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.
Justin spoke to Health Minister Andrew Little about the interim report from the review into PHARMAC, and releasing unvaccinated Māori data for the rest of the North Island to the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency.
On their weekly chat, Justin and Health Minister Andrew Little talked about the interim report from the PHARMAC review, and releasing unvaccinated Maori data.
He also talked to the University of Otago Wellington's Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu on the Pfizer-Biontech's booster shot against the Omicron variant.
Producer Joe Wilkins spoke to E tu union's Jody Anderson on safe staffing at aged care, and Professor Jennie Connor from Alcohol Action on drinking in New Zealand.
He also chatted with Olivia Harrison from Otago University on her research on perceiving mental health and anxiety.
Pfizer and BionTech said the third dose of their COVID-19 vaccine is effective against the Omicron variant. Justin spoke to Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu from Otago University Wellington to discuss the science behind.
Statistics released last week by the Ministry of Health give us an updated insight into the drinking of New Zealanders as part of the New Zealand Health Survey in the 2020/2021 year. However, Alcohol Action say these results show a negative view of alcohol consumption in New Zealand. Joe speaks to Professor Jennie Connor, a spokesperson for Alcohol Action the matter.
Workers at aged care home and hospitals across Aotearoa will take action at their workplaces and at Parliament this December, saying mandatory safe staffing is needed. Today union members from E Tu and NZNO, with support from National’s senior network, Grey Power, will present to Parliament a petition and open letter to the government demanding the change. Joe speaks to Jody Anderson, the union’s spokesperson.
This week Zazi talks to Brooke about her favourite political moments of the year, goals for next year, as well as her plans for summer.
In the first half, Brooke discusses what she thinks were some political highlights of 2021 (so far). Brooke shares what she is most proud of, what she thinks were some highlights from the Government and the National Party, as well as if she believes ACT could have performed better in any areas, this year.
In the second half, Zazi speaks to Brooke about her future goals for 2022, asking Brooke what she would like to see get tackled next year.
And finally, Zazi asks Brooke about her summer plans. Brooke tells Zazi what she is keen to do over the December and January period, whether she is wanting to leave Auckland after the city had more than a hundred days of lockdown, as well as if she is going to go to any summer festivals.
Yesterday, the latest Franchising New Zealand 2021 report was launched. In this report, there were many significant details - there are 590 different business format franchises in Aotearoa, the annual turnover of business format franchises showed major growth, and New Zealand is still the most franchised country in the world.
The survey was conducted between the 30th of September and the 29th of October by the Massey Business School, which means that this survey was also performed during a time when businesses were facing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Zazi spoke with the author of this report, Jonathan Elms. He is the director of Research for Massey Business School and the Professor of Retail Management. He spoke to Zazi about these significant details within the report, what they mean, and why the franchising sector is important for Aotearoa’s economy.
Today, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission released their Te Rau Tira wellbeing report. This report looks into the wellbeing of New Zealanders over the past year. With the Covid-19 pandemic raging on, it's a good time to check in on how Kiwis are holding up!
The report highlights the inequities in wellbeing faced by marginalised groups such as Māori, Pasifika, and women.
I spoke with the Commission's Board Chair, Hayden Wano, about the findings of the report, what it means for the community, and how we should narrow our focus to help those who have suffered disproportionately.
This week on the Wednesday Wire, the show kicks off with Christina having her regular segment Dear Science with AUT Professor Allan Blackman. They speak on the running of the bulls; discuss how spaceflight can affect the body; and talk about why getting rid of cataracts in our eyes could reduce the risk of dementia.
After that, Christina speaks with the Chair of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, Hayden Wano, about their Te Rau Tira wellbeing report, and how we can improve outcomes for vulnerable communities in Aotearoa.
Then, Zazi talks to the Director of Research for Massey Business School and Professor of Retail Management, Jonathan Elms, about the Franchise sector growing in contribution, despite the pandemic.
And finally, Zazi has her regular talk with ACT's Brooke van Velden, where they talk about Brooke’s favourite political moments of the year, goals for next year as well as her summer plans.
Today on the Tuesday Wire, Emily Bell interviews New Zealand Disarmament and Arms Control Minister Phil Twyford about the government's commitment to an international ban of killer robots in war.
Jemima Huston speaks to Anna Madarasz-Smith from LAWA about an online tool called Can I Swim Here? that can help you decide where to swim safely this summer.
Emily talks to campaign organiser Tessa Guest about the Free Fares initiative, which is calling for all students and people under twenty-five to have zero transport fares in New Zealand.
Jemima speaks to Stacey van der Putten from Auckland Transport about how lockdown has impacted public transport and how AT is working to keep people safe under the red setting
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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