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.
Oscar Perress talked to Auckland Councillor Pippa Coom about her role, the functions of council committees, and what Auckland Council is doing on climate and COVID-19.
News Director Lillian Hanly gives a rundown of the Prime Minister's announcement yesterday which outlined the government's plan to take the country from alert level 3 to alert level 4 over 48 hours and what this means. Lillian also indicates how the news will work for the next four weeks. Stay tuned!
A couple weeks ago Transport minister, Phil Twyford announced a new train between Auckland and Christchurch, which will start in August. With 4 services each day, 2 to Auckland to 2 to Hamilton, it will be able to get 300 people to and from each day. This system will eventually work along with the rapid rail if it is successful, linking the two cities. James starts off by asking Phil how long this project has been in the making. At the end James also covers what precautions Auckland Transport is taking surrounding public transport and Covid-19.
In part of James Tapp's investigation into the organics bill, James talks to Julian Heyes, the head of school of food and advanced technology. Julian is a professor of postharvest technology. Last week James talked to Andrea Braakhuis, an academic researcher in nutrition at the University of Auckland, which gave him insight into the nutritional value of organics. By talking to Julian, James wants to find out about the differences between conventional and organic farming, as well as what sort of regulations could come into play from a farming perspective. While James asks a number of the same questions to both interviewees, both gave varying answers focusing on different areas. James starts off by asking Julian what defines a product as organic.
This week on the Wire, Producer James Tapp talks to Phil Twyford about the new train going between Auckland and Hamilton.
Sherry Zhang brings you the Southern Cross segment with contributing editor Sri Krishnamurthi. This week focusing on the the effect COVID-19 has on the Pacific, specifically with the first death in Guam and lack of transparence in Papua New Guinea.
James Tapp chats to Professor Julian Heyes, the Head of School of Food and Advanced Technology at Massey university about more details surrounding the organics bill
Zoe Larsen Cumming talks to journalist and war crimes investigator, Julie Webb-Pullman, about the situation in Gaza and how the coronavirus is exacerbating the already present issues. Zoe then talks to the national chair of Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, John Minto, about what can be done to help mitigate COVID-19’s effect in Gaza on an international level.
The National Party's Denise Lee joins Laura Kvigstad to discuss the recent criticism Simon Bridges has received for his handling of issues related to covid 19. After that, they chat about why National is calling for better transparency on the criteria for school closures. Finally, they chat about National's calls for biotech in the attempts to make Aotearoa predator-free.
Then, Salient FM down in Wellington has closed it's doors, switching in favour of podcasting, which appears to be an audio supplement of the magazine, rather than a mix of student volunteers producing a variety of programming. Corey Fuimaono speaks with former Salient FM co-manager Nav Nair and VUWSA President Geo Robrigado, making sense of what has been an unexpected demise.
Salient Co-Editors Rachel Trow & Kirsty Frame wished 95bFM to publish a response to Corey's piece, which you can read here.
Finally, As a part of a larger segment, bFM news is looking at how certain industries are being impacted by covid 19 and what advice experts may have to offer. This week Laura Kvigstad looks into how the sex work industry is being impacted. She speaks with Catherine Healy of the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective about the current state of the industry. Catherine is calling for sex workers to reach out to Winz now as the industry is expected to be hit quite hard.
Salient FM down in Wellington has closed it's doors, switching in favour of podcasting, which appears to be an audio supplement of the magazine, rather than a mix of student volunteers producing a variety of programming. Corey Fuimaono speaks with former Salient FM co-manager Nav Nair and VUWSA President Geo Robrigado, making sense of what has been an unexpected demise.
Salient Co-Editors Rachel Trow & Kirsty Frame wished 95bFM to publish the following response:
"Salient FM being shut down was NOT a condition of our contract, nor was it something that we had any control over. The decision to close FM was made before our interview for this role. Any statement that the CEO has made that insinuates that this was a collaborative decision is entirely false. The decision was made before our contracts began and we were explicitly told by the VUWSA CEO Matt Tucker that it was dead, he had cut it, and there was nothing we could do. Matt's question that he posed to us in the interview was "FM is dead, what are your alternatives?" Since securing this job, all FM equipment has been removed, and we have yet to receive access to our budget from Matt Tucker, hence we have not been able to offer any broadcast and very limited podcast material, produced largely on our own personal equipment. We are working profusely to make sure that Salient remains editorially independent from VUWSA, including the VUWSA CEO. This is an ongoing situation that we are working tirelessly to solve without compromising the quality of our media that our readers expect."
As a part of a larger segment, bFM news is looking at how certain industries are being impacted by covid 19 and what advice experts may have to offer. This week Laura Kvigstad looks into how the sex work industry is being impacted. She speaks with Catherine Healy of the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective about the current state of the industry. Catherine is calling for sex workers to reach out to Winz now as the industry is expected to be hit quite hard.
A New Zealand-based Samoan chief has been found guilty of 10 charges of human trafficking and 13 charges in dealing in slaves.
This is the first guilty verdict on a human trafficking and slavery case in New Zealand. But with many exploitative migrant worker schemes flying under the radar because of the legal and social danger for victims if they speak out, it is certainly not the first occurrence.
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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