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.
News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks with Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer about the National Party’s Demand the Debate Campaign. They discuss Judith Collins' critique that He Puapua is a radical interpretation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the use of the term 'seperatism' in political discourse and Debbie's perspective on how unified the National Party is currently. Jemima and Debbie also touch on the $2.75 million in government funding put into a marae-based drug rehabilitation programme, Kahuhura, which has links with the Mongrel Mob.
Joe briefly speaks with Professor Asaad Shamseldin, from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Auckland, about the recent extreme weather conditions, which have left hundreds displaced from their homes along the South Islands West Coast, and how it relates to climate change.
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.
The New Zealand Police Association have called for better protections for officers, including faster access to firearms and working in pairs. This has come after violence, in particular from firearms, towards officers has increased in recent years.
Louis spoke the President of the Police Association Chris Cahill about the demands and why police deem these necessary.
Following Samoa's general election in April, a clear winner has still not been decided. While the Human Rights Protection Party have been operating as a caretaker government, the opposition FAST Party have won recent by-elections.
Producer Louis chatted with Editor at the Samoa Observer James Robertson about the developments and what may happen in the coming weeks.
Our weekly chat with James Shaw is back this week.
Jessica Hopkins talked to James about farmers protesting against ute tax, and environmental regulations, the arrest of four Kaitiaki at Putiki, and 35 years of homosexual law reform.
Jessica started off the interview discussing whether we can supporting farmers while reducing emissions from agriculture.
On the Monday Wire, Jessica Hopkins talked to Green Party Co-leader James Shaw about the farmers protest against the Ute Tax and recent environmental regulations, and 35 years of homosexual law reform in New Zealand.
Jessica also be spoke to Associate Professor Susan Fountaine about the gender gap in news.
Producer Louis Macalister brings you an interview with the Police Association's President, Chris Cahill on Police demands for better protection for officers.
Louis was joined by Samoa Observer journalist James Robertson to discuss the recent developments Post-election in Samoa.
Lastly, Louis had one more piece, talking to Dr Lisa Reynolds from the University of Auckland about LSD microdosing for cancer patients.
Recent protests in Pūtiki Bay have escalated in recent weeks, with conflict between security guards and protesters, and an increasing police presence. Protestors argue a marina being built in the area will harm the environment, and have criticised the developers for insufficient consultation.
Noah Ferguson-Dudding spoke to Director of Kennedy Point Marina, Kitt Littlejohn, about the protesters' beliefs and actions. Noah also spoke to Lissy Fehnker-Heather from Forest & Bird, and Emily Weiss from Protect Pūtiki, to understand the environmental and cultural concerns around the construction.
A recent study has revealed more old New Zealanders believe climate change is real, and caused by humans. Noah Ferguson-Dudding spoke to the author of the study, Taciano Milfont from Waikato University, about the findings, and how they may affect New Zealand's climate policy.
Please note the introduction mistakenly refers to Victoria University, rather than Waikato University.
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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