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.
Essential workers have been the backbone for New Zealand during the Covid-19 pandemic. They are on the frontlines every day, risking their own health in doing so. Yet for many of these workers, their jobs are based on a low-wage income, barely earning enough to live on.
Producer Louis Laws talks with the Green Party's Workplace Relations spokesperson, Jan Logie, as well as the Council of Trade Union's President, Richard Wagstaff, on the government implementing a fair pay agreement.
Justice Minister Andrew Little joins us to discuss topics from a trans tasman bubble, transparency in legal advice to government about the lockdown, and engaging with the cannabis referendum; upcoming musician HINA tells Mary-Margaret about the importance of New Zealand Music Month to her, and why we should fund wananga and creative opportunities all year long; in Neighbourhood Watch we cross to Zoe Kounadis about Scott Morrison’s last week during COVID, including a significant idea shared with our own PM; Mary-Margaret has some questions about the fast tracking of shovel ready projects in a bill which some urban planners have queeries about, concerning public input; Jackie Clark is hosting a socially distanced fundraiser for her organisation the Aunties; and we hear todays Epidemic Response Commitee notes.
HINA is set to release her first single, so Mary-Margaret spoke to her about being part of NZ Music Month during the first socially distanced one. She tells us about deciding to embark on creative professions in Aotearoa, and the importance of funding wananga to foster these opportunities all year long.
Today’s Epidemic Response committee looked into how Covid 19 has impacted those nearing the end of their lives or suffering with serious medical conditions. Strict measures were put in place resulting in many being unable to see those they love at level four. At level three, up to 10 people are now allowed to attend a funeral and visiting those who are near the end of their lives is considered on a case by case basis. We hear from the Cancer Society, Funeral Directors of New Zealand and Hospice New Zealand.
Emalani Case is Kanaka Maoli from Hawai’i’ and currently lecturing in the Department of Pacific Studies at Victoria University of Wellington. Emalani is part of a Cancel RIMPAC Aotearoa coalition made up of peace advocates and human rights justice seekers. They are concerned for the welfare of those in Hawai’i due to the Rim of the Pacific International Maritime war exercise that takes place every two years in Hawai’i. It is understood that NZ will be taking part in the exercise this year, as they have before, and will be sending around 300 troops. The coalition has written an open letter to the Prime Minister of Aotearoa requesting the country withdraw from the exercise and not participate. Lillian spoke to Emalani to find out more and started by asking her to explain more about what RIMPAC is.
Lillian reached out to the Minister for Defence to follow up but he was unavailable for an interview, providing this statement instead:
"New Zealand has regularly participated in the US-led RIMPAC exercise since it commenced in 1971. RIMPAC is the largest exercise in the world, and provides a unique training opportunity for the NZDF. It’s a highlight for our personnel to exercise alongside our Indo-Pacific friends and partners as this exercise allows the NZDF to test a wide range of capabilities in a number of scenarios, from disaster response to maritime security operations.
COVID-19 has inevitably impacted the event and I have been advised the US is planning to continue with the exercise in a reduced format.
The NZDF is currently considering whether it is feasible for our personnel to participate and what our participation might look like."
On Dear Science with Allan Blackman we talk about the ongoing face mask dispute between scientists, we find out how Koala’s get water and say a happy birthday to the Hubble telescope.
Felix reports on yesterday’s announcement of the trans-Tasman bubble.
Lillian speak to Emalani Case about a meeting of 26,000 military troops in Hawai’i for an exercise known as RIMPAC later this year and concerns for Covid19 transmission.
And we have our regular Epidemic Response Committee notes and today we hear how Covid 19 has impacted those nearing the end of their lives or suffering with serious medical conditions.
Bronwyne Wilde reports on some of the submissions made to Parliament's Justice Select Committee on the bill looking to restore voting rights for some prisoners.
International Desk reports on the situation in Libya, as the internationally-recognized government rejected a call for ceasefire and a renegade general claimed he has the mandate to rule.
Laura Kvigstad and Jessica Hopkins reports on today Epidemic Response Committee.
Oscar Perress talked to Denise Bijoux of Catalyse, a network of strategic and creative professionals who enable locally-led regeneration on Community Garden.
A special This Day in History saw Conor Knell talking about the 850th anniversary since Anglo-Normans invaded Ireland.
International Desk reports on Libya, as renegade General Khalifa Haftar declared he has a manadate to rule the country, which the internationally-backed government in Tripoli objects.
This special edition of This Day in History looks into the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland on May 1st, 1169. It started the English rule of the Irish isles.
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
95bFM 
