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 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.
When it is reported that a fully vaccinated person has caught Covid-19, there tends to be confusion as to how it happened. News and Editoral Director Jemima Huston wanted to provide some clarification about what it means to be vaccinated.
Jemima speaks to Dr Nikki Turner, Director of the Immunisation Advisory Centre at the University of Auckland, about some common concerns surrounding Covid-19 vaccines. As an expert in the area, she clarifies that you can catch Covid-19 when you are vaccinated, as the vaccination only takes the sting out of the virus and significantly reduces the risk of a person getting severely ill or dying from Covid-19. She also provides clarification as to whether the vaccine protects against the Delta variant, whether it’s normal to feel unwell after being vaccinated and if it’s safe to follow through with your vaccine appointment during the national Level 4 lockdown.
Disclaimer: This piece went to air at 12pm on August 19 2021. At this stage only 10 commnuity cases had been detected in New Zealand's Delta outbreak.
During the Tokyo Olympics, a German equestrian competitor and her coach were accused of animal abuse during a pentathalon event after striking the animal. In response, PETA has called for all equestrian events to be removed from the Olympics. Now this begs the question - what is the future of equestrian sports? 95bFM reporter Charlie Parker investigates, speaking to Debra Ashton, CEO of animal right's group SAFE, on public perception of horses and the future of equestrian sports.
Today on the Thursday Wire, Jemima Huston is hosting from the station while Conor Head-McCarthy and Charlie Parker produce from home.
Jemima speaks to Director of the Immunisation Advisory Centre at the University of Auckland, Dr Nikki Turner, to clarify some of the confusion around catching Covid-19 after you have been vaccinated, whether the vaccine protects against the Delta Variant, feeling unwell after being vaccinated and following through with your vaccine appointment during the national Level 4 lockdown.
For Neighbourhood Watch, Conor speaks to Radio Adelaide’s Zoe Kounadis about the Delta outbreaks in Australia and here in New Zealand, the Afghanistan crisis and debt collectors in Australia chasing people for money on behalf of the government.
Amnesty International Executive Director Meg de Ronde talks to Jemima about the organisation's petition that calls for the government to provide safe passage for people fleeing from Afghanistan.
Conor investigates support for family volence and mental health during lockdown here in New Zealand. He speaks to Holly Carrington, Policy Advisor at SHINE, and Anna Elders, Clinical Lead at Just a Thought, about this.
Charlie speaks to Debra Ashton, the CEO of animal right’s charity SAFE, to discuss the welfare of horses in equestrian sports, animal rights and the future of equestrian.
With New Zealand entering Lockdown Level 4, support for people's health is more needed than ever. Today, 95bFM reporter Conor investigated the support systems that are in place for domestic violence and mental health. They spoke to Holly Carrington, Policy Advisor at SHINE, about the support SHINE offers. Then they spoke to Anna Elders, Chair of NZHIT's Mental Health Industry Group, about the options for digital mental health support.
New Zealand's current Delta outbreak has taken over the news cycle. However, on early on Monday a massive international story broke. The Afghan government in Kabul had fallen and the Taliban had taken control of the nation.
News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Amnesty International New Zealand Executive Director Meg de Ronde about the Afghanistan crisis. They discuss Amnesty’s petition that is calling for the New Zealand government to ensure safe passage to people fleeing Afghanistan.
This week on Dear Science, Frances speaks with AUT professor Allan Blackman about a new analysis of a scurvy study that is leading to updates on vitamin C needs, critics who say a childhood asthma study unethically withheld care from its participants, and a new laser-powered nuclear fusion effort which neared ignition.
Last week, Research NZ released the results of a survey about the state of New Zealand homes. It asked respondents whether they owned or rented their home and to rate their home on several ‘decent home factors’. On the Wire this Wednesday, Frances Wright spoke with Emanuel Kalafatelis, Research New Zealand’s managing partner, about the results of the survey and the clear social division it shows.
As of last night, all of New Zealand entered an Alert Level 4 Lockdown, due to one community case that has now been confirmed to have the Delta variant. New Zealand is now being told to stay in their bubble, stay safe and to act as though they already have COVID-19 to reduce the spread of the virus.
As well as this, Jacinda Ardern announced last night that all vaccinations will be paused for 48 hours to allow them to be undertaken safely.
So today, Zazi spoke to ACT Party’s Brooke van Velden to hear her thoughts on New Zealand’s Alert Level 4 Lockdown, as well as talk to her about the vaccinations being paused for 48 hours.
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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