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 Dear Science, Frances Wright talked to AUT Professor Marcus Jones about US President Biden's COVID origins report, how arctic warming links to cold winters and about the Mars rover ‘Perseverance’ collecting its first rock sample to bring back to earth.
This month is Bee Aware Month, where the focus is how we can help with supporting Bee’s as they help support our ecosystem. Joe talks to Dr Angus McPherson from Tree’s for Bee’s and Jess Curtis from Branch Creek Honey on the importance of Bee’s to the ecosystem, and how Kiwi’s can help them during the month of Spring.
Today on the Tuesday Wire, Jemima Hustons speaks to Professor Richard Jackson from Otago University about the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill that aims to prevent and respond to terrorism in New Zealand.
Joe Wickins interviews to Dr Angus McPherson from Tree’s for Bee’s and Jess Curtis from Branch Creek Honey about Bee Aware Month and why bees are so important for the ecosystem.
Jemima talks to Laura Boren from the Department of Conservation about how the public can help the Department of Conservation determine why subantartic fur seals have been sighted more commonly in Aotearoa’s waters this year.
Joe finally speaks to Kristie Amado from Recovered Living NZ about how the pandemic has impacted people who struggle with eating disorders and body dysmorphia.
On Friday 3 September, a terrorist attack took place at a LynMall supermarket in New Lynn, Auckland. The attacker stabbed six people and injured one before being shot and killed by Police. It was quickly revealed that the person was a known supporter of the Islamic State and was under long-term Police surveillance. Following the event, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that she wants the Government's Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill, which was brought in following the 2019 Christchurch terror attacks, to be passed no later than by the end of the month.
As part of an ongoing investigation into New Zealand’s counter-terrorism strategy, News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston wanted to look into some of the issues that have been raised about the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill. She spoke to Professor Richard Jackson, Director of the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Otago, about some of the problems he says the Bill has. Professor Jackson, along with other experts on terrorism, are concerned that the Bill is being passed too quickly and that more research and time is needed to properly address terrorism in New Zealand's legislation.
Jemima and Professor Jackson touch on the restrictions terrorism legislation places on human rights, the difficulty to determine a person's intention, protecting minority groups against the deep racial biases that exist in New Zealand society, and whether it is possible to appropriately define terrorism.
Ultimately, Professor Jackson is concerned that the Bill is being rushed through the legislation process. He says that in times of public distress, the Government moves quickly to make laws as a way to show that the state cares about its people and has done something to address the issue at hand. However, Professor Jackson warns that rushed legislation doesn't consider all the evidence and runs the risk of negatively impacting certain minority communities and increasing grievance amongst those most likley to turn to extremism.
Mental Health is extremely important during a time like this, being in lockdown. An issue which some may be faced with is with eating disorders, body dysmorphia, or muscle dysmorphia. Ultimately, these issues all play a part in our mental wellbeing. Joe speaks to Kristie Amadio, the Managing Director from Recovered Living New Zealand, about eating disorders and body dysmorphia, how Covid has played a part in this, and how one can help themselves to identify and work on recovery.
A ban on abortions from six weeks, with no excpetions has taken affect in Texas, after it was signed off by the Supreme Court. This is the first US state to allow a ban to go into effect since Roe v. Wade.
This move has been condemned by human rights activists and medical experts, who say this approach is not based on science and will put women at severe risk.
Jessica spoke to Terry Bellamak of Abortion Law Reform New Zealand, who says that anti-abortion lawmakers in Texas want to incentivize anyone in the US who opposes abortion to sue providers or individuals who help patients get care.
They started off our interview discussing the restrictions put in place by conservative judges, which many have called out for being unconstitutional.
This week on the show, Jessica Hopkins spoke to Terry Bellamak of Abortion Law Reform New Zealand about extreme anti-abortion laws that have come into affect in Texas in the United States.
She also talked to Debbie Sorenson from Pasifika Futures about the impact of the delta outbreak on Pasifika people, particularly the Samoan community, and the recent announcement of government funding to support Pacific health and vaccination services.
Louis Macalister interviews SAFE’s Will Applebe and a Greyhound Trainer, Craig Roberts about the recent review of the Greyhound racing industry.
Lastly, he speaks to Scott Hindman, a resident and member of Bethells Emergency Response Group about the impact of last weeks flooding on the Bethells Beach community.
The government recently approved FORTY NINE MILLION DOLLARS in additional funding to support pacific health and vaccination services during COVID-19, including TWENTY THREE million dollars for Whānau Ora services.
Jessica Hopkins spoke to Debbie Sorensen from Pasifika Futures, a Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency about what this funding means for the critical support services they provide, and what the impact of the delta outbreak has been for Pasifika people, particularly the Samoan community.
They started the interview discussing how the Pacific community has responded to this current outbreak.
Ilena talked to the National Party spokesperson for social development, Luise Upston, about the government rejecting advice to fund Whānau Ora to have a strategic role in the vaccination rollout for Maori and Pasifika. They spoke about what Whānau Ora do, how the vaccination figures for Maori and Pasifika are looking like as we enter the group four vaccination phase, and the efficacy of the approach that the government has had so far in engaging these communities.
Ilena spoke to Councillor Pippa Coom for an update on Auckland Council’s Covid-19 response as we look forward to another two weeks of lockdown. We also discussed the flooding that happened earlier this week in parts of Auckland due to a period of intense rain and storms, and how emergency services responded to those affected under level 4 restrictions. She also mentioned resources available on the Council website for those looking to stay healthy physically and mentally during lockdown, as well as getting rid of Auckland library overdue fines.
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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