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.
Justin discussed with Justice Minister Andrew Little on the election results, forming the new government, and his decision to not wipe the criminal records of those convicted of cannabis-related offences even if the referendum to legalize cannabis was successful.
With the world still in chaos, it is still important to remember the impacts of recycling as well as our everyday consumption. Earlier this year in August James talked to the CEO of Plastics NZ, Rachel Barker, about waste minimisation and the circular economy. Having now received 1 million dollars to put towards making plastics part of New Zealand's circular economy. To give a brief overview, the circular economy is based around the ability to use products and resources more than once and renewing their lifecycle instead of going straight to a landfill or polluting our environment. Ultimately most products become part of the circular economy, however some, such as plastics, may take hundreds of years to do so as they decompose. With some urgency to address New Zealand and how we can minimise our waste, James started off by asking about what the waste minimisation fund is all about.
Justin and Zoe talked about the Queensland Liberal Party's election policy of imposing a young curfew in Cairns and Townsville, the federal government's reluctance to fund Indigenous legal services, and the revealation that 82 Victoria police officers were charged with family violence offences but only one was found guilty.
On their weekly chat, Justin discussed with Justice Minister Andrew Little on the election, government portfolios, and the potential to wipe criminal records relating to cannabis.
Justin also had a brief catch-up with the new MP for Auckland Central Chlöe Swarbrick.
James spoke to Plastics New Zealand CEO Rachel Barker on the circular economy.
On Neighbourhood Watch, Justin and Zoe talked about the Queesnland Liberal Party promising to impose a youth curfew, the federal government's reluctance to fund Indigenous legal services, and only 1 out of 82 police officers in Victoria accused of family violence were found guilty.
Following up on last week’s election, Felix Walton spoke to Annie Newman from the E tū union about what the results mean for the future of workers rights in Aotearoa.
After winning around 8%of the votes over the weekend, the Act party is set to bring 10 MPs into Parliament - the most in the party’s history. In 1999, the party won 9 seats, but in recent history has been a one-person party. Bronwyn spoke to Act party deputy leader, Brooke van Velden about the party’s success and what is next for her as an MP.
In the Wire this week, Dear Science's Marcus Jones talks about the first room-temperature superconductor, a new NASA mission to lightly graze an asteroid, and the mystery of why adding salt to sweet foods makes them taste even sweeter.
Felix speaks to Annie Newman from E tū about the election results and what this new Government means for worker’s rights.
Bronwyn interviews Brooke van Velden, deputy leader of the Act party about her party’s success, and what this means going forward.
And clips from NZ First’s Tracey Martin speaking about what’s next and responding to Barry Soper’s theory about the party’s unsuccessful election result.
The 2020 election has delivered a historic victory for the left, with Labour holding an outright majority and successes for the Greens and the Māori Party. Today, Hanna reached out to left advocacy groups to gather their thoughts on this outcome, and whether it could result in transformative change.
Hanna spoke to Council of Trade Unions President Richard Wagstaff about their policy wishlist, the swing to the left in the electorate, and how coalition negotiations will impact workers rights.
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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