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.
It’s become apparent through recent discussions in the media about mental health that there’s public support to do more about the issue and to keep the conversation going about the diversity of kiwi experiences with mental health. Two awesome women wanting to do their bit in stimulating this conversation are Charlotte-Rose Ruddell & Liv Young. They are launching a new publication called Mental, which is seeking submissions from people who are willing to share their personal experiences with mental health. Ximena speaks to them to learn more about project.
Breaking Boundaries is a grassroots LGBTQI creative arts organisation doing heaps of awesome projects and initiatives for the local queer community. Coming up tomorrow is a queer open mic night down at Grid AKL Tech Cafe - the event is open for everyone, and is about encouraging young queer and trans voices to take the stage and share their experiences with the crowd (with a few performances from special guests in the mix as well!). Ximena caught up with Breaking Boundaries co-founder Joni Nelson to find out more about the event.
This week, Ximena & Adam unashamedly chat about some pretty nerdy subjects at the front end of the show, namely the Fairfax & NZME merger, the history of language, and a solid twenty minutes of Dear Science dedicated to a misunderstood sea creature. They also chat to some cool Aucklanders doing some awesome projects - they hear from the founders of a new publication about mental health, and then from the co-founder of an arts organisation for queer youth about an open-mic event happening tomorrow night.
Reporter Sam Smith speaks to anthropology Professor Cris Shore about his new book "Death of the Public University?" and the neo-liberalization of higher education.
NZ Music Month kicked off for another year yesterday. However, with the local industry doing well, thanks in large to music streaming, and the success of New Zealand artists do we still need a NZ Music Month? Reporter Sam Smith spoke to NZ Music Month manager Simon Woods about this year's celebration of New Zealand music, and the place of the month on the music calendar.
Fighting has broken out in South Sudan, displacing tens of thousands. Mack speaks with a Doctors Without Borders spokesperson on the ground to find out the latest.
A spacecraft launched for Saturn 20 years ago is running out of fuel and making a final run into the planet. Mack talks to two astronomers about the Cassini’s history.
Check out the full podcast for this week's Tuesday show, where we speak to exiled Tibetan Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay about his visit to New Zealand, two astronomers about the soon-to-be-farwelled Cassini spacecraft, the author of a new book about the neo-liberalisation of higher education, and more.
A routine interview with activists from Peace Action Wellington was pushed to the top of the news cycle last week, after it was interrupted by the son of NZ First's Chief of Staff, David Broome. Producer Ben speaks to one of the activists, Ellie Clayton, as well as NZ First leader, Winston Peters.
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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