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 talked to Timothy Fairhall on his way to Parliament about his advocacy to change the age in which people with life-shortening congenital conditions can access their KiwiSaver. Then IHC's Director of Advocacy Trish Grant spoke on what this means for people with life-shortening conditions and what IHC's next steps are. Then Justin spoke about today's announcement with Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Dr David Clark.
On their weekly chat Justin and Health Minister Andrew Little talked about the government's mental health policy.
The government changed the Kiwisaver Act to allow people with life-shortening conditions to access their Kiwisaver earlier, Ayana and Justin spoke to activist Timothy Fairhall, IHC Director of Advocacy Trish Grant, and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Dr David Clark.
Neighbourhood Watch reports on the further fallout from former parliamentary staffer Brittany Higgins' rape allegations, criticism of the federal government small benefits raise, and Facebook reversing its ban on Australian news.
NASA’s Perseverance Rover landed on Mars on February 19th (NZ) to search for signs of ancient microbial life. The objective of the mission is astrobiological as scientists aim to characterise the planet’s geology and past climate. News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Haritina Mogoșanu, the Executive Director of the New Zealand Astrobiology Network, about the Perseverance mission and why it is significant for astrobiology and human understanding of life as we know it.
Two years after the publication of He Ara Oranga, the national inquiry into mental health and addictions, community groups, healthcare providers, and those interfacing with services report little material change. Report after report and headline after headline lamenting New Zealand's provision of mental health care raises the question of whether more should be done about the issue beyond just talking about it.
Hanna speaks to Mental Health Foundation CEO Shaun Robinson about He Ara Oranga, the government's progress (or lack thereof) on its recommendations, and what action should be taken instead.
Today on the Tuesday Wire, Jemima Huston speaks to Paul Mackay from BusinessNZ about the government’s plan to overhaul the Holidays Act 2003.
Hanna Thompson talks to the Mental Health Foundation's Chief Executive, Shaun Robinson about the government stalling on reforming the mental health sector in a practical way.
Noah Ferguson-Dudding interviews a specialist in ethics of war, Dr Thomas Gregory, about the role New Zealand businesses in controversial global affairs. They discuss Air New Zealand’s involvement with the Saudi Arabian Navy.
Finally, Jemima speaks to Haritina Mogoșanu, Executive Director of the New Zealand Astrobiology Network, about the landing of the NASA Perseverance Rover on Mars.
This morning the government announced that a number of improvements will be made to the Holidays Act 2003. The improvements include extending bereavement leave to include more family members, extending the rights to sick leave and family violence leave, and standardising the calculations for holiday pay. Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood says legislation can be expected in early 2022.
News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston talks to Paul Mackay, Manager of Employment Relations Policy at BusinessNZ, about the planned overhaul of the Act. Paul explains how the collective work of BusinessNZ and the Council of Trade Unions led to this government decision.
Saudi Arabia has been widely condemned for leading a violent intervention in Yemen. Recently, it was revealed that Air New Zealand had carried out a contract for the Saudi Arabian navy and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade had approved exports for military equipment to Saudi Arabia’s forces. Noah Ferguson-Dudding spoke to Dr Thomas Gregory, a senior lecturer in politics and international affairs at the University of Auckland, about the role New Zealand’s government, and kiwi businesses, in controversial global affairs.
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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