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 on the Wednesday Wire, Zazi Hewlett is hosting the show with the amazing help of Jemima Huston.
Jemima kicks the show off with our regular segment Dear Science, chatting with AUT Professor Allan Blackman. They talk about the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2021; discuss solving food fraud with isotope models; and then finally delve into studies about contract cheating at universities, causing challenges for the academic community due to the digital shift of Covid-19.
Zazi then speaks to ACC's the Chief Customer Officer, Emma Powell, about ACC’s Sexual Violence Prevention Initiative launch.
Jemima also speaks with Anahera Higgins, the Chair of Ngā Aho Whakaari about the body’s call for Covid relief funding for the Māori screen sector.
Finally, Zazi has her regular catch-up with ACT's Brooke van Velden, this week talking about the vaccine mandate for teachers and most healthcare workers, as well as the Government signing an advanced purchase agreement for the new Covid-19 treatment pill Molnupiravir.
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the government on the advice of health officials has been making decisions about new technologies such as the contact tracing app and now vaccine certificates. These technologies are designed to help New Zealand deal with the Covid-19 outbreaks within our community. News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston wanted to speak to an expert about how these technologies will work to help New Zealanders to live safely with the virus in the community from now and into the future.
Jemima interviews Dr Andrew Chen, a Research Fellow for Koi Tū – the Centre for Informed Futures at the University of Auckland, about how the vaccine certificate and the contact tracing app work to keep people safe and why these technologies are important in a Covid suppression strategy.
Last Tuesday, over 120 psychologists employed by the Ministry of Education working in schools and early childhood centers began a month-long strike. The strike action involves the psychologists refusing to accept further referrals of cases onto their caseload.
News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Dr Deborah Powell, the National Secretary for APEX Union, about the strike. They discuss why there is such a significant difference in conditions for Ministry Psychologists compared to DHB Psychologists.
To paraphrase Beyonce - If you like it then you should have put a lab grown ring on it! This week we discuss the rise of synthetic diamonds. Looking at market pressures, the energy consumption of the synthetic process and we get into the science of how diamonds form as carbon under pressure.
Earlier today, Amnesty International New Zealand released a statement regarding the condition of prisons during the current lockdown, this comes after three new cases were found at Mt Eden Prison. Amnesty International New Zealand is calling for the government and the Minister of Corrections to ensure that proactive measures are taken to protect people in prison through access to vaccinations, PPE, health care and mental health services. Joe talked to Lisa Woods, the Campaign Manager for Amnesty International on the matter.
Today on the Wire, Jemima Huston speaks to Dr Andrew Chen, a Research Fellow for Koi Tū – the Centre for Informed Futures at the University of Auckland, about how new technologies will help New Zealand live safely with Covid-19 from now and into the future.
Joe Wickins talks to Amnesty International New Zealand's Lisa Woods about the condition of prisons amidst the current lockdown, and how prisoners must be protected from COVID-19.
This week on Tomorrow’s World, Isla Christensen and Stella Huggins discuss the rise of synthetic diamonds with Dr Geoff Wilmott.
Finally, Jemima interviews Dr Deborah Powell, the National Secretary of APEX, about the month-long strike for Ministry of Education psychologists that started last week.
Recent statistics from the United Kingdom wildlife charity, Butterfly Conservation shows the average number of butterflies and moths per count is the lowest they have ever recorded.
Jessica speaks to Jacqui Knight from Moths and Butterflies New Zealand Trust about who says urgent action is needed to save Butterfly and Moth species in Aotearoa.
She started off the interview asking Knight about the trust, and the work they are doing.
This week on the show, Jessica Hopkins speaks to Associate Professor Kerry Gibson from the University of Auckland about changing our approach to youth mental health, Professor Andrew Shelling about genetic discrimination in healthcare insurance, and Jacqui Knight from Moths and Butterflies New Zealand Trust about declining numbers of species worldwide.
Louis Macalister talks to Belinda Storey about insurance issues for houses in erosion zones, and the Green Party’s Teanau Tuiono about rocket launches potentially breaching New Zealand’s nuclear-free laws.
Lastly, Christina Huang talks to Adriana Christie about her role overseeing parks and recreation, in a new regular segment with the Waitematā Local Board.
Gibson is calling for a change in how we approach youth mental health In New Zealand. She says that young people need to be involved in this process as they know what works best for them.
Jessica Hopkins started the interview asking Gibson about her research in this area, where she interviewed nearly 400 young people.
Genetic testing is used in healthcare to determine a patient’s risk for some conditions. However some medical professionals have raised concerns about insurers using genetic test results to refuse cover or increase premiums.
Jessica spoke to Professor Andrew Shelling, of the University of Auckland who says Australians can obtain health insurance without fear of genetic discrimination, but New Zealanders who are being proactive about their health by having genetic testing are at risk of being penalised both financially and medically.
Shelling is urging the Government to ban this practice for insurers, and consider this issue in its insurance contract law review.
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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