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.
A new brain scanning technique is being developed which could hold potential for crime stopping. Forensics investigators call this Forensic brainwave analysis – or ‘brain fingerprinting” the technology could allow for sci-fi-esque mind reading.
Adam Jacobson spoke to Associate Professor and project researcher Dr Debra Wilson about how exactly brain fingerprinting works
The Burgerie is quickly becoming a vegan staple on Karangahape road. Reporter Joel Thomas talked to Tony Tay, the owner and operator of the Burgerie, about the kindness of the vegan community and the difficulties of juggling business aspirations and family commitments.
Joel Thomas speaks to Green Party co-leader James Shaw about the party’s recently released policy which aims to provide cleaner and more affordable energy to consumers, and make it easier for smaller businesses to be competitive in the energy industry.
A new report has revealed that rent prices have steadily been rising across the country; with the median rent increasing by $50 a week a week in parts of Auckland. Latest housing bond data collected by the Tenancy Services has revealed over the last 12 months historically affordable areas of the city have seen skyrocketing pricing.
bFM’s Adam Jacobson spoke with Interest.co.nz Property Editor Greg Ninness about what the underlying reasons for this may be; and how we could solve a potential rent cost crisis.
The New Zealand government has made crucial changes to the immigration laws, in the hopes of decreasing the record breaking migration figure of 71,300 last year. Immigration minister, Michael Woodhouse, has announced the introduction of a salary threshold that aims to target low skilled migrant workers.
95bFM Reporter Kelly Enright spoke to the minister about this controversial change. She asked what the changes would mean for migrants who are under the threshold, already living here in New Zealand.
Enright also spoke to Council of Trade Union president Richard Wagstaff about his views on the proposed changes to the immigration laws.
This week, Kelly Enright talks to Immigration minister Michael Woodhouse and Council of Trade Union president Richard Wagstaff on immigration reform, Adam speaks to Interest.co.nz Property Editor Greg Ninness on increasing rent prices. He also speaks to Radio Adelaide’s Nicole Wedding about Immigration reform, “Australian values,” and politician property ownership. Joel speaks to Green Party co-leader James Shaw about the Green Party's clean and affordable energy policy. Adam has a chat to Dr Debra Wilson on brain fingerprinting, and Joel talks to Tony Tay from The Burgerie on Karangahape Road.
This week, Jogai and Jess catch up with Claire Hart from Tearfund to learn more about ethical fashion in New Zealand, and bFM reporter Katie Doyle speaks to Mike King about the People's Mental Health Report. Jogai chats to one of the editors and founders of the online magazine e-Tangata, following a profile by the Newsroom highlighting the need to elevate Maori and Pasifika voices in mainstream media. Producer Jess has a report on the Big Dog Walk coming up this weekend with organiser Alice McKinley, and Labour Leader Andrew Little is back for our weekly chat, discussing concerns in the mental health sector and a new plan to cut back on immigration. All this and more on the Thursday Wire - check out the full podcast here.
A new report into the New Zealand Mental Health Sector has highlighted some very serious concerns. The People's Mental Health Report invited those with experiences in the sector to share their stories, receiving over five hundred replies from both patients and staff. bFM reporter Katie Doyle speaks to one of the report’s contributors Mike King to learn more.
The garment industry has high rates of exploitation, child labour and forced labour. Tearfund has released an ethical fashion guide which rates brands on their worker exploitation. The report includes 12 New Zealand brands and ranks companies from A to F based on a number of criteria including what they pay their staff and how supply chain workers are treated. bFM reporter Jess Smith speaks to Claire Hart from Tearfund to find out more about the guide.
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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