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.
As many Western countries speak out against human rights abuses in China, New Zealand has found itself in a difficult position between prioritising ethics and economics. In recent weeks, the Labour government have started to speak out against the actions of China and, earlier this week, passed a motion declaring human rights abuses were taking place.
Noah Ferguson-Dudidng spoke to Director of the China Studies Centre at the University of Auckland, Stephen Noakes, on New Zealand's relationship with China. They discussed their decades-long trading relationship, China's actions in Hong Kong and against Muslim minorities, and how New Zealand's stance may change in the future.
This week on the Friday Wire, Bronwyn fills in for Ayana.
Producer Noah Ferguson-Dudding speaks to National MP Christopher Luxon about Parliament declaring human rights abuses in China and plans for the national rail system. He then talks to Stephen Noakes, Director of the China Studies Centre at the University of Auckland, more broadly about New Zealand’s relationship with China.
In our regular segment with Auckland Council, Bronwyn chats to Pippa Coom about a range of environmental projects around the city.
Lastly, Bronwyn plays an interview with Mark Pascall about the Wellbeing Protocol, a project to empower communities through blockchain technology.
Bronwyn speaks to Auckland Councillor Pippa Coom about the improvements to Waihorotiu Valley (Queen St) and the controversy surrounding the Marina at Kennedy Point and its impacts on local kororā (little blue penguins). They began by speaking about the Western Springs Pine Native Bush Restoration project.
Bronwyn sits down with Mark Pascall, one of the founders of the Wellbeing Protocol, a project to empower communities using blockchain technology. Pascall is using his background in software development to combine his four passions: blockchain, alternative organisational management, open source and holistic wellness.
The Wellbeing Protocol has been accepted into the GovTech Accelerator programme and has received funding to run a trial in Cannons Creek, in Eastern Porirua. Bronwyn talks to Pascall about the project, alternative methods of value transfer, and dispelling myths around blockchain.
Justin spoke to Health Minister Andrew Little about Pharmac reportedly stopping blanket funding drugs for kid's cancer, comments made by National leader Judith Collins on health sector reforms, and Labour insisting changing a motion condemning 'genocide' in China's Xinjiang province to 'human rights abuse'.
This week on Neighbourhood Watch, a legal challenge is launched against the Federal government's ban in returning citizens from India, a family could be released from the detention centre on Christmas Island, and a giant moth is discovered in Queensland.
Justin spoke to Health Minister Andrew Little about PHARMAC, health sector reforms, and parliament's genocide motion.
International Desk reports on Chad.
Neighbourhood Watch reports on a huge moth, a family being released from Christmas Island detention facility, and a legal challenge against the Federal Government's ban on returning citizens from India.
Uyghur Solidarity NZ's Sam Vincent talked to reporter Aneeka Moheed on the Government's refusal to condemn China for genocide.
International Desk reports on the developments in Chad after President Idriss Deby was killed and the country is ruled by a military transitional council. Justin was joined by SOAS University PHD student Moudwe Daga to talk about what caused the conflict and the future for the Central African country.
Reporter Aneeka Moheed spoke to Uyghur Solidarity's Sam Vincent about the government's refusal to call the human rights abuses in the Chinese province of Xinjiang a 'genocide'.
In the sixth installment of 'What's the Buzz?' with the New Zealand Drug Foundation, Aneeka talks to both executive director, Sarah Helm, and Policy Manager, Kali Mercier, about drug law reform in Aotearoa. They discuss the rise in emerging cases of Kiwis getting arrested for using and supplying medicinal cannabis as well as the path we need to see drug law take in the country.
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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