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.
Last week, US President Donald Trump had an outburst of criticism towards the UN. Despite the why and what of these criticisms by the right wing leader, he is not the first to levy criticisms against the organisation and its structures.
Particularly, the inability for the organisation to enact, oversee and rule on meaningful change, as well as the powers invested in an outdated security council, have been subject of significant concern, especially in the 21st century.
Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to Senior Tutor in Law at the University of Auckland, Dr Justin Sobion, about the UN’s glaring issues, and potential fixes.
In a recently released study from the University of Otago, researchers surveyed over 1000 participants, with over two thirds of these participants supporting the idea of the government developing plans to deal with catastrophe’s, extending across the political spectrum.
Such catastrophes include nuclear war, the spread of bioengineer infectious diseases, and weather events.
News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to Senior Researcher and a Population Health Professor at the University of Otago, Wellington, Nick Wilson, about this study, and what the government already has in place to deal with these risks.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shanan Halbert about the results of the New Zealand Herald’s mood of the boardroom survey, and the University reforms announced by the Government earlier this month.
For International Desk, they also spoke to Dr Marieke Riethof, Senior Lecturer in Latin American Politics at the University of Liverpool, about the conviction of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and the public response.
On City Counselling this week, Producer Sanat talked to Councilor Jule Fairey about the passing of Plan Change 78 and higher density housing
He also had a chat with Te Ohu Whakawhanaunga Marlon Drake about the 300 person mayoral forum that was hosted last week on housing and wages.
Yesterday, the New Zealand Herald released their latest “Mood of the Boardroom” survey results, based on the responses from 150 senior business leaders.
And earlier this month, the Minister for Universities, Dr Shane Reti, announced a series of reforms for tertiary education.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden asked Shanan Halbert about both of these topics.
Earlier this month, four out of five members of Brazil’s supreme court voted to convict the former president, Jair Bolsonaro, for plotting a military coup after losing the 2022 election.
However, members of the right-wing political opposition that support Bolsonaro are attempting to pass a bill that would give him amnesty.
For International Desk, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Dr Marieke Riethof, Senior Lecturer in Latin American Politics at the University of Liverpool, about the conviction of Bolsonaro and the public response.
Last week at St Matthew’s in the city, the community alliance Te Ohu Whakawhaungna organised a housing and wages Mayoral Forum attended by nearly 300 people.
This forum was centered on asking leading mayoral candidates about their plans to deliver public and affordable housing in the city, tackle homelessness and deliver a living wage for all those employed by Auckland Council.
Producer Sanat spoke to lead organiser for Te Ohu Marlon Drake about their community organising strategy, the sort of issues that diverse communities across the city care about and how they plan to work with the next mayor of the city to deliver on the needs of communities in Auckland.
Auckland Council’s Policy and Planning committee met yesterday to vote on a new plan that would zone the city for two million homes, primarily around train stations and rapid bus routes.
This plan is a response to legislation put forward by housing minister Chris Bishop which requires councils across the country to zone for higher density housing.
This plan has not been without controversy, with councillors claiming that Aucklanders are being “put to the firing squad”
Deputy PM David Seymour has publicly disagreed with his own housing minister, arguing that suburbs like Epsom and Parnell don’t have the right infrastructure to accommodate for this growth.
Advocates for the plan, including mayor Wayne Brown argue that the council cannot continue to drag its feet on the need for housing that is closer to the city, and is more affordable. They argue that it’s better to build in places with pipes, public transport routes and job opportunities.
The plan passed with a majority last evening, so Producer Sanat talked to Councilor Julie Fairey about the plan change and what it means for the future of the city.
For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party Oto spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez-March about the government’s changes to sick leave laws with their planned overhaul of the Holidays Act 2003, as well as Environment Canterbury’s decision to carry a motion declaring a nitrate emergency and the responses to the Greens petition calling on te reo Māori names to be restored to Wellington electorates
And he spoke with Dr Ritesh Shah a Senior Lecturer in Critical Studies in Education at the University of Auckland about the number of countries announcing their recognition of Palestine at the UN General Assembly and why it might just be a symbolic gesture.
Max spoke to Stephen Hoadley, a retired professor of international relations, to talk about the suspension and later reinstation of American Late Night Host Jimmy Kimmel.
And he spoke to Dr. Lucy Telfar-Barnard from the University of Otago, Wellington, to discuss the recent study released by the University of Otago that showed how firearm incidents are costing New Zealand $322 million per year.
Last week ABC, who is owned by Disney, announced that American Late Night Host Jimmy Kimmel was to be suspended indefinitely after pressure from the FCC and President Donald Trump’s administration, over comments he made related to the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Yesterday, Disney announced that Kimmel would be re-instated, and would continue hosting the show starting today.
This follows news from July, when it was announced that CBS would be ending the The Late Show franchise at the end of this season – currently hosted by Stephen Colbert – after similar pressure from the Trump administration.
After Kimmel’s suspension, reports followed that estimated Disney had lost a reported $3.8 billion USD in market value. Along with this, many actors involved with Disney in the past and present promoted cancellation of Disney Plus subscriptions to their fans through social media, with many hundreds of celebrities, including Meryl Streep, Jennifer Aniston and Robert De Niro signing a letter where they backed Kimmel.
To discuss these events and how they impact free speech in the United States, Producer Max spoke to Stephen Hoadley, a retired professor in international relations and editor of a series of books on international human rights.
A new study led by the University of Otago has found that, each year, firearms injuries are costing the New Zealand hospital system an average of $1.48 million and costing the country a further $321 million in years of life lost. The researchers investigated firearms-related hospitalisations and deaths from assaults, accidents and suicide between the years 2000 and 2018. The total cost of hospital care over the 19 years was $28.2 million.
Lead researcher Dr Lucy Telfar-Barnard, a senior research fellow at the University of Otago, Wellington, says more than 1,000 people died and 2,115 people were hospitalised as a result of firearms incidents between 2000 and 2018. More than 80 per cent of those hospitalised needed surgery, with most of the injuries from accidents.
To talk about this study, Producer Max spoke to Dr Lucy Telfar-Barnard.
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
95bFM 
