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 government recently announced that they’ll be moving forward with changes to maths teaching in schools a year earlier than intended.
Changes revolve around implementing stricter structure to the way maths is taught, and introducing more standardised maths assessments for children in years 0-8.
The Prime Minister has said that this may mean deferring the arts and music curriculum to allow for these changes.
In a Newsroom article, Professor in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Auckland, Peter O'Connor says that pushing the arts curriculum to the side would be detrimental for students.
Producer Evie spoke to O’Connor about why arts and music is so important for students, as well as having the ability to lift their maths and literacy results.
Amnesty International UK has released a new report that links a government failure to address institutional racism to the far-right violence that has erupted in UK streets.
The UK’s failure to address racism is also a failure to address international human rights obligations on race.
The report lists concerns over legislation introduced by the previous government including the Police, Crime Sentencing and Courts Act (2022), Elections Act (2022), and the Nationality and Borders Act (2022), saying these have combined to pose a sustained threat to the civil and political rights of people of colour in the UK.
Wire host Caeden spoke to Frankie Barclay from Amnesty Aotearoa about the report and recent far right riots in the UK, as well as if these have any connection to the political climate here.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party Wire Host Caeden speaks to Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni about the government’s new benefit sanctions and the New Plymouth Mayor’s call for Labour to continue oil and gas exploration until 2050.
For States of the States Caeden speaks to Andre Fa'aoso on candidates joining, or potentially joining, livestreams. As well as the Trump campaign internal document hack, which they are blaming on Iran.
And they speak to Frankie Barclay from Amnesty Aotearoa on the recent alt-right riots in the UK, and their new report linking these riots to institutional racism.
For City Counselling this week, Producer Sofia speaks to Councillor Julie Fairey about plans to reform council controlled organisations, rates, and Council paying out secret financial settlements.
She also speaks to Principal Scientist at Plant & Food Research and Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland, Dr Andy Allan, about the government announcing to end the ban on genetic modification and genetic engineering outside the lab.
This week in States of the States, Presidential candidate Donald Trump joins a livestream on the streaming app with internet personality Adin Ross. Ross is known for his sometimes controversial videos of livestreaming apps “twitch” and “kick”.
Another celebrity streamer, Kai Cenat, has also claimed the Harris campaign reached out to him for the pair to do a livestream together.
Amongst this, the FBI have launched an investigation in what seems to be a hack into the Trump campaigns computer systems. The campaign is blaming Iran-backed hackers, but this has not been confirmed.
Wire host Caeden speaks to Andre from the Yale Daily News, on the candidates joining livestreams and the alleged Trump campaign hack.
The Government has announced new sanctions for beneficiaries who do not meet their obligations. These include putting half a person’s benefit on a payment card and community work experience.
Social Development Minister Louise Upston said this is to move people into work and provide tougher consequences for those who repeatedly fail to meet benefit obligations. The changes will be introduced alongside a new “traffic light” warning system for beneficiaries the government campaigned on.
The move has been criticised from opposition parties, including Labour Leader Chris Hipkins who said the move would continue to push people into poverty.
In other news, the Mayor of New Plymouth has called on the Labour Party to support oil and gas exploration until 2050. Neil Holdom states energy policies affected by constraints of the electoral cycle i not working and would like to see a bipartisan approach taken to energy policy.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party Wire host Caeden spoke to Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about both of these issues.
This week the government announced it is moving forward on overhauling restrictions on the use of gene editing and other genetic technologies in New Zealand - establishing a dedicated gene tech regulator before 2026.
The law will be based on similar legislation in Australia - the Australian Gene Technology Act 2000 - while taking a ‘hybrid approach’ to regulation with applications assessed under a risk framework.
With legislation expected to go through parliament by the end of 2024, it will remove regulatory hurdles that have been in place for the last 30 years on developing genetic technology beyond the lab.
Producer Sofia spoke to Principal Scientist at Plant & Food Research and Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland, Dr Andy Allan, about this announcement and whether he welcomes the change.
For their regular catch-up, Oto speak to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March about the government’s new traffic light sanctions for beneficiaries, as well as cuts at the Environmental Protection Agency and the party’s petition to roll back speed limit reversals.
He spoke to Maude Loutsch from the University of Auckland about the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle on housing in Aotearoa.
And, for this week’s Get Action! He spoke to Louisa Wall and Samantha Green a about a petition of theirs calling on public officials to be held accountable for sharing disinformation.
Sasha spoke to Professor Jodi Gardner from the University of Auckland to discuss government-funded energy deals for lower-income New Zealanders, including concerns surrounding heating and electricity
The government recently announced that they would be introducing a “traffic light” sanction system for people on the jobseeker support benefit who did not fulfil their obligations as beneficiaries. This includes a green level for compliant beneficiaries and an orange and red level for beneficiaries who haven’t met their obligations and who may face sanctions.
For their weekly catch up, Oto spoke to Green Party MP Ricardo Menendez-March to discuss his thoughts on the newly introduced sanctions.
They also had a chat about job cuts at the Environmental Protection Agency and the party’s petition calling for Simeon Brown’s speed limit increases to be rolled back.
In the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle, there was widespread damage to homes across affected areas in the North Island, with the housing market across the whole country facing massive subsequent reductions.
Around 170 homes were deemed unsafe to enter, with almost 5000 others facing other infrastructural damages.
Oto spoke to Maude Loutsch, a lecturer and PHD candidate in the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland, to discuss the impacts to housing caused by Cyclone Gabrielle and Aotearoa’s preparedness for housing impacts in the event of natural disasters.
The New Zealand Police Association yesterday released an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon discussing firearms legislation reform. In the letter, the association called out the government for their exclusion from the policy making process, as the Police Association has been a key group calling for the introduction and continuation of a firearms registry.
The Police Association also called into question the involvement of gun lobby groups in discussions of reform, particularly the history of Associate Minister and minister in charge of the reforms, Nicole McKee. Before becoming an MP, McKee had been the spokesperson for the Council of Licensed Firearms Owners, a gun lobby group. This has led some to call into question her impartiality and ability to assess evidence regarding firearms legislation reform.
Wire host Castor spoke to President of the New Zealand Police Association, Chris Cahill, about the letter, the firearms registry, and involvement of gun lobbyists in firearms legislation decision making.
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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