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.
One of the country's most pristine water sources is in line for the highest level of environmental protection to preserve its crystal clear waters. Announced earlier this week by the Minister for the Environment, Nick Smith, the Te Waikoropupū Springs application for a Water Conservation Order has been accepted. 95bFM producer Adam Jacobson speaks to Nick Smith and the Green’s water spokesperson, Catherine Delahunty about the move.
A joint agreement between the Auckland City Council and the Government has been reached today regarding a Smarter Transport Pricing project for Auckland City. Announced this morning, the two bodies will embark on an ambitious plan to reduce the demand and ease congestion across Auckland’s roading infrastructure. One method the project will explore will be a potential congestion tax applied to road users. 95bFM producer Adam Jacobson speaks with Greater Auckland Editor Matthew Lowrie for his thoughts on what a city-wide congestion might mean for Auckland.
Today on the Wednesday show, Ximena, Adam & Will look into a number of different government announcements, including the plan to investigate a city-wide congestion tax for Auckland, as well as the acceptance of Te Waikoropupū Springs application for a Water Conservation Order. AUT’s Allan Blackman stops by for Dear Science to chat about some dodgy dealings in academia, and Ximena grills NZ First’s Tracey Martin about Winston Peters’ response in Parliament yesterday to the London terror attacks.
Is the Green Party out of touch with Pacific people? Well, AUT journalism lecturer Richard Pamatatau seems to think so. In an article written for E-Tangata, Pamatatau says the Greens do not do enough to reach out to Pacific voters and that the fact only two Pacific candidates are on the list is a reflection that the party is indeed out of touch. Pamatatau says the Greens have much to learn about engaging with the Pacific population, and the list placing of Leilani Tamu (20) and Teanau Tuiono (19) is evidence of that. In the article Pamatatau also claims that Green delegates were given a special instruction by the party's general secretary to ensure 22-year-old Chloe Swarbrick secured a top place. Reporter Sam Smith spoke to Pamatatau about his claims.
A group protesting seismic testing and oil drilling on the East Coast has taken their fight to the United Nations. The group, Te Ikaroa are heading to the UN Oceans Conference in New York where they will highlight how seismic testing violates indigenous rights through the disruption of local marine ecosystems. More than 80 indigenous communities have voiced their objection to seismic testing being carried out by Chevron and Statoil on the East Coast, while a petition has also been set up to remove Statoil from the area. Reporter Sam Smith spoke to Te Ikaroa spokesperson Tina Ngata about their campaign.
In the lead up to today's visit by US secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Mack speaks with Greens co-leader James Shaw about climate change action in NZ-US relations.
Check out the full podcast for this week's Tuesday show, where we speak to AUT journalism lecturer Richard Pamatatau about the Green Party's lack of Pacific Voices, Māori Party co-leader Marama Fox and Te Kotahitanga co-chair Pita Tipene about the government's withdrawal from Ngāpuhi treaty settlement discussions, the organisers behind a recent NZ visit to the UN protesting oil drilling, and more.
This week, Tess and Jack chat to the Wateminz’s CEO, Paul Evans about a possible plastic bag levy, and Jack speaks to Umesh Perinpanayagam on the recent protest in Sri Lanka regarding missing relatives from the civil war. And of course, our weekly Friday feature Neighbourhood Watch with Radio Adelaide’s Nicole Wedding. National MP Jami Lee Ross is back for our weekly chat. All this and more on the Friday Wire - check out the full podcast here.
Wasteminz’s represent the waste, resource recovery and contaminated land sectors. They conducted a National online survey of 1000 people across the whole country about the state of New Zealand’s environment. The survey found two thirds of respondents would support a levy on plastic bags if the money went to charity. 95bFM The Wire host, Tess Barnett, spoke to CEO, Paul Evans about the survey.
Umesh, a researcher at the University of Auckland talks about the current situation in Sri Lanka and the issues the Tamil people have been facing since the end of the civil war. Families have been protesting missing their missing relatives that surrendered to the government towards the end of the war, Umesh goes on to talk about his research into characterizations of genocide in Sri Lanka and the Tamil struggle.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Tāmaki Makaurau’s council budget is among those impacted by the proposal of a rates cap, considering Tāmaki’s average 5.8% annual rates increase across the 25/26 financial year.
Youth homelessness is a growing concern as discussions continue around “move on” orders for those without housing in Auckland’s CBD.
And the Skycity Convention Centre is set to open in 2026, with high hopes for what it may bring for Tāmaki Makaurau after its prolonged development.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Counsellor Fairey about these topics.
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