Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Joel Armstrong, Sara Mckoy, Max Micheel, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.
Following James Comey’s testimony last week to the Senate Intelligence Committee about Russian interference in the US election, Attorney General Jeff Sessions was grilled in his live-streamed testimony earlier this morning. But what actually went down this morning, and did Sessions’ answers all stack up? My producer Will has the story.
A new bill has been opened up for debate in parliament - one which has flared opinions and emotions. If passed, it would see euthanasia legalised here in New Zealand. Producer Adam Jacobson investigates the arguments surrounding the debate.
This week, Ximena, Will & Adam look at the controversial euthanasia debate and analyse what went down during Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee this morning. NZ First’s Tracey Martin and AUT’s Allan Blackman also join us for their weekly Wednesday segments.
The Labour party have announced a new immigration policy which they say will reduce the pressure on our cities, while ensuring we get the skilled workers our country needs. The policy will target mainly students in low-level education courses who attempt to remain in New Zealand following their study. Labour says the policy will see net migration decrease to 20,000-30,000 per year in what they are labeling a breather on immigration. Reporter Sam Smith spoke to Labour leader Andrew Little about the new policy and got reaction from political commentator Bryce Edwards.
It’s been revealed New Zealand sent over $200,000 towards North Korea aid until it was cut off last year. We talk to the Taxpayers Union, the group behind the revelations, about their claims that this was a waste of expenditure.
As elder abuse awareness week approaches new research into aged residential care is being released. Our reporter Katie Doyle spoke to Doctor Polly Yeung from Massey University about her new study into residential care in New Zealand, abuse and the upcoming release of a national care indicators programme which will help to protect elderly people in New Zealand.
Check out the full podcast for this week's Tuesday show, where we speak to Labour leader Andrew Little, political commentator Bryce Edwards and Māori Party co-leader Marama Fox about Labour's new immigration policy, the Taxpayers Union's Jordan Williams about his claims New Zealand wasted aid money which was sent to North Korea, Auckland artist Zoe James about her painting using menstrual blood to raise awareness, and more.
Auckland artist Zoe James is making waves with her new painting, created using menstrual blood. The piece named “An Expensive Habit” is a political statement against the controversial ‘tampon tax’ which sees female sanitary items sold as luxury items rather than basic necessities. Katie Doyle spoke to Zoe about her work and an upcoming event to raise awareness about how the tax affects women who are struggling financially.
After the publication of Hit and Run by investigative journalists Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson, various calls were made for an inquiry. Now, the United Nations Committee Against Torture has joined them, asking the New Zealand government to "please indicate what measures the state party has put in place to ensure that all allegations relating to 'Operation Burnham' will be fully investigated and addressed."
For more, bfm Producer Kelly spoke with Amnesty International's Sarah Agnew, and asked her how these latest developments unfolded.
The Wellington City Council and other partners are set to open the first wet house in New Zealand where homeless people suffering from alcohol addiction will be allowed to consume alcohol in a safe permanent shelter whilst undergoing rehab. 95bFM Producer Reuben McLaren speaks with Director of Wellington DCM (Downtown Community Ministry) Stephanie McIntyre about the project.
The government has announced the overhaul of the Resource Management Act (RMA), which will be replaced by two different bills, the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill. The RMA is set to be fully replaced by 2029.
The RMA, which has been in effect for 34 years, is polarising across the political spectrum.
In announcing the reforms, RMA Reform Minister, Chris Bishop, says that “pretty much everything” will be quicker and less costly under the new regime.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about this overhaul of the RMA.
They also discussed The Education and Workforce Committee’s interim report on the harms young people experience online, with a majority recommending a ban on social media for under-16-year-olds.
But first, they discussed the overhaul of the RMA.
Safety measures on public transport are of growing concern this week following the fatal and unprovoked attack that took place on route 76 in East Tāmkaki on Monday night.
Earlier this week there were also multiple critical incidents that occurred simultaneously across Auckland’s West Coast beaches and waterways, seeing an unusually high deployment of emergency services and surf lifesavers for this early in the summer.
Swedish home and furniture retailer Ikea opened in Sylvia Park a week ago today, drawing huge excitement for many.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about these topics.
On Sunday, “Block the Ban” held a protest against the government’s decision to ban new prescriptions of puberty blockers for young people with gender dysphoria.
The United Nations’ committee for the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination has released a report warning that New Zealand is at serious risk of weakening Māori rights.
And last week, the government rejected the recommended methane emissions targets.
This is despite officials warning against the government doing so, stating that lowering methane emissions targets could increase New Zealand’s contribution to global warming.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shanan Halbert about all of these topics.
The government is pausing the new prescriptions of Puberty Blockers to gender diverse and transgender young people from the 19th of December onwards, following a similar move by the UK after the results of the NHS’s Cass Review.
Wire Producer Flo spoke to activist Lauren Craig about the effects of the legislation, her petition “Reverse the decision to deny transgender and takatāpui young people access to puberty blockers” against the changes and the wider political motivation for the policy.
If you'd like to sign this petition, you can find it here
Last week was scrutiny week, where Parliament focuses entirely on holding government agencies and ministers to account, to check-in on how well the Government is performing.
Many of the questions surrounding scrutiny week have been focused on climate change, with many recent reports highlighting the Government’s questionable decision-making.. The biggest headline was that the coalition had chosen to reject all three of the climate change commission’s recommendations to strengthen New Zealand’s emissions targets.
Along with this, the United Nations released a new report, where they’ve warned that New Zealand is at serious risk of weakening Māori rights and entrenching disparities for the indigenous population. In the 14-page report, the UN expressed concerns over multiple government policies affecting Maori, including the disestablishment of the Maori Health Authority, cuts to public funding for Maori services, and minimising the role of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about the report released by the United Nations, but first they discussed Scrutiny Week and the Government’s recent climate change decisions.
With the rise of fast fashion outlets like Shein and Temu alongside the wider mainstream options available that contribute substantial amounts of clothing waste to landfill, experts are calling for an urgent response on a governance, business, and individual level.
Wire Host Sara spoke to Mindful Fashion Chief Executive Jacinta Fitzgerald about the problem, and the industry response to sustainability, as well as University of Auckland Marketing Professor Mike Lee about the importance of ethical consumption.for individuals.
First, is the interview with Fitzgerald, where she begins by talking about the organisation Mindful Fashion.
Following this, Sara spoke to Marketing Professor Mike Lee about the research he has undertaken around consumerism.
The biannual Scrutiny Week took place in Parliament last week, with meetings across select committees and government departments focussed on scrutinising the outcomes of government work.
These include hearings on ministries like Health, Housing, Environment and Justice.
Wire Host Sara spoke to National MP Carl Bates about Scrutiny Week, firstly by asking him to talk about the meetings he was involved in
The government has recently rejected all of the Climate Change Commission’s recommendations regarding strengthening the country’s methane targets recommendations.
The commission’s recommendations include strengthening the county’s 2050 methane emission targets, continuing lowering emissions after 2050, and that international shipping and aviation, which represents 9% of the county’s total emissions, should be included within targets.
Despite the commission saying that there would be upfront costs, many of the changes would result in cost savings over time, however, the government rejected this claim.
For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about the government rejecting these recommendations.
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