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.
Ty Stroud-Young spoke with the president of The New Zealand Educational Institute, Liam Rutherford after a survey was released, which revealed that teachers and school leaders report significant job strain far exceeding the general population.
Ollie speaks with Ministers Stuart Nash and Julie Anne Genter on the new roadside drug testing bill. Minister Genter also talks about Auckland's new cycle way and the launch of the new measles catch up campaign
In City Counselling this week, Oscar speaks to Cr Tracy Mulholland about the adoption of the budget, Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau Authority, Te Whau pathway and He Waka Eke Noa.
Yesterday, former Broadcasting Minister and outgoing Labour MP Clare Curran said the nature of reporting in Aotearoa was destructive. She said there is a toxic culture at Parliament, that is systemic and not the fault of anyone in particular. Mary-Margaret wanted to find out how accountability should be dealt with if issues are systemic, in the context of a Westminster model of governance that encourages combative politics and combative political media. She spoke to Associate Professor Neal Curtis about how complex this issue is, and if we are discussing the root of the problem accurately.
Wednesday’s report on the Resource Management Act, called New Directions for Resource Management in New Zealand, was welcomed by the government. It was commissioned by Environment Minister David Parker, and it recommended completely scrapping the RMA and replacing it with two new pieces of legislation: the Natural and Built Environments Act and the Strategic Planning Act. James Tapp spoke to National’s environment spokesperson Scott Simpson, after having interviewed Minister Parker too.
Ollie Joblin speaks with Ministers Stuart Nash and Julie Anne Genter on the new roadside drug testing bill as well as the new cycleway at Orakei and a new campaign set to address measles in our youth. Mary-Margaret Slack speaks to Neal Curtis about Clare Curran’s comments on toxicity in Parliament and the role that media plays in the problem. In City Counselling, Oscar Perress speaks to Tracy Mulholland about the adoption of the budget, the maunga authority, Te whau pathway and He waka eke noa! And finally, we hear from National’s environment spokesperson about scrapping the RMA completely
Justin spoke to Justice Minister Andrew Little about the concerns of returning New Zealanders on charging for managed isolation, the banking sector implementing living wage to its lowest-paid contractors, proposed laws to protect migrant workers, and how the extradition process works even without a treaty.
This Wednesday a report of the Resource Management Act (RMA), New Directions for Resource Management in New Zealand, was welcome by the government. This was commissioned by the Environment Minister, David Parker, with the recommendation being to completely scrap the RMA and replace it with two new pieces of legislation, a Natural and Built Environments Act and a Strategic Planning Act. In an effort to understand more about the RMA, producer James Tapp talks to Minister Parker live on air about the RMA and its future.
On Dear Science today with Allan Blackman we discuss the mystery behind body odour, the effects of lithium in drinking water lowering suicide rates, and the ongoing litigation surrounding cancer caused by herbicide glysophatem (otherwise known as Roundup).
Felix, brings us a bit of a follow up on his last week's report on support for international students in New Zealand following a funding announcement made by Minister for Education Chris Hipkins yesterday.
NZ First’s Tracey Martin talks opposition to the $100 million dollar Southland Recovery Package, paid mandatory managed isolation, a code of conduct for MP's, and regional funding to tackle methamphetamine use.
Jessica Hopkins speaks to AAAP about the Government’s announcement to combat debt by strengthening specialist debt solution services. This is followed by an interview with Pam Waugh from the Salvation Army who had a positive reception to the announcement.
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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