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The Wire

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.

The Wire with Justin: June 24, 2021

The Wire with Justin: June 24, 2021 The Wire with Justin: June 24, 2021, 102.94 MB
Thu 24 Jun 2021

Justin and Health Minister Andrew Little talked about the COVID-19 scare in Wellington and mental health spending.

International Desk reports on Hong Kong's largest pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily closing.

Neighbourhood Watch reports on the return of Barnaby Joyce as Deputy Prime Minister and a UNESCO report on the Great Barrier Reef.

An Auckland Councillor said he expected more for the Auckland Council-Government fund for Papatoetoe residents affected by the tornado.

National MP Tim van der Molen spoke to producer Louis Macalister about the Government's plans to protect the Hauraki Gulf.

Neighbourhood Watch: June 24, 2021

240621_Neighbourhood_Watch.mp3 mp3, 19.23 MB
Thu 24 Jun 2021

Neighbourhood Watch reports on Barnaby Joyce returning to his former position as Deputy Prime Minister after elected leader of the National Party, and the Australian government rejecting a UNESCO report saying it had not done enough to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

Justin's International Desk: June 24, 2021

Justin's International Desk: June 24, 2021 Justin's International Desk: June 24, 2021, 18.51 MB
Thu 24 Jun 2021

International Desk reports on Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily closing operations after its chief editor and five media executives were arrested on national security charges.

Stephen Vines is a Hong Kong journalist and a columnist for news website Hong Kong Free Press.  He spoke to Justin Wong.

Labour's Andrew Little: June 24, 2021

Labour's Andrew Little: June 24, 2021 Labour's Andrew Little: June 24, 2021, 17.37 MB
Thu 24 Jun 2021

Justin spoke with Health Minister Andrew Little about mental health spending and the COVID-19 scare in Wellington.

Dear Science w/ Allan Blackman: June 23, 2021

Dear Science w/ Allan Blackman: June 23, 2021 Dear Science w/ Allan Blackman: June 23, 2021, 26.43 MB
Wed 23 Jun 2021

This week on Dear Science, Allan takes us through a whirlwind of science, touching on nobel prize winners, potential cancer-causing drugs and lead in London air from petrol.

Allan takes on a journey of the careers of Ei-ichi Negishi and Richard R. Ernst, both shemists who have contributed to the scientific world.

James learns about a scientific paper which said a drug called ranitidine created carcinogens in patients, which has now been retracted.

Allan warns us of the impacts of lead in the air and explains why there is still lead in the air from when petrol contained lead.

The housing human rights crisis w/ Aaron Hendry & Michael Rehm: June 23, 2021

Aaron Hendry and Michael Rehm housing crisis IS.mp3 mp3, 25.79 MB
Wed 23 Jun 2021

Following the release of a report that declares our housing crisis as a "human rights crisis", Ilena talks to Aaron Hendry, the youth housing team leader for Lifewise, and Michael Rehm, a Senior Lecturer in Property at the University of Auckland. They talk about what the implications of this declaration might be and what future action could look like through incorporating a human rights/Housing First approach and Te Tiriti principles.

ACT's Brooke van Velden on COVID-19 in Wellington, Fishing Reserves & Small Businesses: June 23, 2021

ACT's Brooke van Velden on COVID-19 in Wellington, Fishing Reserves & Small Businesses: June 23, 2021 ACT's Brooke van Velden on COVID-19 in Wellington, Fishing Reserves & Small Businesses: June 23, 2021, 29.72 MB
Wed 23 Jun 2021

This week James talks to Brooke about the COVID-19 case from Australia, the newe Hauraki Gulf fishing reserves & small businesses during COVID-19.

When James talked to Brooke, it was yet to be announced that Wellington would be heading to level 2, however they talked about what potential outcoems there could be.

James asks about ACT's stance on fishing reserves and their opposition to customary rights for Māori to fish in these resereves.

Brooke covers ACT's stance on how GDP is currently going in New Zelaand and how small businesses are being impacted.

The Wire with James: June 23, 2021

The Wire with James: June 23, 2021 The Wire with James: June 23, 2021, 114.29 MB
Wed 23 Jun 2021

This week on The Wire, James is joined in studio by Ilena to bring you a jam packed show.

Dear Science is with Allan Blackman this week, who talks about nobel prize winners, retracted studies and lead in the air.

James has his weekly chat with Brooke van Velden from the ACT party, where they discuss COVID-19 in Wellington, fishing reserves and small businesses.

Ilena talks with Aaron Hendry from Lifewise and Dr. Michael Rehm from the University of Auckland about the recent decision to call the New Zealand housing crisis a human rights crisis.

Hauraki Gulf revitalisation w/ Eugenie Sage: June 22, 2021

Hauraki Gulf revitalisation w/ Eugenie Sage: June 22, 2021 Hauraki Gulf revitalisation w/ Eugenie Sage: June 22, 2021, 17.64 MB
Tue 22 Jun 2021

Lyric caught up with Green Party MP Eugenie Sage live onair to discuss her thoughts on Labour's Hauraki Gulf revitalisation plan, announced this morning.

Food for Thought: The Future of Food w/ Dr Rosie Bosworth: June 22, 2021

Food for Thought: The Future of Food w/ Dr Rosie Bosworth: June 22, 2021 Food for Thought: The Future of Food w/ Dr Rosie Bosworth: June 22, 2021, 21.72 MB
Tue 22 Jun 2021

What the "facon" is up with sustainable eating? This week on Tomorrow's World, Isla and Stella talk to Dr Rosie Bosworth, a disruptive technology expert about the future of food technologies, ranging from lab-grown meat (cellular agriculture) to how soy roots are used to simulate the sensory experience of animal products.

City Counselling w/ Julie Fairey: December 18, 2025

City Counselling w/ Julie Fairey: December 18, 2025 City Counselling w/ Julie Fairey: December 18, 2025, 18.24 MB
Thu 18 Dec 2025

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.

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party's Ricardo Menendez March: 17 December, 2025

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party's Ricardo Menendez March: 17 December, 2025 Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party's Ricardo Menendez March: 17 December, 2025, 29.61 MB
Wed 17 Dec 2025

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.

Inquiry on online harm, RMA, and Fast Track Amendments Bill w/ National MP Carl Bates: 16 December 2025

Inquiry on online harm, RMA, and Fast Track Amendments Bill w/ National MP Carl Bates: 16 December 2025 Inquiry on online harm, RMA, and Fast Track Amendments Bill w/ National MP Carl Bates: 16 December 2025, 16.1 MB
Tue 16 Dec 2025

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.

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 16 December, 2025

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 16 December, 2025 Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 16 December, 2025, 29.9 MB
Tue 16 Dec 2025

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman chats with us about how a journal has retracted a study on a weed killer, how it’s easier to identify a cat by its purr rather than meow, and how time is faster on Mars.

Landing 20 December, Forces of Flight, MOTAT’s newest Aviation Hall exhibition - Discover the forces that take you sky-high!

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!

RMA overhaul and Education and Workforce Committee’s interim report on social media harm w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 15 December, 2025

RMA overhaul and Education and Workforce Committee’s interim report on social media harm w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 15 December, 2025 RMA overhaul and Education and Workforce Committee’s interim report on social media harm w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 15 December, 2025, 18.85 MB
Mon 15 Dec 2025

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.

“Block the Ban” Protest, UN Report Critical of the Government on Māori Rights, and Lower Targets for Methane Emissions Against Official Advice w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 11 December, 2025

“Block the Ban” Protest, UN Report Critical of the Government on Māori Rights, and Lower Targets for Methane Emissions Against Official Advice w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 11 December, 2025 “Block the Ban” Protest, UN Report Critical of the Government on Māori Rights, and Lower Targets for Methane Emissions Against Official Advice w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 11 December, 2025, 9.57 MB
Thu 11 Dec 2025

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.

City Counselling w/ Shane Henderson: December 11, 2025

City Counselling w/ Shane Henderson: December 11, 2025 City Counselling w/ Shane Henderson: December 11, 2025, 11.23 MB
Thu 11 Dec 2025

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.

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party's Ricardo Menendez March: 10 December, 2025

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party's Ricardo Menendez March: 10 December, 2025 Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party's Ricardo Menendez March: 10 December, 2025, 29.89 MB
Wed 10 Dec 2025

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.

Get Action! Reverse the decision to deny transgender and takatāpui young people access to puberty blockers w/ activist Lauren Craig: 10 December 2025

Get Action! Reverse the decision to deny transgender and takatāpui young people access to puberty blockers w/ activist Lauren Craig: 10 December 2025 Get Action! Reverse the decision to deny transgender and takatāpui young people access to puberty blockers w/ activist Lauren Craig: 10 December 2025, 9.82 MB
Wed 10 Dec 2025

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

Scrutiny Week w/ National MP Carl Bates: 9 December 2025

Scrutiny Week w/ National MP Carl Bates: 9 December 2025 Scrutiny Week w/ National MP Carl Bates: 9 December 2025, 21.35 MB
Tue 9 Dec 2025

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