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 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons officially became international law today, aiming towards nuclear disarmament and limiting further adoption of nuclear weapons. Hanna spoke to Lucy Stewart, coordinator of the Disarmament and Security Centre in Christchurch, discussing the Treaty and its scope, possible concerns about compliance, and the growing apathy around disarmament.
School Strike For Climate New Zealand held a rally today outside Parliament to call for meaningful climate action to be taken by the country's leaders in the first 100 days of government. News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Ethan Reille, the media representative for SS4C, about what the group's demands are.
Zoë Larsen Cumming interviews Professor at Massey University’s Centre for Defence and Security Studies and expert in Russian politics and foreign policy Rouban Azizian on the protests currently unfolding in Russia in support of Alexei Navalny.
Jess Hopkins interviews Chief Executive of Universities NZ, Chris Whelan on tertiary students returning to New Zealand.
Jess also interviews Roz Alsford from the SPCA about the importance of pet desexing.
Finally, Aneeka Moheed interviews Kirsty McCully from E tū who was at the Lifewise workers protest in Mt Eden today.
Today, Lifewise workers are striking outside their offices in Mt Eden regarding poor working conditions. Workers are struggling with insufficient hours as well as having issues with sick/bereavement leave and rates of their pay. Lifewise is one of the three interdependent trusts under the methodist church who relies on their homecare workers to provide support to people in need. Aneeka spoke to Kirsty McCully from E tū, a democratic union supporting workers rights to fair pay and decent working conditions.
Zoë Larsen Cumming interviews Professor at Massey University’s Centre for Defence and Security Studies and expert in Russian politics and foreign policy Rouban Azizian on the protest currently unfolding in Russia in support of Alexei Navalny.
The SPCA sees an oversupply of companion animals annually, with many shelters currently at full capacity.
Jess talked to Roz Alsford from the SPCA about the importance of pet desexing to reduce overpopulation, and what people need to consider before becoming a pet owner.
The interview started by discussing Kitten season, and what causes pet overpopulation.
Jade talked to University of Canterburry professor of political science and international affairs as well as IPCC member Bronwyn Hayward about the Biden administrations plans for climate change and how it may affect New Zealand's plans.
Yesterday the labour party announced where they would be building 8000 public houses, which was met by critism due to the slow pace at which housing is being built. New Zealand is currently in a housing crisis due to a number of factors, which has resulted in rising prices and empty households. James talks to the Nation party's housing spokesperson, Nicola Willis, about the announcement and Nationals stance.
Jade talks to San Fransisco based climate activist and solar industry professional Wei-Tai Kwok on Biden's new climate change plan and how it may affect how the world and other countries tackles the climate change issue.
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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