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.
This week marks our final weekly catchup with the National Party before the election. Former Wire host, Milly, took this opportunity to cover National's 100-day plan and the party's Foreign Buyer's Tax plan.
Milly also took the opportunity to discuss the Bowel Cancer screening age.
Last Election, The Auckland Central seat was won by the Green Party’s Chlöe Swarbrick, the second Green MP to win an electorate seat.
Recent Polling has shown National Candidate Mahesh Muralidhar only two points behind the incumbent Chlöe Swarbrick.
Leading up to the election, Nicholas will be speaking to the Auckland Central Candidates from Labour, National, ACT, and the Green Party about issues facing this electorate.
Nicholas asked the candidates questions about housing security and affordability, public transport policy, working relationship with the Auckland Council, and climate resilience.
In this interview, Nicholas speaks to the incumbent Candidate Chlöe Swarbrick from the Green Party.
Last Election, The Auckland Central seat was won by the Green Party’s Chlöe Swarbrick , the second Green MP to win an electorate seat.
Recent Polling has shown National Candidate Mahesh Muralidhar only two points behind the incumbent Chlöe Swarbrick.
Leading up to the election, Nicholas will be speaking to the Auckland Central Candidates from Labour, National, ACT, and the Green Party about issues facing this electorate.
Nicholas asked the candidates questions about housing security and affordability, public transport policy, working relationship with the Auckland Council, and climate resilience.
In this interview, Nicholas speaks to Auckland Central Candidate Mahesh Muralidhar Party.
The interview begins with Mahesh Muralidhar discussing the cost of rent in Auckland Central.
Dr Olivia Yates is a research assistant at the University of Auckland, and a research advisor at WorldVision. She is also the co-author of a recently published report and policy brief “Preparing for Climate Mobility from Tuvalu and Kiribati to Aotearoa” which explores what more needs to be done to improve pathways for climate migrants to Aotearoa.
Olivia and Rosetta had a kо̄rero about her research, and what the future of climate migration to Aotearoa could look like.
A surprise attack from Palestinian group Hamas has resulted in the Israeli Prime Minister declaring a quote “state of war”, with the death toll from fighting having reached 700 today.
It comes after 16 years of a blockade in Gaza by Israel, and an occupation which has been ongoing since 1967.
The blockade has created an economic and human rights crisis that has been condemned by the United Nations and numerous humanitarian organisations.
Today Caeden spoke about the occupation of Palestine, and recent attack from Hamas, with Co-Founder of Alternative Jewish Voices Marilyn Garson, and Palestinian New Zealander and descendent of Palestinian refugees Tameem Shaltoni.
Marilyn Garson describes herself as an “observant jew”. She lived in Gaza for four years. Caeden spoke to her about the range of anti-Zionist views that exist within the Jewish community, and comments made by the New Zealand Jewish Council.
They also spoke to Palestinian New Zealander Tameem Shaltoni about what Palestinians have and are currently experiencing, the immediate future for Palestine, and the lack of Palestinian voices being heard from in media currently.
Caeden spoke about the long-term occupation of Palestine, and recent attack from Hamas, with Co-Founder of Alternative Jewish Voices Marilyn Garson, and Palestinian New Zealander and descendent of Palestinian refugees Tameem Shaltoni.
For our bi-weekly segment of Get Action, where we speak to campaigners about their grass roots movements, Rosetta spoke to Kassie Hartendorp, director of Action Station, about their most recent campaign Triple The Vote.
Rosetta also spoke to Dr Olivia Yates, co-author of the report and policy brief “Preparing for Climate Mobility from Tuvalu and Kiribati to Aotearoa” about improving pathways for climate migrants Aotearoa.
For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director Jess spoke to Simon Court about the party's stance on issues effecting young people, and ACT Candidates with conspiracist beliefs.
Finally, Rosetta spoke to Saunomali’i Karinina Sumeo, acting Race Relations Comissioner for Te Kahui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission, about their recent statement calling for respect for all to be upheld when discussing important issues around election season.
Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission has released a statement calling for the respect and dignity of all to be upheld when discussing important issues in Aotearoa, particularly in regards to the election. The statement condemns the use of race-baiting, or using race as a political football, and urges New Zealanders to look out for our most vulnerable people at this time.
Rosetta spoke to Saunomali'i Karanina Sumeo, Acting Race Relations Commissioner at Te Kāhui Tika Tangata about the statement, and what more needs to be done to hold individuals accountable for race baiting and spreading harmful rhetoric.
For our regular catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to ACT’s Simon Court about ACT’s stance on issues affecting young voters including the cost of living and the climate crisis, as well as allegations of ACT platforming candidates with conspiracist beliefs.
She started off the interview asking Court why voters, in particular young voters, would benefit from ACT’s policies?
Earlier this year Green Party MP Chloe Swarbrick had an alcohol harm minimisation bill voted down by Parliament which would have limited alcohol advertising in sports amongst other measures.
Since today is their 18th bday, Caeden spoke to Chloe about her bill and the drinking culture that kicks in with the drinking age.
They started by asking if Aotearoa has a drinking culture problem.
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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