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.
Media giant Stuff have issued a public apology and a commitment to do better in how they portray Maori. Karanama spoke to Carmen Parahi, Pou Tiaki editor for Stuff, about how monocultural journalism has hurt Maori, and how Stuff plans to improve following this historic move
While Māori representation in Parliament is guaranteed by the Māori seats, no similar guarantee exists at the level of local government. In fact, the Local Electoral Act 2001 requires proposed Māori wards be put to referendum if 5% of local voters request it. General wards are not subject to such a clause.
ActionStation and Te Rōpū Tautoko Māori are calling on the government to amend this provision, making the law governing Māori wards equal to that which governs general wards.
Hanna spoke to Toni Boynton from Te Rōpū Tautoko Māori about the group's mahi, and what Māori representation means for local government policy, partnership under the Treaty of Waitangi, and democracy itself.
The Electoral Commission has revealed that this year's election had a huge increase in the youth vote and the Māori vote. Noah spoke to Chief Electoral Officer Alicia Wright about what the Commission did differently this year.
Today on the Tuesday Wire, Noah looks into the government's announcement yesterday that paid sick leave will increase from 5 to 10 days in 2021. He speaks to Retail NZ and E Tū for their perspectives on the change.
Jemima reports on WorkSafe charging 13 parties in relation to the Whakaari / White Island disaster in December 2019. She talks to University of Auckland Professor of Volcanology Shane Cronin about what the proceedings might do for future changes to volcano hazard management.
Hanna speaks to Toni Boyton from Te Rōpū Tautoko Māori about the group's petition in support of Māori wards.
To wrap up the show, Noah chats to Chief Electoral Officer Alicia Wright about how this year's election had a huge increase in the youth vote and the Māori vote.
The government has just announced a bill to expand sick leave entitlements from five days to ten days a year. Noah spoke to Chief Executive of Retail NZ, Greg Harford who has come out against the bill. He also spoke to Annie Newman, Assistant National Secretary of E Tū, a union which has long called for an increase in annual sick leave.
This week Zoë Larsen Cumming speaks to James Shaw about the Climate Emergency declaration set to be announced by the government this week, along with the Green's stance on the Five Eyes Intelligence Network regarding recent statements by the Chinese government.
The Child Poverty Action Group has released a report regarding the Labour Government's unjustifiably slow progress on welfare reform in relation to the Welfare Expert Advisory Group's recommendations that were given to the government in February 2019. Aneeka speaks to Caitlin Neuwelk-Kearns who co-authored the report from the Child Poverty Action Group about the government's lack of action and changes we need to start seeing.
Zoë speaks to the Green party co-leader about the Climate Emergency declaration and the Five Eyes Intelligence Network.
Jess Hopkins speaks to Dr Julie MacArthur, a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations and Public Policy at the University of Auckland about environmental governance and policy in New Zealand.
Zoë speaks to the CEO and founder of KidsCan, Julie Chapman, on child poverty in Aotearoa.
Aneeka Moheed speaks to Caitlin Neuwelt-Kearns from the Child Poverty Action Group about the government’s inadequately slow progress on welfare reform.
Finally, Zoë speaks to PhD Candidate Briar Meads, Ngāi Tahu on te Tiriti o Waitangi as opposed to the Treaty of Waitangi.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the Government will declare a climate change emergency. This declaration is non binding, but Ardern says the motion intends to hold the Government accountable and recognises they are taking the issue seriously.
Jess Hopkins talked to Doctor Julie MacArthur, a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, and Public Policy at the University of Auckland, about this declaration and key environmental policy issues facing Aotearoa.
First up, Dr Julie MacArthur discussed her research into environmental programmes and climate resilient infrastructure, and what needs to be done to reduce emissions.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a both a highly influential and highly misunderstood and contested document. Zöe Larsen Cumming spoke to PhD Candidate Briar Meads of Ngāi Tahu, about what it means when someone refers to The Treaty as opposed to Te Tiriti in media, business or politics.
The interview began by asking how while most people are aware that there are some very important differences between the english Treaty of Waitangi and the Te Reo Te Tiriti o Waitangi, but can outline what these key translation differences are?
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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