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.
Almost 165,000 migrants are eligible to be fast-tracked for New Zealand residency after a new resident visa has been announced today. It will be available to most work-related visa holders, including Essential Skills, Work to Residence, and Post Study Work visas and their immediate family members.
Anu Kaloti is the President of the Migrant Workers' Association and she spoke to Justin Wong.
National said it will scrap nationwide lockdowns if 70 to 75 percent of the eligible population is vaccinated, and open up international travel again once vaccination rates hit 85 to 90 percent, and implement a traffic light system for overseas travellers.
The party's Covid-19 response spokesperson Chris Bishop spoke to Justin Wong.
Justin spoke to Health Minister Andrew Little about a health equity report he received, National's COVID plan, and results of the mental health stocktake.
He also spoke to National's Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop about their plans to reopen New Zealand, and talked to Anu Kaloti of the Migrant Workers' Association on the government's new residency programe for temporary visa holders.
Neighbourhood Watch reports on SA banning spit hoods, traditional guardians of a QLD world heritage-listed rainforest getting back ownership, and Facebook running adverts of a controversial federal MP despite banning him.
Producer Trishil Kyle Dahya reports on the experiences of people who are on the autistic spectrum and autistic burnout.
Neighbourhood Watch reports on South Australia banning the spit hood, indigenous traditional owners of a world heritage-listed rainforest getting back ownership, and Facebook circulating adverts of controversial MP Craig Kelly despite banning him from their platform.
Justin talked to Health Minister Andrew Little about results of the mental health stocktake, National's Covid plan, and a report on health equity by the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists.
This week the Government revealed proposed ACC changes to cover birth injuries, with only birth injuries that are the result of a treatment injury, being covered by the scheme currently.
This comes in the same month that the Green Party launched an open letter to the Minister for ACC, asking for all birth injuries and trauma to be covered. The Green Party has received a lot of support, having over 36,000 signatures so far. The Green Party has shown support to the Government’s proposed ACC changes to cover birth control, however, wishes that all birth injuries were included, rather than a selected few.
Zazi speaks with Green Party MP and ACC spokesperson Jan Logie about the government’s proposed changes, as well as the Green Party's open letter, that is close to their 40,000 signature goal.
In the second half, Zazi speaks to the Chief Executive of the New Zealand College of Midwives, Alison Eddy, to get her opinin on the proposed amendments to the ACC legislation too, as well as her thoughts on the updated Maternity Action Plan.
Zazi began by asking Alison if she had any criticisms with the changes, and if so what.
This week Zazi Brooke have a chat about the ACT Party's COVID 3.0 plan, as well as the Government's interest deductibility policy.
Zazi asks Brooke to compare the COVID 3.0 plan with the Government's opening up plan that was announced in August. They talk about some of the key points as well as the day they chose to release their plan, being days before the National Party release theirs.
In the second half, Brooke talks about the Government's change in deductibility rules over housing, rules that are aiming to improve the housing crisis in New Zealand. Brooke tells Zazi why the ACT party does not support the interest deductibility policy and talks about the ACT Party's proposed GST-sharing scheme.
This week on Dear Science Frances Wright spoke with AUT Professor Allan Blackman about infectious music, a cautionary tale from the Soviet Era’s deadliest scientist and the incredible story of American astronomer Carolyn Shoemaker.
This week on the Wednesday Wire Frances has her regular segment Dear Science with AUT Professor Allan Blackman, this week talking about infectious music, a cautionary tale from the Soviet Era’s deadliest scientist, and the incredible story of American astronomer Carolyn Shoemaker. Zazi speaks to Green Party MP Jan Logie and the Chief Executive of the New Zealand College of Midwives, Alison Eddy, about the government’s proposed ACC changes to cover birth injuries. Frances then speaks with Elton Smith, Conservation Manager at Orokonui Ecosanctuary about the South Island kākā breeding programme and finally Zazi has her regular talk with Act Party’s Brooke van Velden, this week about about ACT's COVID 3.0 plan and the government’s interest deductibility policy.
Aotearoa’s beloved native kākā hit the news this week with the release of three new birds at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary in Ōtepoti, Dunedin as part of their South Island kākā breeding programme. The kākā are native parrots who gather to socialize in the mornings and evenings and are known for their boisterous calls and mischievous mid-air antics. This week on the Wire, Frances Wright spoke with Elton Smith, Conservation Manager at Orokonui Ecosanctuary, about the ups and downs of the programme and what it has been like watching the population numbers grow.
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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