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.
A report into media company Mediaworks has found the workplace persisting toxic 'boys club' culture. The culture is filled with harassment, peer pressure, bullying, and sexual allegations that has predominantly affected younger female staff. Conor spoke to Dr. Matt Mollgaard, Head of Radio at AUT, about the findings of the report, particularly in regards to the effect it can have on students entering the media industry.
Justin spoke to Health Minister Andrew Little about the nurses' strike, which are set to go ahead on August 19 and September 9 and 10, after members of the New Zealand Nurses' Organisation voted to reject an agreement with the DHBs.
Neighbourhood Watch reports on the Covid-19 situation in Australia, advocates for sexual assault survivors blasting the decision to temporarily promote former federal minister Christian Porter to Leader of the House months after he faced allegations of rape in the 1980s, and telecomm company Telstra making all payphones free.
The Democracy for Myanmar NZ Working Group have released a petition asking the New Zealand Government to recognise the National Unity Government as the rightful government of Myanmar. The petition has over 500,000 signatures supporting the move. Conor spoke to Tin Ma Ma Oo, head of The Democracy for Myanmar NZ Working Group on the petition and the current state of Myanmar.
Producer Conor Head-McCarthy talked to Democracy for Myanmar Working Group New Zealand's Tin Ma Ma Oo about the group's petition calling for the New Zealand government to recognise a government in exile as the official government.
Justin spoke to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation's lead advocate David Wait about the nurses walking out of the job mid-August and early September
Justin also talked to Health Minister Andrew Little about the strikes.
Neighbourhood Watch reports on Covid-19 in Australia, former federal minister Christian Porter being temporarily promoted, and telecomm company Telstra making payphones free to use.
Conor also talked to AUT's Head of Radio Matt Mollgaard about the recent report into media company Mediaworks' culture.
Nurses are set to walk out of their job on August 19 and September 9-10, after members of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation voted to reject an agreement with the DHBs, with them saying it is too vague on guaranteeing accountability for safe staffing.
National leader Judth Collins has backed calls on a referendum for calling New Zealand Aotearoa. This comes after MP Stuart Smith posted a column on Tuesday saying New Zealanders should be consulted on the use of it by Government. On the Wire this Wednesday, Fances Wright spoke to Professor Pare Keiha from AUT about the the significance of calling New Zealand Aotearoa, and his hope for the future of the word as a natural and cultural identifier.
This week on Dear Science, Frances talks to Allan Blackman about a study that found dogs can tell when people are lying to them, a large meta-analysis that suggests a vegetarian diet is linked to depression, and the world's first 'green' synthesis of plastics from CO2.
This week Zazi spoke to Brooke about the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill and the Auckland cycle bridge.
On the 30th of July, the Government announced The Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill, following through with Labour's election promise to ban gay conversion therapy. To begin with, Brooke spoke about the Party’s stance on this bill, why they have hesitations, and what they would like the next step to be in terms of developing the bill further.
In the second half, Zazi and Brooke talk about the Auckland cycle bridge, its Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR), and whether Brooke believes that catering to cyclists is important.
This week on the Wednesday Wire Frances Wright has her regular Dear Science segment with Allan Blackman, they talk about a study that found dogs can tell when people are lying to them, a large meta-analysis that suggests a link between a vegetarian diet and depression, and the world's first 'green' synthesis of plastics from CO2. She also talks with Professor Pare Keiha, Dean of the Faculty of Maori and Indigenous Development at AUT about National's call for a referendum about calling New Zealand Aotearoa.
Zazi Hewlett has her regular catch-up with ACT party's Brooke Van Velden, this week talking about the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill and the Auckland cycle bridge. She also talks to the Group Editor at Freeman Media, Gavin Evans, about New Zealand's energy sources and the increase in coal imports.
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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