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.
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 weekend’s Palestine rally, the ‘March for Humanity’ and Regulations Minister, David Seymour, not ruling out changes for the labelling on alcohol, nicotine, and tobacco products.
Thursday Wire Host Caeden, Thursday Producer Sanat, and Tuesday Wire Host Sara interviewed participants at Saturday’s ‘March for Humanity’ as well as Aotearoa for Palestine organiser Nadine Mortaja.
Joel spoke to Emma Anderson, a PhD Candidate at the Bioethics Centre at the University of Otago, about a recent study she was the lead author in, showing New Zealand news media’s coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic having nationalistic and ‘us versus them’ elements in its reporting.
Producer Alex spoke with the University of Otago’s Robert Patman about recent Russian drone incursions in Poland, and what they mean for NATO and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
And Alex also spoke to The University of Otago’s Michael Holland about artists leaving spotify, and the issues with the platform.
Earlier this week, Green Party MP Benjamin Doyle (Ngāpuhi) resigned from Parliament.
They cited concerns for their safety following receiving ‘hate, vitriol and threats of real-world violence.”
Earlier this year, research found online threats of physical and sexual violence have caused Members of Parliament to feel ‘fearful, anxious and distressed.’
Wire Host Caeden spoke to Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Canterbury, Cassandra Mudgway, about this issue and potential solutions.
This week on International Desk, an unfolding story from the United States.
Conservative political organiser Charlie Kirk has died after being shot during an event at Utah Valley University.
Kirk was a controversial figure, known for his pro-gun and Christian Nationalist views, as well as his close allyship with United States President Donald Trump.
Kirk’s death comes shortly after other stories of political violence in the United States.
In June, Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were assassinated in a shooting in their home. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were also injured the same day.
Following the news about Kirk’s death, Wire Host Caeden reached out to Andre Fa’aoso from the Yale Daily News to find out how people were reacting in the United States.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden asked Shanan Halbert about the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election result, this weekend's march across the Harbour Bridge for Palestine, and the Pacific Islands Forum.
For International Desk, they spoke to Yale Daily News’ Andre Fa’aoso about the death of Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk and the prominence of political violence in the United States.
They also spoke to Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Canterbury, Cassandra Mudgway, about the online abuse faced by politicians, especially those who are women and/or minorities.
For City Counselling, News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey on the major ‘shakeup’ of Auckland Transport.
And Joel spoke to John Fraser, the former Dean of Faculty of Medical Sciences and current research professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology at the University of Auckland, on US health secretary RFK Jr’s cancellation of $500 million US dollar worth of funding for mRNA vaccine research.
Producer Jasmine spoke to Dr. Nona Taute about the tool he’s developed through his PhD research to centre mātauranga Māori and empower iwi decision-making in geothermal engineering in Aotearoa.
Recently, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, RFK Jr, has cancelled over $500 million US dollars, roughly equating to $851 million New Zealand dollars, worth of federal funding for the mRNA vaccine.
News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to John Fraser, the former Dean of Faculty of Medical Sciences and current research professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology at the University of Auckland, about this cancellation of funding, and the claims RFK Jr has made regarding the vaccine, which Fraser has described as ‘ill-informed nonsense’.
The government has recently announced the specifics of the ‘shakeup’ of Auckland Transport.
This follows the plan, which was first announced in December last year, to introduce new legislation that would strip Auckland Transport of a lot of the entity’s power.
The changes will result in Auckland Council overseeing major decisions regarding transport, that will be split between the major, 20 councillors, and local boards.
As well as this, a new Auckland Regional Transport committee will be established, that will include councillors, government appointee’s, and an independent chair, to work on a 30-year transportation plan.
The bill is set to have its first reading next month, and is expected to pass into law by March next year.
For City Counselling this week, News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about this topic.
When a White House reporter asked the President of the United States, Donald Trump, whether he was ready to move to the “second phase” of sanctions against Russia and Vladimir Putin earlier this week, Trump responded with a blunt “yeah I am” and chose not to elaborate any further.
Following this, the European Union’s most senior sanctions envoy was confirmed to be holding talks with US counterparts, which were reported to have taken place yesterday. The main topic was to look for tougher measures to weaken Vladimir Putin’s war machine, after Russia launched its largest-ever airstrike against Ukraine this past weekend.
To discuss what the “second phase” of sanctions against Russia could be, and how it could impact the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Producer Max talked to Stephen Hoadley, a retired professor of international relations at the University of Auckland.
For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, Wednesday Wire host Oto spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez-March about the government’s announcement to expand support services for rough sleepers, Green MP Benjamin Doyle’s resignation from Parliament and Erica Stanford’s recently announced measures to crack down on overstayers.
And, for this week’s Get Action! He spoke with Fiona McDonald from Education Outdoors New Zealand about her petition to keep outdoor education on the list of senior curriculum subjects.
Wire producer Max spoke to Stephen Hoadley - a retired professor in international relations, to discuss the potential for more European and US sanctions against Russia.
And he also spoke to Will Alexander, a former actor on Shortland Street to discuss the recent global news of an Actors strike against Israel.
And Wire producer Manny spoke to Dr Sue Adams, Senior Lecturer of Nursing, to discuss Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora’s nursing reforms leaked last week and their implications for the workforce.
Hundreds of actors, directors and other film industry professionals, including the likes of Olivia Colman, Mark Ruffalo, Javier Bardem and Tilda Swinton have signed a pledge, which was submitted by the group “Film Workers for Palestine”, where they have vowed not to work with Israeli film institutions that they say are “implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people”, the pledge is inspired by the cultural boycott that contributed to the end of apartheid in South Africa.
Taking it back to last year, Will Alexander, a New Zealand actor who has appeared on Shortland Street in the past, chose to go on a hunger strike due to what he referred to as the New Zealand government being complicit in an ongoing genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people.
As he has personally acted against Israel in the past, Producer Max spoke to Will to get his opinion on the news of other global actors choosing to strike against Israel and how an actor can shape public perception.
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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