being ethically produced; giving them free rein to indulge in modern slavery in order to cut their production costs. 

Producer Oto spoke to Dr Susan Maiava, Co-Founder of the ethical directory Fair & Good who have created a petition and open letter urging the government to introduce modern slavery legislation.

Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 26th March, 2024.

Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 26th March, 2024. , 26.1 MB
Tue 26 Mar 2024

This week on Dear Science, Wire host Castor chats with Doctor Cushla McGoverin about an ancient penguin on WoRMS' top ten newly identified marine species, preserved brain tissue, and genetically modified cows milk producing insulin

Youth Vaping, Public Sector Cuts, and Special Visa Category for Palestinians w/ ACT’s Simon Court: 25 March, 2024

Youth Vaping, Public Sector Cuts, and Special Visa Category for Palestinians w/ ACT’s Simon Court: 25 March, 2024 Youth Vaping, Public Sector Cuts, and Special Visa Category for Palestinians w/ ACT’s Simon Court: 25 March, 2024, 9.4 MB
Mon 25 Mar 2024

For their weekly interview, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to ACT’s Simon Court about the government’s new measures aimed at reducing youth vaping, significant cuts to the Ministries for Primary Industries and Health as directed by the government, and calls from more than 30 organisations, including World Vision, Save the Children, and Greenpeace, for the government to create a special humanitarian visa for Palestinians in Gaza with family connections to New Zealand.

Improving Auckland’s Public Transport and w/ Shane Henderson: 21 March, 2024

Improving Auckland’s Public Transport and w/ Shane Henderson: 21 March, 2024 Improving Auckland’s Public Transport and w/ Shane Henderson: 21 March, 2024, 14.48 MB
Thu 21 Mar 2024

Yesterday the Western line was closed for some stops including between New Market and Britomart, while two Britomart stations remained closed due to KiwiRail maintenance issues. This won’t surprise commuters in Tāmaki Makaurau who are far too used to trains not running or turning up.

Caeden spoke to West Auckland based counsellor Shane Henderson about our public transport woes and the success of the cost-cutting budget. Here is that interview.

The students at Freyberg High School and Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech w/ Jan Tinetti: 21 March, 2024

The students at Freyberg High School and Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech w/ Jan Tinetti: 21 March, 2024 The students at Freyberg High School and Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech w/ Jan Tinetti: 21 March, 2024, 13.98 MB
Thu 21 Mar 2024

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party Caeden spoke to Labour Party spokesperson for Education and Women Jan Tinetti. They asked about Winston Peter’s comments comparing co-governance with Nazi Germany, the response to the Freyberg High School students performing a haka against David Seymour, and Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech yesterday. 

Dear Science w/ Professor Alan Blackman: 19th March, 2024.

Dear Science w/ Professor Alan Blackman: 19th March 2024. , 35.71 MB
Tue 19 Mar 2024

This week on Dear Science, Wire host Castor spoke to Professor Alan Blackman about how daylight savings impacts car crashes, how handwriting notes can improve memory, and a strange defense tactic used by Spanish ladybugs

Homeowner Rates Increases w/ ACT’s Simon Court: 18 March, 2024

Homeowner Rates Increases w/ ACT’s Simon Court: 18 March, 2024 Homeowner Rates Increases w/ ACT’s Simon Court: 18 March, 2024, 8.63 MB
Mon 18 Mar 2024

Homeowners across the motu are facing an average rates rise of 15 percent in the next year.

Councils say they need to balance the need for investment with affordable rates increases, but that budgetary pressures have reached a “tipping point”.

For their weekly interview, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to ACT’s Simon Court about their party’s stance on investing in local infrastructure, amid the government reducing funding for public transport.

The backlash to ending free school lunches and International Womens Day w/ Jan Tinetti: 14 March, 2024

The backlash to ending free school lunches and International Womens Day w/ Jan Tinetti: 14 March, 2024 The backlash to ending free school lunches and International Womens Day w/ Jan Tinetti: 14 March, 2024, 19.12 MB
Thu 14 Mar 2024

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party Caeden speaks to Labour’s Jan Tinneti about the backlash from educators towards a Government proposal to cut free lunches in schools. 

They also ask about last weeks International Women’s Day, and what more needs to be down for women in Aotearoa and overseas.

Get Action! w Ngāti Kahu o Torongare: 13 March, 2024

Get Action! w Ngāti Kahu o Torongare: 13 March, 2024 Get Action! w Ngāti Kahu o Torongare: 13 March, 2024, 11.58 MB
Wed 13 Mar 2024

For Get Action!, Ngāti Kahu o Torongare joins producer Sofia Kent to talk about their current petition that stands against a series of land injustices.

Wāhi tapu of Whangārei, Te Kamo is battling an approved consent that will see 93 homes built upon sacred Onoke Pā.

Though having been legally recognised as wāhi tapu (sacred land), the council has chosen to ignore significant cultural importance in lieu of urban development.

Nicki Wakefield begins by explaining the significance of Onoke Pā.