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.
Although it seems as if US oil prices are back up again after the first negative prices in history, should we be relieved? US President Donald Trump is talking about it as if it is a technical and isolated blip. But economists say otherwise.
How can a price be negative? What is an "oil future"? How sustainable really is the oil industry, if it exists precariously from "bust to boom"? How integral is the continuous supply of oil to American society?
Rachel Simpson reports on the negative price of oil futures on this week's instalment of State of the States.
Should we all be heading to Cushing, Oklahoma with any container we can find to collect some oil and get paid for it? Unfortunately, that's not exactly how it works.
And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County
Down by the Green River where Paradise lay
Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking
Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away
Tāmati Kruger is the chair of the Te Urewera board, and chair of the Tūhoe tribal office, Te Uru Taumatua. When the original level 4 lockdown was announced, Tūhoe announced closures of freedom camping areas in the region. Since then, they’ve also set up some checkpoints. A number of iwi throughout the motu have set up their own checkpoints as a way of reducing the possibility of the virus being brought into those areas. There has been very varied responses to these, and they are indeed operating in a varied nature. Tūhoe have since announced that in the shift to level 3, much of their level 4 restrictions in place will remain the same. This is because the risk of a devastating outbreak in their community remains high due to the access to healthcare in the area, as well as preexisting conditions that disproportionately affect Māori. Lillian asked Tāmati if they could have a chat about some of these issues and started by asking how his rāhui period has been at home.
Kate Hannah is a cultural historian and also the Deputy Director of Te Pūnaha Matatini. This is a centre of research excellence based at the University of Auckland. The name means the meeting place of many faces. Their researchers are from a range of disciplines, all of whom are interested in understanding the links between things to then use maths to try and understand the world. A relationship based way of doing science rather than a reductionist or positivist way of doing it. So, those in social sciences and humanities work alongside highly computational researchers in order to contextualise the mathematics they present. This way of working has been important in their work on Covid19 looking into the many experiences of racism for Māori and Pasifika peoples in Aotearoa, within the healthcare system and other governmental and social systems. Te Pūnaha Matatini released a report last week on health inequities relating to the infection fatality rate of Covid19. It stated, "The communities at the highest risk will be those with elderly populations, and Māori and Pasifika communities, where the compounded effects of underlying health conditions, socioeconomic disadvantage, and structural racism result in imbricated risk of contracting COVID-19, becoming unwell, and death". Lillian spoke to Kate about this and started by asking about the IFR, or the Infection Fatality Rate.
Lillian speaks with Te Pūnaha Matatini deputy director, Kate Hannah, about their latest report on the inequity of the infection fatality rate of COVID-19
We will hear from Labour’s Andrew Little once again, this week Mary-Margaret asked for his response to current debates about comparisons to Australia, and whether or not we should return to ‘normal’
Rachel brings us an update on the State of the States in regards to the latest oil prices hitting a major low
Mary-Margaret also catches up with Radio Adelaide’s Zoe Kounadis about the fate of Virgin Airlines, how much the public really cares about the pirating of Malcolm Turnbull’s memoirs, and a rogue kangaroo
Lillian also has a chat with Tamati Kruger, chair of Te Urewera board, about how Tuhoe is responding to the rāhui and the backlash to iwi responses
And we get a live update on Minister Faafoi's announcement for a COVID-19 support package for the media sector.
We have our updates from the Epidemic Response Committee meeting today where the committee is hearing from the Reserve Bank, trade Ministers and the Council of Trade Unions
Hanna speaks to Campbell Jones, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Auckland and a researcher at the thinktank Economic and Social Research Aotearoa, about how ‘unskilled’ work has become ‘essential services’ under lockdown.
We will hear from Labour’s Andrew Little once again, this week Mary-Margaret asked about the tertiary package and the claims of the group calling for a ‘Plan B’.
Rachel brings us an update on the State of the States.
And Mary-Margaret also catches up with Radio Adelaide’s Zoe Kounadis about their Chief Medical Officer’s comments at our own Epidemic Response Committee, and a new DC character who is an Aboriginal woman from Pilbara.
International Desk reports on China's "Wolf Warrior" strategy on diplomacy, as diplomatic rows flared from allegations on spreading misinformation to mistreating African citizens.
Following the Prime Minister's announcement yesterday, we have a brief reminder of what alert level 3 will look like.
Laura Kvigstad and Jessica Hopkins bring us with notes of today's parliamentary Epidemic Response Committee.
Bronnie talks about the Ministry for the Environment’s Our Freshwater 2020 report on Greendesk.
Oscar Perress spoke to Auckland Councillor Pippa Coom about tactical urbanism, infrastructure projects and procedures around Covid-19 as well as the Council’s budget on another episode of City Counselling.
Sherry Zhang talked to Green Party co-leader James Shaw about moving the country to alert level 3, guidance for business transitioning online and to contactless takeaways, unsafe living situations and the Green Party's financial challenges.
International Desk reports on the current state of Chinese diplomacy during the pandemic.
Oscar has another chat with Samuel Miller McDonald on the relationship between the environment, politics and Coivd-19.
Lilian looks into what will happen during alert level 3 when New Zealand moves into it next week, while Justin reports on contact tracing in New Zealand, after the Ministry of Health released an audit saying it needs expansion.
The structure and meeting procedures at Auckland Council are not the only thing that has and will change in reaction to Covid-19. Last week, the Council met to discuss the budget, and how they are to adjust what they had ready to propose prior to Covid-19, and what they believe are the best steps forward budgeting to find solutions that emerge from Covid-19.
This week, Oscar Perress is joined by Cr Pippa Coom. They discussed tactical urbanism, infrastructure projects and procedures around Covid-19 but started by addressing the budget.
A huge thank you to Cr Coom, and Conor Lavery and Louis Laws for their assistance.
Earlier this month, Oscar Perress was able to talk to Samuel Miller McDonald, a journalist, writer and student currently based in the UK for his studies at Oxford. Though talking for over an hour, their discussion around Covid-19 can be understood as a discussion on systems.
In the initial weeks of mass shutdowns, false claims of environmental regeneration circulated the media and internet alike. Apparently in Italy, marine life returned to the Venetian canals that have long been polluted by nitrous dioxide, but where the water is now clearer than it has been in sixty years. The lower air pollution, according to one study in China, caused by Covid-19, also may save up to 77,000 lives. To this, there was a reactionary groundswell parroting The Matrix’s Agent Smith, in identifying us, humans, as the virus that has created Papatūānuku’s ills. One tweet from @ThomasSchuIz offering Agent Smith’s line verbatim has over 297,000 likes at time of writing. Many in political circles, including Oscar himself initially, pointed at posts promoting Covid-19 as a solution for environmental recovery, be it true or not, as examples of 'eco-fascism'.
Miller McDonald unpacks this discourse a little more and expands discussing the dangers of arbitrarily and incorrectly labelling political phenomena as such, referencing a recent editorial Miller McDonald wrote for Current Affairs Magazine.
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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