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.
On The Wire with Amanda and producer Ben Goldson we speak to Peace Action Wellington activist Ellie Clayton, as well as NZ First leader Winston Peters, about the ANZAC Day protests. bFM reporter Lillian Hanly speaks with well known activist and organiser and now Green Party candidate Teanau Tuiono.We also have our weekly chat with the Green Party co-leaders, this week talking to Metiria Turei about Pike River footage and the Māori caucus tour. We also have our regular Pacific news segment, Southern Cross, with AUT's Pacific Media Centre's Kendall Hutt. This week she brought along PMC colleague Julie Cleaver to discuss their recent trip to Fiji for PMC's 'Bearing Witness' project.
Dr. Siouxsie Wiles is the author of the newly released book - Antibiotic Resistance which talks about the threat posed to New Zealanders by antibiotic resistant bacteria.
New Zealand’s cases of infectious bacteria are increasing whilst most other countries are decreasing, bFM’s Tess Barnett talked to Susie about why this is, and what we need to do so we can tackle these issues and minimise risks.
New Zealand’s rivers and lakes are under increasing pressure, according to the latest national report from the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ about the state of freshwater.
bFM’s Harry Willis speaks to Forest and Bird’s, Annabeth Cohen about the report, the problems with the way data was presented, and how the report is shifting our focus from Agricultural to urban land although urban environments make up at 1% of land use and pastoral use is at 40%.
On The Wire with Tess, we spoke to the director of Just Speak, Katie Bruce talking about a new report they released, we talk to National MP, Matt Doocey about the mental health funding increase and the report released by the UN about solitary confinement. We talk to Radio Adelaide’s Nicole Wedding for all the latest in Australian news. We spoke to Susie Wiles, the author of the newly released book - antibiotic resistance about the threat this poses to New Zealanders and how we need to take action. And lastly we speak to AnnaBeth Cohen about the increasing pressures for NZ rivers and lakes after the latest report from the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ about the state of freshwater.
A report released by the United Nations has slammed New Zealand for its overuse of solitary confinement - found to be four times higher than in English prisons and in breach of international laws. Children, disabled people and the mentally unwell were also isolated at high rates, and in unhealthy conditions. Producer Jess Smith speaks to Children’s commission Judge Andrew Becroft to learn more about impacts on children who experience confinement.
Wire host Jogai catches up with Co-leader of the Green Party James Shaw in the studio to discuss a few prominent election issues, including poor forestry regulations and an inquiry into the mental health sector.
Civilian staff at the New Zealand Defence Force went on strike on Thursday the 27th of April, over the NZDF’s refusal to negotiate their pay as part of a new collective employment agreement. From 7-9am, workers protested at the Devonport Ferry terminal. Wire producer Jess speaks to Nick Kelly, Public Service Association’s Organiser for defence to find out more about the New Zealand defence force strike.
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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