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.
International Desk reports on Ugandan weightlifter Julius Ssekitoleko being found after going missing from his pre-training camp before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, saying in a note he wants to work in Japan.
This is not the first time that an Olympian defected during the Games, with more than half of the Hungarian delegation defecting to the West in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne.
Justin spoke to Dr. Johanna Mellis of Ursinus College in Pennsylvania to find more.
Microplastics are everywhere! - according to new research from the University of Canterbury. Microplastic researchers Professor Sally Gaw and Dr. Laura Revell of the University of Canterbury are currently undertaking research to understand the impact of microplastics in our environment. Conor spoke to Environmental Chemistry Professor Sally Gaw about the research on microplastics and solutions to combat their prevalance.
The Housing Crisis is a continuing issue that plagues all layers of New Zealand society. Conor spoke about two different housing issues today. Firstly, he spoke to Benedict Fergusson, President of the Public Service Association, about an open letter to the government asking for a new approach to housing. Secondly, Conor spoke to Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick about the Green Party's new Rental WOF and Rent Control.
This month the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care is holding its first Pacific public hearing. Frances Wright spoke with associate professor at the University of Auckland, Dr Melani Anae, about her thoughts on the hearing; what it means for healing for Pasifika people and why it has taken so long.
This week on Dear Science, Frances Wright talked with AUT professor Allan Blackman about how Neuroprosthesis is restoring words to a man with paralysis, an evolutionary study that shows how the human body is shaped by the climate, and new footage of Oregon's infamous exploding whale incident of 1970.
On Friday last week protest group Groundswell took to the streets in Aotearoa to push back against government rules affecting farmers. Frances Wright spoke with national convener for the protests, Laurie Paterson, about how Groundswell began, the scale of the protests, and the circulation of contoversial protest signs online.
Cybercrime is becoming more prominent as humans continue to make new technology and develop it to work within our day to day work and personal life. Zazi talks to Manager and Chief Technology Officer of Netsafe, Sean Lyons, about the risks of Cybercrime and scamming in particular: what some of the themes are of scamming, if they are groups of people or individuals, and how we can help ourselves to keep our personal information safe.
On the Wire this Wednesday, Frances and Zazi had their regular Dear Science segment with Allan Blackman, talking about Neuroprosthesis restoring words to man with paralysis, how the human body size is shaped by climate and new footage marking the anniversary of Oregon's infamous exploding whale incident of 1970
Frances talks to Laurie Paterson, one of the national conveners of the Groundswell farmers protests on Friday last week, and to Dr Melani Anae about the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care Pasific hearing.
Zazi has her regular talk with ACT’s Brooke van Velden, this week about the Public Interest Journalism Fund, and she also speaks with Manager and Chief Technology Officer of Netsafe, Sean Lyons, about the risks of cyber crime, and scamming in particular.
This week Zazi talks to Brooke about Paul Goulter's appoitnment and the Public Interest Journalism Fund (PIJF).
Zazi starts by asking Brooke why the ACT party has an issue with Paul Goulter being appointed as one of the new directors on the Air New Zealand board. She brings up Grant Robertson, Labour's relationship with unionists, and Paul Goulter's merits.
Brooke then covers ACT's stance on why the party has concerns over the government funding news outlets and journalism.
New producer, Joe, talks to the CEO of animal welfare group SAFE, Debra Ashton, about their recent decision to take the government to court over their failure to ban rodeos.
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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