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.
Ayana talks to Simplicity's Managing Director Sam Stubbs about the revelation of Icehouse Ventures partnership with iFlytek, a company who produces technology that is involved in the surveillance and persecution on Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. Ayana asked about how we draw line when it comes to ethical investing and how this complicated web works.
Ayana talked to Green Party's Golriz Ghahraman about what the Green Party thinks the Government should be doing to take a stand against the crimes against human rights by the Chinese Communist Party and how New Zealand Uyghur Muslims are faring in New Zealand right now.
First, Ayana speaks to Professor Anne-Marie Brady about the persecution on Uyghur Muslims in Xinjhang and New Zealand's role in standing up against international humanitarian abuse.
Secondly, Ayana follows this story through to ethical investing by talking to Sam Stubbs, Managing Director of Simplicity, about the complexities of ethical investing. Simplicity is known for ethical investing and had shares in Icehouse Ventures, who had a relationship with iFlytek whose technology is involved in the persecution of Uyghar Muslims.
Thirdly, Ayana speaks to Green Party's Golriz Ghahraman on what the New Zealand Government should do in the face of international humanitarian crimes.
Then, Noah talks to Dr Rob Beaglehole from the New Zealand Dental Association about the change to the law that see's the Ministry of Health manage flurodation of water.
And finally, Noah talks to Professor John McMillan from Otago University's Bio-Ethics Centre regarding a court ruling a child would get vaccinated despite protests from her father.
Justin spoke to Heart of the City's chief executive Viv Beck on Auckland CBD business performances during the America's Cup.
On their weekly chat, Justin and Health Minister Andrew Little talked about extending regulations on medicinal cannabis, a Greens' proposal to decriminalize cannabis, and the Ministry of Health not hitting targets of a measles vaccination campaign.
On Neighbourhood Watch, Justin and Radio Adelaide's Zoe Kounadis chatted about March 4 Justice protests against sexual assault and calls for action on aboriginal deaths in custody.
Justin also talked to advocay group Route 501's co-founder Filipa Payne on New Zealand deportees from Australia.
Producer George Easton spoke to Auckland University Student Association (AUSA) President Anamika Harirajh about their mental health week and online exams.
Justin spoke to Health Minister Andrew Little about the government not hitting its targets on measle vaccines, extending medicinal cannabis, and a potential Green Party bill to decriminalize cannabis use.
Producer George Easton spoke to Auckland University Student Association President Anamika Harirajh about mental health program and support for students.
Justin spoke to advocacy group Route 501's co-founder Filipa Payne on how New Zealand deportees from Australia were treated in Australian detention facilities and the problems they faced in New Zealand.
Heart of the City's CEO Viv Beck joined Justin live in studio on the phone to talk about how Auckland businesses fared under the America's Cup and what does a potential trans-Tasman bubble mean for the sector.
The International Transport Workers Federation, also known as ITF, has raised concerns over the treatment of 20 Filipino seafarers in Fiji, who have been subject to human rights abuses by their company. The workers were recruited and were told they would be paid $1000 a week, however their hours were undercounted, pay was siginificantly reduced and they were told to pay for their own PPE equioment. The workers were then left stranded in Fiji, where the government has made little effort to care for them, with some having had their passports taken from them.
To understand more about this particular situation, as well as concerns when ot comes ot the human rights of seafarers, James talks to Paul Tolich, the chair of the ITF New Zealand National Coordinating Committee.
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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