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 years, the government has promised to eradicate child poverty and tackle wealth inequality. But ahead of the Budget 2022, there have been no indications of how the government will address these issues. Christina spoke to Emeritus Professor Innes Asher from the Child Poverty Action Group about the need for action.
On Monday, the government announced its first emissions reduction plan to meet Aotearoa's climate goals. The $2.9 billion plan targets transport emissions, agriculture emissions, and more sustainable energy alternatives over the next four years. But is it enough?
On the Wire, Jack and Christina spoke to three experts: Robert McLachlan from Massey University’s School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Simon Kingham from the University of Canterbury, and John Burnell from GNS Science.
When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24th, we immediately saw online content created by ordinary people being used to keep the world updated on the war's progress. These people have been labelled as citizen journalists and are still on the frontlines of the conflict producing self made news content. Documenting firefights, shelling’s and war crimes the role of citizen journalists is becoming increasingly important, with content produced by them receiving a lot of attention.
Jack spoke to the head of Journalism at the Auckland University of Technology, Dr Gregory Treadwell, to learn about the role that citizen journalists play.
Christina was joined in studio by AUT Professor Marcus Jones for Dear Science. This week, they spoke about the first photograph of the black hole at the centre of our galaxy, how naming species may be contributing to a gender bias, and coronavirus "ghosts", which can linger in our gut long after catching COVID-19.
This week, Jack Horsnell joined the Tuesday Wire team for his first producing shift! Christina and Jack spoke to Robert McLachlan, Simon Kingham, and John Burnell in a report on the government's Emission Reduction Plan and whether it is enough to meet our climate goals.
Jack also spoke to Dr. Greg Treadwell about the rise of citizen journalism.
Christina spoke to Professor Emeritus Innes Asher from the Child Poverty Action Group about eradicating child poverty ahead of the 2022 Budget.
And finally, Aneeka had her regular catch up with the National Party's Dr. Shane Reti. This week they talked about the allied health workers' strike.
This week on the Monday Wire! Today, Joe fills in for Charlie as host while she is away.
Charlie spoke to Action Station on their regular segment, discussing climate accountability this week.
Producer Trishil speaks to Larry Green from Gaspy and Dr Selena Sheng from the Business School at the University of Auckland about consistently rising fuel prices. He also speaks to Rich Rowley from Brain Badge and Dane Dougan from Autism NZ about Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Joe talks to Cass Thompson, an Organiser from the PSA, who joins us from the Health Worker's Strike today. She speaks about the impact this strike has on the health system and why it is so important. He also speaks to Ricardo Menendez March, the Immigration spokesperson from The Green Party about proposed changes to immigration and how it entrenches discrimination towards low wage migrants.
Around 40% of New Zealanders are neurodivergent in different ways. Some are on the Autism Spectrum, others have ADHD (inattentive or hyperactive; combined type), dyslexia, etc.
Despite this wide diversity of individuals, a lot of individuals are not reflected within the Workplace. The brain badge was assembled as a means to work with businesses to facilitate the differences that neurodiverse individuals have in a neurotypically wired world.
Trishil spoke to Brain Badge advisor Rich Rowley on the matter, hearing about his personal story along the way
This week members of the Public Service Association start their industrial action. The action is said to involve a 24-hour strike and wants the DHB’s to take on recommendations made by the Employment Relations Authority.
Joe spoke with Cass Thompson, an organiser from the PSA, who is attending the Health Worker's Strike today. She speaks about the impact this strike has on the health system and why this strike is so important.
On this week’s regular segment in collaboration with OurActionStation, we’re discussing climate accountability. Bernard Schofield, creator of the Climate Accountability Now petition, spoke with Charlie today about what petition signers expect the government. With the climate crisis constantly overshadowing the future, the petition hopes that with correct access to climate information New Zealander’s will take more action to prevent negative climate impact.
Around 40% of New Zealanders are neurodivergent in different ways. Some are on the Autism Spectrum, others have ADHD (inattentive or hyperactive; combined type), dyslexia, etc.
Despite this wide diversity of individuals, a lot of individuals are not reflected within the Workplace. Trishil spoke to Autism New Zealand CEO Dane Dougan on the matter, and the work that Autism New Zealand does to assist those on the spectrum with integrating into the workforce.
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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