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.
On their weekly chat, Justin and Health and GCSB Minister Andrew Little talked about the GCSB retiring the satellite dishes at Waihopai, home isolation for postive Covid community cases, and drugs to treat Covid.
Justin also spoke to Anti-Base Campaign's Murray Horton on retiring the Waihopai satellite dishes.
Producer Joe Wickins spoke to the University of Auckland's Kate Hannah on the spread of misinformation and disinformation since the Delta outbreak.
He also spoke to Judy Lawrence of Victoria University of Wellington on said how local leaders and planners can reduce risks from coastal threats without waiting for law reform.
Justin spoke to Health and GCSB Minister Andrew Little about home isolation for Covid community cases, new Covid drugs, and the GCSB's decision to retire the satellite domes at Waihopai station.
This week on the Wednesday Wire, the show kicks off with Zazi having her regular segment Dear Science with AUT Professor Allan Blackman. They talk about making aircraft fuel from sunlight and air; chat with caution about fungus that uses chemicals to trick male flies into mating with infected dead females; as well as discuss cracking the code of unbreakable phone screens.
Zazi then talks to AT Metro’s Decarbonisation Manager, Darek Koper, about Aotearoa making the biggest electric bus order in Australasia.
After that, Zazi has her regular catch-up with ACT's Brooke van Velden. They talk about moving to Step 2 of Alert Level 3 as of 11:59pm last night, and the Events Transition Support Scheme.
And finally, Zazi has a chat with Retail Manager Monica, the owner of Tatty’s, Amee Eggdale, and the owner of Smoove, Matthew Lark, to hear how they feel about reopening their retail doors today after many weeks of having them closed.
Now that Tāmaki Makaurau has moved to Step 2 of Alert Level 3, retail stores are reopening. People can finally walk into a store after months of not being able to.
With this, however, retail owners, managers and employees have to adapt to new ways of operating. There are aspects such as scanning in, having a restriction on the amount of people who can come into the store, at a time, and wanting people to wear a mask. There is a lot to think about, and a lot to organise for this next step
Zazi spoke with a Retail Manager, Monica, the owner of Tatty’s, Amee Egdell, and the owner of Smoove, Matt Lark, to hear how they feel about reopening their retail doors today. They talk about their excitement and concerns, what their first morning reopening has been like, as well as how they wish for people, walking in, to respect their store Covid safety regulations.
This week it was announced that Tāmaki Makaurau will be receiving a further 152 battery electric buses for its roads; an order that is described as the biggest electric bus order in Australasia.
The Auckland Transport press release said that an increase in the number of electric vehicles, operating on Auckland Transport’s bus services, will actively support the goals of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan, which has a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as preparing Auckland for the impacts of climate change.
Zazi spoke with AT Metro’s Decarbonisation Manager, Darek Koper. They spoke about how these electric buses will impact the environment, how transport emissions are currently affecting climate change, and when we should start to see these buses driving around Auckland. They also touched on what other steps AT Transport are making to reduce emissions in Aotearoa.
On this week's segment of Dear Science, Zazi was joined by AUT Professor Allan Blackman. They spoke about making aircraft fuel from sunlight and air, fungus that uses chemicals to trick male flies into mating with infected dead females, and cracking the code of unbreakable phone screens.
This week Zazi and Brooke talk about the Auckland moving to Step 2 of Alert Level 3 and the Events Transition Support Scheme.
First off, the two talk about the easing of restrictions in Auckland, with the city moving to step 2 of Alert Level 3. Brooke shares whether she is happy with this next step, and how she feels about retail owners enforcing their own rules surrounding Covid-19 safety and regulations.
Then, Zazi speaks to Brooke about some summer festivals getting Government financial aid due to the threat of Covid-19. Zazi asks if Brooke thinks this scheme should extend to smaller events that have less than 5000 people, if she believes summer festivals are a good incentive for young people to get vaccinated, and how she thinks these festivals will impact our local economy, if they go forward.
Today on the Wire, Jemima Huston speaks to NZEI Te Riu Roa’s President Liam Rutherford about the government’s latest funding for school counsellors.
Air New Zealand General Manager Customer Leeanne Langridge joins Jemima live on the show to speak about the airline's latest announcement that Covid-status restrictions will be put in place for passengers on all domestic flights from December 14 2021.
Joe Wickins talks to Steve Abel, the Senior Campaign Manager for Greenpeace, about how fertiliser companies are to blame for cancer-related deaths due to water contamination.
Finally on Tomorrow’s World, Isla and Stella look at concepts of walkability and neighbourhoods for urban planning with Dr Lee Beattie.
This morning Air New Zealand announced new Covid-status restrictions for passengers on all domestic flights. From December 14 2021 people aged 12 and over will have to be fully vaccinated or have tested negative for Covid-19 to board.
News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks live to Air New Zealand General Manager Customer Leanne Langridge about the move. They discuss the airline's motivations, why there is an option to have a vaccine passport or a negative test, what input the government had in the decision, and what processes will be put in place to guarantee authentic vaccination passports and test results, as well as the safety of Air New Zealand staff and customers.
Tomorrow's World hosts Stella and Isla have been inspired by their daily lockdown walks to learn about urban planning and how Auckland may change in the future. Looking at concepts of walkability and neighbourhoods, Dr Beattie talks us through the history, future aspirations and barriers of urban design.
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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