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.
International Desk explains the importance of Super Tuesday in American presidential politics, the remaining 5 candidates for the Democratic nomination and their objectives. 14 states and American Samoa will hold primaries to decide on delegates.
Rachel Simpson discusses a Justspeak report saying Maori are almost two times more likely than the general public to have police proceedings against them and seven times more likely to be charged than Pakeha with Director Tania Sawicki Mead.
Due to the release of new figures released last week, the opportunities party, run by Geoff Simmons, put out a statement saying change is long overdue. The figures, which were released to Checkpoint, found over 30,000 of those receiving NZ super were earning over $100,000 a year, costing taxpayers over half a billion dollars. Retirement Policy and Research Centre director Susan St John, sez these numbers are still an underestimate, as it does not take into account capital gains or portfolio investment entities. James talked to Geoff Simmons about how reform could come around, and what it could mean not only for those receiving NZ super, but also our youngest members of society and how it will support them. James started off by asking how the current system works for those who receive superannuation.
Endometriosis is a common inflammatory disease estimated to affect 176 million girls and women worldwide in their reproductive years, and 120,000 in New Zealand.
Sherry speaks to Minister for Women and Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter, on the launch of a new best-practice guidance for the treatment of endometriosis. This is the first of it's kind in New Zealand. Julie Anne Genter speaks on why girls, women and people with periods often have delayed diagnosis due to misconceptions around period and the issue of health equality.
Sherry Zhang talks to Green party Co-leader James shaw on the Kiwi saver ban on fossil fuels and the organics product Bill.
Southern Cross is back for this year, and Pacific Media Centre director Professor David Robie and Pacific Media Watch contributing editor Sri Krishnamurthi discuss with Sherry on West Papua, the PM's visit to Fiji, coronavirus coverage in the Media. Sri also shares his personal story of working as journalist after a stroke.
James Tapp speaks to Leader of poiltical party TOP on superannuation and TOP's reforms.
Finally Sherry speaks to Women's minister and Associate Health minister Julie ann Genter on Endometriosis guidance for Health professionals.
Neutral corner for this week looks at coverage of the 10th Democratic Party debate of the 2020 election season, held in the aftermath of the Nevada primary.
The National Party’s, Denise Lee joins Laura Kvigstad for their weekly chat. This week they discuss governments place-based assessments for housing which has started in Rotorua most recently. Then they have a chat about transparency international calling for political funding reform which follows the Serious Fraud Office’s investigations in National and New Zealand First’s donation scandals. Finally, Denise expresses her concerns over the fire hazard that One Tree Hill has become since the Tūpuna Maunga Authority has stopped livestock grazing.
Then, Rachel Simpson talks to expert on US foreign policy Dr Robert G. Patman, professor of politics and director of international studies at the University of Otago. Dr Robert Patman. He explains and analyses the relationship between the US and India.
Next, we revisit the subject of cannabis, this week focusing on the psychological effects the substance has on the brain. Otago University Professor, Joe Boden joins Laura to discuss the impacts both on young brains as well as those susceptible to psychosis.
Finally, Benjamin Goldson revisits the United States in this weeks neutral corner. He looks at the coverage of the 10th Democratic Party debate of the 2020 election season, held in the aftermath of the Nevada primary.
We revisit the subject of cannabis, this week focusing on the psychological effects the substance has on the brain. Otago University Professor, Joe Boden joins Laura Kvigstad to discuss the impacts both on young brains as well as those susceptible to psychosis.
The two right wing populist leaders US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met up earlier this week on Trump's whirlwhind visit to India. The highly publicised visit ended in an arms deal and brought increased violence and protest into the country.
Rachel Simpson talks to expert on US foreign policy Dr Robert G. Patman, professor of politics and director of international studies at the University of Otago. Dr Patman explains and analyses the relationship between the US and India.
Data released this week showed that there has been no significant change in child poverty and material hardship since 2017. Mary-Margaret speaks to Children’s Commisioner Andrew Becroft first about his response, followed by Jackie Clark of The Aunties.
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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