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 Tuesday Wire is back! Following the news regarding the poor water quality of beaches around Auckland and the devastating shark attack in Waihi, Jemima looks into how you can make sure you are safe when swimming this summer. She speaks to Surf Life Saving New Zealand's Northern Region Chief Executive Matt Williams and Land Air Water Aotearoa’s ‘Can I swim here?’ Science Lead Arrnna Madarasz-Smith about this.
Hanna talks to Council of Trade Union’s National Secretary Melissa Ansell Bridges about fair pay agreements and the organisation’s survey on work life balance.
To wrap it up, Monday Wire producer Aneeka Moheed speaks to the National Party’s Corrections spokesperson Simeon Brown about the conditions at Waikeria prison and his party's perspective on the recent uprising there.
With many beaches around Auckland being polluted and not safe to swim, as well as a devastating shark attack also making headlines within the last week, many Aucklanders are likely concerned about how to be safe when swimming at the beach this summer. News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks with Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s Northern Region Chief Executive Matt Williams about the risks when swimming at the beach. They touch on the Waihi shark attack, whether you should swim without lifeguards and what impact water quality has on swimming safety.
Check out safeswim.org.nz to find out which Auckland beaches are not polluted and safe to swim at.
This is part one of a two part piece. Part two looks at the science behind assessing water quality in an interview with LAWA's ‘Can I swim here?’ Science Lead Anna Madarasz-Smith. Listen here.
Another important consideration when heading to a beach for a swim this summer is the quality of our water. For a scientific perspective on water quality, I spoke with Land Air Water Aotearoa’s ‘Can I swim here?’ Science Lead Anna Madarasz-Smith. Anna speaks on how water quality is assessed by LAWA, how the pubic can find information on polluted waterways and what impact potentially toxic algae can have on people and animals.
Check out www.lawa.org.nz to get regularly updated water quality data for your local beach or waterway. The website can also tell you whether waterways are safe for your dog!
This is part one of a two part piece. Part one looks at the risks the public can face when swimming at the beach in an interview with Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s Northern Region Chief Executive Matt Williams. Listen here.
Sixteen inmates in Waikeria prison in the Waikato protested for six days before surrenduring on January 3rd. They were allegedly protesting the extremely poor living conditions in the prison such as dirty drinking water, unclean laundry and food hygeine malpractice. Aneeka spoke to Emilie Rāteke, from People against Prisons Aotearoa, and Simeon Brown, the spokesperson for Corrections from the National Party, about the uprising and the prison system in the country.
Welcome back to the first Wire of 2021! On the show today:
Zoë brings a report on the mob of pro-Trump extremists stormed the Capitol. She also speaks to senior lecturer at Auckland University Dr. Maria Armoudian about how the environment where an event like this can happen festered, and Philadelphia residents Sarah Thompson and Marshall Johnston on the difference in police response at Capitol Hill to the Black Lives Matter protests, and their thoughts on how Joe Biden will fare in bridging the deep political divide in the United States.
Then, Aneeka interviews Emilie Rakete from People Against Prisons on the Waikeria Prison protest.
Finally, Jess interviews Dr Neal Curtis on the state of democracy in the U.S. and the banning of Trump from social media platforms.
Manuy are calling for Trump's impeachment following pro Trump rioters storming the Capitol last week after the current president encourgaed his supporters to contest the result of the 2020 Presidential Election.
Jess talked to Dr. Neal Curtis, an associate professor in media and communication at The University of Auckland, about what factors reinforce white supremacy and entitlement, social media's role in spreading disinformation, and Trumps ban on several platforms.
The interview starts by discussing what has led to the current state of democracy in the United States.
Join James, Lyric and Jade for the final wire of 2020, where they play some of their best pieces from this year, ranging from pigs to the depths of the music industry.
On their weekly chat, Justin and Health Minister Andrew Little talked about the government's COVID vaccination programme and a deal over Ihumātao.
International Desk reports on the updates on Brexit.
The Thursday Wire showcases the best of 2020, including Ayana talking to Minister Damien O'Conor over RECP, the Auckland Central candidates' debate, and a January interview with Dr Siousxie Wiles on coronaviruses.
Justin and Health Minister Andrew Little talked about the government's COVID-19 vaccination programme, and a then-potential agreement over the future of Ihumātao.
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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