Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Joel Armstrong, Castor Chacko, Oto Sequeira, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.
Alex kicks off with Stephen Noakes from the University of Auckland about the proposed Solomon Islands - China security agreement.
This is followed by Alex speaking with ACT’s Brooke van Velden about her view on the Solomon Islands - China security agreement as well as alleged human rights abuses by Russian forces in Ukraine.
Frances speaks with Cameron Mulgan on Eurovision, giving an update on the situation in Ukraine, focussing on the war crimes in Bucha. They also talk Hungary and Serbia election results, the upcoming presidential election in France, and finish off speaking about the new Tesla factory in Berlin.
Stella then speaks with Lauren Fong from Icehouse, the manager of ArcAngel the largest fund in New Zealand dedicated specifically to investing in female start-up leaders
Finally we have a piece from reporter Corey Fuimaono who speaks to NZUSA President Andrew Lessels on Vic Uni's recent vote to leave his organisation and recent reforms that are now taking place to keep members happy.
This week, Cameron and Frances give an update on the situation in Ukraine, focussing on the war crimes in Bucha. They also talk Hungary and Serbia election results, the upcoming presidential election in France, and finish off speaking about the new Tesla factory in Berlin.
Corey Fuimaono speaks to NZUSA President Andrew Lessels (Le-Sells) on Vic Uni's recent vote to leave his organisation and recent reforms that are now taking place to keep members happy.
Women in business experience a plethora of barriers when trying to raise capital for a new business endeavour, despite proven success. Aotearoa has an infant ecosystem of projects attempting to level the playing field, including the ArcAngel fund, the current largest fund of its kind that invests exclusively in female led startups. The fund is supported by Icehouse Ventures, a New Zealand based capital firm, and in 2022 is the second time it’s been run. Producer Stella Huggins spoke with Lauren Fong, the manager for the fund at Icehouse Ventures.
As of midnight on April 4, the government has removed the requirement for vaccine mandates and vaccine passes. However, the entire country will remain under the red traffic light setting, with no regions moving to orange. On The Wire, Christina spoke to epidemiologist Rod Jackson and Covid modeller Michael Plank about the loosened restrictions and what that means for Aotearoa.
The New Zealand Blood Service has called for those with A Positive Blood to donate as soon as possible to replenish reserves and to help save lives.
Trishil spoke to National Manager of Marketing and Communications Asuka Burge from the New Zealand Blood Service to discuss the critical need for A Positive donors, and how you can go about donating blood.
Over the weekend, a severe blaze broke out across the Awarua-Waituna wetlands, burning 1000 hectares of the land. The fires have highlighted a need for the Government to implement climate protections for the wetlands as it acts as a major carbon sink and contains a unique ecosystem.
Trishil spoke to Tom Kay from Forest and Bird to discuss the impact of the fires, and policy that can be implemented so the wetlands can be protected.
Host Christina had her regular catch up with AUT Professor Marcus Jones for Dear Science live in studio. They discussed the diabetes risk after Covid, a new opioid free painkiller, and how fish could be able to learn basic maths.
Christina also discussed the loosening of government restrictions overnight with Professor Rod Jackson and Professor Michael Plank.
Producer Trishil spoke to Asuka Burge from the New Zealand Blood Service about the critical need for those with A Positive blood to donate.
He also spoke to Forest and Bird Freshwater Advocate Tom Kay, as he calls for the Government to implement better climate goals in the wake of the Awarua-Waituna wetland fires.
Finally, Christina spoke to trade unionist Justine Sachs about her thoughts on Amazon workers in New York joining the Amazon Labour Union in the United States.
Recently, Amazon workers in Staten Island, New York, made history by voting to join the Amazon Labour Union. With a reputation of exploitation in Amazon warehouses, this news has significant implications for worker rights. Christina asked trade unionist Justine Sachs about her thoughts on the situation.
This week on Dear Science, Christina caught up with AUT Professor Marcus Jones. They talked about the increased risk of developing diabetes after recovering from Covid, a new type of painkiller free of opioids, and how fish are able to learn basic maths.
Last week, the council’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) Committee said they would be seeking to implement a number of recommendations that improve emergency readiness for disabled populations.
Following a hui last year where community members were invited to bring forward issues relating to future planning for natural disasters, Sara was interested to hear about how the council is taking suggestions on board.
As well, Auckland Council has been considering proposals to mitigate flood risks around the Wairau catchment, including one which would see the reduction of the size of the Takapuna Golf Course, to convert the space into a flood catchment.
Producer Sara spoke to Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson on both of these topics, firstly by asking him to discuss the desired outcomes relating to emergency preparedness for disabled people, and the council’s first steps to implementation
Zohran Mamdani has all but won the Democratic Primary in New York City after key competitor Andrew Cuomo conceded the race.
Mamdani will now be the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor.
His campaign was built on cost-of-living, where Mamdani presented himself as an authentic, Democratic Socialist, grassroots campaign leader.
Wire Host Caeden spoke to 95bFM reporter and South Asia correspondent Sanat Singh about Momdani’s win, what this means for the communities he represents, and where to from here.
A reported 131,000 submissions were made on the Regulatory Standards Bill.
The Bill, proposed by the ACT party, includes a set of principles outlining “responsible regulation.” Notably, it does not include any mention of either version of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Last weekend, hundreds of Destiny Church members marched on Queen Street in a rally that they called “in defence of faith, flag, and family.”
And the Labour Party has criticised the framing of a poll question by the Taxpayers Union/Curia on whether or not Cook Islanders should retain automatic New Zealand citizenship.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden asked Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about all of these topics.
Recently the Green Party commissioned independent legal advice to look into the government’s $200 million investment in new gas fields that was carried out last month and found out that the investment was in breach of the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS).
NZ First MP Shane Jones recently announced that he’d be drafting a member's bill to force Ngāpuhi into a single commercial settlement, which would prevent hapū from negotiating separate commercial redresses and remove any reference to hapū sovereignty from the settlement terms.
And the Green party recently issued a call to the New Zealand government to condemn the US strikes on Iranian Nuclear facilities, almost a week after Iran and Israel had both been trading missile strikes between each other.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Oto spoke with MP Hūhana Lyndon to get the party’s take on all of these issues
Last week, Statistics Minister Shane Reti announced plans to scrap the nationwide census moving forward. The census is the largest statistical survey done in Aotearoa, and provides the bulk of population data used in research and decision-making. Reti says the census is “no longer financially viable” and will be replaced with a combination of smaller annual surveys and administrative data.
While the change looks good on paper, there are concerns around how the change in data collection could affect representation of marginalised and minority groups. Census data tends to be more protected from bias than administrative data and smaller surveys, meaning there are more opportunities for misrepresentation. Some statisticians are particularly concerned about the potential exclusion of marginalised rural communities.
In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked him about the census decision and its implications on marginalised and minority groups.
Associate Health Minister, David Seymour, has recently announced changes to Psilocybin and Melatonin availability.
Psilocybin, the compound found in magic mushrooms, will be available for certain patients suffering from poor mental health outcomes. Melatonin, which is used for insomnia and jetlag, is set to be available over the counter.
For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to him about this move, and the potential accessibility concerns with accessing these medications.
They also discussed taxpayers set to be funding newly-funded cancer medicines for private facilities.
Finally, they discuss opposition parties criticised Children’s Minister, Karen Chhour, over a lack of transparency regarding the effectiveness of boot camps for youth offenders, especially as boot camps have received a boost of $30 million, despite the pilot programme still being ongoing.
But first, they discussed Psilocybin and Melatonin.
Last Saturday, over 2,000 protests took place across all 50 American States against President Donald Trump.
The protests coincided with Trump’s birthday and the 250th anniversary of the US Army, and they served as a direct response to the military parade in Washington, DC.
The organisers of the protests say they aimed to reject “authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarisation of our democracy.”
Wire Host Caeden spoke to Jeremy Pressman, Professor of Political Science at the University of Connecticut about the protests and the backlash towards them from the Trump administration.
Housing intensification is a key priority for Auckland Council as Auckland's population is forecast to reach 2.3 million by 2050.
But as planning for growth continues, some Auckland residents have expressed concern about the approval of developments in areas on flood plains or particularly prone to natural disasters.
With Kāinga Ora selling homes as ‘high risk investments’ in areas which were impacted by flooding in recent years, and 15 percent of all granted consents for new builds by Auckland Council being on floodplains, I spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about how the council is taking into account these issues for the coming years.
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