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.
LAWA's Can I Swim Here? is a handy online tool designed to help New Zealanders make educated and safe decisions about where they choose to swim. News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Project Lead for Can I Swim Here? Anna Madarasz-Smith about the tool. They discuss the state of water quality in Aotearoa, what is being done to prevent water contamination, and how to use Can I Swim Here?
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
Louis spoke to the Maori Children's Commissioner Glenda Philip Barbara and NZEI's Liam Alexander about child poverty in New Zealand. He also talked to the University of Auckland's Linda Tyler about the legacy and passing of artist Robert Ellis.
Charlie was joined by ALRANZ Abortion Rights Aotearoa member Ella Sheperd to discuss Christopher Luxon’s pro-life stance. She also chatted with SPCA scientific officer Dr Alison Vaughan about responsible pet adoption.
Released today, the Child Poverty Monitor has found that poverty targets for Maori, Pasifika, and disabled children are not going to be met. It claims that there are still major structural barriers, such as racism and ableism, that have led to differentiated results of poverty alleviation schemes.
Louis spoke to the Maori Children's Commissioner Glenda Philip Barbara and NZEI's Liam Rutherford about the monitor, the challenges that child poverty pose, and what changes need to be made.
One of New Zealand’s most famous and most significant artists, Robert Ellis, passed away last week. Ellis contributed a prominent body of art, and was crucial in promoting Maori artforms and bringing pop art to the fore of New Zealand’s creative scene.
Louis spoke to the University of Auckland’s Linda Tyler about Robert Ellis, his legacy, and the impacts his work has had on New Zealand culture.
With the upcoming Christmas season approaching rapidly, demand for new pets and 'present-pets' increases. SPCA's scientific officer, Dr Alison Vaughan, discussed with Charlie what is necessary to achieve a successful adoption. Dr Vaughan further talked about foster animals, and whether adopting or fostering is the right choice for you.
National's newly elected leader Christopher Luxon has publicly stated that he has a pro-life stance when it comes to abortion. ALRANZ Abortion Rights Aotearoa's Emma Shepherd responded to Luxon's opinion and discussed with Charlie why this stance still comes as a concern despite abortion being decriminalised in New Zealand in 202.
The global campaign began on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until December 10, Human Rights Day.
Jessica Hopkins spoke to UN Women Aotearoa NZ President Tara Singh about ending domestic violence here in Aotearoa.
You can find out more about hosting your own Orange Breakfast or Morning Tea on their website.
Host Jessica Hopkins speaks to registered Clinical Psychologist and Chief Executive at Umbrella Wellbeing Gaynor Parkin about navigating the our traffic light system.
The Auckland Council's Shane Henderson joins us to discuss the proposed Climate Action Targeted Rate and how Auckland Council facilities will operate under the traffic light system.
Tara Singh from UN Women President speaks to Jessica about their 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.
And Jemima Huston intevriews the National Party’s Maureen Pugh on the Government’s proposed freedom camping legislation.
Psychologists have suggested that entering the new traffic light system may cause some uncertainty for people around Aotearoa as we determine our own comfort levels with mingling with others, travelling and using public spaces
Jessica Hopkins spoke to Gaynor Parkin, Registered Clinical Psychologist and CE at Umbrella Wellbeing about navigating the new normal.
Parkin encourages people to set their own boundaries for social interactions and to have conversations with whanau about what they are comfortable with.
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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