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.
Auckland's transport woes are notorious, from blocked motorways, to never-on-time public transport. But with the release of an updated transit plan, these frustrations may have an end in sight. Proposed by Greater Auckland (formally Transport Blog), the Congestion Free Network 2 aims to reshape the entirety of Aucklands public transport network into a functional, cohesive unit. Adam Jacobson speaks with Greater Auckland Editor, Matt Lowrie, to find out how exactly the CFN 2 plans to implement this.
As climate change is becoming ever more of a concern around the planet, advocacy groups are getting into action. Here in New Zealand, a proposal has been released which aims to see New Zealand carbon free by 2050. Generation Zero has unveiled their Zero Carbon Act, which outlines certain milestones and pathways, which the government should undertake to achieve this target. Adam Jacobson speaks to Generation Zero spokesperson Lisa Mclaren about what the Zero Carbon Act entails and the specific actions proposed.
Researchers from the University of Otago are well on their way to developing new biomaterials that will help grow new teeth. The research offers huge potential for people with dental health problems, and has just received an explorer grant from the Health Research Council. Ximena caught up with researchers Azam Ali and Karl Lyons to talk about the biomaterials, how they work & why this research is so significant.
Our lives are increasingly mediated by digital technologies and online structures. This in turn dictates the information we might be exposed to, the relationships we might have, and other ways in which we live. A new series of talks at AUT intends to look at the way in which algorithms & data interact with and shape our everyday lives. The series, called Critical Conversations, is split into three talks - space, origins & intimacy - and each involve a different theorist/ academic paired with an artist/ technologist. Ximena caught up with the curator of the event, Luke Munn, to learn more about the theme of the series and to chat about what to expect to come out of each conversation.
Last week Recorded Music New Zealand released their latest market report which revealed a second consecutive year of growth in New Zealand's music industry after more than a decade of decline. Reporter Sam Smith reports on the situation and speaks to industry insiders as to what it all means.
The war in Syria is in its 6th year, and as a war, it has been plagued by the spread of propaganda, misinformation and competing narratives, as the parties involved attempt to control the information war taking place alongside the conflict on the ground. However, how exactly does the media cover conflict? What barriers do they face? And who should we believe when there are so many different versions of events? Reporter Sam Smith speaks to University of Auckland political studies lecturer Maria Armoudian about the role of the media during war and conflict.
Check out the full podcast for this week's Tuesday show, where we speak to Māori Party co-leader Marama Fox about the latest in Māori issues, Sam has a report on the recent boom in New Zealand music revenue, we look at the reemergence of an elusive New Guinea dog, and more.
An open letter claiming free speech is under threat in New Zealand attracted the signatures of 27 prominent New Zealanders earlier this year. This followed calls for a review of hate speech legislation and the voluntary de-registration of the short-lived Auckland University European Students Association. To get both sides of the story, bfm producer Ben spoke with the man behind the open letter, Dr Paul Moon, and the National President of the New Zealand Union of Students Associations.
In late 2016 various groups from the education and disability sectors launched the "Education for All" campaign, to call for greater support for students with disabilities. One of the groups behind the campaign is the Inclusive Education Action Group, bfm producer Ben spoke with one of their members, Trish Grant, about the current state of support for students with disabilities.
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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