Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news & current affairs show, The Wire. Your hosts Louis Macalister, Jemima Huston, Zazi Hewlett, Justin Wong and Jessica Hopkins focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere, in independent-thinking bFM style. Weekdays 12-1pm on 95bFM.
This morning on RNZ's Morning Report, Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said that Aotearoa’s traffic light system is less suited to the Omicron variant than the Delta variant and will need to be adjusted. News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Dr David Welch, a virus mutation expert at the University of Auckland, about what these adjustments may be and why they are necessary. Also, as the government is set to announce any changes to the public health repsonse in the coming weeks Jemima asks Dr Welch whether "weeks" is too long to wait to prepare for a major community outbreak of Omicron in Aotearoa.
The Pūtiki Protectors have been occupying Pūtiki Bay (Kennedy Point) on Waiheke Island since March 9 2021, to protect ancestral moana by stopping the construction of the Kennedy Point Marina. Tomorrow a hikoi has been organised to the Auckland High Court to support the Pūtiki 32 who were served an injunction banning them from protesting peacefully at Pūtiki Bay. The first court hearing regarding the injunction is taking place tomorrow following the hikoi.
News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Zane Wedding from Mana Rākau - Save Our Trees, an ally of the Protect Pūtiki Movement, about the hikoi tomorrow, how the injunction came about and how people can support the movement.
The hikoi starts at 10am tomorrow (Wednesday 19 January 2022) at The Cloud in downtown Auckland. Head to the event page or the Protect Pūtiki Facebook and Instagram for more information.
Recent research claims that the impacts of Covid-19 in children is much more severe than is commonly perceived. The study assessed 3000 children who had tested positive for the virus in ten countries, including information on underlying risk factors and long term effects.
Louis was joined by the report's author, the University of Auckland's Dr Stuart Dalziel to talk about the findings, what this means for New Zealand's Covid-19 response and how it differs from impacts in adults.
Stories by Louis with University of Auckland's Dr Stuart Dalziel about Covid-19's impact on children and NIWA's Dr Emily Lane about the causes and impacts of the Tongan tsunami.
Charlie spoke with DOC's Clinton Duffy about the increase in drownings and Surflifesaving New Zealand's Chris Emmett about shark attacks.
New Zealand's fatal drownings over the summer period has increased, with 15 preventable fatal drownings already occuring in the first two and a half weeks of 2022. Chris Emmett, Surf Life Saving NZ's National Club and Volunteer Development Manager discussed with Charlie why there is an increase in these fatalites this year, and what you can do to stay safe this summer.
On Sunday, a tsunami devastated the Tongan islands after the eruption of a large underwater volcano. Currently, there is little contact with the islands and specific information as to how the tsunami was caused is unknown.
Louis spoke with NIWA's Dr Emily Lane about the tsunamis causes, how much researchers know at the moment, and what will happen as they try to get more information in the coming weeks.
Every Summer sharks return inland for feeding and to nurse their young. As shark presence increases, sightings and fear rises, but during these times the public must remain respectful to sharks. Department of Conservation's Clinton Duffy spoke with Charlie about shark activity, and how the public can help preserve the life of sharks on New Zealand's coasts.
This week on the show, we shared the best of the Friday Wire from 2021.
This year Jessica Hopkins and Ilena Shadbolt spoke about reviewing electoral laws and lowering the voting age with Make it 16, the conversion therapy ban, and the drug harm reduction programme Te Ara Oranga.
We also have a special, new interview with recently appointed National Party leader Christopher Luxon from former Friday Wire host Noah Fergusson Dudding for you.
Throughout 2021, the National Party has had a regular slot on the Friday Wire and Christopher Luxon has been our contributing politician. Former Friday Wire host Noah Ferguson-Dudding has interviewed Luxon every week since March and spoke to him last on November 12th. Since then, Luxon has become the new Leader of the National Party.
In this interview Noah asks about Luxon’s previous statements made to 95bFM that he did not want to be leader of the National Party, whether the National Party has diverse representation, and the media's focus on Luxon’s faith.
The Thursday Wire recaps the best of 2021, with coverage of health sector reforms, international news, and interviews on the Pet Refuge and addiction under lockdown.
Throughout 2021, the National Party has had a regular slot on the Friday Wire and Christopher Luxon has been our contributing politician. Former Friday Wire host Noah Ferguson-Dudding has interviewed Luxon every week since March and spoke to him last on November 12th. Since then, Luxon has become the new Leader of the National Party.
In this interview Noah asks about Luxon’s previous statements made to 95bFM that he did not want to be leader of the National Party, whether the National Party has diverse representation, and the media's focus on Luxon’s faith.
On the final Wednesday Wire for 2021, we rounded up some of the coolest stories from Dear Science this year!
James spoke to AUT Professor Allan Blackman about how sustainable electric vehicles really are, and a new plastic that contains enzymes that can break it down.
Frances spoke to AUT professor Marcus Jones about how homosexuality may have evolved. She also spoke to Allan about how cows can be potty-trained, just like toddlers!
Justin spoke to Health Minister Andrew Little about the interim report from the review into PHARMAC, and releasing unvaccinated Māori data for the rest of the North Island to the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency.
This week Zazi talks to Brooke about her favourite political moments of the year, goals for next year, as well as her plans for summer.
In the first half, Brooke discusses what she thinks were some political highlights of 2021 (so far). Brooke shares what she is most proud of, what she thinks were some highlights from the Government and the National Party, as well as if she believes ACT could have performed better in any areas, this year.
In the second half, Zazi speaks to Brooke about her future goals for 2022, asking Brooke what she would like to see get tackled next year.
And finally, Zazi asks Brooke about her summer plans. Brooke tells Zazi what she is keen to do over the December and January period, whether she is wanting to leave Auckland after the city had more than a hundred days of lockdown, as well as if she is going to go to any summer festivals.
On this week's Dear Science, Allan joined Christina live in the studio! This week, they spoke about the Running of the Bulls being used to study crowd behaviour, and how spaceflight impacts mice and humans.
International Desk reports on the aftermath of unrest in the Solomon Islands, as New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea deployed peacekeepers.
Justin spoke to Griffith University's Dr Tess Newton Cain about the situation.
This week Zazi and Brooke talk about the Christopher Luxon being elected the new National Party Leader and the new Omicron coronavirus variant.
In the first half, the two talk about the announcement yesterday that Christopher Luxon has been elected the new National Party Leader, alongside Nicola Willis as Deputy Leader. Zazi asks Brooke what the feeling around parliament was after the announcement, if Brooke believes Christopher Luxon is experienced enough for this role and whether she believes this new leadership will result in more National Party voters.
In the second half, Zazi speaks to Brooke about the new coronavirus variant. Brooke shares how concerned she is about the new variant for Aotearoa, and talks about vaccine access in both developed and developing countries.
On this week's Dear Science, Christina caught up with AUT Professor Marcus Jones. They spoke about the new variant of Covid-19 spreading around, the surge of new researchers using the Hubble telescope, and the unfortunate side effect of anti-flood barriers in Venice.
For their final interview together for the year, Pippa and Ilena talked about the Mayoral Conservation Awards. The awards were held online last night and recognise and reward the commitment and work of those in our communities who take a leading role in the environmental space.
They also talked about a groundbreaking new poll that shows huge public support for measures to protect and restore the Hauraki Gulf, which the Hauraki Gulf Forum will be taking to the government.
95bFM 
