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.
The Big Dog Walk With Lots of Dogs is taking place this Saturday in four locations around New Zealand. The event invites both dog owners and dog lovers to join together for one massive dog walk. bFM producer Jess Smith speaks to Alice Mckinley, the organiser for the Auckland and Napier walks to learn more.
A recent publication titled The Best of e-Tangata has sparked a discussion regarding the lack of Maori and Pasifika voices in mainstream media. 95bFM's Jogai Bhatt caught up with one of the editors and founders of e-Tangata, Gary Wilson, to learn more about the magazine's mission to change just that.
A monumental equal pay settlement has been achieved, giving aged care workers a well deserved pay rise of 42% over the next 4 years. The proposed settlement comes after finding of gender bias were discovered within the industry. 95bFm Reporter Adam Jacobson speaks with Industrial Services Manager of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, Cee Payne, about why this is not only a substantial achievement for the industry, but also for gender equality in pay.
In a referendum in the weekend, Turkey chose to grant President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sweeping new powers. The country’s long-standing parliamentary system has been abolished in favour of an executive presidency, which will merge the roles of the president and the prime minister and could potentially keep Erdogan in office until 2029. Ximena speaks to Stephen Hoadley from the University of Auckland’s political studies department about the significance and meaning of the move.
A new report reviewing kiwis experiences with mental health services is set to be launched later this afternoon. The report summarises key themes raised in more than 500 stories submitted to the People’s Mental Health Review, and also contains four key recommendations based on these themes. Ximena speaks to report author & ActionStation spokesperson Marianne Elliott for a preview of the findings.
This Saturday scientists across the globe are marching in unison. Their aim, to celebrate science as pillar of human freedom and prosperity; while fighting back against ga growing agenda in politics which aims to spread misinformation and anti-science views. 95bFm Reporter Adam Jacobson speaks with March for Science New Zealand spokesperson, Cindy Hall, about the what exactly the movement is, and the reasons for its inception.
This week, Ximena & Adam cover the historic pay increase for aged care workers, examine the recent re-election of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the sweeping new powers being granted to him; took a closer look at the newly released People’s Mental Health Review and spoke to a key organiser for the March for Science; a movement aiming to celebrate science as pillar of human freedom and prosperity in a world of anti-science politics. They are also joined by AUT's Allan Blackman for Dear Science; talking through controversial topics such as fluoride and alternative medicine.
On the Wednesday show this week, Ximena & Adam take a look at the some of the biggest stories of the day, such as historic pay equity deal announced yesterday, the People's Mental Health report & the referendum in Turkey last weekend. Allan Blackman also makes an appearance for Dear Science, where he dispels a few science myths & discusses a new Netflix show's controversial depiction of suicide.
Tension is building on the Koean Peninsula as the growing standoff between the U.S. and North Korea gathers steam. Reporter Sam Smith takes a closer look at the situation and whether war is coming to East Asia.
New Zealand has a wasp problem. The invasive insect is considered a pest and routinely eats honeydew before birds can get to it, kills native insects, and attacks and kills bees. However, a team of researchers from around the country are undertaking a ten-year project to develop new wasp busting technologies. Among the ideas being explored include developing genetically modified transgenic wasps that would return to nests and destroy their own communities. Reporter Sam Smith spoke to one of the leaders of the research project, Victoria University's Phil Lester.
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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