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.
The conflict between Islamic State-affiliated militias and national security forces in the northern Mozambican region of Cabo Delgado has recently escalated. Since fighting began in 2017, almost 800,000 people have been displaced, with a further 4,000 killed.
Louis was joined by Neha Wadekar, who has reported on the conflict for the BBC and the Guardian. They discussed what is happening in Cabo Delgado, the government's role, and international intervention.
This week Jemima hosts the Monday Wire, while Jessica and Louis produce the show from home.
First up, Jessica Hopkins speaks to Amnesty International Community Manager, Margaret Taylor about their petitions against the death penalty in Iran.
Louis Macalister had several interviews for todays show. First he talked to Dr Jin Russell from the University of Auckland about poverty and child development research. Then to Children's Commissioner Andrew Becroft about the recent approval for 12-15 year olds to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The Auckland City Mission's Deb Ward shares what it has been like for the Mission during the latest lockdown. And lastly, Independent Journalist Neha Wadekar speaks on the Cabo Delgado conflict in Mozambique.
Amnesty International New Zealand recently delivered three petitions with 19,300 signatures to the Iranian Embassy in Wellington. These petitions call for an end to the execution of child offenders, and also highlight human rights abuses against women, and those who defend people on death row.
Jessica spoke to Amnesty International Community Manager, Margaret Taylor, who is asking for New Zealand to play a part in speaking out against this. She started the interview asking Margaret about the extent of capital punishment in Iran.
As an essential service, the Auckland City Mission will continue to operate during the current level four lockdown. But restrictions have change how the mission provides services, including takeaway bags, social distancing, and a pop-up vaccination centre.
Auckland City Mission's Fundraising and Reputation Manager Deb Ward joined Louis to chat about how lockdown has impacted the mission and the people they support.
University of Auckland's Dr Jin Russell has recently completed research on the impacts of poverty on early childhood development. She states that childhood poverty can have long-lasting consequences on social skills, job prospects, and learning capabilities.
Louis talked to Dr Russell about her research, its importance, and what changes she believed were needed.
Last week, the government granted approval for children aged between twelve and fifteen to receive the Pfizer vaccine. This comes after Medsafe provisionally approved the age bracket in June and will mean around 265,000 children are now eligible to be vaccinated.
Louis talked to Children's Commissioner Andrew Becroft about the role of children in Aotearoa's Covid-19 vaccination programme.
Ilena talked to Pippa Coom about how Auckland Council is operating during lockdown. Pippa touched on businesses such as Bread and Butter and the work they’re doing with farmers markets. They also discussed the climate group All Aboard Aotearoa suing Auckland Transport and Auckland Council over their transport plan, and what still needs to be done to better address climate change.
This morning, Ilena spoke with Isabel Pasch, the owner of Bread and Butter bakery, who have stores across Grey Lynn, Ponsonby and Whangaparaoa, as well as selling on to retailers and supermarkets.
Isabel spoke about their contactless delivery policies under level 4 lockdown, and how they’ve teamed up with the Grey Lynn Farmer’s Market to create a kind of de-facto grocery service. She discussed the relative smallness of bakeries’ lobby power, when it comes to opening under levels 3 and 4, compared to, say, the butchery and meat industry. She also explained how the day of and the day after lockdown went for the bakery, which involved donating food to the Auckland City mission.
NB: 95bFM would like to acknolwledge that Bread and Butter Bakery is a sponsor for the Morning Glory show. This interview is not associated with any sponsored content.
Women’s Refuge is open right across the country during Level 4 lockdown as they are an essential service. News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Auckland Women’s Refuge Chairperson Tauafu Havili about how women can access services in Level 4 lockdown. They also discuss how people can support the work Women's Refuge does for vulnerable women and children by gifting koha online or donating essential food items for food parcels.
If you are unsafe or feel unsafe in your lockdown bubble please call the Auckland Women's Refuge Office 09 378 7635 or call the national Women's Refuge 24/7 Crisis Line 0800 REFUGE (733 843).
If you want to donate to Auckland Women's Refuge head to www.awrefuge.org.nz or call their office number to organise a time to donate essential food items. You can also head to the national Women's Refuge website to Gift A Safe Night.
Jemima took over hosting Friday's Wire, while Noah and Ilena worked from home. But there were still plenty of stories.
Noah spoke to Christopher Luxon about Māori vaccination rates, Dr David Welch about genomic sequencing, and Olf Morgenstern about chlorofluorocarbons and the ozone layer.
Jemima spoke to Auckland Women's Refuge Chairperson Tauafu Havili about their work during Level Four lockdown.
Finally, Ilena spoke to the owner of Bread and Butter Bakery, Isabel Pasch, about adapting to the Covid-19 lockdown as a small business, and Auckland Councillor Pippa Coom about the Council's transport plans.
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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