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.
This morning Southern Cross released a national health and wellbeing survey that looks into mental, social and physical health both before and after the lockdown. The study was done by Colmar Brunton and will be conducted every two years as a bit of a check-in on New Zealanders’ wellbeing. Felix Walton spoke to Southern Cross Chief Medical Officer Dr Stephen Child about the survey.
Yesterday the government announced a $761 million stimulus for Three Waters, an initiative to improve the management of drinking water, stormwater and wastewater. The investment into water infrastructure is a key aspect of the government’s planned Covid-19 recovery, with hopes to improve water health and avoid outbreaks such as the campylobacter outbreak in Havelock north four years ago. Jess Hopkins spoke to Alex Walker, the Mayor of the Central Hawkes Bay District Council about the funding, and how it could help in avoiding a repeat of the events in Havelock North
Today on the Wire Jemima speaks with the General Manager of the Auckland Univeristy Students Association about the upcoming AUSA Executive elections and student engagement in voting.
Hanna talks to AUT waste management expert Dr Jeff Seadon about recycling e-waste.
The government's Vaping Bill is receiving some criticism. Jemima speaks to Deborah Hart who is the Director for ASH: Action for Smokefree 2025 about the Bill and why it needs to be amended before it is passed.
Hanna interviews the Chair of Tax Justice Aotearoa, Louise Delany, about their recommendations for tax reform in New Zealand and why tax should be a election focus.
The nomination period for the Auckland University Student Association Executive Election opened this week. Jemima Huston speaks to AUSA General Manager, Will Watterson, about how the Election will look this year. They also discuss student engagement in the AUSA elections and the relationship between AUSA and the Univeristy of Auckland.
Hanna speaks to Louise Delaney, Chair of Tax Justice Aotearoa, about their recommended changes to New Zealand's tax system, and about how likely they are to be realised politically.
Hanna speaks to Dr Jeff Seadon, waste management expert at AUT, about how the government's recently announced waste management policy will impact how e-waste (electronic waste) is handled in Aotearoa.
Jemima Huston speaks to the Chair of ASH: Action for Smokefree 2025, Deborah Hart, about the government's Vaping Bill and why there are amendments to be made to the proposal before it is passed.
This week on Monday Wire, Zoe and the Green Party co-leader James Shaw discuss the Green's stance on the newly introduced quarantine fees for returning New Zealanders, the new roadside drug testing bill and the Green's Poverty Action Plan.
After false claims on the content of March's abortion law reform by two National MPs, Zoe Larsen Cumming spoke to the National President of the Abortion Law Reform Association New Zealand, Terry Bellamak on what the actual content of the abortion law reform is, the politicisation of social issues, and what work needs to be done regarding women's rights and health in New Zealand.
The weekly chat with Green Party co-leader James Shaw regarding quaratine fees, the roadside drug testing bill, and the Green's Poverty Action Plan.
The Southern Cross with Pacific Media Watch's director David Robie and contributing editor Sri Krishnamurthi on the longterm effects of French nuclear testing in the Pacific, Covid 19 in Papua New Guinea, and a drug heist in Papua New Guinea.
Zoë talks to ALRANZ president Terry Bellamak on the policisation of social issues.
Producer Ty brings a piece on the mental health of teachers and principals in New Zealand.
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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