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The Wire

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.

Employee Burnout w/ Professor Jarrod Haar: April 14, 2022

Employee Burnout w/ Professor Jarrod Haar: April 14, 2022 Employee Burnout w/ Professor Jarrod Haar: April 14, 2022, 18.52 MB
Thu 14 Apr 2022

Kiwis in the workforce that are suffering from burnout don’t realise it, or can’t assess how severe it is.

In AUT’s Wellbeing@Work study, it was found that 35% of respondents experience severe burnout, and worryingly, some respondents who were experiencing high levels of burnout indicated themselves as having low to modest burnout levels. 

Emilia Sullivan spoke to Jarrod Haar, Professor of Human Resource Management at AUT who led the Wellbeing@Work study.

New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme w/ Jason George: April 14, 2022

New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme w/ Jason George: April 14, 2022 New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme w/ Jason George: April 14, 2022, 12.76 MB
Thu 14 Apr 2022

In 1988, New Zealand became the first country in the world to introduce a national, government-funded needle exchange programme for people who inject legal and illegal drugs.

New data has shown that the New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme has doubled its return in twenty years and has reduced the need for spending on treatment for HIV, Hepatitis B and C and other injection injuries.

Emilia Sullivan spoke to Jason George, National Harm Reduction Lead at the New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme.

Syrian Widow Camps w/ World Vision's Grant Bayldon: April 14, 2022

Syrian Widow Camps w/ World Vision's Grant Bayldon: April 14, 2022 Syrian Widow Camps w/ World Vision's Grant Bayldon: April 14, 2022, 20.03 MB
Thu 14 Apr 2022

Widowed Syrian women who are fleeing war zones with their children are ending up in “widow camps”, where they face chronic violence, and their children are exploited and abused.

Since the start of the civil war in 2011, nearly 7 million Syrians have been displaced internally, and about 2.8 million are living in an estimated 1,300 camps for internally displaced people in the north-west of the country.

World Vision has released a study titled “Women and Children of Syria's Widow Camps: Hardest to Reach, Most at Risk” which illustrates the physical and psychological violence that these vulnerable people are facing, and the barriers to providing humanitarian aid. 

Emilia Sullivan spoke to Grant Bayldon, National Director of World Vision New Zealand about the issue.

New Zealand's Rise in Food Prices w/ Dr. Lisa Te Morenga: April 14, 2022

New Zealand's Rise in Food Prices w/ Dr. Lisa Te Morenga: April 14, 2022 Lisa Te Morenga: April 14, 2022, 25.08 MB
Thu 14 Apr 2022

Yesterday, Statistics NZ released data which showed healthy fruit and vegetables increased in price by 18 per cent in March 2022, the highest increase in a decade. Joe spoke to Dr. Lisa Te Morenga, Associate Professor in Nutrition and Maori Health at Massey University, as well as the Acting Chair for Health Coalition Aotearoa, on the matter.

The Fair Pay Agreement Bill w/ Unite Union's John Crocker & Hospitality NZ's Julie White: April 13, 2022

The Fair Pay Agreement Bill w/ Unite Union's John Crocker & Hospitality NZ's Julie White: April 13, 2022 The Fair Pay Agreement Bill w/ Unite Union's John Crocker & Hospitality NZ's Julie White: April 13, 2022, 39.8 MB
Wed 13 Apr 2022

The Fair Pay Agreements Bill is the biggest change to NZ’s labour laws for a generation, proposing sector by sector wage and employment conditions that will be negotiated between unions and employer representatives. 

Earlier today Alex spoke with Unite Union’s John Crocker and Hospitality NZ Chief Executive Julie White about what the Bill might mean for those in hospitality.

 

New Zealand's Aid Package to Ukraine w/ Geoffrey Miller: April 14, 2022

New Zealand's Aid Package to Ukraine w/ Geoffrey Miller: April 14, 2022 New Zealand's Aid Package to Ukraine w/ Geoffrey Miller: April 14, 2022, 19.06 MB
Wed 13 Apr 2022

New Zealand has just announced another package of $13million NZD for Ukraine, bringing our total of aid spending to $30million NZD. It’s also the first time we provide what’s called lethal aid. Producer Stella Huggins spoke with Geoffrey Miller, an expert on Ukraine and an international analyst with the Democracy Project, about the package.

 

The Wire with Alex: April 13, 2022

The Wire with Alex: April 13, 2022 The Wire with Alex: April 13, 2022, 106.39 MB
Wed 13 Apr 2022

Today, Alex's pieces today have a focus on the Fair Pay Agreement Bill: This kicks off with interviews with Unite Union’s John Crocker and Hospitality New Zealand Chief Executive Julie White about the Fair Pay Agreement Bill and what this might mean for hospitality. 

This is followed by Alex speaking with ACT’s Brooke van Velden about the Bill and what this might mean for young people and for the cost of living crisis .

Stella talk to Geoffrey Miller, an international analyst with the democracy project, about the recently announced aid package from New Zealand to help Ukraine 

Frances then speaks with Cameron Mulgan on Eurovision, giving a general update on the situation in Ukraine, the UN's call for an independent investigation into rape there, and politicians visiting Zelensky. We also speak about the EU withdrawing their training mission in Mali, elections in France and solar faming in Greece.

Finally, Stella interviews Dr Amy Lovell from the University of Auckland about a recent study surveying the amount of advertising for unhealthy food and drink around Auckland’s primary schools.

EuroVision w/ Cameron Mulgan: April 13, 2022

EuroVision w/ Cameron Mulgan: April 13, 2022 EuroVision w/ Cameron Mulgan: April 13, 2022, 20.94 MB
Wed 13 Apr 2022

Frances spoke with European correspondent Cameron Mulgan on Eurovision, giving a general update on the situation in Ukraine, the UN's call for an independent investigation into rape there, and politicians visiting Zelensky. They also speak about the EU withdrawing their training mission in Mali, elections in France and solar faming in Greece.

 

Advertising for Food Around Auckland Primary Schools w/ Dr Amy Lovell: April 13, 2022

Advertising for Food Around Auckland Primary Schools w/ Dr Amy Lovell: April 13, 2022 Advertising for Food Around Auckland Primary Schools w/ Dr Amy Lovell: April 13, 2022, 18.35 MB
Wed 13 Apr 2022

A study published in the New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences investigating outdoor food and beverage advertising on convenience stores within 500 metres of all primary schools in Auckland found that Convenience stores in areas surrounding low decile schools had twice as many advertisements than areas around medium or high decile schools (DOI: 10.1080/1177083X.2022.2058407). Producer Stella Huggins spoke with Dr Amy Lovell from the University of Auckland about the study.

Sri Lanka's Economic and Humanitarian Crisis: April 12, 2022

Sri Lanka's Economic and Humanitarian Crisis: April 12, 2022 Sri Lanka's Economic and Humanitarian Crisis: April 12, 2022, 10.49 MB
Tue 12 Apr 2022

Sri Lanka is currently facing the worst economic situation since it gained independence from Britain in 1940. The crisis comes as the culmination of several factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, financial mismanagement and government corruption.

Now, Sri Lankans are hitting the streets to protest against the government due to widespread shortages of food, water and medicine.

Host Christina Huang spoke to economist Anushka Wijesinha and constitutional lawyer Bhavani Fonseka about the economic and political situation.

ACT 2025 Rally, James Lindsay as Keynote Speaker, and Public Hearings on Covid-19 Response w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 14 July, 2025

ACT 2025 Rally, James Lindsay as Keynote Speaker, and Public Hearings on Covid-19 Response w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 14 July, 2025 ACT 2025 Rally, James Lindsay as Keynote Speaker, and Public Hearings on Covid-19 Response w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 14 July, 2025, 21.13 MB
Mon 14 Jul 2025

Yesterday, the ACT Party held their annual rally, being called the “Free and Equal Rally”.

Notably, US author, James Lindsay, was a keynote speaker at the event.

Lindsay is the author of ‘Cynical Theories: How Activist Scholarship Made Everything About Race, Gender, and Identity—and Why This Harms Everybody’ - among other titles, such as ‘Race Marxism: The Truth About Critical Race Theory and Praxis’ and ‘The Queering of the American Child: How a New School Religious Cult Poisons the Minds and Bodies of Normal Kids’.

Party Leader, David Seymour, says Lindsay is a “prominent advocate for free speech”. Prior to the event, a spokesperson for the party said Lindsay would discuss “reclaiming liberalism in an age of extremes”.

For our weekly catch up, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the ACT Party’s Simon Court about the rally, why the party chose Lindsay as a keynote speaker, and we address some of the concerns with Lindsay’s previous comments.

They also discussed the first public hearings into the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the former government’s Covid-19 response, and what to expect heading into the next hearings in Wellington next month.

But first, they discussed ACT’s 2025 “Free and Equal” Rally.

Council body reforms and the state of homelessness in Auckland w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 10 July, 2025

Council body reforms and the state of homelessness in Auckland w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 10 July, 2025 Council body reforms and the state of homelessness in Auckland w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 10 July, 2025, 19.27 MB
Thu 10 Jul 2025

This month, a number of council body reforms have come into effect in the Auckland Council, fulfilling Mayor Wayne Brown’s promise to address issues and implement community feedback into the council’s format.

The three new divisions in the Auckland Council to improve organisation include the Auckland Urban Development Office, the  Property Department, and an Economic Development Office, each of which are intended to make decision making more effective and accessible to the public.

As well, with the persisting cold temperatures and rainy weather hitting Auckland this Winter, I wanted to discuss the topic of homelessness in Auckland’s city centre, and to what extent the council is working to support those rough sleeping in the CBD

Phase Two of The Covid-19 Inquiry and Advisory Group Recommendations on Climate Adaptation Legislation w/ Labour’s Arena Williams: 10 July, 2025

Phase Two of The Covid-19 Inquiry and Advisory Group Recommendations on Climate Adaptation Legislation w/ Labour’s Arena Williams: 10 July, 2025 Phase Two of The Covid-19 Inquiry and Advisory Group Recommendations on Climate Adaptation Legislation w/ Labour’s Arena Williams: 10 July, 2025, 15.27 MB
Thu 10 Jul 2025

Public hearings as part of phase two of the Royal Commission into COVID-19 took place in Auckland this week.

The second phase of the inquiry has a stronger focus on lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and the impact of the Covid-19 response on business and the economy.

And yesterday, an independent reference group set up by the Ministry of Environment shared their recommendations for climate adaptation legislation.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Arena Williams about both of these topics.

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party: 9 July, 2025

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party: 9 July, 2025 Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party: 9 July, 2025, 19.59 MB
Wed 9 Jul 2025

Recently, a study was conducted by researchers at the University of Southampton which uncovered a shift in the circulation of the Southern Ocean.

The study showed that the shift would draw up more salt water from the deep ocean, subsequently accelerating the loss of ice in the Antarctic and leading to an increase of sea levels and global heating.

The week before, the government allowed the terrorist designation given to the far-right ‘Proud Boys’ group to expire, effectively decriminalising the act of funding or openly supporting the group here in Aotearoa.

And, just yesterday Finance Minister Nicola Willis confirmed a number of changes to Family Boost which she said would help families with the cost of living.

For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, News and Editorial Director Joel spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez March to get the party’s take on all of these issues.

Get Action! Restore The Southerner Train w/ Dave Macpherson - Save our Trains Southern: 9 July, 2025

Get Action! Restore The Southerner Train w/ Dave Macpherson - Save our Trains Southern: 9 July, 2025 Get Action! Restore The Southerner Train w/ Dave Macpherson - Save our Trains Southern: 9 July, 2025, 17.86 MB
Wed 9 Jul 2025

The Southerner was a passenger express train in the South Island running between Christchurch and Invercargill from 1970 to 2002.

The train was eventually closed due a decline in passenger numbers and subsidies, although it was briefly revived in May this year for four days as part of a tourist experience.

Recently, a group of campaigners from Save our Trains launched a petition calling on the government to restore the Southerner train route as a more accessible form of travel for South Islanders.

Wednesday Wire Host Oto spoke with Dave Macpherson from Save Our Train - Southern, to discuss his petition and why the Southerner should be restored.

The Regulatory Standards Bill in Select Committee w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 8th July, 2025

The Regulatory Standards Bill in Select Committee w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 8th July, 2025 The Regulatory Standards Bill in Select Committee w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 8th July, 2025, 13.59 MB
Tue 8 Jul 2025

Hearings on the regulatory standards bill are currently underway, with around 23,000 total submissions both written and oral. Early analysis of the submissions estimated 88% percent are in opposition, while only 0.3% are in support. 

The bill has been pushed by Minister for Regulation and ACT Party leader David Seymour, who says it should support the government to reduce regulation and ensure the protection of individual rights and private property. The bill has been criticised for not including clauses around Te Tiriti o Waitangi or environmental protections. It has also been criticised for potentially undemocratic elements, placing large amounts of control in the hands of the unelected Ministry for Regulation.

In our weekly catch-up with the National party, Wire host Castor asked Tom Rutherford about the regulatory standards bill in light of the select committee hearings and new criticisms.

Dear Science w/ Daniel Thomas: 8th July, 2025

Dear Science w/ Daniel Thomas: 8th July, 2025 Dear Science w/ Daniel Thomas: 8th July, 2025, 15.73 MB
Tue 8 Jul 2025

This week on Dear Science, our expert, Daniel Thomas chatted with us about rice arriving in the Pacific, Aotearoa's native forests sinking carbon, and orcas using seaweed to groom themselves. 

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!

Government's expectations for City and Regional, Youth Parliament w/ the ACT Party's Cameron Luxton: 7 July, 2025

Government's expectations for City and Regional, Youth Parliament w/ the ACT Party's Cameron Luxton: 7 July, 2025 Government's expectations for City and Regional, Youth Parliament w/ the ACT Party's Cameron Luxton: 7 July, 2025, 29.28 MB
Mon 7 Jul 2025

Recently, the government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Mayors of Auckland, Otago, and Western Bay of Plenty Councils over the government’s expectations of City and Regional Deals. These deals aim to tighten the partnership between central and local governments.

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, speaks to MP Cameron Luxton about what to expect heading forward regarding the relationship between local, regional, and central government.

They also discussed last week's Youth Parliament.

Youth Parliament provides the opportunity for 143 rangatahi aged 16-to-24 as Youth MPs, representing MPs across the political spectrum, and Youth Press Gallery members, to understand the country’s political processes, understand how government works, and replicate the Parliamentary process.

Youth MPs had previously accused event organisers of ‘censoring’ their speeches. This follows the MPs being asked to remove elements of their speeches that were critical of government policies, such as the Treaty Principles Bill and pay equity.

However, The Ministry of Youth Development has come out saying the way they communicated their wishes with Youth MPs could have been clearer and more concise. The general manager of the Ministry, John Robertson, says reviewing speeches and suggesting changes was a part of the process, but these recommendations are not enforced.

They also spoke to Luxton about these accusations, and whether they are tantamount to censorship.

Finally, they discussed calls by over half of the Youth MPs represented in this year's Youth Parliament, from across the political spectrum, renewing calls for the voting age to be lowered, to allow 16-to-17-year-olds the right to vote.

5 ACT Youth MPs, including the Youth MP representing Cameron Luxton, Fletcher Brown, had signed a letter calling for the voting age to be reduced.

This follows the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling that found the current voting age is unjustified age discrimination and goes against the Human Rights Act 1993.

They also discussed these renewed calls to lower the voting age.

International Desk: The Future of International Order w/ Britain Palestine Project's Dr Brian Brivati: 3 July, 2025

International Desk: The Future of International Order w/ Britain Palestine Project's Dr Brian Brivati: 3 July, 2025 International Desk: The Future of International Order w/ Britain Palestine Project's Dr Brian Brivati: 3 July, 2025, 21.24 MB
Thu 3 Jul 2025

Following Israel and the US’ large-scale attacks on Iran, and Israel’s continued war on Gaza, this has raised the question on the future of international order.

News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to the Executive Director of the Britain Palestine Project, Dr Brian Brivati, about this turning point in international order, and what we should expect heading forward.

On the proposal to scrap regional councils & the government’s request to increase developments around key CRL stations to up to 15 stories w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 3 July, 2025

On the proposal to scrap regional councils & the government’s request to increase developments around key CRL stations to up to 15 stories w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 3 July, 2025 On the proposal to scrap regional councils & the government’s request to increase developments around key CRL stations to up to 15 stories w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 3 July, 2025, 35.23 MB
Thu 3 Jul 2025

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones has suggested to the local government forum that regional councils may be abolished, stating that 
"After the upcoming changes to the Resource Management Act, I doubt that there's going to be a compelling case for regional government to continue to exist.“

Regional councils across Aotearoa are responsible for matters relating to natural resource management, flood control, and biosecurity.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said effectiveness between different councils is varied, and that councils generate too much bureaucracy and are “too focussed on vanity projects”.

As well, in order to make the most of local and central investment into Auckland’s growing city, the government is asking Auckland Council to increase the housing development allowance around key Central Rail Link stations in the lead up to the project’s completion.

Seeking to amend the resource management act, the government hopes to increase housing height and density around Mount Albert and Baldwin Avenue stations, allowing upzoning  of ten stories around these areas, in addition to allowing upzoning of fifteen stories around Maungawhau, Morningside and Kingsland.

Producer Sara spoke with Councillor Julie Fairey about both of these topics, starting with the proposal to scrap regional councils.