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, Ilena spoke with several people about conversion therapy and queerness in the Church, off the back of announcements made today solidifying the details of the conversion therapy ban legislation in NZ.
For those who might not have heard of the practise, conversion therapy is the- now widely considered- pseudoscientific practice of trying to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity to heterosexual or cisgender, using psychological, physical, or spiritual interventions. There is no clear evidence that sexual orientation can be changed, and medical institutions warn that conversion therapy practices are ineffective and harmful.
The government has pledged to ban conversion therapy by the end of the year, and announced today that they will criminalise conversion therapy with a maximum of five years imprisonment facing those who cause “serious harm”.
Ilena spoke to Neill Balantyne from Diverse Church, an LGBTQ+ affirming New Zealand church group, about the latest updates to the legislation on the conversion therapy ban.
Charlotte Moffat had some interesting things to say on growing up as a Christian and still identifying as a Christian, despite recognising, in some respects, a lack of transparency and openness towards queerness in the Church.
Lastly, Ilena spoke with Steph Edlin, a former Head Girl of St Catherine's College and a candidate for the next Wellington City Council.
Ilena talks with Cr. Shane Henderson about the Council's response to climate change, what impacts it has had on Aucklanders and what tangible plans they have in place to take action.
A recent proposing from an NCEA working group has suggested incorporating Mātauranga Māori into the high school science curriculum. The proposal has received a considerable amount of backlash, including from a number of University of Auckland academics.
Noah Ferguson-Dudding spoke to National MP Christopher Luxon to discuss why he has criticised parts of the plan. He also spoke to Dr Lucy Stewart, from the New Zealand Association of Scientists, to discuss how Mātauranga Māori interacts with Western science.
First Union and E Tū are filing a case to the employment court to advocate for better rights for Uber drivers. The current system, where drivers are contractors rather than workers, means drivers are not entitled to rights such as sick leave, holiday pay or a guaranteed minimum wage.
Noah Ferguson-Dudding spoke to Anita Rosentreter from First Union about why the unions are going to court. Noah also spoke to Mea'ole Keil, a Wellington-based Uber driver who is also advocating for change.
Christopher Luxon and Dr Lucy Stewart talk Mātauranga Māori; First Union's Anita Rosentreter and Uber Driver Mea'ole Keil discuss rights for gig workers; Neil Balantyne from Diverse Church and Charlotte Moffat speak about NZ's conversion therapy ban; and Councillor Shane Henderson goes into Auckland's climate change policy.
Neighbourhood Watch reports on COVID restrictions in South Australia and New South Wales, federal politicials receiving sexual harrasement training, and former inmates who were abused in a Northern Territory youth detention centre receiving a settlement.
Justin spoke to Health, SIS, and GCSB Minister Andrew Little about Chinese cyberattacks, terror suspect Suhayra Aden being repatriated to New Zealand, and several University of Auckland professors believing mātauranga Māori is not science.
International Desk reports on the political situation in Tunisia.
Neighbourhood Watch updates on Covid restrictions in SA and NSW, as well as reporting on sexual harrasement training for federal politicians, and a settlement for abused inmates at a NT youth detention centre.
Producer Conor Head-McCarthy reports on the Commerce Commission's draft report into supermarket competition and pricing.
The Commerce Commission released a draft report analysing competition within the grocery sector. The initial findings are not promising for the consumer, highlighting a lack of competition leading to high prices and a smaller range of products. Conor first spoke to students about their experiences with grocery shopping, seeing what the current consumer attitudes are towards groceries. Conor then interviewed Senior Lecturer Dr. Bodo Lang of the University of Auckland for a deeper analysis on the report, touching on problems, solutions, and government possibilities.
Justin spoke to Health, SIS, and GCSB Minister Andrew Little about the government accusing China of cyberattacks, Cabinet allowing terror suspect Suhayra Aden to return to New Zealand, and his thoughts on several Auckland University science professors' comments that mātauranga Māori is 'no science'.
International Desk reports on Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissing the government and dissolved parliament after anti-government protests against Covid-19 handling, economic depression, and poverty.
Mariam Ben Slama is a masters student from the Paris Institute of Political Science. She spoke to Justin from the city of Sousse.
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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