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.
Lots of water and talk about hate speech in Friday's wire.
Noah spoke to Professor Paul Spoonley about the government's proposed changes to hate speech laws. He then discussed these laws, as well as proposed reforms to water management, with National MP Christopher Luxon.
First-time producer Frances spoke to Green MP Eugenie Sage, and Water NZ CEO illian Blythe, about the importance of getting a diverse range of opinions through the process of water reforms.
Finally, Noah spoke to Auckland Councillor for Waitakere, Shane Henderson, about transport, climate change, and housing.
On Wednesday the government released their three waters reform programme which proposed four publicly owned entites to look after drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.
Frances Wright spoke with Green Party spokesperson for three waters, Eugenie Sage, and Chief Executive of Water New Zealand, Gillian Blythe. They discussed iwi and mana whenua involvement in water reforms, public engagement in the process, and the importance of the reforms for New Zealand.
Noah Ferguson-Dudding spoke to Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson about Auckland Transport's plans to combat climate change, and the city's transport in general. They also discussed the recent National Policy Statement on Urban Development, which sets out how Auckland can manage rapid population growth.
Proposed changes to New Zealand's hate speech laws have created controversy and debate throughout the political world over the past week. While the government argues the changes will stop individuals inciting violence against other groups, National and the ACT Party claim the proposals infringe on freedom of speech.
Noah Ferguson-Dudding spoke to Professor Paul Spoonley who has written extensively on hate speech and terrorism. They discussed what the proposals change to the current system, the relationship between hate speech and free speech, and whether New Zealand can regulate extreme content online.
A report from the Classification Office found that a majority of New Zealanders are exposed and are concerned about the spread of misinformation, with it concluding half of New Zealanders have at least one misbelief.
The University of Auckland's Kate Hannah is the research lead of The Disinformation Project. She said the foundings could be both positive and negative. She spoke to Justin Wong.
On Tuesday, the government released its first public draft for replacing the 1991 Resource Management Act. The government says the draft aims to provide a clear plan for future environmental and urban development.
Producer Louis spoke to the Environment Minister David Parker about the draft and its expected benefits.
Producer Louis also spoke to Massey University's Caroline Miller, who is an Associate Professor at the School of People, Environment, and Planning. They discussed the report's strengths and weaknesses, as well as potential changes moving ahead.
Justin spoke to Health and SIS Minister Andrew Little about the government planning to toughen up hate speech laws, updates on the Waikato DHB cyberattack, and a report from the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security on the SIS using Auckland Transport CCTV to surveil people.
Justin spoke to Health and SIS Minister Andrew Little about the government's hate speech law change, documents hacked from the Waikato DHB cyberattack released on the dark web, and a report on the legality of the SIS using Auckland Transport CCTV for surveillance.
Producer Louis Macalister talked to Environment Minister David Parker and Massey University's Caroline Miller about the proposed reforms to the Resource Management Act.
Neighbourhood Watch reports on a new local transmitted COVID-19 case in South Australia and Victoria's plans to decriminalize sex work.
A Classification Office report concluded most New Zealanders are exposed and are concerned about misinformation.
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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