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.
It's the final Wednesday Wire of 2020! Today on the show we look at some of the best stories that Bronnie, Felix and Karanama have covered this year, alongside a special 'best of' Dear Science.
Firstly, we look into some of the most interesting and outright bizaare stories from Marcus Jones and Allan Blackman on Dear Science
Then we replay Felix's report on each political parties youth policies in the build up to the October election
We then look into Bronnies interview with Michael Apathy on Climate Anxiety
Karanama then plays his interview with Tai Tupou, from the I AM HOPE foundation on bullying and mental health in schools
And finally, we re-listen to Felix's report on the leadership of former head of the National Party Todd Muller
This week we bring you the best of the Tuesday Wire this year!
Jemima recaps her piece on the core issues for american voters leading up to the US Presidential Election with University of Waikato politics lecturer Justin Phillips.
Hanna covers the continuing issue that is the differing referendum provisions for Māori Wards and Local Councils. She plays her conversation with Toni Boynton from Te Rōpū Tautoko Maori about this issue.
We also run through some of our favourite pieces from 95bFM's 2020 Election Coverage, such as the "competency vs. celebrity" debate in the Auckland Central seat, whether New Zealand’s emssions targets are up to scratch, and the successful End of Life Choice referendum.
It’s Monday in the 95bFM studio and the last Wire of the year for Zoë, Aneeka, and Jess! Together they recap their stand out pieces from a full on year of news. Whakarongo mai!
First up, Zoë plays her interview with the Green Party co-leader James Shaw about the Green School controversy of August this year.
Then Aneeka plays her piece on period poverty in Aotearoa with Dr. Terry Flemming.
Next, Zoë plays her interview with Chlöe Swarbrick about the cannabis referendum, back when it was still all up in the air.
Then she plays her Black Lives Matter Auckland solidarity protest report from June 14th of this year.
Then Jess plays her piece with Dr. Julie McArthur on New Zealand’s Climate Emergency Declaration.
Finally, Aneeka shares her Bird of Year interview (the most heated election of 2020!) with Forest & Bird’s Lisa Lawrence.
Oh, they share some top news stories of the year too, including the Australian bush fires, Madame COVID 19 (remember her?) and the U.S. election.
Jade talks with Dr Richard Stein and Mayor Campbell Barry of the Lower Hutt area about their support of teen Nicole Thornton's advocacy campaign "I Can't Wait." The campaign advocates for people with Crohn's disease and other urgent needs for bathroom usage to carry "I Can't Wait" cards so businesses can open their toilets for usage without the need for unnecessary explanation.
Jade talks to DJ and producer Ayesha Waja on her campaign "Not for You," and her and other female DJ's speaking up about harassment and discrimination being a female in the music industry.
With the holiday season bring a number of occasions where alcohol consumption is prevalent, there are a number of risks and factors at play. James talks to Cath Edmondson, the general manger of policy, research and advice at the Health Promotion Agency about a range of areas relating to alcohol consumption.
The Department of Conservation and Predator Free 2050 ltd have placed support in a biodegradable rat trap which would be distribtued in areas hard to reach by foot. To hear more about developments surrounding the trap, James talks to Minister of Conservation, Kiri Allan, about the trap and its progression.
With Australian goverment to debate law this week, Facebook and Alphabet, Google's parent company, could soon have to be paying for news to be on their platforms. With heavy oppoistion from the two companies, James discusses with Richard Pamatatau, a journalism lecturer at Auckland University of Technology, a range of possiblities that could stem from this situation.
This week in studio it is just James and Jade, who bring you a range of different stories to finish off the week.
James starts off with a piece about alcohol consumption with Cath Edmonson from the Health Promotion Agency.
James then also talks to Minister of Conservation, Kiri Allan, about a new type of biodegradable rat trap.
Jade talks to Doctor Richard Stein and Mayor of lower Hutt, Campbell Barry, about their support for the 'I Can't Wait' campain which advocates for people with Crohn's disease and other urgent needs for the bathroom.
Jade then also talks ot Ayesha Waja about her campaign 'Not For You' where they discuss harrassment and discrimination in the music industry.
James talks to Auckland Univeristy of Techonology journalism lecturer, Richard Pamatau, abour Australia's potential independent journalism laws.
On their weekly chat, Justin talked to the Minister Responsible for SIS and GCSB Andrew Little about the Royal Commission report into the Christchurch terror attack, on the part of the security agencies and the Commission's recommendations. Minister Little is also in charge of coordinating the government's reponse to the report.
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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