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.
This week Zazi and Brooke talk about three things: the new housing density rules, Aotearoa’s inflation being at its highest in over a decade, and also the fact that pregnant women and their partners do not currently get priority for MIQ spaces.
First off, the two talk about the new Resources Management Amendment Bill that the Government and National Party announced yesterday. Zazi asks Brooke about David Seymour's "hollow stunt" comment, ACT being a supposedly "libertarian party", and the Party's alternative solution to address Aotearoa's housing affordability problem.
Next, Zazi and Brooke talk about Aotearoa’s inflation being at its highest in over a decade. Brooke shares her concerns, where she thinks our economy will be in the next 7-12 months, and what projects she believes were not worth the Government spending billions of dollars on.
And finally, Zazi asks Brooke about pregnant women and their partners not currently getting priority for MIQ spaces. Brooke talks about pregnant couples she has spoken to, about their experience with MIQ, and whether the support for women during this latest COVID-19 outbreak has been enough.
With the government having committed to a Covid-19 suppression strategy, primary care officials have raised concerns about the strain widespread delta could have on their sector. The primary care sector is the first point of contact in the healthcare system and includes general practices, community pharmacies, dentists and optometrists. This is where most people infected with Covid-19 will first seek care.
News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to the University of Otago Wellington's Head of the Primary Health and General Paractice Department Lynn McBain about the primary care sector's concerns. They discuss what capacity the primary care sector has for an increase in delta cases and how increasing vaccination rates will relieve the potential stress on the sector.
This week on the Tuesday Wire, Jemima Huston speaks to Associate Professor Lynn McBain about the potential impact of widespread delta in the community on the primary care sector now that New Zealand’s Covid strategy is suppression.
Jemima catches up with Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa Packer about Super Saturday and Aotearoa’s vaccination rate status. .
Joe Wickins speaks to the Director of CERT New Zealand Rob Pope about Cyber Smart Week.
Jemima talks to Brooke Pao Stanley from Auckland Action Against Poverty about the impact of the latest lockdown on beneficiaries.
Finally, Joe wraps it up with a conversation with Professor Rachael Taylor from the University of Otago about the benefits of fasting.
Last week it was reported that over 8500 people had become beneficiaries since the beginning of the Delta outbreak. Nevertheless, the government is yet to provide any additional support for people on benefits. Auckland Action Against Poverty, an advocacy group on wellfare and poverty, is calling for government support for beneficiaries to help people get through lockdown but also address generations of government neglect for vulnerable communities.
News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston talks to AAAP's coordinator Brooke Pao Stanley about how lockdown has impacted beneficiaries, what AAAP's response was to the government’s Level 3 extension announcement yesterday and what work the group has been doing in the community during the Delta outbreak.
This week is all about cybersecurity and staying safe online. CERT New Zealand has launched their Cyber Smart Week initiative which looks at how we can stay safe and protect ourselves from harmful viruses and malware, as well as how we can uphold our privacy and combat the growing threat of cyberattacks. Joe talks to Rob Pope, the Director of CERT New Zealand about how Aotearoa can ‘Cyber Up’ and do their part to keep themselves safe online.
Intermittent fasting has become a popular eating pattern in recent years. It can be defined as a meal timing schedule which involves cycling between eating and non-eating. A recent study has shown how Intermittent fasting can promote a longer lifespan and metabolic benefits. Joe talks to Professor Rachael Taylor, the Head of the Department of Medicine from the University of Otago, on the benefits of Intermittent fasting and what it does to the human body.
This week on the show, Jessica Hopkins speaks to Sanat, a high school student and member of Make it 16 about lowering the voting age, and Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand Chief Executive Ah-Leen Rayner about the impact of COVID-19 on breast cancer diagnoses.
Producer Louis Macalister talks to Manukau Ward Councillor Efeso Collins about the Super Saturday vaccination event, and the Restaurant Association’s Marisa Bidois about their proposal to the Government for more support for hospitality.
Christina Huang will also be continuing her regular segment with the Waitematā Local Board. This week she speaks to Chairperson Richard Northey.
The Government has announced a major review of Aotearoa's electoral laws, and lowering the voting age is one of the main issues being considered.
An independent panel of experts recommended by political parties, universities, youth and Māori organisations, and the law society will be appointed to conduct the review by the 2023 elections.
The youth-led campaign to Make it 16, has been advocating to lower the voting age to 16 in Aotearoa since 2019.
Jessica Hopkins talks to year 13 student, and Auckland member, Sanat about this announcement, and what the panel should consider in their decision.
Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand has recently expressed concerns about the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on breast cancer diagnoses.
Jessica Hopkins spoke to chief executive Ah-Leen Rayner, who says that there are at least 133 women who don’t know they have breast cancer right now because lockdowns prevented them from getting the mammogram that would have diagnosed them.
Noah speaks to Christopher Luxon about local government; Professor Gaven Martin about math in NZ schools; and Emeritus Professor Warren Tate about 'Long Covid' and chronic fatigue.
Ilena speaks to outgoing Childrens' Commissioner Andrew Becroft about the youth justice system, and Auckland Councillor Pippa Coom about tomorrow's Super Saturday vaccine event.
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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