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.
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.
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.
This Thursday 19 August, hospital nurses and midwives will strike again due to there being no new pay offer on the table and with working conditions still being poor. The strike will take place for the full day meaning that surgeries have been cancelled and understaffing has been a concern for hospitals in larger New Zealand cities. News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to David Wait, the Industrial Adviser, DHB Sector for the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, about why the strike is taking place.
This week, Stella and Isla dive into the future of our oceans. Talking to Dr Linn Hoffmann from the University of Otago, they cover the role of phytoplankton in the ecosystem, environmental stressors on our coastlines, and possible solutions.
News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks with Bindi Norwell, Group CEO at ProCare Health, about the role of GP’s in the Covid-19 vaccine roll out. ProCare Health is New Zealand's largest cooperative network of general practices supporting people to live well in Aotearoa. Bindi explains why GP's weren't always involved in the vaccine roll out and why it is important to offer Covid-19 vaccinations at general practices.
On Sunday, Taliban fighters took control of Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, and brought a very quick and abrupt end to the Afghan Government and the United State's 20 year relationship with the country.
News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston talked to Leon Goldsmith, University of Otago Professor in Comparative Middle Eastern Politics, about the latest news on the Taliban take over in Afghanistan. They discuss, why the take over happened so much faster than anticipated, how the New Zealand government is working to get its residents out of Afghanistan and how the situation may impact international relations for New Zealand and power states such as the US and China.
Today on the Wire Jemima Huston speaks to University of Otago Professor in Comparative Middle Eastern Politics Leon Goldsmith about the situation in Afghanistan. They discuss how the New Zealand government is working to get its residents out of the country and how the situation may impact international relations for New Zealand and global powers such as China and the US.
Jemima talks to David Wait, the Industrial Adviser, DHB Sector for the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, live on about the hospital nurses and midwives strike set for Thursday this week.
This week for Tomorrow’s World, Stella Huggins and Isla Christensen dive into the future of our oceans. Talking to Dr Linn Hoffmann from the University of Otago, they cover the role of phytoplankton in the ecosystem, environmental stressors on our coastlines, and possible solutions.
Jemima chats to Bindi Norwell, Group CEO at ProCare Health, about the role of general practises in the Covid-19 vaccine roll out.
Joe Wickins wraps it up with an interview with Lisa McEwan, Senior Lecturer in Art & Design from AUT, about fast fashion and sustainability in fashion.
Joe speaks to Lisa McEwan, Senior Lecturer of Art & Design at AUT and expert on the globalised fashion industry, on the impact that Fast Fashion and Greenwashing has on the environment and how we can do better.
This week on the show Jessica Hopkins spoke to Hon Aupito William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples and Associate Minister of Education about the Tulī Takes Flight Scholarships for Pacific people.
She also talked to E tū Organiser, Annie Tothill about how the recent vote by Refinery NZ Shareholders to make the Marsden Point Oil Refinery an import-only terminal will affect the Northland region.
Producer Louis Macalister discussed the benefits and setbacks of hosting international tournaments during the pandemic with Kansai University's Satoko Itani, University of Auckland's Shaun Hendy, and University of Otago's Mark Falcous.
In recent months, major international sporting events have begun to return. Some events, like the Olympics, have operated behind closed doors, while others, like the European Football Championships, have allowed fans. However, their return has raised considerable concern over the pandemic-related risks, as well as economic and political issues.
Louis discussed the benefits and setbacks of hosting international tournaments during the pandemic with Kansai University's Satoko Itani, University of Auckland's Shaun Hendy, and University of Otago's Mark Falcous.
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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