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 recent report from the education review office (ERO) and the New Zealand Medical Journal (NZMJ) has found that early childhood teachers are seeing more children than ever with poor language skills. This, in part due to Covid-19 and increasingly prevalent screen and device usage.
Low language and speaking skills can have further implications down the line as children become older, this is quite jarring as New Zealand is a first world country with high access to healthcare and childcare.
Sasha spoke to professional research fellow in the department of General Practice and Primary Care, Samantha Marsh, about the implications of early childhood screen use and impacts of Covid-19 on children.
For their regular catch-up, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March about the recent changes to the fast track approvals bill, as well as the government’s plans to remove natural gas import barriers and the contamination of the Ohinemuri river.
He spoke to Kirsten Tilleman from the University of Auckland to talk about active bystanders and the role they play in reducing harassment on Auckland’s public transport.
He spoke to Nicola Owen from Disabled People Against Cuts Aotearoa to talk about austerity measures affecting the disabled community.
And he spoke to Dr Joel Rindelaub from the University of Auckland to talk about microplastics in human brain tissue.
Sasha spoke to Samantha Marsh from the University of Auckland to discuss worsening language skills in preschoolers.
He also spoke to Bill Kay Blake from NZ Institute of Economic Research about the rise of forestry farming over livestock farming
Last Sunday, the Cabinet proposed five changes they would make to the Fast-Track Approvals bill, which they recommended to the Environment select committee.
Some of the changes included shifting the final say on fast-tracked projects from ministers to an expert panel, requiring an iwi authority representative to be present on the panel alongside experts in Māori development and the environment, and extending the timeframe for comments on fast-tracked projects.
However, despite Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones saying the changes were based off feedback from submitters to make the fast-tracking process more inclusive, many advocates and experts say the bill still poses a threat to the environment and that it still prioritises development over conservation.
For their weekly catch up, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March about the party’s take on the changes to the fast-track approvals bill.
They also talked about the government's plans to remove natural gas import barriers, and arsenic contamination of the Ohinemuri river caused by mining
In a recent research paper funded by Our Land and Water National, the country will continue to see a significant shift away from livestock into pine forestry.
The implications this will have will not only be seen in nature, but also in the communities that rely on yearly income to support their families, rather than income that comes every twenty-five years. This paper also highlights the environmental issues that come with this transition, however neither are great for the environment.
Sasha spoke to Bill Kaye Blake, leading author of this paper on what’s driving the trend of replacing livestock farms with pine forestry.
A recent study involving commuters in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, found that women and people of intersectional identities were more likely to avoid using public transport out of fear of harassment.
Anti-harassment strategies proposed in that study promoted the idea of encouraging members of the public to become “active bystanders” during situations of harassment, where they could intervene by helping to de-escalate situations, reporting harassment incidents to transport staff and directly confronting perpetrators as a last minute resort.
Oto spoke to Doctoral candidate Kirsten Tilleman from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Auckland, to discuss what active bystanders are and the role they could play in preventing harassment on Auckland’s public transport
Amongst the numerous austerity measures the government implemented since coming into office are a variety of cuts that have impacted organisations and services for the disabled community of Aotearoa.
Some of these measures include the scrapping of a programme that would pay disabled workers the minimum wage, the restructuring of Whaikaha, the ministry for disabled people, and general austerity cuts likely to have an impact on the disabled community such as public transport fare increases and minimum wage stagnation.
Oto spoke to Nicola Owen from Disabled People Against Cuts Aotearoa, who have been leading a number of rallies and campaigns across the motu advocating for the disabled community of Aotearoa and protesting against the austerity measures that directly impact them.
If you're interested in following Disabled People Against Cuts Aotearoa and keeping up to date with their rallies and campaigns, you can follow their Facebook page here:
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of New Mexico in the United states revealed a high concentration of microplastics located in the brain tissue of a number of test subjects, as well as many other organs in the body.
While experts are still evaluating the exact physiological impacts of microplastic contamination, higher concentrations of these substances have been found in the brain tissue of subjects suffering from conditions such as early onset-dementia.
Oto spoke to Dr Joel Rindelaub, senior lecturer in the Faculty of Science at the University of Auckland, to discuss the presence of microplastics in human brain tissue and their potential impacts.
If you'd like to catch Joel's science-comedy show “Science Is No Joke”, you can get your tickets here:
Changes were recently announced to the Fast Track Approvals Bill - most notably removing the controversial ministerial override that would allow ministers to go past expert advice. These changes follow public protests and submissions regarding the bill, one of this government’s most discussed.
Environmental organisation Forest and Bird says while the changes to the Fast Track Bill are appreciated, they don’t go far enough. Particularly, the bill’s prioritisation of project development over environmental protections is a core principle that hasn’t changed throughout the select committee process.
Wire host Castor spoke to spokesperson from Forest and Bird, Geoff Keey, about the changes to the Fast Track Approvals Bill and what more Forest and Bird is looking for.
Changes were recently announced to the Fast Track Approvals Bill - most notably removing the controversial ministerial override that would allow ministers to go past expert advice. These changes follow public protests and submissions regarding the bill, one of this government’s most discussed. Wire host Castor spoke to Katie Nimon about the changes to the bill, and some of the criticisms that remain.
We also spoke about the potential amendment of Section 58 of the Marine and Coastal Area Act. The amendment would require Māori to prove continuous, uninterrupted occupation of a coastal area in order to make a claim to it. The Waitangi Tribunal recently filed an urgent claim to discuss the amendment, particularly criticised for its impact on coastal iwi with fewer land claims.
In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor asked MP Katie Nimon about each of these issues, starting off with changes to the Fast Track Approvals Bill.
Last week, the New Zealand Defence Force, the NZDF, awarded a contract to defence company BAE Systems, to upgrade its VBS4 whole-earth virtual desktop trainer.
BAE Systems has previously been found guilty of conspiring to defraud the United States and making false statements about its compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
The British company is currently under investigation in India for criminal conspiracy in the procurement and licensing of advanced jet trainers.
Furthermore, BAE Systems has been the subject of criticism for its production of weapons components sold to Israel for its war in Gaza.
The contract has drawn criticism from activist groups in New Zealand who say that the Defence Force should have more established standards regarding which companies it chooses to award contracts to.
Producer Josef spoke to a representative from Peace Action Wellington, Valerie Morse, about the contract, and what it means in the wider context of the morality of the NZDF’s operations.
From Dec 27 to Jan 18, all train lines across Tāmaki will be shutting down for summer maintenance, a closure which is expected to be the last of its kind ahead of the opening of the City Rail Link.
The current measles outbreak in Tāmaki is being continually monitored, with exposure sites being updated daily on info.health.nz. The public are encouraged to track whether they’ve been in possible contact with the virus, and get up to date on any vaccinations to limit possibilities of transmission.
Auckland Council are supporting arts initiatives across the summer months, with Music in the Park kicking off in early January, and Movies in the Park following in February.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about these topics, and also asked for comment following the attack by two gunmen at Bondi Beach earlier this week.
Yesterday, the latest six-monthly survey of housing support providers under the National Homelessness Data Project, or NHDP, showed that homelessness in Auckland has more than doubled in the year to September. The report also found that 14 of the 21 agencies interviewed reported an increase in homelessness.
As well as this, Australia’s ban on social media for children under 16 has taken effect. And according to an interim report into social media harm, a social media ban for children in New Zealand is worth exploring further.
And last week the Government announced the replacement of the Resource Management Act, or RMA. The coalition said its replacement will slash red tape and supercharge growth.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about the Government’s new RMA reforms and a potential social media ban in New Zealand.
But first they discussed the latest report on Auckland homelessness.
The Parliament’s Workforce and Education Committee has released an interim report on an inquiry into the harm young New Zealanders face online. The government has recently announced an overhaul of the Resource Management Act and introduced two new bills in its place, the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill.
For our weekly catch-up with the National Party, Producer Vihan spoke to MP Carl Bates, who is also the Deputy Chairperson of the Workforce and Education Committee, about the new findings of the interim report, the new Natural Environment Bill, and the Fast Track Approval Amendments Bill.
The government has announced the overhaul of the Resource Management Act (RMA), which will be replaced by two different bills, the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill. The RMA is set to be fully replaced by 2029.
The RMA, which has been in effect for 34 years, is polarising across the political spectrum.
In announcing the reforms, RMA Reform Minister, Chris Bishop, says that “pretty much everything” will be quicker and less costly under the new regime.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about this overhaul of the RMA.
They also discussed The Education and Workforce Committee’s interim report on the harms young people experience online, with a majority recommending a ban on social media for under-16-year-olds.
But first, they discussed the overhaul of the RMA.
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
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
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